Creative Minds - pros and cons?

[Anonymous]

We're a CM family, but we're considering Sela at least partly because we like the idea of knowing where they will be for the next few years, commute or no commute. We've had a great experience with CM, though, all things considered, so it's a hard decision.

[Anonymous]

What about the old Shaw Middle School? That is a huge property that has been sitting vacant for years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're a CM family, but we're considering Sela at least partly because we like the idea of knowing where they will be for the next few years, commute or no commute. We've had a great experience with CM, though, all things considered, so it's a hard decision.

That's an interesting decision you're considering. Since Sela also only has a short term lease and, if successful, is likely to move as well, I would definitely stay with the school I already know and love and deal with the move sooner rather than later. Too many unknowns re: Sela to consider leaving a school that works well for my kid, even with the move uncertainty.

But each family is different, so if that works for you, best of luck with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're a CM family, but we're considering Sela at least partly because we like the idea of knowing where they will be for the next few years, commute or no commute. We've had a great experience with CM, though, all things considered, so it's a hard decision.

That's an interesting decision you're considering. Since Sela also only has a short term lease and, if successful, is likely to move as well, I would definitely stay with the school I already know and love and deal with the move sooner rather than later. Too many unknowns re: Sela to consider leaving a school that works well for my kid, even with the move uncertainty.

But each family is different, so if that works for you, best of luck with it.

We're wrestling with the decision. We live closer to Sela - and we spoke with the Sela leaders - they're at their site for a minimum of five years, with an option to extend. We've been impressed with them, and believe in language immersion, but we're waiting to see whom they hire for Principal. Creative Minds is also a new school and has had growing pains like all new schools. There is a tendency on DCUM to make everything out to be perfect or awful - Creative Minds is not perfect, but it is pretty good. I can tell you that we're not the only CM family looking at other options in the upper grades. That is the nature of the charter school beast.

[Anonymous]

PP -- I've applied to CM for an upper grade? Can you tell me a bit about the growing pains, why others are looking elsewhere? I ask as someone who was VERY impresssed when i went to the open house, but am not expecting a slot given that there are so few of them

[Anonymous]

I think charter school families shop around in general. I don't want to identify the teacher, but I will say in general that there are pluses and minuses on having a lot of young teachers. They're still mastering their craft - and my DC's teacher has great enthusiasm and is a very warm person, but has some organizational challenges. In my experience, the administration has also had some organizational challenges - but I don't think that is atypical of new schools at all. The families that I know who are thinking of leaving in upper grades are going to privates/possibly moving to MoCo. As I said, we're on the fence, but leaning towards leaving at this point.

[Anonymous]

I am at a newer charter and have found that exact problem as well with young teachers who are still finding their way - I am sure it's hard to find 'the right' and experienced teachers who want to work with charters right away. It's probably just like us playing the lottery - we'd rather go with the one that is established than the ones where the future is uncertain.

[Anonymous]

Interesting. I definitely got a passionate, we love our school vibe from the open house.

[Anonymous]

Do you mean you got a passionate teacher at CM? I don't doubt the passion of many - they just lack experience. HOWEVER - if you do have a child in the younger grades - the teachers will mature by the time you get there, that's a plus!

[Anonymous]

I meant the vibe i got was that the staff/parents are very passionate about the school -- which i get your point that doesnt mean they're actually good

[Anonymous]

PP the vibe you got at the open house was spot on. CM is a new school, it's not all things to all people but in general it's a great start. We love it. The community is enthusiastic and committed as are the teachers. We have not had any concerns about the organizational abilities of our DD's teacher.

[Anonymous]

What is great about CM is the small class size. They can afford to keep classes small by hiring young teachers who do not command a high salary. That is their equation. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. If you are living east of the park and don't like your IB school and can't afford to go private it is a pretty good choice. This is our family's situation. We are happy with the school. But we are still looking around and will evaluate each year. A definite downside for our son is the lack of outside play area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is great about CM is the small class size. They can afford to keep classes small by hiring young teachers who do not command a high salary. That is their equation. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. If you are living east of the park and don't like your IB school and can't afford to go private it is a pretty good choice. This is our family's situation. We are happy with the school. But we are still looking around and will evaluate each year. A definite downside for our son is the lack of outside play area.

Wow. that is one scaaaaary model. Keeping class sizes small by that method means constant turnover and constant inexperienced teachers. That is no way to build a quality school for the long run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is great about CM is the small class size. They can afford to keep classes small by hiring young teachers who do not command a high salary. That is their equation. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. If you are living east of the park and don't like your IB school and can't afford to go private it is a pretty good choice. This is our family's situation. We are happy with the school. But we are still looking around and will evaluate each year. A definite downside for our son is the lack of outside play area.

Wow. that is one scaaaaary model. Keeping class sizes small by that method means constant turnover and constant inexperienced teachers. That is no way to build a quality school for the long run.

Keep the classes and the staff light and bright. Rinse. Repeat.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty certain the model does not assume there will be turnover in the teachers in order to keep the classes small. This is the first year, folks, and the entire school budget was pretty much based on per-pupil money received from DC. So, it's probably accurate to say that there was some value in hiring younger teachers that don't demand the highest salaries. The school, however, is well aware that it will have to continue raising funds for the school to keep its teachers for the long-term as they become more experienced and demand/deserve regular salary increases.

Furthermore, they're implementing an international curriculum and project-based learning approach that isn't standard in DCPS schools (the only other school in DC using the International Primary Curriculum is the The British School). So, it's a school that is innovating. This tends to lend itself to younger teachers who are willing to innovate.

All this to say, the school does not intend to cyle out its current teachers over the years and cycle in new, young, teachers in order to maintain it's small class sizes.

Oh, and a moment of honesty for everyone --- after engaging in my school search last year (which included getting involved in efforts to revitalize my local failing school), I discovered that pretty much EVERY school in DC that is successful long term is successful b/c of the fundraising and involvement of the parents. The ONLY exceptions, to my knowledge, are schools that are backed by an organization/foundation/group and therefore secure additional funding that way. This is true for both DCPS and Charter schools. I personally find that truly disheartening as there are plenty of parents who don't have the time/energy/resources to make substantial contributions to their local schools and I firmly believe that this should not doom their children to a failed educational system. It is, however, the current reality.

So, CM, like all the others, will have to fundraise and continue building an engaged parent community....as is the story for all the other successful schools.

I firmly believe Creative Minds is really working hard to build something great -- and they've had, in my opinion, an extraordinary start. Folks mention bumps and hiccups, but as a PS parent...honestly, I'm continously impressed by both my child's teacher and the various administrators with whom I've had the pleasure of interacting.

Ok, off my soap box. Sorry for the rant.