Capitol Hill - middle school and beyond?

[Anonymous]

Viewpoints are nice. Voting with one's feet is what counts here on Capitol Hill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I believe this for elementary and MS. Not for HS. When someone claims they would have been happy with Eastern, after getting their kids into Walls, I simply do not believe them.

But I also find it condescending when parents who got lottery spots at charters say this because it just comes off as condescending to those of us who didn't get those spots. Just admit that we all tried to lottery into charters, you got in and we didn't. It is tiresome when a family who is IB for the school you attend, but who sends their kids elsewhere, is like "oh it's a great school, we definitely would have been completely happy there if be hadn't gotten into our charter." Oh really? Then why did you lottery for and then send your kids to a charter? Why do you commute further to attend that charter when the IB is just up the street? It really doesn't sound like you think you'd be equally happy at your IB so maybe don't say that.

What would you rather have them say? "Man, your kid is screwed!"? Say nothing and imply it? I understand that this is tough; it was for all that came before. You'd be right here on DCUM complaining about people rubbing it in if they were honest about escaping. Almost everyone I know who matched at Latin, SWW, etc. has some form of survivor's guilt.

Say nothing. That's what you say: nothing. You state where your kid goes if asked. You do not pretend that you would have been thrilled to attend the IB school you rejected in favor of that charter, nor do you comment that you're so glad you were not forced to do so. You do not comment on the quality of the IB school, which you only know by reputation anyway. You are welcome to speak to your experience at your charter. But you don't walk around pontificating about the quality (or lack their of) of education at a school you chose not to have your kids attend, especially not to people whose kids DO attend that school.

Don't put your own guilt or discomfort about attending a charter onto other people. Figure it out yourself. Just be quiet and don't speak on subjects with which you do not have direct experience (doing the lottery is NOT a direct experience with a school).

You don't have any direct experience with winning the lottery, so why are you projecting your own guilt or discomfort on those who did and trying to control what they should say?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I believe this for elementary and MS. Not for HS. When someone claims they would have been happy with Eastern, after getting their kids into Walls, I simply do not believe them.

But I also find it condescending when parents who got lottery spots at charters say this because it just comes off as condescending to those of us who didn't get those spots. Just admit that we all tried to lottery into charters, you got in and we didn't. It is tiresome when a family who is IB for the school you attend, but who sends their kids elsewhere, is like "oh it's a great school, we definitely would have been completely happy there if be hadn't gotten into our charter." Oh really? Then why did you lottery for and then send your kids to a charter? Why do you commute further to attend that charter when the IB is just up the street? It really doesn't sound like you think you'd be equally happy at your IB so maybe don't say that.

What would you rather have them say? "Man, your kid is screwed!"? Say nothing and imply it? I understand that this is tough; it was for all that came before. You'd be right here on DCUM complaining about people rubbing it in if they were honest about escaping. Almost everyone I know who matched at Latin, SWW, etc. has some form of survivor's guilt.

Say nothing. That's what you say: nothing. You state where your kid goes if asked. You do not pretend that you would have been thrilled to attend the IB school you rejected in favor of that charter, nor do you comment that you're so glad you were not forced to do so. You do not comment on the quality of the IB school, which you only know by reputation anyway. You are welcome to speak to your experience at your charter. But you don't walk around pontificating about the quality (or lack their of) of education at a school you chose not to have your kids attend, especially not to people whose kids DO attend that school.

Don't put your own guilt or discomfort about attending a charter onto other people. Figure it out yourself. Just be quiet and don't speak on subjects with which you do not have direct experience (doing the lottery is NOT a direct experience with a school).

You don't have any direct experience with winning the lottery, so why are you projecting your own guilt or discomfort on those who did and trying to control what they should say?

The PP said that parents who win the lottery have survivor's guilt. I was speaking to that.

People can say whatever they want, I'm just expressing my opinion on the things people say. The PP was arguing that the only alternative to lying about wanting to go to your IB is to gloat and say "you're kids are screwed." I'm suggesting there is an alternative option, often ignored by people: be quiet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I believe this for elementary and MS. Not for HS. When someone claims they would have been happy with Eastern, after getting their kids into Walls, I simply do not believe them.

But I also find it condescending when parents who got lottery spots at charters say this because it just comes off as condescending to those of us who didn't get those spots. Just admit that we all tried to lottery into charters, you got in and we didn't. It is tiresome when a family who is IB for the school you attend, but who sends their kids elsewhere, is like "oh it's a great school, we definitely would have been completely happy there if be hadn't gotten into our charter." Oh really? Then why did you lottery for and then send your kids to a charter? Why do you commute further to attend that charter when the IB is just up the street? It really doesn't sound like you think you'd be equally happy at your IB so maybe don't say that.

