Startling Creative Minds Vacancies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good memories what exactly? Why’d you leave?

Loved the community, did not like the program for our kids.

Not to sound snarky, but it sounds like everyone is talking about loving the families. If that’s the only positive it doesn’t sound good.

I made a lot of friends. But, choosing a school was not about me finding friends, it was the best education for my kids. CMI was not that. Other people may feel differently.

I agree. Which is why i think you should talk about what made you leave rather than nice memories with friends. That would be more helpful for a family considering the school (that’s not looking to make friends).

When we first toured the school. We were very interested in the language and music component, but there was not as much of that as I had hoped. It was like a tacked on after thought.

Also, if your child does not have special needs, you are a second class citizen (my experience) as the teachers are so focused with all of the needs of the kids in the class. My child was bored, but because there wasn’t enough time for the teachers to give her the attention with Chinese, Spanish, music, IPC, and pull outs, my kid spent time reading during the school day.

It was actually a CMI teacher that recommended that we leave. That individual is still there, and a fantastic teacher.

Now this is great feedback. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good memories what exactly? Why’d you leave?

Loved the community, did not like the program for our kids.

Not to sound snarky, but it sounds like everyone is talking about loving the families. If that’s the only positive it doesn’t sound good.

I made a lot of friends. But, choosing a school was not about me finding friends, it was the best education for my kids. CMI was not that. Other people may feel differently.

This was my experience too although I figured it out myself without a teacher. We are at an academic focused charter now and much happier.

I do think that if your child is SN, CMI is a good fit.

I agree. Which is why i think you should talk about what made you leave rather than nice memories with friends. That would be more helpful for a family considering the school (that’s not looking to make friends).

When we first toured the school. We were very interested in the language and music component, but there was not as much of that as I had hoped. It was like a tacked on after thought.

Also, if your child does not have special needs, you are a second class citizen (my experience) as the teachers are so focused with all of the needs of the kids in the class. My child was bored, but because there wasn’t enough time for the teachers to give her the attention with Chinese, Spanish, music, IPC, and pull outs, my kid spent time reading during the school day.

It was actually a CMI teacher that recommended that we leave. That individual is still there, and a fantastic teacher.

Now this is great feedback. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only thing I've heard about the CMI that raises red flags is that they're quick to place a child on an IEP. I have a friend who transferred her child out and the new school questioned why the kid was on one at all.

The school gets more $$$ if they have more children with IEPs

Interesting - my child was at another charter and had an IEP. At 3 year re-evaluation through DCPS realized determined it was a misdiagnosis and not a SLD and should never have had the IEP.

I don't know . . . most parents of kids with SN I know complain about DCPS being stingy with services. Definitely happened to us (and my child has level 2 ASD as per a well regarded developmental pediatrician). DCPS wanted to put my kid in a gen ed class with only 2 hours of pull out therapy per week. I imagine charters get some additional money to pay for services for kids with IEPs, but I'd be surprised if those payouts were particularly generous, as DCPS tends to be very budget conscious in providing services.

This has been my experience as well. Friends at DCPS have fought with their schools just to get tested. Meanwhile, at CMI last year I requested testing for my child and it was scheduled within a month. The psychologist who did the testing (who does not work for the school) found that my child did not have the (non-academic) issues that concerned me and so did not qualify for an IEP. Meanwhile, both my children thrives academically throughout last year. They are not in grades that had big teacher turnover issues, however. I completely understand why parents of kids in those grades left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just noticing from the welcome packet that the Chief Academic Officer is not returning after one year in the job. Anyone know what happened there?

I guess it was just a one year appointment. Or maybe they ran out of money.