Question for Supporters of New WotP High School

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:These are great ideas and why aren't any of them encapsulated in the DME's proposals, the Chancellor's goals, or the mayoral candidates's platforms? I'm thrilled to be reading these ideas and thoughts...just bums me out that they have to bubble up from parents (assuming) and not from our highly paid educationl professionals.

I've emailed a link to this thread to members of the Advisory Committee that I know. If anyone else knows members, do the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thnk it would have to be test in on the level of a TJ (not necessarily STEM though) and as a PP stated, it needs to be the best from day one. And maybe test in is one way to achieve that.

How about combining a test-in academy of some sort with general non-test in program?

My knee jerk reaction is that to attract higher SES families, particularly any WotP, they'd want it to be all test-in (trying to ensure that "your" kid doesn't end up in the "wrong crowd"). BUT, if you want to call the school Roosevelt and you want it to be at the Roosevelt facility, you can't do that (see my note above about old timers). But maybe I'm being to pessimistic and not giving people enough credit. Again, I'd seriously consider it.

But wilson isn't that way and is considered very desirable as is by many wotp families -- so maybe it would work -- and could pull in some banneker/SWW types and also some who now choose Ellington, more for its good behavior and decent scores than its arts focus.

[Anonymous]

Wouldn't it make more sense to put a city wide test-in school at Cardozo, that is relatively centrally located and near metro?

Roosevelt is sort of hard to get to on a city-wide basis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another challenge I suspect might be an issue when trying to reinvent an existing high schools in DC....DC old timers are big boosters of their alma maters...not always financially...but as watch dogs for ensuring that "their school" doesn't change too much. Is that off base?

That is a huge problem, especially when the change might entail the racial makeup of the school. You could argue that alumni are a bigger voting block than parents.

How many of the alumni still live in DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:About the idea of a test-in academy plus a general program: that's what worked for Wilson, no?

I do think it would be essential to rename/rebrand this proposed HS. It's not just the alumni who are a barrier to change; it's the reputation. General perceptions about existing schools are slow to change.

THIS. If I had my way, I would change the names of most of the high schools to reflect their community. What does "Roosevelt" mean to a ninth grader or a parent? Nothing good, I'll tell you that. Keep Teddy and "Rough Riders" as a mascot but "Petworth High School" would be a chance for a fresh start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thnk it would have to be test in on the level of a TJ (not necessarily STEM though) and as a PP stated, it needs to be the best from day one. And maybe test in is one way to achieve that.

How about combining a test-in academy of some sort with general non-test in program?

My knee jerk reaction is that to attract higher SES families, particularly any WotP, they'd want it to be all test-in (trying to ensure that "your" kid doesn't end up in the "wrong crowd"). BUT, if you want to call the school Roosevelt and you want it to be at the Roosevelt facility, you can't do that (see my note above about old timers). But maybe I'm being to pessimistic and not giving people enough credit. Again, I'd seriously consider it.

But wilson isn't that way and is considered very desirable as is by many wotp families -- so maybe it would work -- and could pull in some banneker/SWW types and also some who now choose Ellington, more for its good behavior and decent scores than its arts focus.

I'm PP from above. Glad to read your response that you don't think it would necessarily have to be all test-in. I'm frankly charmed by the PP's idea of the CAS-proficient low bar for entry...whoever you are, you should trademark it now! I just want to know that by 9th grade my kids are going to school with other kids who have demonstrated a commitment to their education and ability to learn--it doesn't have to be a cohort of geniuses. And while it would be great to attract some WotP kids, I also think the focus should be on building a school and program that will attract other parts of the city. We live in Petworth but currently attend a WotP elementary via OOB. Right now, we'd have access to Wilson years from now, but who knows? Our family has 6 years to see other options pop up. We all know about the overcrowding at Wilson. We all know that most WotP families want to point to us OOB interlopers as the people who should be asked to leave. Well instead of making us feel like we've lost (by eliminating our feeder rights) let us feel like we've won (by creating an equally great program closer to home). But you have to build it first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:About the idea of a test-in academy plus a general program: that's what worked for Wilson, no?

