Current views on J-R

[Anonymous]

Brown is a company man. He is pretty good at keeping the school running day to day but he is not a visionary or even someone with big ambitions for the school. He believes in hierarchy and is happy to do whatever central office tells him

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is self motivated, it will be good (not great). If your kid does the bare minimum, they will be fine and not stand out--teachers and administration will be happy to let them slide.
If your kid always aligns with the worst behaved kids and sinks to their level, they will struggle.

Exactly right from I’ve seen. I would only add that if your kid is self-motivated AND social or active in clubs/sports, then JR will be a great experience. Academics can be okay/mediocre to great/inspiring, so overall I think “good” is a fair overall impression. But high school is more than academics and it’s the combination of people and academics that make it a great school. I’m very happy to send my daughter there.

It’s true that Principal Brown has done his best to kill the culture and spirit that define the school community. The school is a wonderful place despite him.

Agree. I have two kids like this, and JR has been fantastic for them. And they love being part of a large, diverse community, which fosters maturity and independence.

I think the principal is simply a functionary—he’s there to do what DCPS says, which mostly means keeping things running relatively smoothly and avoiding bad publicity. The upshot is that the school does run relatively smoothly, but he never goes off-script, and he’s not going to go out on a limb for anyone not rowing in exactly the same direction as he is. A couple of really excellent teachers left last year because of this lack of support, which was upsetting. But the school also feels generally stable and reliable, which has not always been the case. So it’s a mixed bag.

Which good teachers left last year? Anyone know who might be leaving at the end of this year?

I’m the PP, and no one should post identifying information about teachers here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is self motivated, it will be good (not great). If your kid does the bare minimum, they will be fine and not stand out--teachers and administration will be happy to let them slide.
If your kid always aligns with the worst behaved kids and sinks to their level, they will struggle.

Exactly right from I’ve seen. I would only add that if your kid is self-motivated AND social or active in clubs/sports, then JR will be a great experience. Academics can be okay/mediocre to great/inspiring, so overall I think “good” is a fair overall impression. But high school is more than academics and it’s the combination of people and academics that make it a great school. I’m very happy to send my daughter there.

It’s true that Principal Brown has done his best to kill the culture and spirit that define the school community. The school is a wonderful place despite him.

Agree. I have two kids like this, and JR has been fantastic for them. And they love being part of a large, diverse community, which fosters maturity and independence.

I think the principal is simply a functionary—he’s there to do what DCPS says, which mostly means keeping things running relatively smoothly and avoiding bad publicity. The upshot is that the school does run relatively smoothly, but he never goes off-script, and he’s not going to go out on a limb for anyone not rowing in exactly the same direction as he is. A couple of really excellent teachers left last year because of this lack of support, which was upsetting. But the school also feels generally stable and reliable, which has not always been the case. So it’s a mixed bag.

Which good teachers left last year? Anyone know who might be leaving at the end of this year?

I’m the PP, and no one should post identifying information about teachers here.

Why not. No one is commenting on whether they are good or bad. It is ok to mention who left last year. Or who has already said they are leaving this year. Names are already public on school websites. You can also look up salary since they are government employees. Privacy doesn’t really exist anymore

[Anonymous]

For the kids that are going to T20 colleges from JR, what does it take? Athletics? Or other factors?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the kids that are going to T20 colleges from JR, what does it take? Athletics? Or other factors?

Same as anywhere else: all As (or close to it) in highest rigor classes (usually at least 10 APs, often more like 12-14); strong involvement in multiple activities, usually with leadership; excellent teacher recommendations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Brown is a company man. He is pretty good at keeping the school running day to day but he is not a visionary or even someone with big ambitions for the school. He believes in hierarchy and is happy to do whatever central office tells him

I can't stand that man. The only times I ever see him smiling, it looks like it's causing him a terrible strain. As far as my daughter has witnessed, Brown has never made the slightest effort to get to know a student. The man just doesn't have the temperament of an educator. He may be a loyal soldier for central office but he shouldn't be overseeing young people.