k-8 schools

[Anonymous]

I know that Chancellor Rhee has transitioned some DC schools to the k-8 model -- Oyster-Adams and Stevens-Francis, for example -- but I can't remember what the long-term plan is. Will all schools go k-8? In what timeframe? If not all, which ones will and won't, and how will that decision be made? I plan to send my kids to Deal after Murch, but the idea of their staying at Murch until moving on to Wilson has some appeal. Curious what others know/have heard....

[Anonymous]

I believe as of next year, Murch will be K-5. 6th graders will go to Deal.

[Anonymous]

I don't think there is a plan to turn all ES/MS into a K-8 model. Only a couple of schools were chosen for K-8.Hardy MS was just renovated and Deal is in the process. There is a plan to make all ES citywide end at 5th and have all middle schools (6-8) and eliminate junior highs (7-9).

[Anonymous]

OP here, and I'm still unclear how this will work. What will happen to the kids in ESs that don't go K-8 in districts where the MS has merged with an ES to go K-8. For example, Stevens-Francis -- where will the kids in other ESs in the old Francis district go for MS?

I read a Post story suggesting that more schools will go k-8, but it didn't name them....

[Anonymous]

It's a good question
If you check the Brightwood boundaries, Paul (A Charter) is listed as the middle school...

[Anonymous]

its doubtful that murch will accomodate k-8. the same question was asked of rhee at a lafayette meeting and she said there was a big issue with boundaries. plus deal is getting expanded to accomodate the 6-8 grades. Lafayatte will graduate their last 6th grade this year. Next year it will be k-5 forcing us to consider our options earlier than we thought!

[Anonymous]

Why do you have to consider your options? Why wouldn't you send your kids to Deal? It is more diverse than Lafayette and will be in a totally renovated facility as of next year. It seems like parents in Upper NW are OK with public schools so long as they are majority white but as soon as racial balance sets in after elementary school they run for the hills.

[Anonymous]

My kids went to DCPS and we didn't consider Deal. And we are African American. And we don't feel the need to apologize for going private. We had a good experience with DCPS elementary school, but from everything we could tell (inlcuding talking to people whose kids were there), Deal was not for us. I KNOW some kids do great there, and I KNOW it's being renovated, but as long as we could swing it financially, we felt our kids would get a better education and be happier at their private school. We don't love the lack of racial and economic diversity, but we can handle that at home. We do love the academics, small classes, and bountiful resources, to say nothing of the fact that expectations are high for our children, and no-one accuses them of "acting white" because they study and get good grades. So get off your high horse and stop trying to guilt people about the choices they make for their children. It's none of your business.