DCI vs Deal for middle

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:6th grade family here at DCI.

DS just finished up his 1st week and it has been really good so far. Main points of interest to share.

- 3 out of 5 core classes are tracked (Math, language, social studies). English not officially tracked but was told they try to group same abilities together. Last class is science which my kid has enjoyed the most he said this week

- Lots of really great elective choices and kids have 2 electives in addition to 5 core classes.

- His core classes have no more than 15-17 kids. I was shocked to learn that numbers were this low. I was expecting more low to mid 20’s. I don’t know if it’s because of the level of his classes or what.

- There is not a lot of computer usage in any of his classes. I specifically asked him this because I read on here there was. He said he did an in class assignment on his chromebook in a class but that was it.

-The metro and bus to DCI is so easy. Bus drop off is right at entrance of the school. If you are in NE/NW near the red line, it will be so easy and fast to get to school.

- Sports and club options, lots of choices. They said over 70% of kids participate. That’s over 1000 kids total with middle and high school. In addition, they have a dedicated homework help option after school everyday. Lots of flexibility with how many days you want to do clubs, homework lounge, etc…Total game changer not to have to drive for extracurriculars!

I realize it’s only been 1 week. But off to a really good start.

This matches our experience from last year fairly well except in class size. Mine in the Spanish track has classes larger than 15-17.

It sounds like the school is trying to move away from Chromebook over-dependence. I hope they're successful.

I don’t think the DCI teachers know how to teach without tech assistance of some sort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A challenge for DCI that I’ve heard most about over the years is discipline, though I know that that is not uncommon for middle schools generally.

What are people’s feedback about how discipline issues are going at DCI?

It only rises to an issue when the admin gets equity pilled and breaks up the “sink” classes. The phases ebb and flow between “wow we need to separate kids out,” “hmm seems to be working,” and then “hmm that one really bad class looks really really bad, surely things won’t get bad if we split some of those kids off.” Rinse, repeat every 5-6 years.

Right now it seems like we are on the edge of a new “hey these new streamed classes where we put the bad kids together in the sub basement really seem to be going great” phase. It’ll last 3-4 years.

You want to make sure your kids get put in the advanced classes. I’ve not heard many behavioral issues there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A challenge for DCI that I’ve heard most about over the years is discipline, though I know that that is not uncommon for middle schools generally.

What are people’s feedback about how discipline issues are going at DCI?

It only rises to an issue when the admin gets equity pilled and breaks up the “sink” classes. The phases ebb and flow between “wow we need to separate kids out,” “hmm seems to be working,” and then “hmm that one really bad class looks really really bad, surely things won’t get bad if we split some of those kids off.” Rinse, repeat every 5-6 years.

Right now it seems like we are on the edge of a new “hey these new streamed classes where we put the bad kids together in the sub basement really seem to be going great” phase. It’ll last 3-4 years.

You want to make sure your kids get put in the advanced classes. I’ve not heard many behavioral issues there.

Honestly , it’s like that at any school that tracks. The kids in the high-level classes, no issues. The kids in the lower level classes are the ones that tend to act out.

At least DCI tracks for many subjects. I consider that a positive thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A challenge for DCI that I’ve heard most about over the years is discipline, though I know that that is not uncommon for middle schools generally.

What are people’s feedback about how discipline issues are going at DCI?

It only rises to an issue when the admin gets equity pilled and breaks up the “sink” classes. The phases ebb and flow between “wow we need to separate kids out,” “hmm seems to be working,” and then “hmm that one really bad class looks really really bad, surely things won’t get bad if we split some of those kids off.” Rinse, repeat every 5-6 years.

Right now it seems like we are on the edge of a new “hey these new streamed classes where we put the bad kids together in the sub basement really seem to be going great” phase. It’ll last 3-4 years.

You want to make sure your kids get put in the advanced classes. I’ve not heard many behavioral issues there.

Honestly , it’s like that at any school that tracks. The kids in the high-level classes, no issues. The kids in the lower level classes are the ones that tend to act out.

At least DCI tracks for many subjects. I consider that a positive thing.

Are you even a DCI parent? There are plenty of kids in the "lower level classes" that work hard and do not have behavioral problems. Like my one DC with a learning disability. There are also plenty of students in my kids DCI middle and high school classes that mess around on their Chromebooks all day and are pretty disrespectful. Smart kids can be jerks too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A challenge for DCI that I’ve heard most about over the years is discipline, though I know that that is not uncommon for middle schools generally.

What are people’s feedback about how discipline issues are going at DCI?

It only rises to an issue when the admin gets equity pilled and breaks up the “sink” classes. The phases ebb and flow between “wow we need to separate kids out,” “hmm seems to be working,” and then “hmm that one really bad class looks really really bad, surely things won’t get bad if we split some of those kids off.” Rinse, repeat every 5-6 years.

Right now it seems like we are on the edge of a new “hey these new streamed classes where we put the bad kids together in the sub basement really seem to be going great” phase. It’ll last 3-4 years.

You want to make sure your kids get put in the advanced classes. I’ve not heard many behavioral issues there.

Honestly , it’s like that at any school that tracks. The kids in the high-level classes, no issues. The kids in the lower level classes are the ones that tend to act out.

At least DCI tracks for many subjects. I consider that a positive thing.

Are you even a DCI parent? There are plenty of kids in the "lower level classes" that work hard and do not have behavioral problems. Like my one DC with a learning disability. There are also plenty of students in my kids DCI middle and high school classes that mess around on their Chromebooks all day and are pretty disrespectful. Smart kids can be jerks too.

Yes I am. Never said everyone acts out but it’s generally a true statement that there tend to be more behavioral problems in the lower level classes.

No issues in my kid’s classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A challenge for DCI that I’ve heard most about over the years is discipline, though I know that that is not uncommon for middle schools generally.

What are people’s feedback about how discipline issues are going at DCI?

It only rises to an issue when the admin gets equity pilled and breaks up the “sink” classes. The phases ebb and flow between “wow we need to separate kids out,” “hmm seems to be working,” and then “hmm that one really bad class looks really really bad, surely things won’t get bad if we split some of those kids off.” Rinse, repeat every 5-6 years.

Right now it seems like we are on the edge of a new “hey these new streamed classes where we put the bad kids together in the sub basement really seem to be going great” phase. It’ll last 3-4 years.

You want to make sure your kids get put in the advanced classes. I’ve not heard many behavioral issues there.

Honestly , it’s like that at any school that tracks. The kids in the high-level classes, no issues. The kids in the lower level classes are the ones that tend to act out.

At least DCI tracks for many subjects. I consider that a positive thing.

Are you even a DCI parent? There are plenty of kids in the "lower level classes" that work hard and do not have behavioral problems. Like my one DC with a learning disability. There are also plenty of students in my kids DCI middle and high school classes that mess around on their Chromebooks all day and are pretty disrespectful. Smart kids can be jerks too.

Yes I am. Never said everyone acts out but it’s generally a true statement that there tend to be more behavioral problems in the lower level classes.

No issues in my kid’s classes.

The other issue I have is really inconsistent teaching. So while my oldest hasn't had many behavioral disruptions, I find some of the teaching really subpar. I am a teacher and no way would I get away with that type of teaching in my school division.