Middle and high school on Capitol Hill

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the -- if not, the -- smartest kids at Brent stayed for 5th grade. His parents were willing to consider Jefferson based on everything they heard. Well, a little deeper digging this year and... nope. They're going to pony up for private after all.

His parents would have been smart to have kept these thoughts to themselves. The Jefferson Academy boosting terrain is ripe for making neighborhood enemies, or at least losing friends, right now. There were a lot of familiar names on that petition.

You don't think this is a little melodramatic? My spouse and I signed the petition, and we certainly don't dislike anyone because of choices they've made. We'd appreciate learning more about why people are making the decisions they are and what can be done to improve the Brent middle school situation (being realistic, I'm not sure that the pan-Capitol Hill middle school plan is realistic but it is an interesting idea). I've spoken with several of the people who circulated the petition, and while they could appropriately be described as Jefferson boosters, I wouldn't describe them as having any animosity whatsoever towards those who make different decisions. I think a lot of the accusations made here (coming from one or a handful of people?) are flame throwing and not do not fairly represent the "Jefferson boosters". We love being at Brent, but some of the parents do have the knack of taking any topic and making discussion hostile (e.g., change of language instruction, celebrating holidays).

Also, an earlier comment about not going to PTA meetings due to discussion of Jefferson? I've been to a number of the recent PTA meetings, and Jefferson updates constituted anywhere between 1 and 10 minutes of the 1.5 hour agenda. Most discussion was about Brent curriculum, PTA fundraising, PTA and school budgets, new aftercare program for underachieving students, teaching partners and where to find them, lottery results, etc. If you can't stand the thought of Jefferson, I don't think that aspect would be at all hard to tune out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd welcome test-in programs and honors programs like in NYC. We don't need programs for gifted kids. We do need programs for bright kids.

My child is very bright but likely not genuinely gifted. She was, however, reading FOUR grade levels above many other kids in her Hill inbound elementary -- in FIRST grade. No way will I send her to a middle school where most peers are years behind her, unless there's an honors class (which there will likely not be). I'll sell my home before then (and we've been on the Hill over 15 years).

Signed,
Successful product of NYC public schools

+1. Why, oh why, can't DC have real Hunter/Stuy/Bronx Sci/Brooklyn Tech equivalents?

Indeed, I graduated from one of the test-in NYC schools you cite. But before that I attended my rather average, large local middle school which served loads of kids from poor backgrounds. However, the school had a couple of "special progress" classrooms which taught more advanced class work (and these served kids of all races and classes). DCPS won't do this, however.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the -- if not, the -- smartest kids at Brent stayed for 5th grade. His parents were willing to consider Jefferson based on everything they heard. Well, a little deeper digging this year and... nope. They're going to pony up for private after all.

His parents would have been smart to have kept these thoughts to themselves. The Jefferson Academy boosting terrain is ripe for making neighborhood enemies, or at least losing friends, right now. There were a lot of familiar names on that petition.

You don't think this is a little melodramatic? My spouse and I signed the petition, and we certainly don't dislike anyone because of choices they've made. We'd appreciate learning more about why people are making the decisions they are and what can be done to improve the Brent middle school situation (being realistic, I'm not sure that the pan-Capitol Hill middle school plan is realistic but it is an interesting idea). I've spoken with several of the people who circulated the petition, and while they could appropriately be described as Jefferson boosters, I wouldn't describe them as having any animosity whatsoever towards those who make different decisions. I think a lot of the accusations made here (coming from one or a handful of people?) are flame throwing and not do not fairly represent the "Jefferson boosters". We love being at Brent, but some of the parents do have the knack of taking any topic and making discussion hostile (e.g., change of language instruction, celebrating holidays).

Also, an earlier comment about not going to PTA meetings due to discussion of Jefferson? I've been to a number of the recent PTA meetings, and Jefferson updates constituted anywhere between 1 and 10 minutes of the 1.5 hour agenda. Most discussion was about Brent curriculum, PTA fundraising, PTA and school budgets, new aftercare program for underachieving students, teaching partners and where to find them, lottery results, etc. If you can't stand the thought of Jefferson, I don't think that aspect would be at all hard to tune out.

Very well said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd welcome test-in programs and honors programs like in NYC. We don't need programs for gifted kids. We do need programs for bright kids.

