Hardy vs Deal?

[ahoppin]

Any thoughts about which is better?

[Anonymous]

bump

[Anonymous]

Wish I could tell you ahoppin. My daughter went to Hardy a few years ago. I was satisfied with it for the most part but I don't know that much about Deal.

Off hand I would say that the advantage of Hardy is that it is smaller but I don't know if that will continue to be the case with the shift in student population as Deal becomes a middle school. Hardy also changed its sixth grade to an arts magnet program which allowed the administration to select what students they wanted at the entry grade rather than having to accept the results of the lottery. The principal, Patrick Pope, was well regarded but some folks also viewed him as not being open to other points of view.

And I've said it elsewhere on these threads but I'll say it again, my daughter had a kicka$$ Algebra I class in 8th grade. The 8th grade math teacher, Sarah Bax, is tough! DD also had one or two train wrecks (who I think have since left) but most of her teachers were pretty good (although I don't know if they would meet the standards of some folks here). Phys ed was terrible.

Oh and one advantage to Hardy is that they just finished two years in swingspace in NE and now the kids are back and the school in Georgetown has been renovated. (I think they're back now -- anyone know?) If Deal is on the list to be renovated, believe me, it will take 2 to 3 times as long as they say it will and in the meantime, you'll be schlepping across the city to a swingspace. So you may want to check on that.

But I can't tell you anything about Deal to help you make a comparison. I recommend going to the opening houses, the PTA meetings, and asking to talk to parents.

Good luck!

[ahoppin]

thank you!!!

[Anonymous]

My high school students went to Hardy & we were quite pleased. Sarah Bax is an outstanding math teacher. The whole 8th grade team is really strong. I don't know too much about the 6th & 7th grade teachers since we've moved on. The music and art program is rigorous and many students go on to Ellington. I saw the renovated building over the summer and couldn't believe the transformation. It's truly state of the art. My ES kids are now at a school that feeds into Deal. I'm sure most of their friends will go to Deal and we might too depending on several factors. Many friends are at Deal now and are really happy there and so are their parents. I think they are both good schools that have different strengths.

[ahoppin]

thank you.

Anyone have any thoughts on the pros & cons of Deal?

[Anonymous]

This was posted today on the Chevy Chase List Serve

Come learn about the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program we're building at Alice Deal Middle School!

IB Parent Information Night!

Tuesday, October 21
6:30 - 8:00
(In our new cafeteria)

This Tuesday evening (6:30 - 8 pm), we will be meeting as the Deal
parent community to discuss IB MYP - the entire meeting will be
modeled as an MYP unit/lesson led by Mr. James Albright, Deal's IB Coordinator.

The guiding question: How does the development of an IB Middle Years Program
at Alice Deal affect the local community?

There will be an activity to assess
prior knowledge, several activities based on the overall program, the Learner
Profile, and the Areas of Interaction. The culminating activity will involve
community members identifying features of the MYP and the community that effect
and reinforce each other. There will be a concluding activity and a
chance for parents to express themselves on a "Community Wall" which,
we hope, can be posted prominently in the building for all to see.?

Please join us for this informative evening!

Posted by Alison Wylegala
Northampton St, NW

[Anonymous]

ahoppin wrote:Any thoughts about which is better?

Can anyone provide info about the transition after the Deal IB program? I understood that several years ago Wilson actually rejected the offer to have a separate IB program within the school because they felt it would "track" the better students within Wilson which the administration didn't want. Instead Wilson wanted to maintain AP only advanced classes. I was kind of shocked when I heard that since I always thought that the IB program was great and rigorous and I couldn't believe any DC school would turn down rigor. This was several years ago, so I don't know if that view is still the case.

Since Deal feeds into Wilson, how will the Deal students continue the IB program after Deal? Is Wilson now going to offer IB? Or will Deal students have to apply to and attend Banneker, the only other DC high school that I'm aware has IB?

Thanks for any info.

[Anonymous]

My daughter goes to Deal and she and her friends love it! I didn't think middle schoolers could like school so much. The IB program at Deal just started last year and they hired a new guy from fairfax who is doing a great job. Go talk to Ms. Kim about questions and visit both schools to be sure. Deal also has a really active parent group.

[Anonymous]

Is Deal taking 6th graders next year?

[Anonymous]

Yes, Deal will have 6th graders next year.