ReEnrollment at Inspired Teaching

[Anonymous]

How was first grade this year? Looking for a spot for a rising second grader...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, this is not a good place to get opinions on which to form any kind of judgment or decision. Because everyone is anonymous and therefore not accountable, people often write with an agenda. Visit the school try and speak in person with current parents, this should be more helpful.

I think OP is a current parent and just trying to get a feel from other parents. Anonymous forums could actually be a perfect place as people can talk more freely.

But you also need to filter out extreme opinions. I've seen posts regarding Inspired Teaching saying that it's the BEST SCHOOL EVER AND YOU'RE ABUSIVE IF YOU DON'T RE/ENROLL YOUR CHILD, and others saying that it's a house of cards. Both opinions seem slightly unhinged.

You're kidding right? Provide me with a link on DCUM where someone said this.

IT is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a good school with exceptional teachers that the vast majority of students enjoy attending. Although many parents--like myself--kept their options open by applying to other schools, we're re-enrolling because my kids love it and they're learning. We also very much like the school's diversity and the community of highly involved parents. I have no interest in taking anything away from any other school in the city-- public, private or charter. IT is simply a good fit for my family. Hopefully, you have found a good fit for your family.

In the meantime, DBJ if IT parents have had mostly positive things to say on DCUM about the school and their child's experience. I personally don't have a hidden agenda. My kids really did ENJOY school this year. It's just a fact. And I'm not the only parent who will tell you this (including some who are not re-enrolling for various reasons). In the best of worlds, this forum is about sharing so that participants can hopefully benefit from hearing another's experience.

I have no reason to believe that the school won't build upon what they began this year and further improve. I still don't know what the school is doing that makes the kids love it so much but again, we're re-enrolling on the off chance that we really did stumble upon something better than good.

I think a reminder needs to be thrown out there that IT actually have Resident Teachers who work with the Master Teachers for a year, before then finding jobs in different schools throughout DC. These Residents could end up being hired any and everywhere, meaning that IT is not trying to be the school with the 'best' teachers, but rather a school that is looking to serve students throughout the District, whether they actually attend IT or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How was first grade this year? Looking for a spot for a rising second grader...

I have heard nothing but praise for the second grade teacher. The parents like him so much many hope that the administration will cycle the teacher. Good luck! I can tell you that in DC the upper grades are usually easier to get into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How was first grade this year? Looking for a spot for a rising second grader...

I hope you have already applied! If not, you can still submit applications, even though the lottery deadline has passed. Info about this is on the website:
http://www.inspiredteachingschool.org/school/appl/

[Anonymous]

New poster here. We are re-enrolling. Our experience has been very good and I figure the school is only going to get better from here. I thought about leaving as the drop off / pickup won't be easy at the new location but we will make work.

PP with the rising second grader? I have also heard nothing but good things about the second grade teacher and experience.

[Anonymous]

We are not for several reasons. One is that the admin seems so uptight. Zoe is too young and I think this is an upstream swim for her. As the school grows, it will be more challenging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are not for several reasons. One is that the admin seems so uptight. Zoe is too young and I think this is an upstream swim for her. As the school grows, it will be more challenging.

I couldn't disagree more. The admin is nice, caring and all share an "inspired" philosophy. We re-enrolled the day the application was available. Zoe is a phenomenal principal and although I do feel her hands are tied some times (still balancing autonomy with ED and board), she has handled it with pure grace.

I am assuming your opinion (although I can respect your stance), is a huge minority being that a newsletter was just sent stating re-enrollment was 95%!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are not for several reasons. One is that the admin seems so uptight. Zoe is too young and I think this is an upstream swim for her. As the school grows, it will be more challenging.

Sorry to hear you're leaving. I hope you have found a school that 's a better fit for your family.

Actually, I was happy to read your post. You stated your issue was an "up tight" administration and what "might" happen in the future. Those are personal observations, feelings and worries that are outside of the current quality of teaching, student engagement, or school environment--all of which most parents at IT rave about. I have no reason to believe that these positives will change in the near future.

Zoe is not warm and fuzzy with parents but, I don't need a new BFF and--in her defense--these are Type A DC parents we're talking about here . I'd stand back a little too .

I certainly don't think she's gotten every administrative decision right (what leader does), but the school, IMO, has lived up to its name, so they did get the most important thing right. I have to give hZoe big credit for pulling off the herculean task of getting a first year charter off the ground. DCUM can be brutal but if you look back over the IT strings you'll find 85% or more of the posts positive, and 99% of what little griping there is, is about the administration.

I'd say, by DCUM standards, that's not too bad for a first year charter.

[Anonymous]

There will be a lot of movement between now and August. The initial re enrollment percentage may not hold. Families may go elsewhere for a variety of reasons. Even if they are not absolutely sure parents will re enroll right now as there is no penalty if you do leave and it is good to secure the spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There will be a lot of movement between now and August. The initial re enrollment percentage may not hold. Families may go elsewhere for a variety of reasons. Even if they are not absolutely sure parents will re enroll right now as there is no penalty if you do leave and it is good to secure the spot.

Totally agree. Are you an IT family? If so, then you will know the dedication of many of the families there. Yes many of those that re-enrolled have done so just as a back up. But a large core of the families will remain.

[Anonymous]

At 9:04, yes, there are two type A parents in particular who seem to be pretty dominating.

[Anonymous]

Not the poster that you're referring to but not sure who you are talking about either.

I agree there will be movement between now and October as there is for any school. And this year pretty much every family I knew entered lottery even if they were happy (mine among this group) because of the location uncertainty. When those calls off the waitlist start coming from other talked about charters and DCPSs it'll be interesting to see what happens. In fact I don't know what I would do in a couple of cases.
While I think the education this year has been top notch I don't know how it compares to the Magnificient Seven charter for example because we've never gone there. And it would be nice to be at a place where things were established.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At 9:04, yes, there are two type A parents in particular who seem to be pretty dominating.

Oh, come on. This isn't middle school. Grow up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At 9:04, yes, there are two type A parents in particular who seem to be pretty dominating.

Oh, come on. This isn't middle school. Grow up.

+1... I don't even see how that can be brought up unless you are in same class and even it that case, how do their personalities affect you? Honey, you're in DC half the parents you encounter will be type A.

[Anonymous]

Might you be one of them?