My child is very bright but likely not genuinely gifted. She was, however, reading FOUR grade levels above many other kids in her Hill inbound elementary -- in FIRST grade. No way will I send her to a middle school where most peers are years behind her, unless there's an honors class (which there will likely not be). I'll sell my home before then (and we've been on the Hill over 15 years).

Signed,
Successful product of NYC public schools

+1. Why, oh why, can't DC have real Hunter/Stuy/Bronx Sci/Brooklyn Tech equivalents?

We can start with the fact that DC is less than 1/10 the size of NYC.

We can also ask whether any research indicates that creaming off the best students into one high school benefits either the students or society? (The small amount of research I have seen suggests that it doesn't).

We can also ask whether the tests measure anything that we care about? The relation between SAT scores and college success is .2 I.e. pretty low. That's why colleges care about extracurriculars. The kid with all 750 SATs who starts a successful tutoring program is going places. The kid with all 800s who spends evenings in his room playing World of Warccraft isn't.

Sorry, but without these programs, most of these kids aren't staying in DCPS. And while D.C. Can't support four large test-in high school with a total enrollment of ~10,000 kids, it can support one with a more modest enrollment. But it won't due to lack of will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Threads like this one reassure me of the wisdom of selling my Capitol Hill home and moving my kids to private last year.

Aw couldn't handle it? Some of us don't want to dump our children in an inferior private school and instead got lucky with charters. Sorry you were a lottery loser that still trolls the board. Sad!

Not everybody is a lottery winner by definition. Why not just be grateful that you were? Why not acknowledge that maybe that family's going private was one less person competing for a lottery space and thus improving odds for others?

There needs to be some recognition that while public works out for some, there are so many more that it does not work out for. And those who it works out for are not more deserving - they are simply more lucky.

No, that was a trollish comment which deserved a snarky response. I think some people believe that a "private" school is inherently better. Not true. I would not send a dog to any of the local Catholic schools, much less children.

Wow PP, check your prejudice. That's fine, because I wouldn't kennel my dog at your Hill elementary, nevermind Stuart Hobson or any other MS here - enrollment at these "revered" publics is just plain irresponsible. Give people vouchers and let them choose, and then tell me how many line up for your oh so great publics. You'll then have to fill them with dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean that Allen promised a Cap Hill MS? I remember him promising to get even more money for SH on the stump and that's about it.

You are wrong. He promised a Capitol Hill middle school. Of course all we got is two meth clinics and increased traffic so our kids can get run over without consequences.

All Allen is good at is positioning himself for a mayoral run and sending out useless self-promoting emails.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd welcome test-in programs and honors programs like in NYC. We don't need programs for gifted kids. We do need programs for bright kids.

My child is very bright but likely not genuinely gifted. She was, however, reading FOUR grade levels above many other kids in her Hill inbound elementary -- in FIRST grade. No way will I send her to a middle school where most peers are years behind her, unless there's an honors class (which there will likely not be). I'll sell my home before then (and we've been on the Hill over 15 years).

Signed,
Successful product of NYC public schools

+1. Why, oh why, can't DC have real Hunter/Stuy/Bronx Sci/Brooklyn Tech equivalents?

Because DCPS is scared of what those classes will look like racially.

+1. NP. It doesn't have to be that way. When I was a kid in the 70s, Hunter College High School took it upon itself to implement tutoring programs with respect to the entry exam for promising students from disadvantaged neighborhoods. It worked, the student body 'looked like' the City at large.

I went to Hunter in the 80s and 90s!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the -- if not, the -- smartest kids at Brent stayed for 5th grade. His parents were willing to consider Jefferson based on everything they heard. Well, a little deeper digging this year and... nope. They're going to pony up for private after all.

His parents would have been smart to have kept these thoughts to themselves. The Jefferson Academy boosting terrain is ripe for making neighborhood enemies, or at least losing friends, right now. There were a lot of familiar names on that petition.