I do think it would be essential to rename/rebrand this proposed HS. It's not just the alumni who are a barrier to change; it's the reputation. General perceptions about existing schools are slow to change.

THIS. If I had my way, I would change the names of most of the high schools to reflect their community. What does "Roosevelt" mean to a ninth grader or a parent? Nothing good, I'll tell you that. Keep Teddy and "Rough Riders" as a mascot but "Petworth High School" would be a chance for a fresh start.

Not going to happen. As any other jurisdiction done this? Or state for that matter.

[Anonymous]

It might sound naive to most of you, but what about building a well-defined proposal on this site, then have it be endorsed by as many DCUM parents as there are in agreement, and read it loud as the DCUM proposal in the Q&A session at next meeting?
Of course someone would step out with their real identity to read it, but I would have no problems to raise my hand if they asked "who is in this room from DCUM and endorsing it?"

[Anonymous]

Great thread. FWIW, Oyster and Eaton families may prefer a new WotP HS to the west of where they live than Wilson. We live near Georgetown and prefer a HS that is within bus or bike distance. As a mom, I am not the "my kid is a snowflake" type, yet I don't want them wasting time on a commute at that age. Yes, young folks and old folks do it, but we bought in the city precisely so we would not have a long commute.

[Anonymous]

Is Rosevelt a failing school ripe for a reorganization? That seems the only way to do it. O, turn it over to a charter. Basis?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:It might sound naive to most of you, but what about building a well-defined proposal on this site, then have it be endorsed by as many DCUM parents as there are in agreement, and read it loud as the DCUM proposal in the Q&A session at next meeting?
Of course someone would step out with their real identity to read it, but I would have no problems to raise my hand if they asked "who is in this room from DCUM and endorsing it?"

There is no way it could be less effective than what they are doing now. But, if the proposal were specific to Roosevelt as this thread is (or at least started out), we would absolutely need to get input from Roosevelt stakeholders. At a minimum, current families and alumni. I might be able to identify and pursue the right contacts in that regard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having followed middle school issues for a long time it's painfully obvious that it's much easier to start a new school than to turn an existing school around. I've watched for a decade while parents have tried to change Hardy. In much less time, Latin (founded 2007) and Basis (2011) have sprung up, with greatly lesser resources, and now attract more kids in-boundary for Hardy than Hardy does.

New schools have the advantage that they don't have anyone fighting for the status quo.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the question could be rephrased: If you could duplicate Wilson's success, and locate it either at any existing high school or a new site WOTP, where would you pick? Clearly, Roosevelt is more central than any of the WOTP locations. But that question assumes that geography doesn't affect school performance, and the empirical evidence is that it does.

Hardy had a great shot a few years ago, but DCPS SWWed it.

[Anonymous]

I don't want to dilute this thread, so if what I"m about to say has legs, please post as a stand alone. Roosevelt is housed in MacFarland now, while the school is being redone. That means we have a clear opportunity to work on the middle school issue in ward 4 too. Make plans for a new and improved MacFarland, stick a fork in the education campuses, identify any other locations for a Ward 4 stand alone middle school (Walter Reed?). I'd like to think that DCPS can work on more than one big, game-changing project at once. Scenario C from the DME does include some of these elements (nixing the ECs, building new middle schools, etc.). Pull those elements out and get working!

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I think Roosevelt is just too big a switch for many WoTP families. Getting them to go to Hardy is hard enough. I think a new high school close to Hardy (and maybe feeding from Oyster as well) is the solution with the best chance of success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I think Roosevelt is just too big a switch for many WoTP families. Getting them to go to Hardy is hard enough. I think a new high school close to Hardy (and maybe feeding from Oyster as well) is the solution with the best chance of success.

So we should just let Roosevelt stay empty with its $120+ million renovation and build a brand new school building because they won't change the name and and try to come up with a new program to attract the parents. DCPS is so messed up.