So Lost!! Help me find as school! (diverse and great education...)

[Anonymous]

Is it possible to find a school that is diverse (from many different ethnicities AND have a top notch curriculum? We can't afford private school (unless by some chance it is under $12,000) and we live in Capitol hill dc. We looked at Brent were disappointed by the test scores and the lack of diversity. We are Arab and would love to be in a school with Asians, south Asians, aspire Americans, you get the idea. Any ideas?

[Anonymous]

When you say "top notch curriculum" what do you mean?

For diversity, I would look at the charters. You need to look at the test scores and read more than just the numbers. For example, some schools might break the numbers down and say something like:
Our total # is X but if you look at children who have been in our school for at least 2 years, the number is Y.

[Anonymous]

OP that mixture is not really available in DC. The breakdown is 50.7 AA, 38.5 White, 9.1 Hispanic, 3.5 Asian and 4.1 other. Frankly my friends in Fairfax and Loudon county have schools that reflect a fairly significant South Asian population. I know a few communities in Montgomery county also reflect that type of ethnic range. You need to do some prioritization here, because of the rich poor gap not just in DC by region wide you will have to decide what you want really good academics, diversity or near in neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP.

OP, to get that kind of racial/ethnic diversity I think you need to move out to Fairfax County at least. I'm not sure they'd have a lot of AA though.

Actually some places in Arlington would also fit the bill.

[Anonymous]

Brent seems very diverse to me. I know several families where at least one of the parents is Asian. And I know at least two families are Arabian. Where are you getting your information that Brent isn't diverse? Have you actually been to the school?

[Anonymous]

Murch and Stodderd might have demographics that you are looking for. I would also look at Yu Ying.

[Anonymous]

Fairfax County would work. JEB Stuart especially is extremely international. While its test scores are lower compared to most of Fairfax, it seems like a pretty nice school with some kids doing very well. You could also look at Marshall, South Lakes and Herndon, although most of the schools are going to have a strong Asian component. It really depends partially on what you can afford.

[Anonymous]

Here is Brent's demographics according to DCPS:

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS
(2010-11)
Enrollment: 327

Black: 38%
Hispanic/Latino: 7%
White: 50%
Asian: 1%
Pacific/Hawaiian: 0%
Native/Alaskan: 0%
Multiple races: 4%

"lack of diversity" doesn't seem the right tag to put on Brent. "Not enough of people that look like me" could very well be true, but the only way that is going to be corrected is if people that look like you actually enroll in the school.

[Anonymous]

We are in Loudoun and DC's school is 25% Asian. BTW, we used to live near Eastern Market.

We love Eastern Loudoun. We are right over the Fairfax County line so we can still be in the District within 30-35 minutes as long as we leave for work early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in Loudoun and DC's school is 25% Asian. BTW, we used to live near Eastern Market.

We love Eastern Loudoun. We are right over the Fairfax County line so we can still be in the District within 30-35 minutes as long as we leave for work early.

By early you mean 4am?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it possible to find a school that is diverse (from many different ethnicities AND have a top notch curriculum? We can't afford private school (unless by some chance it is under $12,000) and we live in Capitol hill dc. We looked at Brent were disappointed by the test scores and the lack of diversity. We are Arab and would love to be in a school with Asians, south Asians, aspire Americans, you get the idea. Any ideas?

What is an "aspire American??"

[Anonymous]

Patrick Henry is the neighborhood school for Petworth and Arlington Heights. It has South Asians, Africans, and some Arabs and just about everything else. Not an immediate solution for you, but probably worth a look. The school has a nice reputation.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, not Petworth. I think the neighborhood I meant is Penrose - right near Fort Meyer. I probably should also have mentioned this school is in Arlington, just South of Rt 50.

[Anonymous]

Haycock Elementary in Falls Church has a good mix, and strong academics. It is also close to the WFC metro.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is Brent's demographics according to DCPS:

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS
(2010-11)
Enrollment: 327

Black: 38%
Hispanic/Latino: 7%
White: 50%
Asian: 1%
Pacific/Hawaiian: 0%
Native/Alaskan: 0%
Multiple races: 4%

"lack of diversity" doesn't seem the right tag to put on Brent. "Not enough of people that look like me" could very well be true, but the only way that is going to be corrected is if people that look like you actually enroll in the school.

I'd say "lack of diversity" fits Brent just fine, if by "diverse" you mean, "More than just Blacks and Whites".

There are very few Asians, very few Hispanics of any race, and very few people of mixed race.