Capitol Hill - middle school and beyond?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brent doesn't feed into SH. It feeds into Jefferson Academy.

What I don't like about the combined 4th/5th grade classes is that they're sending a message to lower grades parents that it's not worth returning for 5th. 5th grade numbers are v. likely to fall even further as a result of this year's "Upper School" experiment.

Honestly, if you are considering moving for schools at all especially to the burbs, it’s best to do it earlier for everyone involved, your kids and your family. I would say by 1st, 2nd latest because of when advance programming starts with G & T and AAP.

It won’t only be the 4th/5th grade class that is going to see the effects of this. It is going to be felt downstream to lower grades too.

I echo that if you're thinking about moving, just do it now. What I would give to have back all the hours of stress, worry, hope associated with trying to figure out schooling. I wish I had been more self-aware about how much uncertainty I could handle and more wise about how much other life stuff can be challenging so when you can mitigate challenges you should.

I know I'm the type of worry/stress about schooling no mater where I am located, so in a sense, being in DC, where I have to research options, has been better than being in the suburbs, where the local school is the only public choice. I learned to figure out what kind of learner my kid really is, and that has made a huge difference.

ECE, right? Yes, it's nice in DC to be able to have some choice in ECE/early elementary (assuming you do okay with the lottery).

But when it comes to MS/HS, it doesn't work like this. Anywhere, but especially not on the Hill. What happens is that a tiny number of people actually get to choose from a small number of choices, most people just have to make do, just like you would in the suburbs if you were IB for a school you didn't love.

The problem that exists in DC but not in a suburb where everyone attends their IB is that you are not in the same position as your neighbors and others at your school. Even if you are in the same socioeconomic position, if they get a much better or worse lottery pull, you have totally different choices. There is no sense of "well we're all in this together so lets make this option as good as we can," because when push comes to shove, we aren't in this together. And the longer you're in DC public schools, the more that's true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I return to this board occasionally for entertainment but also to add hopefully helpful perspective: My "kids" are now in high school and college. They attended Maury when it was deemed "failing" (slated to close in fact for that reason). They attended Jefferson Academy and Stuart Hobson for middle school. Not saying it was all rosy but these two kids turned out fine and academically very successful. They tested into their desired high school and college. Maybe I should pat us parents on the back but I don't think we're to credit, those schools are - rocky moments, difficulties and all. Besides just plain old instruction with motivational ups and downs, the kids learned to navigate, advocate, and appreciate. Through it all, they had some amazing teachers. And even the average ones (and an occasional out-of-their-depth one) were inspiring and wedded to helping all their students succeed. Some great leadership, too, with an occasional dud year in between.
Bottom line: If you otherwise like it here and have some time to spare to stay engaged (much less than it will take you to commute across town I contend!), it will work out fine. Fact is, no matter where your kids go to school, you play a big part in their success. If you constantly nag and doubt schools around the dinner table, they will pick up on that. If you convey confidence and resolve, they will pick up on that - regardless of where they attend and no matter how brilliant their classmates.

Where are/did they go to high school?

I am happy with our Title 1 elementary school in Ward 6 and think it's doing a great job of preparing my kids for middle school. And what I know about the MSs in Ward 6 doesn't worry me -- I think my kids would do fine there. But since you didn't say your kids are at Eastern, I'm guessing they are either in private or at an application school (since they had to test in). And I'm glad that worked out for you but what if it hadn't?

You are trying to change the narrative to be about how the schools in Ward 6 are failing. They aren't. Except one.

