What would make you leave a big charter

[Anonymous]

Isn't it generally easier to get into schools in the higher grades (except for LAMB and YY)? Or move IB for an acceptable DCPS... and there's always MoCo and FCS.

[Anonymous]

OP, it sounds like you should change schools based on your comments.

(It might be helpful for prospective parents to know the name of the school as well.)

[Anonymous]

I would suggest Singapore for the PP with the retiring husband and the kid at YY.

Pros:
Favorable tax treatment of retirement income.
School rigor, especially math.
Can continue mandarin
Proximity to interesting vacation destinations
Safety
Not as polluted as China or HK.

Cons:
Expensive housing
Not as culturally interesting as other Asian cities
Probably far from family

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here

My concerns center around academic rigor, staff professionalism (from top down) and communication. Even after many meetings nothing is addressed ever

It sounds like you are concerned that the school isn't a "good" school. Not sure why you don't switch to another school that has what you are looking for rather than hanging out at a school that you think is subpar and doesn't meet your standards for "academic rigor,...."

It's not just academic rigor. In fact I'm a parent who is more than willing to supplement however when the other things come into factor it's gets blurry for me.

So there's a whole bunch of things wrong with the HRCS. Switch schools. Why the hesitation?

DP. I have heard this complaint from several moms at my kid's DCUM HRCS, and the reason they have not pulled their children is because they may not have better alternatives. How often can one hit the lottery at another hyped HRCS or HRDCPS.

Why so coy? What's the school? Maybe it wouldn't be so "hyped" or "big" if people would provide details that give prospective parents a more realistic picture.

Yes, please talk.

[Anonymous]

I'm not the OP, but I have if not the same then very similar concerns. My children are typically bored in English except when they are confused by the poor and inconsistent math instruction. Target language instruction ranges from fair to very good, but classroom management in those classes can be terrible sometimes. The inexperience of the staff can be quite draining on families because it requires frequent academic supplementation, social interventions, tutoring, supplemental camps, meetings, etc. We work very, very hard for our children's education. The staff turnover is very high this year. The lack of professionalism and leadership capability from the head of school is infuriating.
Not one thing I've said here is new or hasn't been discussed ad nauseam on DCUM and amongst parents at the school, and yet the school is still very highly regarded and hyped. My family will remain there because despite the drawbacks our options are worse. And despite the negatives, there are many positives about the school that we are not willing to trade off for a chance somewhere else. Therefore, we keep working hard and filling in the gaps like most families do. Maybe that is true everywhere or maybe that commitment from parents is what makes an ok school a HRCS.

[Anonymous]

PPs, what schools are you talking about???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not the OP, but I have if not the same then very similar concerns. My children are typically bored in English except when they are confused by the poor and inconsistent math instruction. Target language instruction ranges from fair to very good, but classroom management in those classes can be terrible sometimes. The inexperience of the staff can be quite draining on families because it requires frequent academic supplementation, social interventions, tutoring, supplemental camps, meetings, etc. We work very, very hard for our children's education. The staff turnover is very high this year. The lack of professionalism and leadership capability from the head of school is infuriating.
Not one thing I've said here is new or hasn't been discussed ad nauseam on DCUM and amongst parents at the school, and yet the school is still very highly regarded and hyped. My family will remain there because despite the drawbacks our options are worse. And despite the negatives, there are many positives about the school that we are not willing to trade off for a chance somewhere else. Therefore, we keep working hard and filling in the gaps like most families do. Maybe that is true everywhere or maybe that commitment from parents is what makes an ok school a HRCS.

I feel for you. Since you're staying, and this is anonymous (so no one will know who you are), please identify the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not the OP, but I have if not the same then very similar concerns. My children are typically bored in English except when they are confused by the poor and inconsistent math instruction. Target language instruction ranges from fair to very good, but classroom management in those classes can be terrible sometimes. The inexperience of the staff can be quite draining on families because it requires frequent academic supplementation, social interventions, tutoring, supplemental camps, meetings, etc. We work very, very hard for our children's education. The staff turnover is very high this year. The lack of professionalism and leadership capability from the head of school is infuriating.
Not one thing I've said here is new or hasn't been discussed ad nauseam on DCUM and amongst parents at the school, and yet the school is still very highly regarded and hyped. My family will remain there because despite the drawbacks our options are worse. And despite the negatives, there are many positives about the school that we are not willing to trade off for a chance somewhere else. Therefore, we keep working hard and filling in the gaps like most families do. Maybe that is true everywhere or maybe that commitment from parents is what makes an ok school a HRCS.

I feel for you. Since you're staying, and this is anonymous (so no one will know who you are), please identify the school?

yes, please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not the OP, but I have if not the same then very similar concerns. My children are typically bored in English except when they are confused by the poor and inconsistent math instruction. Target language instruction ranges from fair to very good, but classroom management in those classes can be terrible sometimes. The inexperience of the staff can be quite draining on families because it requires frequent academic supplementation, social interventions, tutoring, supplemental camps, meetings, etc. We work very, very hard for our children's education. The staff turnover is very high this year. The lack of professionalism and leadership capability from the head of school is infuriating.
Not one thing I've said here is new or hasn't been discussed ad nauseam on DCUM and amongst parents at the school, and yet the school is still very highly regarded and hyped. My family will remain there because despite the drawbacks our options are worse. And despite the negatives, there are many positives about the school that we are not willing to trade off for a chance somewhere else. Therefore, we keep working hard and filling in the gaps like most families do. Maybe that is true everywhere or maybe that commitment from parents is what makes an ok school a HRCS.