What would you rather have them say? "Man, your kid is screwed!"? Say nothing and imply it? I understand that this is tough; it was for all that came before. You'd be right here on DCUM complaining about people rubbing it in if they were honest about escaping. Almost everyone I know who matched at Latin, SWW, etc. has some form of survivor's guilt.

Say nothing. That's what you say: nothing. You state where your kid goes if asked. You do not pretend that you would have been thrilled to attend the IB school you rejected in favor of that charter, nor do you comment that you're so glad you were not forced to do so. You do not comment on the quality of the IB school, which you only know by reputation anyway. You are welcome to speak to your experience at your charter. But you don't walk around pontificating about the quality (or lack their of) of education at a school you chose not to have your kids attend, especially not to people whose kids DO attend that school.

Don't put your own guilt or discomfort about attending a charter onto other people. Figure it out yourself. Just be quiet and don't speak on subjects with which you do not have direct experience (doing the lottery is NOT a direct experience with a school).

You are ridiculous. Why are you assuming that people who send their kid to their IB wish they could send their kid elsewhere??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I believe this for elementary and MS. Not for HS. When someone claims they would have been happy with Eastern, after getting their kids into Walls, I simply do not believe them.

But I also find it condescending when parents who got lottery spots at charters say this because it just comes off as condescending to those of us who didn't get those spots. Just admit that we all tried to lottery into charters, you got in and we didn't. It is tiresome when a family who is IB for the school you attend, but who sends their kids elsewhere, is like "oh it's a great school, we definitely would have been completely happy there if be hadn't gotten into our charter." Oh really? Then why did you lottery for and then send your kids to a charter? Why do you commute further to attend that charter when the IB is just up the street? It really doesn't sound like you think you'd be equally happy at your IB so maybe don't say that.

What would you rather have them say? "Man, your kid is screwed!"? Say nothing and imply it? I understand that this is tough; it was for all that came before. You'd be right here on DCUM complaining about people rubbing it in if they were honest about escaping. Almost everyone I know who matched at Latin, SWW, etc. has some form of survivor's guilt.

Say nothing. That's what you say: nothing. You state where your kid goes if asked. You do not pretend that you would have been thrilled to attend the IB school you rejected in favor of that charter, nor do you comment that you're so glad you were not forced to do so. You do not comment on the quality of the IB school, which you only know by reputation anyway. You are welcome to speak to your experience at your charter. But you don't walk around pontificating about the quality (or lack their of) of education at a school you chose not to have your kids attend, especially not to people whose kids DO attend that school.

Don't put your own guilt or discomfort about attending a charter onto other people. Figure it out yourself. Just be quiet and don't speak on subjects with which you do not have direct experience (doing the lottery is NOT a direct experience with a school).

You are ridiculous. Why are you assuming that people who send their kid to their IB wish they could send their kid elsewhere??

Where did I say that? I'm talking about parents who don't send their kid to their IB and then pretend that they would LOVE to do so when, demonstrably, they would not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I believe this for elementary and MS. Not for HS. When someone claims they would have been happy with Eastern, after getting their kids into Walls, I simply do not believe them.

But I also find it condescending when parents who got lottery spots at charters say this because it just comes off as condescending to those of us who didn't get those spots. Just admit that we all tried to lottery into charters, you got in and we didn't. It is tiresome when a family who is IB for the school you attend, but who sends their kids elsewhere, is like "oh it's a great school, we definitely would have been completely happy there if be hadn't gotten into our charter." Oh really? Then why did you lottery for and then send your kids to a charter? Why do you commute further to attend that charter when the IB is just up the street? It really doesn't sound like you think you'd be equally happy at your IB so maybe don't say that.

What would you rather have them say? "Man, your kid is screwed!"? Say nothing and imply it? I understand that this is tough; it was for all that came before. You'd be right here on DCUM complaining about people rubbing it in if they were honest about escaping. Almost everyone I know who matched at Latin, SWW, etc. has some form of survivor's guilt.

Say nothing. That's what you say: nothing. You state where your kid goes if asked. You do not pretend that you would have been thrilled to attend the IB school you rejected in favor of that charter, nor do you comment that you're so glad you were not forced to do so. You do not comment on the quality of the IB school, which you only know by reputation anyway. You are welcome to speak to your experience at your charter. But you don't walk around pontificating about the quality (or lack their of) of education at a school you chose not to have your kids attend, especially not to people whose kids DO attend that school.

Don't put your own guilt or discomfort about attending a charter onto other people. Figure it out yourself. Just be quiet and don't speak on subjects with which you do not have direct experience (doing the lottery is NOT a direct experience with a school).