I'm responding to the question you address to me above: Our Ward 6 elementary and middle schools prepared our kids well to get into School Without Walls (yes, test-in at the time). Both of them knew they'd be going to Eastern HS if it didn't work out. They were fine with that and so were we. I like to think that the fact that their classmates who went that route are doing equally well is proof that they, too, would have been fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I return to this board occasionally for entertainment but also to add hopefully helpful perspective: My "kids" are now in high school and college. They attended Maury when it was deemed "failing" (slated to close in fact for that reason). They attended Jefferson Academy and Stuart Hobson for middle school. Not saying it was all rosy but these two kids turned out fine and academically very successful. They tested into their desired high school and college. Maybe I should pat us parents on the back but I don't think we're to credit, those schools are - rocky moments, difficulties and all. Besides just plain old instruction with motivational ups and downs, the kids learned to navigate, advocate, and appreciate. Through it all, they had some amazing teachers. And even the average ones (and an occasional out-of-their-depth one) were inspiring and wedded to helping all their students succeed. Some great leadership, too, with an occasional dud year in between.
Bottom line: If you otherwise like it here and have some time to spare to stay engaged (much less than it will take you to commute across town I contend!), it will work out fine. Fact is, no matter where your kids go to school, you play a big part in their success. If you constantly nag and doubt schools around the dinner table, they will pick up on that. If you convey confidence and resolve, they will pick up on that - regardless of where they attend and no matter how brilliant their classmates.

Where are/did they go to high school?

I am happy with our Title 1 elementary school in Ward 6 and think it's doing a great job of preparing my kids for middle school. And what I know about the MSs in Ward 6 doesn't worry me -- I think my kids would do fine there. But since you didn't say your kids are at Eastern, I'm guessing they are either in private or at an application school (since they had to test in). And I'm glad that worked out for you but what if it hadn't?

You are trying to change the narrative to be about how the schools in Ward 6 are failing. They aren't. Except one.

I'm responding to the question you address to me above: Our Ward 6 elementary and middle schools prepared our kids well to get into School Without Walls (yes, test-in at the time). Both of them knew they'd be going to Eastern HS if it didn't work out. They were fine with that and so were we. I like to think that the fact that their classmates who went that route are doing equally well is proof that they, too, would have been fine.

I put zero stock in statements like "we would have been fine going to Eastern if Walls didn't work out." Saying that costs you nothing, but it doesn't really mean anything when you have two kids who went through Walls instead. You have no idea if they would have been fine because it's not something you did, and in fact you took steps to pursue an alternative, and your kids commuted across town, in order to attend a school other than their IB. You might not look at it that way, but if Eastern were a very desirable school that was certain to meet the needs of high achieving kids, I question whether you would even have bothered dot apply to Walls.

[Anonymous]

+1. Strongly suspect BS that the family wouldn't have been remotely "fine" with Eastern. Must be a more convincing way to burnish one's social justice orientation bona fides than to make such empty claims. For that matter, not unusual to hear parents who are in-boundary for Jefferson, SH or EH assert that they'd happily have enrolled their 6th graders at one of those schools, that is once their kids have cracked BASIS or one of the Latins. They probably talk that way mainly for the sake of politeness in conversing with those w/out their lottery luck. Social niceties get complicated on Cap Hill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1. Strongly suspect BS that the family wouldn't have been remotely "fine" with Eastern. Must be a more convincing way to burnish one's social justice orientation bona fides than to make such empty claims. For that matter, not unusual to hear parents who are in-boundary for Jefferson, SH or EH assert that they'd happily have enrolled their 6th graders at one of those schools, that is once their kids have cracked BASIS or one of the Latins. They probably talk that way mainly for the sake of politeness in conversing with those w/out their lottery luck. Social niceties get complicated on Cap Hill.

No one who cares about their kid's education is fine with Eastern. Full stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brent doesn't feed into SH. It feeds into Jefferson Academy.

What I don't like about the combined 4th/5th grade classes is that they're sending a message to lower grades parents that it's not worth returning for 5th. 5th grade numbers are v. likely to fall even further as a result of this year's "Upper School" experiment.

Honestly, if you are considering moving for schools at all especially to the burbs, it’s best to do it earlier for everyone involved, your kids and your family. I would say by 1st, 2nd latest because of when advance programming starts with G & T and AAP.

It won’t only be the 4th/5th grade class that is going to see the effects of this. It is going to be felt downstream to lower grades too.

I echo that if you're thinking about moving, just do it now. What I would give to have back all the hours of stress, worry, hope associated with trying to figure out schooling. I wish I had been more self-aware about how much uncertainty I could handle and more wise about how much other life stuff can be challenging so when you can mitigate challenges you should.

