Let's talk Second Tier Choices (PK specific, both PCS and DCPS)

[Anonymous]

Don't forget Cap City for your top tier list. I'd also recommend Barnard and Bridges.

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised to hear you include Logan Montessori in your 1st tier list, after reading this thread:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/235137.page

when I read this, I immediately knocked Logan off my list. There were too many people posting extremely negative feedback there.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure it's wise to knock a school off your list based on a thread in an anonymous forum.

Unless, of course, your post is strategic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure it's wise to knock a school off your list based on a thread in an anonymous forum.

Unless, of course, your post is strategic.

Nobody is that stupid. Go away troll!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised to hear you include Logan Montessori in your 1st tier list, after reading this thread:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/235137.page

when I read this, I immediately knocked Logan off my list. There were too many people posting extremely negative feedback there.

I'm the PP here. I'm legitimately interested to know about logan montessori. I did a random search and found the thread referenced above. If this is way off, I'd love to hear it.

It strikes me the DC school scene must be really insane, for you to think that I posted that message above because I want to throw off competitors. I find that both sad and funny, as someone with an infant now who has no vested interested whatsoever!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised to hear you include Logan Montessori in your 1st tier list, after reading this thread:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/235137.page

when I read this, I immediately knocked Logan off my list. There were too many people posting extremely negative feedback there.

I'm the PP here. I'm legitimately interested to know about logan montessori. I did a random search and found the thread referenced above. If this is way off, I'd love to hear it.

It strikes me the DC school scene must be really insane, for you to think that I posted that message above because I want to throw off competitors. I find that both sad and funny, as someone with an infant now who has no vested interested whatsoever!

You can't be that surprised that the scene is insane - you have a school list for your infant! (said lovingly, I swear).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised to hear you include Logan Montessori in your 1st tier list, after reading this thread:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/235137.page

when I read this, I immediately knocked Logan off my list. There were too many people posting extremely negative feedback there.

I'm the PP here. I'm legitimately interested to know about logan montessori. I did a random search and found the thread referenced above. If this is way off, I'd love to hear it.

It strikes me the DC school scene must be really insane, for you to think that I posted that message above because I want to throw off competitors. I find that both sad and funny, as someone with an infant now who has no vested interested whatsoever!

You can't be that surprised that the scene is insane - you have a school list for your infant! (said lovingly, I swear).

This. She fits right in to our (in)sane world!

[Anonymous]

We live in Brookland and the Appletree in Columbia Heights was a very good fit for our son. In particular he thrived because they did so much science, which he loved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised to hear you include Logan Montessori in your 1st tier list, after reading this thread:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/235137.page

when I read this, I immediately knocked Logan off my list. There were too many people posting extremely negative feedback there.

I'm the PP here. I'm legitimately interested to know about logan montessori. I did a random search and found the thread referenced above. If this is way off, I'd love to hear it.

It strikes me the DC school scene must be really insane, for you to think that I posted that message above because I want to throw off competitors. I find that both sad and funny, as someone with an infant now who has no vested interested whatsoever!

You can't be that surprised that the scene is insane - you have a school list for your infant! (said lovingly, I swear).

Ha ha, point taken.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP here. I'm legitimately interested to know about logan montessori. I did a random search and found the thread referenced above. If this is way off, I'd love to hear it.

I'm a Logan parent..first year there for my 3 year old. I was not sold on the school before we started. I did not like a lot of what I read on DCUM and we also had some tense conversations with the administration about wait list transparency, etc. (I will say that the people who I know there and whose wait list numbers I know, do all fall into line.) When we got in I thought we may say no, but went for a second visit anyway and I was thoroughly impressed. The school feels very small, everyone knows everyone (unlike were DC started the school year) and the staff loves and is committed to making the school better. The parent community is nice...kids bike to school every Friday, they have an active health and wellness club where the kids cook and even do yoga after school. We are also very happy with our teacher and our friends who are in other primary classes are happy with their teachers as well.

Communication from the administration has not been perfect, and I have had to seek out information at times, when I have felt like it should have been provided. (The exception here is if there is any fall or incident, we get calls from the nurse and teacher no matter how minor.) There is also a very involved social worker who is a huge help if there are any concerns. The class size is pretty large but it is set up for the older kids to help the younger ones and I have seen this working. The only place where the class size bothers me is on the playground where there are just a LOT of kids out there at once.

DC is VERY happy. Loves his teacher, his friends, aftercare even. I am very happy with the progression and independence I am seeing from my child. So, we are staying through primary, not sure about elementary yet. Definitely try and get a spot. If you do, ask for a tour and you will likely be taken around by an adult and students, who are impressive in their social skills if nothing else. The school has definitely exceeded my expectations so far.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Sorry, didn't mean to put that entire post in a quote!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the information on Logan.

[Anonymous]

I would add CAPCS. The Amos 2 campus that is PS3-K and Reggio Emilia inspired. No experience, just one that I remembered from my search last year.

http://www.capcs.org/our_campuses/amos2.php

[Anonymous]

My daughter is at Shining Stars and she loves it. The school is still getting on its feet, but we've seen improvements over the year.

Pros: Warm, loving, Montessori environment. Very diverse. Staff and leadership are dedicated and inspiring. GREAT aftercare.

Cons: Parking is a headache. Early start (8am). No on-site playground (they do get have a city playground a block away). No garden (I know a lot of other schools have this).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question for OP and others: What prompts you to rank Meridian as "first tier"? There have been some very enthusiastic postings on here about Meridian, which is great, but I'm trying to understand what drives the enthusiasm other than location.

I live in ward one and would love another viable option nearby, so I'm not trying to bash the school -- just trying to understand what folks see as Meridian's selling points. Thanks.

Unvarnished points, as I see them:
1. New location is great.
2. Scores are good.
3. Scores are good, even when school is has a VERY high percentage of economically disadvantaged students.
4. 2011 OSSE NCLB data show 1 of 56 students in 3rd grade is not economically disadvantaged. Class conflict may be a concern for your middle-class child.
5. 70% black, 30% Hispanic. White/non-Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander enrollment at ZERO in 3rd grade, per 2011 OSSE NCLB data. Define what diversity means to you.
6. Very polished at Charter Expo, according to writers on DCUM.
7. I haven’t seen anyone here state different basic facts at the PS-3, PK-4 or K grades, the main entering years. I would be interested to see more.

Clearly they're doing a lot of things right. Whether they are the right school for you is a different question.

8. Very sound management and financial situation in a rapidly improving neighborhood.
9. Updated facilities and state-of-the-art IT.
10. Access to green space slated for improvement (Harrison Rec. Center and Garrison field) as well as Meridian Hill Park.
11. Teacher and instructional quality program focus.