Spanish Immersion / Bilingual / Majority Native Spanish Schools

[Anonymous]

Would they really open up a new HS in Ward 3 with other schools that are empty? I mean, it would be great! I am just incredibly skeptical that the PP is talking about theories as if they are plans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ And this new Ward 3 high school would also offer a dual immersion track (for Oyster-Adams and other bilingual school grads), as well as an IB diploma program.

Due to the dual immersions track, Bancroft should also feed into the new H.S. (which will relieve enrollment pressure on Deal/Wilson as well).

What about Cleveland, Powell and BM? the McFarland location? I'd prefer for all the DCPS bilingual schools to all feed into one MS/HS like DCI.

I only listed the schools that should be IB for the new H.S., based on proximity and their current status as Wilson feeders. Anyone, throughout the city, would be able to apply (via OOB lottery) to this new H.S., as space permits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would they really open up a new HS in Ward 3 with other schools that are empty? I mean, it would be great! I am just incredibly skeptical that the PP is talking about theories as if they are plans.

If you read up-thread, you will see that DME Abigail Smith is meeting with Oyster parents tomorrow to discuss appropriate options to continue their children's dual immersion education in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it can vary by grade, location, what you're looking for, etc., but just generally speaking, how would people rank the bilingual/immersion schools? (I'm particularly interested in PS3). Specifically, i'm talking about (in rough perceived order): Mundo Verde, LAMB, Oyster, Stokes, DC Bilingual, Bancroft, Marie Reed, Powell, Bruce Monroe, Tyler, Cleveland, and Bethune. (Any I'm missing?)

Also, in one of the other posts, I heard about HD Cooke, which is not technically immersion or bilingual, but apparently has a 70% native Spanish speaking population, so the PK classes all have native Spanish-speaking aides. Are there other schools in DCPS that have a similar set-up, e.g. a sort of bilingual-lite option for people who can't Wait List into a true immersion/bilingual program? My son went to a Spanish speaking daycare and had Spanish speaking nanny, so would love to try and keep that going if possible through his preschool.

THANKS!

Depending on what is most important to you OP, this is something that I recommend you evaluate in all of the dual language schools.

For example, Bancroft, Powell, Bruce-Monroe all have between 70-80% latino population, so it's going to be a similar immersion experience to what you had with the daycare and nanny. Your child will default to Spanish during the day. Plus, Marie Reed has the separate language strands.

Oyster and Marie Reed are about 60%.

Whereas Cleveland for example is 30% latino and Tyler 10% so it's going to be different.

Of the charters, DC Bilingual is over 80% latino and Mundo Verde is 45%, LAMB is 55%.

For us, having a majority of native speakers in the classroom is important.

Note however that there is an inverse relationship between percentage of native Spanish speakers and DC-CAS test scores! Obvious point, but something people seem to overlook when comparing these schools.

Anyway as others have mentioned, these dual language DCPS schools are getting harder and harder to gain admission if you're not IB and don't have an older child there, so realistically you will have to choose one of those neighborhoods and move there, or else apply to the charters.

Don't assume that all Latino children at a school are native speakers. Our child is "latino" but is not a native Spanish speaker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it can vary by grade, location, what you're looking for, etc., but just generally speaking, how would people rank the bilingual/immersion schools? (I'm particularly interested in PS3). Specifically, i'm talking about (in rough perceived order): Mundo Verde, LAMB, Oyster, Stokes, DC Bilingual, Bancroft, Marie Reed, Powell, Bruce Monroe, Tyler, Cleveland, and Bethune. (Any I'm missing?)

Also, in one of the other posts, I heard about HD Cooke, which is not technically immersion or bilingual, but apparently has a 70% native Spanish speaking population, so the PK classes all have native Spanish-speaking aides. Are there other schools in DCPS that have a similar set-up, e.g. a sort of bilingual-lite option for people who can't Wait List into a true immersion/bilingual program? My son went to a Spanish speaking daycare and had Spanish speaking nanny, so would love to try and keep that going if possible through his preschool.

THANKS!

Depending on what is most important to you OP, this is something that I recommend you evaluate in all of the dual language schools.

For example, Bancroft, Powell, Bruce-Monroe all have between 70-80% latino population, so it's going to be a similar immersion experience to what you had with the daycare and nanny. Your child will default to Spanish during the day. Plus, Marie Reed has the separate language strands.

Oyster and Marie Reed are about 60%.

Whereas Cleveland for example is 30% latino and Tyler 10% so it's going to be different.

Of the charters, DC Bilingual is over 80% latino and Mundo Verde is 45%, LAMB is 55%.

For us, having a majority of native speakers in the classroom is important.

Note however that there is an inverse relationship between percentage of native Spanish speakers and DC-CAS test scores! Obvious point, but something people seem to overlook when comparing these schools.