You don't have any direct experience with winning the lottery, so why are you projecting your own guilt or discomfort on those who did and trying to control what they should say?

The PP said that parents who win the lottery have survivor's guilt. I was speaking to that.

People can say whatever they want, I'm just expressing my opinion on the things people say. The PP was arguing that the only alternative to lying about wanting to go to your IB is to gloat and say "you're kids are screwed." I'm suggesting there is an alternative option, often ignored by people: be quiet.

I don't have any survivor's guilt over winning the lottery. What should I be guilty about? It's a lottery -- it was never a sure thing, so I had a plan if I didn't win. Most people do. If I never wanted to play, I wouldn't be living in DC in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I believe this for elementary and MS. Not for HS. When someone claims they would have been happy with Eastern, after getting their kids into Walls, I simply do not believe them.

But I also find it condescending when parents who got lottery spots at charters say this because it just comes off as condescending to those of us who didn't get those spots. Just admit that we all tried to lottery into charters, you got in and we didn't. It is tiresome when a family who is IB for the school you attend, but who sends their kids elsewhere, is like "oh it's a great school, we definitely would have been completely happy there if be hadn't gotten into our charter." Oh really? Then why did you lottery for and then send your kids to a charter? Why do you commute further to attend that charter when the IB is just up the street? It really doesn't sound like you think you'd be equally happy at your IB so maybe don't say that.

What would you rather have them say? "Man, your kid is screwed!"? Say nothing and imply it? I understand that this is tough; it was for all that came before. You'd be right here on DCUM complaining about people rubbing it in if they were honest about escaping. Almost everyone I know who matched at Latin, SWW, etc. has some form of survivor's guilt.

Say nothing. That's what you say: nothing. You state where your kid goes if asked. You do not pretend that you would have been thrilled to attend the IB school you rejected in favor of that charter, nor do you comment that you're so glad you were not forced to do so. You do not comment on the quality of the IB school, which you only know by reputation anyway. You are welcome to speak to your experience at your charter. But you don't walk around pontificating about the quality (or lack their of) of education at a school you chose not to have your kids attend, especially not to people whose kids DO attend that school.

Don't put your own guilt or discomfort about attending a charter onto other people. Figure it out yourself. Just be quiet and don't speak on subjects with which you do not have direct experience (doing the lottery is NOT a direct experience with a school).

You are ridiculous. Why are you assuming that people who send their kid to their IB wish they could send their kid elsewhere??

Where did I say that? I'm talking about parents who don't send their kid to their IB and then pretend that they would LOVE to do so when, demonstrably, they would not.

I think you hang around some strange people and need better friends. Who says they would LOVE to attend their IB but then not send their kid there? Weirdos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I believe this for elementary and MS. Not for HS. When someone claims they would have been happy with Eastern, after getting their kids into Walls, I simply do not believe them.

But I also find it condescending when parents who got lottery spots at charters say this because it just comes off as condescending to those of us who didn't get those spots. Just admit that we all tried to lottery into charters, you got in and we didn't. It is tiresome when a family who is IB for the school you attend, but who sends their kids elsewhere, is like "oh it's a great school, we definitely would have been completely happy there if be hadn't gotten into our charter." Oh really? Then why did you lottery for and then send your kids to a charter? Why do you commute further to attend that charter when the IB is just up the street? It really doesn't sound like you think you'd be equally happy at your IB so maybe don't say that.

What would you rather have them say? "Man, your kid is screwed!"? Say nothing and imply it? I understand that this is tough; it was for all that came before. You'd be right here on DCUM complaining about people rubbing it in if they were honest about escaping. Almost everyone I know who matched at Latin, SWW, etc. has some form of survivor's guilt.

Say nothing. That's what you say: nothing. You state where your kid goes if asked. You do not pretend that you would have been thrilled to attend the IB school you rejected in favor of that charter, nor do you comment that you're so glad you were not forced to do so. You do not comment on the quality of the IB school, which you only know by reputation anyway. You are welcome to speak to your experience at your charter. But you don't walk around pontificating about the quality (or lack their of) of education at a school you chose not to have your kids attend, especially not to people whose kids DO attend that school.

Don't put your own guilt or discomfort about attending a charter onto other people. Figure it out yourself. Just be quiet and don't speak on subjects with which you do not have direct experience (doing the lottery is NOT a direct experience with a school).

You are ridiculous. Why are you assuming that people who send their kid to their IB wish they could send their kid elsewhere??

Where did I say that? I'm talking about parents who don't send their kid to their IB and then pretend that they would LOVE to do so when, demonstrably, they would not.

I think you hang around some strange people and need better friends. Who says they would LOVE to attend their IB but then not send their kid there? Weirdos.

