Eaton, Key and Stoddert

[Anonymous]

Stoddert is phenomenal.

[Anonymous]

We had the choice between Eaton and Stoddert and chose Eaton. One nice thing is that they just finished the renovation so you don’t have to worry about that for a while. We’re really happy with the teachers, admin, and support staff. And after care! It’s one of the best after care programs in the city.

[Anonymous]

As a black parent, I chose to send my child to Eaton since it’s more diverse. While visiting Key, I’ve found that most of the other parents were unfriendly.

[Anonymous]

No here. We are eyeing a move to NWDC from Maryland and are considering Eaton. One thing we are concerned about (from our own past experiences in the District) is the revolving door/transient nature of so much of DC. Do you find that your kids' friends in these schools tend to move away every few years, or once people have kids, do they tend to stay in the neighborhood? And do kids who start at Eaton tend to go on to Hardy (and do many stay all the way through MacArthur, to the extent it's not too early to tell)? We would love our kid to have a relatively stable cohort, and we'd love to make some relatively stable parent friends as well!

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No here. We are eyeing a move to NWDC from Maryland and are considering Eaton. One thing we are concerned about (from our own past experiences in the District) is the revolving door/transient nature of so much of DC. Do you find that your kids' friends in these schools tend to move away every few years, or once people have kids, do they tend to stay in the neighborhood? And do kids who start at Eaton tend to go on to Hardy (and do many stay all the way through MacArthur, to the extent it's not too early to tell)? We would love our kid to have a relatively stable cohort, and we'd love to make some relatively stable parent friends as well!

Thank you!

As a NW DC resident, DCPS parent, and current Hardy parent, I can say it really depends. One of my kids has gone through elementary and Hardy with the same friends since kindergarten. No one moved and only one went to private for MS. Another child of mine has lost good friends every single year - either to private or a move. It’s just luck of the draw, I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a black parent, I chose to send my child to Eaton since it’s more diverse. While visiting Key, I’ve found that most of the other parents were unfriendly.

I experienced that as well. The white parents were even unfriendly with each other as well.

[Anonymous]

Stoddert is another school where most of the parents are unfriendly toward black and brown families. This explains why they have very few black students enrolled at the school.

[Anonymous]

To make matters worse, the principal at Stoddert isn’t exactly a friendly person. Instructional Superintendent Bethel needs to correct her behavior.

[Anonymous]

If you want an international vibe go with Key.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No here. We are eyeing a move to NWDC from Maryland and are considering Eaton. One thing we are concerned about (from our own past experiences in the District) is the revolving door/transient nature of so much of DC. Do you find that your kids' friends in these schools tend to move away every few years, or once people have kids, do they tend to stay in the neighborhood? And do kids who start at Eaton tend to go on to Hardy (and do many stay all the way through MacArthur, to the extent it's not too early to tell)? We would love our kid to have a relatively stable cohort, and we'd love to make some relatively stable parent friends as well!

Thank you!

My kid just graduated from Eaton! It’s a fabulous school and community.

Some kids do move - we are a very international school so jobs bring families to DC for a few years and then they go somewhere else. But most families stay long term. My child lost a few good friends to charter schools after 4th grade, but tons of kids graduated and are moving on to Hardy. It’s too soon to tell about Macarthur. It’s so far away from the Eaton zone that I wouldn’t be surprised if Eaton families made different decisions in high school, but many seem resigned to the long commute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stoddert is another school where most of the parents are unfriendly toward black and brown families. This explains why they have very few black students enrolled at the school.

My experience was that parents simply stay out of schooling and socializing. Many are foreign born just like myself and getting involved in school matter is simply not what we do. School is my kid's job, not mine.
I can see how someone sees this a unfriendly, but I doubt Stoddert somehow attracts people who don't like black and brown families.
Stoddert's math is very strong.

[Anonymous]

I’ve heard that most Eaton 5th graders are headed to Hardy in the fall. The music program at Eaton is phenomenal. Very diverse community. We’ve loved it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a black parent, I chose to send my child to Eaton since it’s more diverse. While visiting Key, I’ve found that most of the other parents were unfriendly.

Thank you for this. I was wondering what the experiences were like for Black families. Eaton's diversity appealed to me as well.

[Anonymous]

Pp. Thank you all! Sounds like Eaton will be a great fit on many fronts. We are excited!

To the comment about MacArthur's location being challenging for Eaton families: Are there any community groups or parent groups currently working on those challenges that we could join/help with as parents of a little one? Obviously we know very little about the situation/what is possible/what would be helpful, but we would be glad to try to help with what others are doing.

[Anonymous]

Former Eaton parent here, with kids at Hardy.
100% Eaton! As previous posters have said its friendly, the remodel is done, the teachers are great.

Our Hardy experience has been nothing like Eaton, and I wouldn't recommend it, but it sounds like you have years before that conversation needs to happen, so soak up and enjoy all Eaton has to offer. We miss it.