I know I'm the type of worry/stress about schooling no mater where I am located, so in a sense, being in DC, where I have to research options, has been better than being in the suburbs, where the local school is the only public choice. I learned to figure out what kind of learner my kid really is, and that has made a huge difference.

ECE, right? Yes, it's nice in DC to be able to have some choice in ECE/early elementary (assuming you do okay with the lottery).

But when it comes to MS/HS, it doesn't work like this. Anywhere, but especially not on the Hill. What happens is that a tiny number of people actually get to choose from a small number of choices, most people just have to make do, just like you would in the suburbs if you were IB for a school you didn't love.

The problem that exists in DC but not in a suburb where everyone attends their IB is that you are not in the same position as your neighbors and others at your school. Even if you are in the same socioeconomic position, if they get a much better or worse lottery pull, you have totally different choices. There is no sense of "well we're all in this together so lets make this option as good as we can," because when push comes to shove, we aren't in this together. And the longer you're in DC public schools, the more that's true.

No, MS at Sojourner Truth -- which by the way, had plenty of seats available in 6th grade this year.

A typical suburban middle school is not going to be like Truth, which was the entire point I was making.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brent doesn't feed into SH. It feeds into Jefferson Academy.

What I don't like about the combined 4th/5th grade classes is that they're sending a message to lower grades parents that it's not worth returning for 5th. 5th grade numbers are v. likely to fall even further as a result of this year's "Upper School" experiment.

Honestly, if you are considering moving for schools at all especially to the burbs, it’s best to do it earlier for everyone involved, your kids and your family. I would say by 1st, 2nd latest because of when advance programming starts with G & T and AAP.

It won’t only be the 4th/5th grade class that is going to see the effects of this. It is going to be felt downstream to lower grades too.

I echo that if you're thinking about moving, just do it now. What I would give to have back all the hours of stress, worry, hope associated with trying to figure out schooling. I wish I had been more self-aware about how much uncertainty I could handle and more wise about how much other life stuff can be challenging so when you can mitigate challenges you should.

I know I'm the type of worry/stress about schooling no mater where I am located, so in a sense, being in DC, where I have to research options, has been better than being in the suburbs, where the local school is the only public choice. I learned to figure out what kind of learner my kid really is, and that has made a huge difference.

ECE, right? Yes, it's nice in DC to be able to have some choice in ECE/early elementary (assuming you do okay with the lottery).

But when it comes to MS/HS, it doesn't work like this. Anywhere, but especially not on the Hill. What happens is that a tiny number of people actually get to choose from a small number of choices, most people just have to make do, just like you would in the suburbs if you were IB for a school you didn't love.

The problem that exists in DC but not in a suburb where everyone attends their IB is that you are not in the same position as your neighbors and others at your school. Even if you are in the same socioeconomic position, if they get a much better or worse lottery pull, you have totally different choices. There is no sense of "well we're all in this together so lets make this option as good as we can," because when push comes to shove, we aren't in this together. And the longer you're in DC public schools, the more that's true.

No, MS at Sojourner Truth -- which by the way, had plenty of seats available in 6th grade this year.

A typical suburban middle school is not going to be like Truth, which was the entire point I was making.

Truth is less rigorous than Eliot Hine.

[Anonymous]

I do not see anything really wrong with saying you would have seriously considered or think that you would have gone with in-bound DCPS had you not gotten a lottery spot and decided to attend a Latin or Basis. It is certainly more true for some people than others. But kids really want to keep their close elementary school friends after they scatter. And a lot of people really do have a 4th grade plan that is basically try DCPS if not charter. Sure maybe they would have changed that plan without lottery luck. But who cares. Although DCUM refuses to believe it, I think some people also increasingly have a plan that is just try DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brent doesn't feed into SH. It feeds into Jefferson Academy.

What I don't like about the combined 4th/5th grade classes is that they're sending a message to lower grades parents that it's not worth returning for 5th. 5th grade numbers are v. likely to fall even further as a result of this year's "Upper School" experiment.

