Inspired Teaching - Are you in in for the long haul?
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Anonymous
| What do you think the middle school will be like? I have a 2nd grader at a great DCPS elementary (which doesn't feed to Deal). Our top choice for middle school is Latin but we need back-up options and other alternatives. We've thought about Hobson and Two Rivers (but I think my son would do better in an academically challenging environment with a ton of very driven peers). We aren't looking at Basis because we aren't interested in a workaholic culture which the school seems to embrace - we want an inspiring, challenging, fun envirorment where kids find their passions. I love the idea of a PS-8 school, but it seems like even the best PS-8 charters don't have a lot of parents excited about the 6-8th grades. Diversity would be great, but I don't want to focus on finding it. I want my kid to have a great academic foundation. |
Anonymous
| We'll be starting IT this year for PS. I expect most parents will say what I'm going to. We're not too worried for the next 4 to 5 years as long as things keep on the same course as they are now. But there is no way to predict what is going to happen even at the lower grades, let alone the upper grades. We are going into this school knowing that we will be keeping a very watchful eye on everything, and the curriculum in grades above 2nd is of primary concern. I feel fairly optimistic about the administrations ability to make this happen or I wouldn't go there in the first place. But commitment? No way. |
Anonymous
| When we visited the school we expected to be blown away and willing to make the trip/deal with the "newness"/start having visions of the long haul. While we found it nice and good and certainly suitable for our very young child's education, we were not blown away by any means, so we are likely not going to be taking our spot. Flame away... |
Anonymous
No flaming here. However, I think this statement underscores what I already think about the needy/picky parents in DC Charters. Why were you expecting to be blown away? Do you mind sharing the other school you are opting to enroll in that has blown you away? Are you paying a tuition at this school? I have always loved Stokes for example, but was never blown away. Plus I would never get in at Stokes anyway. I'm sure there are things anyone can pick apart at Sidwell, it's nice to put things in perspective. |
Anonymous
I'd rather not share the school we're choosing, but it's a regular DCPS PreK that is east of the park. So, quite contrary to your speculations. I expected to be blown away largely from the IT enthusiasm on this board, which seems to outweigh enthusiasm for other schools. It's not that IT or my chosen school is bad or good, they're both quite nice, but when looking at PreK, we feel they are essentially equal and proximity will probably win. |
Anonymous
I don't want to flame you for your sentiment. Not every school is for everyone. So are you a current parent? I ask because you indicated you are going to PreK. I was under the impression they did not admit anyone for PreK. Nonetheless, thank you for making up your mind so quickly to allow other families the opportunity. |
Anonymous
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To answer the OP's question...
I am a parent of a 3rd grader who took a chance and moved DC to Inspired Teaching from a very well regarded DCPS. It was a bumpy ride, especially the first part of the year (change of teachers), but things are humming along now and the vast majority of 3rd grade parents are pleased with the experience their child is having including myself. My DC really loves the school and I have no regrets with the move. The teachers are excellent and I can't stress that enough. The learning is fun and creative and I sincerely appreciate the fact that they really take the time to understand each child individually. The expeditionary learning model takes some getting used to, especially if you yourself came out of a traditional school. I've had to catch myself more than a few times and reserve judgement which has been a good thing because I am constantly surprised at how my DC has progressed not only academically but in terms of how DC thinks through problems as well as, DCs increasing level of confidence in their own ability. I've also been amazed at how some of the kids in the class who I really didn't think would do well in this "creative" environment, have settled down and matured. It took a lot of time and patience on the part of the teachers and administration, but I see the results of their efforts. To be honest with you, I've only found one upper grade family who is openly on the fence about returning and they were on the fence all year. As a matter of fact, they pulled their kid out back in the Fall and enrolled them in another well regarded WOP DCPS, but ended up returning because their child liked IT so much better and was happier here. The mom said she really thought she was doing the right thing. Many people feel the need to keep trading up to get to their perception of "the best option", but everyone forgets that the grass on the other side of the fence needs mowing too  . No school is perfect, so as parents, our job is to find the best fit for our individual child.
I'm in for the long haul. But, I'll take it year by year, as I would with any school, including private (things change). If I determine that my DC would do better in a BASIS or Latin or Deal, then we'll look at those options when the time comes. For now, I hope and pray that Inspired Teaching continues to be a creative and engaging program that challenges kids to think for themselves and that I can keep my DC here through 8th. I like the small community environment of a K-8, it circumvents a lot of mess that goes on in middle schools. |
Anonymous
| IT would need a lot more resources to do MS well. I could see many families fleeing for Deal and Latin. |
Anonymous
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I'm not an IT parent but have a 4th grader in a very nice PS-5 DCPS with no great middle school lined up and therefore empathize with your question. While we'll certainly agonize over middle schools, I'd like to chime in here by affirming that NOT transferring our child was a wise decision. Thanks to the lasting connections that come with continuity, our child has grown into a really well rounded preteen, who will likely do well in any setting going forward. Buying yourself (maybe!) a viable middle school option at the price of turmoil in 3rd grade is not worth it. As you'll see soon enough, 3rd grade is a crucial year in that preteen development stage. In your current school, because he is familiar with it and has a set of friends and faculty support, you might see him take on leadership roles, while his 3rd grade in the new school would be dedicated to fitting in and rebuilding connections. (The earlier point about an IT parent transferring out and back in speaks to that.)
Another relevant point to add when I look back two years: When our child was in 2nd grade, I was quite jealous of all those K-8 options, and several of our area elementary schools with parents like me pushed to become K-8. Now that our child is in 4th grade I see things differently. Our elementary school's small and cozy context no longer seems like a good fit for an emerging teenager who is interested in and talented at just about anything. A much better fit seems to be a larger context that provides a wide range of opportunities specifically for teens. And that's why K-8 charters like the ones you mention lose many parents come middle school. The upside of that: if nothing viable works out after 4th or 5th grade, you'll have many seats to pick from in those otherwise very coveted K-8 schools, including IT. |
Anonymous
Good catch PP! From my understanding, at this point PreK is full. This may of course change in a few months time when the dust settles, and families make final decision about where they're going. Until such time, anyone claiming to have been given a PreK spot that they will be 'giving up,' because a 'visit' didn't 'blow them away,' definitely raises my eyebrows with skepticism. Not a flame. Just a fact. |
Anonymous
| They actually did admit 2 PreK students |
Anonymous
| in terms of looking to the future at a new charter school - you just never know how things will develop. we started at a now very well regarded, long wait list charter the day it opened it's doors. Our children attended for many years from early childhood on...but when a school starts and develops you never quite know how the upper grades are going to turn out. There seems to be more turnover and trouble with middle schools in charters, even the 'best' ones. We ended up going elsewhere for middle but I don't regret what our kids did get from that charter. It was good for them for quite some time. I don't think you can ever predict how your kid's needs will be attended to in middle school when you're starting in prek. Kids change, schools change and needs are not always met...even in the most expensive private school or well established public you just never know. It's a year by year thing and if you think you can really be settled at prek for the next 8 - 12 years....I think you're in for a shock. Go with what you think will work for about 4 years and see how things develop. Middle school choices are changing in DC and I think there will be many more to choose from by the time these prek'ers are headed there. |
Anonymous
And those two PreK admitted students are siblings of currently enrolled students. |
Anonymous
I think this is good advice. |
Anonymous
Perhaps, but OP has a 2nd grader so she's not trying to plan the next 8-12 years, just to see whether OP might be an option for her DC for 5th or 6th grade. It sounds like probably not an option. |