DC Prep (edgewood) - any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

We got into DC Prep (Edgewood) for its 3 y/o program. I liked the teachers I met there, it scores high on Great Schools.org, and is a short commute, but I haven't heard much from DC Prep parents what it is really like. I'd appreciate any feedback. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

My daughter started in preschool at DC Prep and I really enjoyed it in preschool and prek. At this age they are strict but not too strict. But now that she is kindergarten it is a whole new ball game. I know that some students really benefit from homework every night (even Fridays) in math, reading, and writing but geez in Kindergarten though! My daughter doesn't enjoyed school as much now but I can't complain too much because academically she's doing great. One thing that I HATE though is how they hold students responsible for being on time and completing their homework, I mean at this age it's the parents responsibility! Right? If a student has 2 absences or a certain number of tardiness 2 weeks before a field trip then they can't go....really doesn't seem very logical.

[Anonymous]

High SES families don't go to dc prep. It doesn't get much press here.

[Anonymous]

"My daughter doesn't enjoyed school as much now but I can't complain too much because academically she's doing great"

So in a few years she will hate school?

[Anonymous]

From what I am able to surmise from the former parents and student I have spoken to, Prep is a great school if you like structure. I have heard that there is a lot of work, but, whatever they are doing, it appears to pay dividends. As a PP alluded, the high SES set will turn up their noses because of Prep's lack of diversity and its traditional approach.

Personally, as a former HS admissions officer, I would totally take a Prepper over some schools because I know these are children who are disciplined, resilient and accustomed to hard work. It would not surprise me if BASIS was able to lure some students from Prep.

[Anonymous]

I know people who have worked there. It is drill and kill test prep. All they do is reading and math. They do not have art or music. I think it works for some kids but you have to wonder how bleak life is without special classes. Education needs to encompass the whole child. Also, be ware of those test scores. I have heard of cheating from both teachers and students.

[Anonymous]

some countries don't have music/art/etc in school but then they probably have more science/social studies to make up for it.

[Anonymous]

I don't know about the cheating accusation, but it does lack diversity- economically and ethnically. Their website specifically stated (when I checked last year) that their program was designed to meet the needs of students from lower socio economic backgrounds. And it seems to work. My concern was how they meet the needs of students from different backgrounds who may not need the same supports and structure.

[Anonymous]

It's very interesting that when ever I read anything on this listserv about DC Prep it's always "I heard this and that" but yet not one person seem to know an actual parent of a student at DC Prep first hand.
While, yes, it is 99% African American, maybe a little less this year because there are a few white, Asian and Hispanic students, the SES in this school is actually pretty diverse! I think most of you would be surprised. There are a good amount of college educated families there with well paying jobs but like any other DC school there are a good amount of FARM students there but who cares! The school does a great job at keeping any "craziness" in check. As a black women who grew up in Mo County and when to private school in Bethesda, I am used to certain things also but I believe the school does an excellent job with the parents and student and making everyone feel welcome.
This is my son's second year and I can not be more grateful to his teachers for the love and attention they have given him. I'm pretty sure part of that is because my husband and I are very involved. Also to the comment that I have seen in this thread and others, the school DOES have Spanish, PE, Music and Art! The younger kids rotate every quarter. SO let's put that rumor to rest. As for not being able to go on field trips because of absences or tardiness, yes that happens but it's not after only 2, you really have to be a repeat offender.
So that's my $.02 about DC Prep. I think it's an awesome school and this is coming from and actual parent! I hope someone finds this useful even though this is an old thread.
Please excuse any typos as I am on my iPhone!

[Anonymous]

Generally speaking, homework in kindergarten is absurd. I am not aware of any study that has found this to be productive in the long term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Generally speaking, homework in kindergarten is absurd. I am not aware of any study that has found this to be productive in the long term.

Well don't apply to YY. My kid received homework in PK. It was not a lot, but it was HW.

And more to the point of your statement, what studies have you found that have said it was counter-productive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generally speaking, homework in kindergarten is absurd. I am not aware of any study that has found this to be productive in the long term.

Well don't apply to YY. My kid received homework in PK. It was not a lot, but it was HW.

And more to the point of your statement, what studies have you found that have said it was counter-productive?

Really, which year was that? I had a child in YY PK last year, the only "homework" I recall was bringing home a silkworm and feeding it mulberry leaves.

He is thriving in K this year too, though a little disappointed that older sibling has homework and he's only had a couple of packets. BTW, those homework packets were drawing chinese characters and counting steps in the house. I'm generally anti-homework for children this age, but I'll make exceptions for enforcing concepts (e.g. drawing Mandarin characters) that aren't part of our world at home.

That said, if you're the kind of parent that isn't planning to invest personal time in your child's education, then a school which expects that kind of commitment, is not going to be a good fit for your child or your family.

[Anonymous]

Appletree gives homework in ps3.

[Anonymous]

I've seen plenty that says that homework is not effective in elementary school.

We are at YY and got no homework in PK but there is homework in K. I personally think it is too much for this age though my kid likes it. There is a crisis of a lack of

[Anonymous]

I'm a former employee of DC Prep. Don't let the sleek website and PR team fool you, this school is not a good place to send students. It promotes a drill and kill education, so sure, the students have great test scores, but they have no critical thinking skills at all. What really goes on when parents and families aren't around is a hostile environment that deals punishment similar to a military school. Expectations are outrageous and developmentally inappropriate for elementary age students. Kids should not be forced to sit quietly, walk in silent lines with their hands behind their backs, and be subject to an absurd discipline system that allows children as young as three to be suspended. They are not in the business of helping families. Instead of working with children who display challenging behaviors, they suspend them and force families to pick up their students each time there is a discipline issue (sometimes minor, sometimes major). This often inconveniences the parents so much that they are forced to withdraw their students from the school. This works well for DC Prep because they don't have to expel the students, which would reflect poorly on their network.