Honestly, if you are considering moving for schools at all especially to the burbs, it’s best to do it earlier for everyone involved, your kids and your family. I would say by 1st, 2nd latest because of when advance programming starts with G & T and AAP.

It won’t only be the 4th/5th grade class that is going to see the effects of this. It is going to be felt downstream to lower grades too.

I echo that if you're thinking about moving, just do it now. What I would give to have back all the hours of stress, worry, hope associated with trying to figure out schooling. I wish I had been more self-aware about how much uncertainty I could handle and more wise about how much other life stuff can be challenging so when you can mitigate challenges you should.

I know I'm the type of worry/stress about schooling no mater where I am located, so in a sense, being in DC, where I have to research options, has been better than being in the suburbs, where the local school is the only public choice. I learned to figure out what kind of learner my kid really is, and that has made a huge difference.

ECE, right? Yes, it's nice in DC to be able to have some choice in ECE/early elementary (assuming you do okay with the lottery).

But when it comes to MS/HS, it doesn't work like this. Anywhere, but especially not on the Hill. What happens is that a tiny number of people actually get to choose from a small number of choices, most people just have to make do, just like you would in the suburbs if you were IB for a school you didn't love.

The problem that exists in DC but not in a suburb where everyone attends their IB is that you are not in the same position as your neighbors and others at your school. Even if you are in the same socioeconomic position, if they get a much better or worse lottery pull, you have totally different choices. There is no sense of "well we're all in this together so lets make this option as good as we can," because when push comes to shove, we aren't in this together. And the longer you're in DC public schools, the more that's true.

No, MS at Sojourner Truth -- which by the way, had plenty of seats available in 6th grade this year.

A typical suburban middle school is not going to be like Truth, which was the entire point I was making.

Truth is less rigorous than Eliot Hine.

What is wrong with you people? I said living in DC and dealing with school choice made me focus on the kind of learner my child is, and find the right fit. If I thought he would thrive at Eliot Hine, I’d send him there. I know he wouldn’t thrive in a general school like that, and feel very fortunate that I have the opportunity to send him to a school like Truth for free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not see anything really wrong with saying you would have seriously considered or think that you would have gone with in-bound DCPS had you not gotten a lottery spot and decided to attend a Latin or Basis. It is certainly more true for some people than others. But kids really want to keep their close elementary school friends after they scatter. And a lot of people really do have a 4th grade plan that is basically try DCPS if not charter. Sure maybe they would have changed that plan without lottery luck. But who cares. Although DCUM refuses to believe it, I think some people also increasingly have a plan that is just try DCPS.

Anyone who lives on the Hill knows that is the plan for lots of people with kids approaching 5th grade. What DCUM refuses to believe is that there are also plenty of people who choose MS/HS options that aren’t Latin, Basis, DCI, or DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not see anything really wrong with saying you would have seriously considered or think that you would have gone with in-bound DCPS had you not gotten a lottery spot and decided to attend a Latin or Basis. It is certainly more true for some people than others. But kids really want to keep their close elementary school friends after they scatter. And a lot of people really do have a 4th grade plan that is basically try DCPS if not charter. Sure maybe they would have changed that plan without lottery luck. But who cares. Although DCUM refuses to believe it, I think some people also increasingly have a plan that is just try DCPS.

Some people are just talk and when push comes to shove, that is all it is, just talk. This is especially true if you got into a charter and were not forced to even make that decision.

What would be really useful information is from the small subset of people who actually went to their IB middle school, how many actually stayed thru 8th, i.e retention, and how much did they have to supplement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brent doesn't feed into SH. It feeds into Jefferson Academy.

What I don't like about the combined 4th/5th grade classes is that they're sending a message to lower grades parents that it's not worth returning for 5th. 5th grade numbers are v. likely to fall even further as a result of this year's "Upper School" experiment.

Honestly, if you are considering moving for schools at all especially to the burbs, it’s best to do it earlier for everyone involved, your kids and your family. I would say by 1st, 2nd latest because of when advance programming starts with G & T and AAP.

It won’t only be the 4th/5th grade class that is going to see the effects of this. It is going to be felt downstream to lower grades too.