You don't think this is a little melodramatic? My spouse and I signed the petition, and we certainly don't dislike anyone because of choices they've made. We'd appreciate learning more about why people are making the decisions they are and what can be done to improve the Brent middle school situation (being realistic, I'm not sure that the pan-Capitol Hill middle school plan is realistic but it is an interesting idea). I've spoken with several of the people who circulated the petition, and while they could appropriately be described as Jefferson boosters, I wouldn't describe them as having any animosity whatsoever towards those who make different decisions. I think a lot of the accusations made here (coming from one or a handful of people?) are flame throwing and not do not fairly represent the "Jefferson boosters". We love being at Brent, but some of the parents do have the knack of taking any topic and making discussion hostile (e.g., change of language instruction, celebrating holidays).

Also, an earlier comment about not going to PTA meetings due to discussion of Jefferson? I've been to a number of the recent PTA meetings, and Jefferson updates constituted anywhere between 1 and 10 minutes of the 1.5 hour agenda. Most discussion was about Brent curriculum, PTA fundraising, PTA and school budgets, new aftercare program for underachieving students, teaching partners and where to find them, lottery results, etc. If you can't stand the thought of Jefferson, I don't think that aspect would be at all hard to tune out.

How long have you been on the Brent scene? If you go back 7 or 8 years, MS related discussions at PTA meetings were intentionally lively and inclusive. I remember polite but heated debates about whether we should lobby to get a feed to Stuart Hobson, or push for Ward 6 DCPS buildings to be handed off to high SES friendly charters, or battle to create a test-in academy at Jefferson. Everyone had their say and parents surveys related to MS weren't uncommon. These days, the MS agenda has been hijacked by a small number of parents of 2nd-4th graders who present our collective options as Jefferson spruced-up-by-a-monster-renovation or nothing definite (lottery luck at BASIS or Latin). There is no hostile discussion because there is no discussion. Some of us tried going to the PTA MS committee meetings, but were told to hit the road (in so many words) because we weren't on board with what struck us as a false narrative (if you spruce it up, the high SES families will come in droves). This is a recipe for few turning up to the Jefferson party for 6th grade, even if tens of millions have been lavished on the building. Not buying the no animosity whatsoever take. Thoughts of different decisions are to be kept to oneself these days for the sake of avoiding conflict, melodramatically or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the -- if not, the -- smartest kids at Brent stayed for 5th grade. His parents were willing to consider Jefferson based on everything they heard. Well, a little deeper digging this year and... nope. They're going to pony up for private after all.

His parents would have been smart to have kept these thoughts to themselves. The Jefferson Academy boosting terrain is ripe for making neighborhood enemies, or at least losing friends, right now. There were a lot of familiar names on that petition.

You don't think this is a little melodramatic? My spouse and I signed the petition, and we certainly don't dislike anyone because of choices they've made. We'd appreciate learning more about why people are making the decisions they are and what can be done to improve the Brent middle school situation (being realistic, I'm not sure that the pan-Capitol Hill middle school plan is realistic but it is an interesting idea). I've spoken with several of the people who circulated the petition, and while they could appropriately be described as Jefferson boosters, I wouldn't describe them as having any animosity whatsoever towards those who make different decisions. I think a lot of the accusations made here (coming from one or a handful of people?) are flame throwing and not do not fairly represent the "Jefferson boosters". We love being at Brent, but some of the parents do have the knack of taking any topic and making discussion hostile (e.g., change of language instruction, celebrating holidays).

Also, an earlier comment about not going to PTA meetings due to discussion of Jefferson? I've been to a number of the recent PTA meetings, and Jefferson updates constituted anywhere between 1 and 10 minutes of the 1.5 hour agenda. Most discussion was about Brent curriculum, PTA fundraising, PTA and school budgets, new aftercare program for underachieving students, teaching partners and where to find them, lottery results, etc. If you can't stand the thought of Jefferson, I don't think that aspect would be at all hard to tune out.

How long have you been on the Brent scene? If you go back 7 or 8 years, MS related discussions at PTA meetings were intentionally lively and inclusive. I remember polite but heated debates about whether we should lobby to get a feed to Stuart Hobson, or push for Ward 6 DCPS buildings to be handed off to high SES friendly charters, or battle to create a test-in academy at Jefferson. Everyone had their say and parents surveys related to MS weren't uncommon. These days, the MS agenda has been hijacked by a small number of parents of 2nd-4th graders who present our collective options as Jefferson spruced-up-by-a-monster-renovation or nothing definite (lottery luck at BASIS or Latin). There is no hostile discussion because there is no discussion. Some of us tried going to the PTA MS committee meetings, but were told to hit the road (in so many words) because we weren't on board with what struck us as a false narrative (if you spruce it up, the high SES families will come in droves). This is a recipe for few turning up to the Jefferson party for 6th grade, even if tens of millions have been lavished on the building. Not buying the no animosity whatsoever take. Thoughts of different decisions are to be kept to oneself these days for the sake of avoiding conflict, melodramatically or not.

