Why does every thread about Hill schools get so grumpy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's gentrification - that's happenin everywhere. I think it's more complicated. It's gentirifcation among one of the most liberal, educated, ambitious, not-profit-working populations in the country. How do you say what you think without the PC police freaking the f--- out? How do you balance you Child's needs against your politics? When you have nothing but compassion for the kids in DC General but don't neccessarily want to send your 5 year old into a classroom wih kids from said shelter - a "grass roots movement" for Mandarin immersion takes on a lot of underlying BS

Observing this dynamic is one of my favorite parts of reading DCUM.

I resemble that remark

[Anonymous]

You're not alone PP. I think it's a common occurrence on the hill. It doesn't feel like there's a happy medium - not sure how to fix that.

[Anonymous]

Add in the fact that the Hill is full of accomplished Do-ers who are used to making things happen by pulling the right levers, pushing the right buttons, making the right connections. People like that go a little apeshit when none of it works in their favor. Witness the vitriol in that epic Ludlow-Taylor thread. . .

This is the key difference.


Every single pofessional household in Capitol Hill contains an adult who either does now, or did until recently, work in politics/legislation. As opposed to biomedical research, maritime law, or teaching Russian Lit at Georgetown.

It's not that Hill parents are "do-ers" and the parents in AU Park, Georgetown or Palisades are "not do-ers." Because think about it: how did all of Ward 3 afford their $1million++ homes without being "do-ers"? Of course they are -- but not necessarily in politics/legislation/policy making.

[Anonymous]

^^this is just not true about "every single household on Cap Hill..."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^this is just not true about "every single household on Cap Hill..."

It describes a strong majority of dcum hill posters!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Add in the fact that the Hill is full of accomplished Do-ers who are used to making things happen by pulling the right levers, pushing the right buttons, making the right connections. People like that go a little apeshit when none of it works in their favor. Witness the vitriol in that epic Ludlow-Taylor thread. . .

This is the key difference.


Every single pofessional household in Capitol Hill contains an adult who either does now, or did until recently, work in politics/legislation. As opposed to biomedical research, maritime law, or teaching Russian Lit at Georgetown.

It's not that Hill parents are "do-ers" and the parents in AU Park, Georgetown or Palisades are "not do-ers." Because think about it: how did all of Ward 3 afford their $1million++ homes without being "do-ers"? Of course they are -- but not necessarily in politics/legislation/policy making.

Hmm, both my DH and I work in science-based fields... I guess we don't really live on the Hill? Maybe they should re-zone the historic district to exclude our house. And most of my neighbors as well (lawyers, doctors, etc.).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Add in the fact that the Hill is full of accomplished Do-ers who are used to making things happen by pulling the right levers, pushing the right buttons, making the right connections. People like that go a little apeshit when none of it works in their favor. Witness the vitriol in that epic Ludlow-Taylor thread. . .

This is the key difference.


Every single pofessional household in Capitol Hill contains an adult who either does now, or did until recently, work in politics/legislation. As opposed to biomedical research, maritime law, or teaching Russian Lit at Georgetown.

It's not that Hill parents are "do-ers" and the parents in AU Park, Georgetown or Palisades are "not do-ers." Because think about it: how did all of Ward 3 afford their $1million++ homes without being "do-ers"? Of course they are -- but not necessarily in politics/legislation/policy making.

Hmm, both my DH and I work in science-based fields... I guess we don't really live on the Hill? Maybe they should re-zone the historic district to exclude our house. And most of my neighbors as well (lawyers, doctors, etc.).

I've lived 2 blocks from Eastern Market for 5 years and I have yet to meet a couple where one of the adults works in politics/legislation. I have met a ton of lawyers who work at agencies or firms though.

[Anonymous]

I just want to point out that the Hill is a friendly and lovely place to live, regardless of what happens on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^this is just not true about "every single household on Cap Hill..."

If you're talking about the actual Hill, the historic district part, it really is true.

All the come-lately areas like Navy Yard, "hill east," H st and so on aren't really Capitol Hill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just want to point out that the Hill is a friendly and lovely place to live, regardless of what happens on DCUM.

+1000 Do not judge ANYTHING by what is said on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^this is just not true about "every single household on Cap Hill..."

If you're talking about the actual Hill, the historic district part, it really is true.

All the come-lately areas like Navy Yard, "hill east," H st and so on aren't really Capitol Hill.

I am in the historic district. No one in my house works in politics/policy.

[Anonymous]

It isn't just on the Hill. Parents who choose to send their kids to DC public schools rather than private schools or rather than moving to suburbs are very protective and at times defensive of their decision and of the schools, and they also are hyper-sensitive about the public perception of those schools, because to a great extent the quality of a neighborhood public school is a function of whether or not neighborhood families keep choosing to send their kids there.

A lot of parents send their kids to DCPS elementary schools but are thinking they may leave the system for middle school. Then when a few parents pull their kids out into private schools in the 3rd or 4th grade and it starts a mini-panic among those still in the elementary. People want to be assured that they are doing the right thing for their kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just want to point out that the Hill is a friendly and lovely place to live, regardless of what happens on DCUM.

+1000 Do not judge ANYTHING by what is said on DCUM.

Yes! Really, a nice place. And I love our school that is being bashed here every time I have reason to look at this forum for information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^this is just not true about "every single household on Cap Hill..."

If you're talking about the actual Hill, the historic district part, it really is true.

All the come-lately areas like Navy Yard, "hill east," H st and so on aren't really Capitol Hill.

I live in the true historic district, 1/2 block to Eastern Market, and it isn't remotely true of my block. Like another nearby PP said, lots of lawyers, World Bank/IMF, IT consultants, some media types, architects, a bunch of folks who are actually based out of NYC financial firms. We had one neighbor in the political/Capitol Hill sphere and he moved to another part of the Hill.

[Anonymous]

Another denizen of Capitol Hill. No one on my block works in legislation/political sphere. But I do drive by the Secret Service awaiting Boehner to come out every day to go to the office.

We do, however, welcome friends who work as lobbyists to join us for dinner from Tenleytown quite a bunch.