Anyway as others have mentioned, these dual language DCPS schools are getting harder and harder to gain admission if you're not IB and don't have an older child there, so realistically you will have to choose one of those neighborhoods and move there, or else apply to the charters.

Don't assume that all Latino children at a school are native speakers. Our child is "latino" but is not a native Spanish speaker.

In the schools above in question, that's very rare, as you will see when you compare the ELL percentage to the latino percentage for any of the above schools. The reason for this is that in DC, unlike perhaps some other parts of the US, the vast majority of latinos are first generation immigrants. Many came here during the wars from Salvador and Guatemala. I think it's completely fair to generalize on that point based on the actual facts of DCPS bilingual school demographics, notwithstanding that there may be the occasional native-English latino and some native-Spanish African Americans and some native-Chinese white people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would they really open up a new HS in Ward 3 with other schools that are empty? I mean, it would be great! I am just incredibly skeptical that the PP is talking about theories as if they are plans.

If you read up-thread, you will see that DME Abigail Smith is meeting with Oyster parents tomorrow to discuss appropriate options to continue their children's dual immersion education in high school.

Yes, I read that, and I remain skeptical but am eager to hear about the plans! It would be fantastic of course. Am trying to be realistic more than be a naysayer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
In the schools above in question, that's very rare, as you will see when you compare the ELL percentage to the latino percentage for any of the above schools. The reason for this is that in DC, unlike perhaps some other parts of the US, the vast majority of latinos are first generation immigrants. Many came here during the wars from Salvador and Guatemala. I think it's completely fair to generalize on that point based on the actual facts of DCPS bilingual school demographics, notwithstanding that there may be the occasional native-English latino and some native-Spanish African Americans and some native-Chinese white people.

Also worth noting-- Don't assume all the ELL at these schools are Latinos. For example, Bancroft has a lot of kids from Vietnam and Ethiopia who are learning both English and Spanish. This probably has some effect on test scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ And this new Ward 3 high school would also offer a dual immersion track (for Oyster-Adams and other bilingual school grads), as well as an IB diploma program.

Due to the dual immersions track, Bancroft should also feed into the new H.S. (which will relieve enrollment pressure on Deal/Wilson as well).

Probably Marie Reed and Powell. Bruce Monroe and Cleveland may be too far away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it can vary by grade, location, what you're looking for, etc., but just generally speaking, how would people rank the bilingual/immersion schools? (I'm particularly interested in PS3). Specifically, i'm talking about (in rough perceived order): Mundo Verde, LAMB, Oyster, Stokes, DC Bilingual, Bancroft, Marie Reed, Powell, Bruce Monroe, Tyler, Cleveland, and Bethune. (Any I'm missing?)

Also, in one of the other posts, I heard about HD Cooke, which is not technically immersion or bilingual, but apparently has a 70% native Spanish speaking population, so the PK classes all have native Spanish-speaking aides. Are there other schools in DCPS that have a similar set-up, e.g. a sort of bilingual-lite option for people who can't Wait List into a true immersion/bilingual program? My son went to a Spanish speaking daycare and had Spanish speaking nanny, so would love to try and keep that going if possible through his preschool.

THANKS!

Oyster is not a Title I/high poverty school, so it does not have a PS3 class. Oyster starts at PK4, as do all primary schools WotP.

Is that how they decide who gets PS-3? If so, why does SWS have PS3? In that case it seemed like the school just wanted to add it.l

[Anonymous]

I don't think it is based directly on Title I status, but just where they can put the resources. Though it is surprising that Oyster does not have PK3 given the language immersion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it can vary by grade, location, what you're looking for, etc., but just generally speaking, how would people rank the bilingual/immersion schools? (I'm particularly interested in PS3). Specifically, i'm talking about (in rough perceived order): Mundo Verde, LAMB, Oyster, Stokes, DC Bilingual, Bancroft, Marie Reed, Powell, Bruce Monroe, Tyler, Cleveland, and Bethune. (Any I'm missing?)

Also, in one of the other posts, I heard about HD Cooke, which is not technically immersion or bilingual, but apparently has a 70% native Spanish speaking population, so the PK classes all have native Spanish-speaking aides. Are there other schools in DCPS that have a similar set-up, e.g. a sort of bilingual-lite option for people who can't Wait List into a true immersion/bilingual program? My son went to a Spanish speaking daycare and had Spanish speaking nanny, so would love to try and keep that going if possible through his preschool.

THANKS!

Depending on what is most important to you OP, this is something that I recommend you evaluate in all of the dual language schools.

For example, Bancroft, Powell, Bruce-Monroe all have between 70-80% latino population, so it's going to be a similar immersion experience to what you had with the daycare and nanny. Your child will default to Spanish during the day. Plus, Marie Reed has the separate language strands.

Oyster and Marie Reed are about 60%.

Whereas Cleveland for example is 30% latino and Tyler 10% so it's going to be different.