I echo that if you're thinking about moving, just do it now. What I would give to have back all the hours of stress, worry, hope associated with trying to figure out schooling. I wish I had been more self-aware about how much uncertainty I could handle and more wise about how much other life stuff can be challenging so when you can mitigate challenges you should.

I know I'm the type of worry/stress about schooling no mater where I am located, so in a sense, being in DC, where I have to research options, has been better than being in the suburbs, where the local school is the only public choice. I learned to figure out what kind of learner my kid really is, and that has made a huge difference.

ECE, right? Yes, it's nice in DC to be able to have some choice in ECE/early elementary (assuming you do okay with the lottery).

But when it comes to MS/HS, it doesn't work like this. Anywhere, but especially not on the Hill. What happens is that a tiny number of people actually get to choose from a small number of choices, most people just have to make do, just like you would in the suburbs if you were IB for a school you didn't love.

The problem that exists in DC but not in a suburb where everyone attends their IB is that you are not in the same position as your neighbors and others at your school. Even if you are in the same socioeconomic position, if they get a much better or worse lottery pull, you have totally different choices. There is no sense of "well we're all in this together so lets make this option as good as we can," because when push comes to shove, we aren't in this together. And the longer you're in DC public schools, the more that's true.

No, MS at Sojourner Truth -- which by the way, had plenty of seats available in 6th grade this year.

A typical suburban middle school is not going to be like Truth, which was the entire point I was making.

Truth is less rigorous than Eliot Hine.

DP. Are you sure about that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brent doesn't feed into SH. It feeds into Jefferson Academy.

What I don't like about the combined 4th/5th grade classes is that they're sending a message to lower grades parents that it's not worth returning for 5th. 5th grade numbers are v. likely to fall even further as a result of this year's "Upper School" experiment.

Honestly, if you are considering moving for schools at all especially to the burbs, it’s best to do it earlier for everyone involved, your kids and your family. I would say by 1st, 2nd latest because of when advance programming starts with G & T and AAP.

It won’t only be the 4th/5th grade class that is going to see the effects of this. It is going to be felt downstream to lower grades too.

I echo that if you're thinking about moving, just do it now. What I would give to have back all the hours of stress, worry, hope associated with trying to figure out schooling. I wish I had been more self-aware about how much uncertainty I could handle and more wise about how much other life stuff can be challenging so when you can mitigate challenges you should.

I know I'm the type of worry/stress about schooling no mater where I am located, so in a sense, being in DC, where I have to research options, has been better than being in the suburbs, where the local school is the only public choice. I learned to figure out what kind of learner my kid really is, and that has made a huge difference.

ECE, right? Yes, it's nice in DC to be able to have some choice in ECE/early elementary (assuming you do okay with the lottery).

But when it comes to MS/HS, it doesn't work like this. Anywhere, but especially not on the Hill. What happens is that a tiny number of people actually get to choose from a small number of choices, most people just have to make do, just like you would in the suburbs if you were IB for a school you didn't love.

The problem that exists in DC but not in a suburb where everyone attends their IB is that you are not in the same position as your neighbors and others at your school. Even if you are in the same socioeconomic position, if they get a much better or worse lottery pull, you have totally different choices. There is no sense of "well we're all in this together so lets make this option as good as we can," because when push comes to shove, we aren't in this together. And the longer you're in DC public schools, the more that's true.

No, MS at Sojourner Truth -- which by the way, had plenty of seats available in 6th grade this year.

A typical suburban middle school is not going to be like Truth, which was the entire point I was making.

Truth is less rigorous than Eliot Hine.

DP. Are you sure about that?

Extremely sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brent doesn't feed into SH. It feeds into Jefferson Academy.

What I don't like about the combined 4th/5th grade classes is that they're sending a message to lower grades parents that it's not worth returning for 5th. 5th grade numbers are v. likely to fall even further as a result of this year's "Upper School" experiment.

Honestly, if you are considering moving for schools at all especially to the burbs, it’s best to do it earlier for everyone involved, your kids and your family. I would say by 1st, 2nd latest because of when advance programming starts with G & T and AAP.