Several PPs in this thread have claimed just that AND criticized other posters for being too down on schools that they did not even send their kids to. See the poster upthread who sent two kids through Walls but wants to chastise people on this thread for being negative about Eastern.

They are weird but they absolutely exist, it's one of the more annoying things about the Hill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I believe this for elementary and MS. Not for HS. When someone claims they would have been happy with Eastern, after getting their kids into Walls, I simply do not believe them.

But I also find it condescending when parents who got lottery spots at charters say this because it just comes off as condescending to those of us who didn't get those spots. Just admit that we all tried to lottery into charters, you got in and we didn't. It is tiresome when a family who is IB for the school you attend, but who sends their kids elsewhere, is like "oh it's a great school, we definitely would have been completely happy there if be hadn't gotten into our charter." Oh really? Then why did you lottery for and then send your kids to a charter? Why do you commute further to attend that charter when the IB is just up the street? It really doesn't sound like you think you'd be equally happy at your IB so maybe don't say that.

What would you rather have them say? "Man, your kid is screwed!"? Say nothing and imply it? I understand that this is tough; it was for all that came before. You'd be right here on DCUM complaining about people rubbing it in if they were honest about escaping. Almost everyone I know who matched at Latin, SWW, etc. has some form of survivor's guilt.

Say nothing. That's what you say: nothing. You state where your kid goes if asked. You do not pretend that you would have been thrilled to attend the IB school you rejected in favor of that charter, nor do you comment that you're so glad you were not forced to do so. You do not comment on the quality of the IB school, which you only know by reputation anyway. You are welcome to speak to your experience at your charter. But you don't walk around pontificating about the quality (or lack their of) of education at a school you chose not to have your kids attend, especially not to people whose kids DO attend that school.

Don't put your own guilt or discomfort about attending a charter onto other people. Figure it out yourself. Just be quiet and don't speak on subjects with which you do not have direct experience (doing the lottery is NOT a direct experience with a school).

You are ridiculous. Why are you assuming that people who send their kid to their IB wish they could send their kid elsewhere??

Where did I say that? I'm talking about parents who don't send their kid to their IB and then pretend that they would LOVE to do so when, demonstrably, they would not.

I think you hang around some strange people and need better friends. Who says they would LOVE to attend their IB but then not send their kid there? Weirdos.

Yep this. They would not being playing the lottery, looking at other options. Should be no brainer and just send their kid there. Done

We all know that’s not happening of course

[Anonymous]

Sometimes people have good reasons for choosing differently that don't apply to the person they're chatting with. I send my DD to a DCPS that is not our IB because my DS has a self-contained placement. Doesn't mean I don't think our IB is good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes people have good reasons for choosing differently that don't apply to the person they're chatting with. I send my DD to a DCPS that is not our IB because my DS has a self-contained placement. Doesn't mean I don't think our IB is good.

But you probably don't go around telling people that you love your IB and wish you could send them there. If you did, you'd probably mention the reason you don't.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if the current high interest rates and low housing inventory will cause people to take a second look at SH/EH and increase buy in to those schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the current high interest rates and low housing inventory will cause people to take a second look at SH/EH and increase buy in to those schools

Yes. There are just more families with older kids on the Hill in general. Not all of them get into charters, some families go private but not all can afford it (the cost of housing on the Hill might actually make it harder for many than it used to be -- much easier to swing private school tuition when your mortgage is $1800/mo as opposed to $7k/mo, even adjusting for inflation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the current high interest rates and low housing inventory will cause people to take a second look at SH/EH and increase buy in to those schools

Yes. There are just more families with older kids on the Hill in general. Not all of them get into charters, some families go private but not all can afford it (the cost of housing on the Hill might actually make it harder for many than it used to be -- much easier to swing private school tuition when your mortgage is $1800/mo as opposed to $7k/mo, even adjusting for inflation.

I just noticed this myself the other day. It used to be that you couldn’t walk a sidewalk without bumping into a stroller, but these days, not so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the current high interest rates and low housing inventory will cause people to take a second look at SH/EH and increase buy in to those schools

Yes. There are just more families with older kids on the Hill in general. Not all of them get into charters, some families go private but not all can afford it (the cost of housing on the Hill might actually make it harder for many than it used to be -- much easier to swing private school tuition when your mortgage is $1800/mo as opposed to $7k/mo, even adjusting for inflation.

I just noticed this myself the other day. It used to be that you couldn’t walk a sidewalk without bumping into a stroller, but these days, not so much.

YES! I had assumed this would always be the case. Wonder what families with babies are doing these days instead?

These days if you're around Eastern Market in the morning, you will see all these kids, some in uniforms (Latin's two campuses) walking to the bus stop or their school.