Of the charters, DC Bilingual is over 80% latino and Mundo Verde is 45%, LAMB is 55%.

For us, having a majority of native speakers in the classroom is important.

Note however that there is an inverse relationship between percentage of native Spanish speakers and DC-CAS test scores! Obvious point, but something people seem to overlook when comparing these schools.

Anyway as others have mentioned, these dual language DCPS schools are getting harder and harder to gain admission if you're not IB and don't have an older child there, so realistically you will have to choose one of those neighborhoods and move there, or else apply to the charters.

Don't assume that all Latino children at a school are native speakers. Our child is "latino" but is not a native Spanish speaker.

In the schools above in question, that's very rare, as you will see when you compare the ELL percentage to the latino percentage for any of the above schools. The reason for this is that in DC, unlike perhaps some other parts of the US, the vast majority of latinos are first generation immigrants. Many came here during the wars from Salvador and Guatemala. I think it's completely fair to generalize on that point based on the actual facts of DCPS bilingual school demographics, notwithstanding that there may be the occasional native-English latino and some native-Spanish African Americans and some native-Chinese white people.

Not all ELLs are Latino. So your logic is off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Also, in one of the other posts, I heard about HD Cooke, which is not technically immersion or bilingual, but apparently has a 70% native Spanish speaking population, so the PK classes all have native Spanish-speaking aides. Are there other schools in DCPS that have a similar set-up, e.g. a sort of bilingual-lite option for people who can't Wait List into a true immersion/bilingual program? My son went to a Spanish speaking daycare and had Spanish speaking nanny, so would love to try and keep that going if possible through his preschool.

Back to OP's original question, are there any other schools like HD Cooke, which aren't technically immersion/bilingual but do have such a high percentage of native spanish speakers that there is spanish instruction or are spanish aides in the school and it therefore might be easier for PS3 child to keep up spanish? Anybody know?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it can vary by grade, location, what you're looking for, etc., but just generally speaking, how would people rank the bilingual/immersion schools? (I'm particularly interested in PS3). Specifically, i'm talking about (in rough perceived order): Mundo Verde, LAMB, Oyster, Stokes, DC Bilingual, Bancroft, Marie Reed, Powell, Bruce Monroe, Tyler, Cleveland, and Bethune. (Any I'm missing?)

Also, in one of the other posts, I heard about HD Cooke, which is not technically immersion or bilingual, but apparently has a 70% native Spanish speaking population, so the PK classes all have native Spanish-speaking aides. Are there other schools in DCPS that have a similar set-up, e.g. a sort of bilingual-lite option for people who can't Wait List into a true immersion/bilingual program? My son went to a Spanish speaking daycare and had Spanish speaking nanny, so would love to try and keep that going if possible through his preschool.

THANKS!

Depending on what is most important to you OP, this is something that I recommend you evaluate in all of the dual language schools.

For example, Bancroft, Powell, Bruce-Monroe all have between 70-80% latino population, so it's going to be a similar immersion experience to what you had with the daycare and nanny. Your child will default to Spanish during the day. Plus, Marie Reed has the separate language strands.

Oyster and Marie Reed are about 60%.

Whereas Cleveland for example is 30% latino and Tyler 10% so it's going to be different.

Of the charters, DC Bilingual is over 80% latino and Mundo Verde is 45%, LAMB is 55%.

For us, having a majority of native speakers in the classroom is important.

Note however that there is an inverse relationship between percentage of native Spanish speakers and DC-CAS test scores! Obvious point, but something people seem to overlook when comparing these schools.

Anyway as others have mentioned, these dual language DCPS schools are getting harder and harder to gain admission if you're not IB and don't have an older child there, so realistically you will have to choose one of those neighborhoods and move there, or else apply to the charters.

Don't assume that all Latino children at a school are native speakers. Our child is "latino" but is not a native Spanish speaker.

In the schools above in question, that's very rare, as you will see when you compare the ELL percentage to the latino percentage for any of the above schools. The reason for this is that in DC, unlike perhaps some other parts of the US, the vast majority of latinos are first generation immigrants. Many came here during the wars from Salvador and Guatemala. I think it's completely fair to generalize on that point based on the actual facts of DCPS bilingual school demographics, notwithstanding that there may be the occasional native-English latino and some native-Spanish African Americans and some native-Chinese white people.

Not all ELLs are Latino. So your logic is off.

Ok, ok, I give up, you have successfully established some exceptions to the rule.

The original point was that Powell has 85% Latino and Cleveland has 30% Latino, ergo you're going to hear a lot more Spanish in the hallways at Powell, and that might be important to a parent who wants Spanish immersion. Are you disagreeing with that?

[Anonymous]

Most of the Latino kids in my child's class speak English in the hallways and playground, not Spanish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of the Latino kids in my child's class speak English in the hallways and playground, not Spanish.

+1. Same at our mostly Latino school.