It won’t only be the 4th/5th grade class that is going to see the effects of this. It is going to be felt downstream to lower grades too.

I echo that if you're thinking about moving, just do it now. What I would give to have back all the hours of stress, worry, hope associated with trying to figure out schooling. I wish I had been more self-aware about how much uncertainty I could handle and more wise about how much other life stuff can be challenging so when you can mitigate challenges you should.

I know I'm the type of worry/stress about schooling no mater where I am located, so in a sense, being in DC, where I have to research options, has been better than being in the suburbs, where the local school is the only public choice. I learned to figure out what kind of learner my kid really is, and that has made a huge difference.

ECE, right? Yes, it's nice in DC to be able to have some choice in ECE/early elementary (assuming you do okay with the lottery).

But when it comes to MS/HS, it doesn't work like this. Anywhere, but especially not on the Hill. What happens is that a tiny number of people actually get to choose from a small number of choices, most people just have to make do, just like you would in the suburbs if you were IB for a school you didn't love.

The problem that exists in DC but not in a suburb where everyone attends their IB is that you are not in the same position as your neighbors and others at your school. Even if you are in the same socioeconomic position, if they get a much better or worse lottery pull, you have totally different choices. There is no sense of "well we're all in this together so lets make this option as good as we can," because when push comes to shove, we aren't in this together. And the longer you're in DC public schools, the more that's true.

No, MS at Sojourner Truth -- which by the way, had plenty of seats available in 6th grade this year.

A typical suburban middle school is not going to be like Truth, which was the entire point I was making.

Truth is less rigorous than Eliot Hine.

What is wrong with you people? I said living in DC and dealing with school choice made me focus on the kind of learner my child is, and find the right fit. If I thought he would thrive at Eliot Hine, I’d send him there. I know he wouldn’t thrive in a general school like that, and feel very fortunate that I have the opportunity to send him to a school like Truth for free.

I’m super glad you’re happy. Truth has a lovely chicken coop and kids seem happy. But it’s not rigorous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brent doesn't feed into SH. It feeds into Jefferson Academy.

What I don't like about the combined 4th/5th grade classes is that they're sending a message to lower grades parents that it's not worth returning for 5th. 5th grade numbers are v. likely to fall even further as a result of this year's "Upper School" experiment.

Honestly, if you are considering moving for schools at all especially to the burbs, it’s best to do it earlier for everyone involved, your kids and your family. I would say by 1st, 2nd latest because of when advance programming starts with G & T and AAP.

It won’t only be the 4th/5th grade class that is going to see the effects of this. It is going to be felt downstream to lower grades too.

I echo that if you're thinking about moving, just do it now. What I would give to have back all the hours of stress, worry, hope associated with trying to figure out schooling. I wish I had been more self-aware about how much uncertainty I could handle and more wise about how much other life stuff can be challenging so when you can mitigate challenges you should.

I know I'm the type of worry/stress about schooling no mater where I am located, so in a sense, being in DC, where I have to research options, has been better than being in the suburbs, where the local school is the only public choice. I learned to figure out what kind of learner my kid really is, and that has made a huge difference.

ECE, right? Yes, it's nice in DC to be able to have some choice in ECE/early elementary (assuming you do okay with the lottery).

But when it comes to MS/HS, it doesn't work like this. Anywhere, but especially not on the Hill. What happens is that a tiny number of people actually get to choose from a small number of choices, most people just have to make do, just like you would in the suburbs if you were IB for a school you didn't love.

The problem that exists in DC but not in a suburb where everyone attends their IB is that you are not in the same position as your neighbors and others at your school. Even if you are in the same socioeconomic position, if they get a much better or worse lottery pull, you have totally different choices. There is no sense of "well we're all in this together so lets make this option as good as we can," because when push comes to shove, we aren't in this together. And the longer you're in DC public schools, the more that's true.

No, MS at Sojourner Truth -- which by the way, had plenty of seats available in 6th grade this year.

A typical suburban middle school is not going to be like Truth, which was the entire point I was making.

Truth is less rigorous than Eliot Hine.

Well that’s debatable.