Not this poster, but I'm speculating we're talking about MV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would suggest Singapore for the PP with the retiring husband and the kid at YY.

Pros:
Favorable tax treatment of retirement income.
School rigor, especially math.
Can continue mandarin
Proximity to interesting vacation destinations
Safety
Not as polluted as China or HK.

Cons:
Expensive housing
Not as culturally interesting as other Asian cities
Probably far from family

Thanks but DH doesn't want to retire to Singapore. I lived there when I was little and have family in Asia who often go there for work so I'm very familiar with it.

For those who were interested in other Chinese immersion schools:

http://www.yhis.org/

But you have to move to New Jersey. FYI, The public schools in that area are tops too. Lots and lots of Asians.

We will probably stay where we are since we are happy with Yu Ying. But DH is not as enamored with Chinese immersion so we will switch to a regular private school if we move. DC prefers non-immersion too but I think that's mostly b/c English is much easier for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not the OP, but I have if not the same then very similar concerns. My children are typically bored in English except when they are confused by the poor and inconsistent math instruction. Target language instruction ranges from fair to very good, but classroom management in those classes can be terrible sometimes. The inexperience of the staff can be quite draining on families because it requires frequent academic supplementation, social interventions, tutoring, supplemental camps, meetings, etc. We work very, very hard for our children's education. The staff turnover is very high this year. The lack of professionalism and leadership capability from the head of school is infuriating.
Not one thing I've said here is new or hasn't been discussed ad nauseam on DCUM and amongst parents at the school, and yet the school is still very highly regarded and hyped. My family will remain there because despite the drawbacks our options are worse. And despite the negatives, there are many positives about the school that we are not willing to trade off for a chance somewhere else. Therefore, we keep working hard and filling in the gaps like most families do. Maybe that is true everywhere or maybe that commitment from parents is what makes an ok school a HRCS.

Not this poster, but I'm speculating we're talking about MV

Really? I was thinking Stokes? But if it is MV, I'd like to know since I could potentially lottery out of a school I'm happy with for MV (and I'm sure I'm not alone). And there's no going back!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not the OP, but I have if not the same then very similar concerns. My children are typically bored in English except when they are confused by the poor and inconsistent math instruction. Target language instruction ranges from fair to very good, but classroom management in those classes can be terrible sometimes. The inexperience of the staff can be quite draining on families because it requires frequent academic supplementation, social interventions, tutoring, supplemental camps, meetings, etc. We work very, very hard for our children's education. The staff turnover is very high this year. The lack of professionalism and leadership capability from the head of school is infuriating.
Not one thing I've said here is new or hasn't been discussed ad nauseam on DCUM and amongst parents at the school, and yet the school is still very highly regarded and hyped. My family will remain there because despite the drawbacks our options are worse. And despite the negatives, there are many positives about the school that we are not willing to trade off for a chance somewhere else. Therefore, we keep working hard and filling in the gaps like most families do. Maybe that is true everywhere or maybe that commitment from parents is what makes an ok school a HRCS.

Not this poster, but I'm speculating we're talking about MV

Really? I was thinking Stokes? But if it is MV, I'd like to know since I could potentially lottery out of a school I'm happy with for MV (and I'm sure I'm not alone). And there's no going back!

not that messages on a board woudl make me not play the lottery, but I'd go to more open houses and ask more questions

[Anonymous]

I thought it was Stokes as well. Have heard mixed things about upper grades, though the parent community is great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not the OP, but I have if not the same then very similar concerns. My children are typically bored in English except when they are confused by the poor and inconsistent math instruction. Target language instruction ranges from fair to very good, but classroom management in those classes can be terrible sometimes. The inexperience of the staff can be quite draining on families because it requires frequent academic supplementation, social interventions, tutoring, supplemental camps, meetings, etc. We work very, very hard for our children's education. The staff turnover is very high this year. The lack of professionalism and leadership capability from the head of school is infuriating.
Not one thing I've said here is new or hasn't been discussed ad nauseam on DCUM and amongst parents at the school, and yet the school is still very highly regarded and hyped. My family will remain there because despite the drawbacks our options are worse. And despite the negatives, there are many positives about the school that we are not willing to trade off for a chance somewhere else. Therefore, we keep working hard and filling in the gaps like most families do. Maybe that is true everywhere or maybe that commitment from parents is what makes an ok school a HRCS.

Not this poster, but I'm speculating we're talking about MV

Really? I was thinking Stokes? But if it is MV, I'd like to know since I could potentially lottery out of a school I'm happy with for MV (and I'm sure I'm not alone). And there's no going back!

not that messages on a board woudl make me not play the lottery, but I'd go to more open houses and ask more questions

Not the PP who posted that, but if this line-"The staff turnover is very high this year" is correct, it's definitely not Mundo Verde. A recent email to families contained a note that 85% of the teaching staff is returning, and all operational staff is returning.

[Anonymous]

What's Stokes turnover rate? We chose another HRCS over that one last year.