It sounds like Brent has a group of parents pushing a realistic solution that could be implemented quickly - I can't say I fault them for putting their efforts where they are most likely to bear fruit. I don't think it's fair to call this hijacking. We all know that the chances of getting a test in MS any time soon are slim (not to mention slim that your child will actually test in). As for the idea of a new charter well -- I can hardly blame a DCPS PTA for focusing on making their feeder school work! If you want to start a charter go for it but I wouldn't think the Brent PTA meeting is where you would do that.

[Anonymous]

The only way their "quick" solution works is if a bunch of 4th grade parents return for 5th, then send their children to a ms with proficiency pass rates in the low 20s. It's a hard sell, and the boosters really want to recruit your family, so 4th grade parents get pestered to jump on board. Can't count how many times I've been asked if we're coming back for 5th if the last few weeks. We have zero interest in Jeff Ac, but aren't talking about what we're planning. Being left alone would rock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only way their "quick" solution works is if a bunch of 4th grade parents return for 5th, then send their children to a ms with proficiency pass rates in the low 20s. It's a hard sell, and the boosters really want to recruit your family, so 4th grade parents get pestered to jump on board. Can't count how many times I've been asked if we're coming back for 5th if the last few weeks. We have zero interest in Jeff Ac, but aren't talking about what we're planning. Being left alone would rock.

I didn't say it would be easy, but sounds like these parents are working hard on the most feasible option. good for them. I am zoned for EH (Maury) and would probably consider it if there were an organized group of parents planning to try it.

[Anonymous]

Jefferson aside, if you're planning to return to Brent for 5th, it behooves you to let the school know ASAP. The school needs to know whether to lobby for another 5th grade teacher and figure out what to do for another classroom. That is the major impetus for the pestering. Jefferson is very secondary.

[Anonymous]

And even if you aren't returning, letting the school know about your plans would really help the school out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only way their "quick" solution works is if a bunch of 4th grade parents return for 5th, then send their children to a ms with proficiency pass rates in the low 20s. It's a hard sell, and the boosters really want to recruit your family, so 4th grade parents get pestered to jump on board. Can't count how many times I've been asked if we're coming back for 5th if the last few weeks. We have zero interest in Jeff Ac, but aren't talking about what we're planning. Being left alone would rock.

I didn't say it would be easy, but sounds like these parents are working hard on the most feasible option. good for them. I am zoned for EH (Maury) and would probably consider it if there were an organized group of parents planning to try it.

I'm a social worker by training who's served families in SW housing projects over the years. Privately, I'm not seeing a "feasible option" at Jefferson Academy, given the awful conditions many of the students face in nearby housing projects. I see well-intentioned Brent parents determined to stay in their neighborhood dramatically over-estimating how OK the demographics and academics of Jefferson Academy will be because they don't spend time in the projects...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only way their "quick" solution works is if a bunch of 4th grade parents return for 5th, then send their children to a ms with proficiency pass rates in the low 20s. It's a hard sell, and the boosters really want to recruit your family, so 4th grade parents get pestered to jump on board. Can't count how many times I've been asked if we're coming back for 5th if the last few weeks. We have zero interest in Jeff Ac, but aren't talking about what we're planning. Being left alone would rock.

I didn't say it would be easy, but sounds like these parents are working hard on the most feasible option. good for them. I am zoned for EH (Maury) and would probably consider it if there were an organized group of parents planning to try it.

I'm a social worker by training who's served families in SW housing projects over the years. Privately, I'm not seeing a "feasible option" at Jefferson Academy, given the awful conditions many of the students face in nearby housing projects. I see well-intentioned Brent parents determined to stay in their neighborhood dramatically over-estimating how OK the demographics and academics of Jefferson Academy will be because they don't spend time in the projects...

got it. you don't believe poor black kids and rich kids can mix. well at least you are honest, which means DCPS can rest easy not giving AF about Hill parents given this attitude.