Will Deal challenge a smart kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, how many instruments does your child play? how many languages does she speak? chances are, your kid is average just like everyone else's.

Plays the piano very well (5 years of weekly lessons).
Speaks conversational Spanish (thanks to years of a Spanish-speaking nanny followed by twice weekly Spanish lessons for the past 6 years).

But thanks for the snarky post.

[Anonymous]

I think this depends on your child. Anecdotally, I know of some very bright kids who loved their Deal experience and others who were frustrated because their classes were slowed down to let other kids catch up.

Our family chose not to use Deal because they don't track and don't offer advanced classes (except for math). Our DC was bored by the grade level curriculum at our JKLM, and was very unhappy with school as a result. We didn't see the point of repeating that for 3 more years at Deal, especially since Deal would have a much larger number of kids performing below grade level and Deal does not do "pull outs" unless kids are several grade levels behind. That was the right decision for our kid's personality and needs. But I'm sure there are bright kids who felt happy and challenged at their JKLM and continue to feel that way at Deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this depends on your child. Anecdotally, I know of some very bright kids who loved their Deal experience and others who were frustrated because their classes were slowed down to let other kids catch up.

Our family chose not to use Deal because they don't track and don't offer advanced classes (except for math). Our DC was bored by the grade level curriculum at our JKLM, and was very unhappy with school as a result. We didn't see the point of repeating that for 3 more years at Deal, especially since Deal would have a much larger number of kids performing below grade level and Deal does not do "pull outs" unless kids are several grade levels behind. That was the right decision for our kid's personality and needs. But I'm sure there are bright kids who felt happy and challenged at their JKLM and continue to feel that way at Deal.

This is factually incorrect. I'm the "engaged" pp and my son was pulled out for history starting in 7th grade, as he's a history nut. He met with a small group of kids reading The Odyssey (abridged) and was doing independent research projects in lieu of homework. Even though he wasn't technically "tracked" and in with kids performing below level (geez!), he wasn't bored.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this depends on your child. Anecdotally, I know of some very bright kids who loved their Deal experience and others who were frustrated because their classes were slowed down to let other kids catch up.

Our family chose not to use Deal because they don't track and don't offer advanced classes (except for math). Our DC was bored by the grade level curriculum at our JKLM, and was very unhappy with school as a result. We didn't see the point of repeating that for 3 more years at Deal, especially since Deal would have a much larger number of kids performing below grade level and Deal does not do "pull outs" unless kids are several grade levels behind. That was the right decision for our kid's personality and needs. But I'm sure there are bright kids who felt happy and challenged at their JKLM and continue to feel that way at Deal.

This is factually incorrect. I'm the "engaged" pp and my son was pulled out for history starting in 7th grade, as he's a history nut. He met with a small group of kids reading The Odyssey (abridged) and was doing independent research projects in lieu of homework. Even though he wasn't technically "tracked" and in with kids performing below level (geez!), he wasn't bored.

Wasn't the Odyssey a part of the 6th grade Beowulf unit in ELA? I recall my DC reading the Odyssey and thought it was in 6th grade (and not a pull out of any sort).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this depends on your child. Anecdotally, I know of some very bright kids who loved their Deal experience and others who were frustrated because their classes were slowed down to let other kids catch up.

Our family chose not to use Deal because they don't track and don't offer advanced classes (except for math). Our DC was bored by the grade level curriculum at our JKLM, and was very unhappy with school as a result. We didn't see the point of repeating that for 3 more years at Deal, especially since Deal would have a much larger number of kids performing below grade level and Deal does not do "pull outs" unless kids are several grade levels behind. That was the right decision for our kid's personality and needs. But I'm sure there are bright kids who felt happy and challenged at their JKLM and continue to feel that way at Deal.

This is factually incorrect. I'm the "engaged" pp and my son was pulled out for history starting in 7th grade, as he's a history nut. He met with a small group of kids reading The Odyssey (abridged) and was doing independent research projects in lieu of homework. Even though he wasn't technically "tracked" and in with kids performing below level (geez!), he wasn't bored.

Wasn't the Odyssey a part of the 6th grade Beowulf unit in ELA? I recall my DC reading the Odyssey and thought it was in 6th grade (and not a pull out of any sort).

I don't know - it was a few years ago. Maybe it was The Illiad; I don't hover. In any case - he was pulled out for history - and not for being behind.

[Anonymous]

OP, talk to parents at your elementary school who have older kids at Deal and ask them what the assignments and projects actually are. That may help you understand what the IB program is all about and how it can stretch each kid in different ways based on their own abilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this depends on your child. Anecdotally, I know of some very bright kids who loved their Deal experience and others who were frustrated because their classes were slowed down to let other kids catch up.

Our family chose not to use Deal because they don't track and don't offer advanced classes (except for math). Our DC was bored by the grade level curriculum at our JKLM, and was very unhappy with school as a result. We didn't see the point of repeating that for 3 more years at Deal, especially since Deal would have a much larger number of kids performing below grade level and Deal does not do "pull outs" unless kids are several grade levels behind. That was the right decision for our kid's personality and needs. But I'm sure there are bright kids who felt happy and challenged at their JKLM and continue to feel that way at Deal.

This is factually incorrect. I'm the "engaged" pp and my son was pulled out for history starting in 7th grade, as he's a history nut. He met with a small group of kids reading The Odyssey (abridged) and was doing independent research projects in lieu of homework. Even though he wasn't technically "tracked" and in with kids performing below level (geez!), he wasn't bored.

Wasn't the Odyssey a part of the 6th grade Beowulf unit in ELA? I recall my DC reading the Odyssey and thought it was in 6th grade (and not a pull out of any sort).

I don't know - it was a few years ago. Maybe it was The Illiad; I don't hover. In any case - he was pulled out for history - and not for being behind.

Of course what happened a few years ago may not be happening anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - you need a point of comparison or you will always wonder.

Go to Deal's open house and talk to your current principal about it too.

Then go to a couple private school open houses to compare (I'd suggest Holton and GDS or Sidwell for a girl who is smart and sporty).

I am not the OP, but I think this is really good advice. Not sure anyone can answer OP's question; we don't know her DC, don't know OP and how she defines/tackles similar challenges in her life. There are lots of middle school programs in DC.

[Anonymous]

Deal does not do pull outs of highly abled kids.

[Anonymous]

Any update on Deal merging with Hardy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any update on Deal merging with Hardy?

You make it sound like that was more than just a dumb idea floated by a random group of people.

[Anonymous]

I think this group of people is working closely with DCPS, so I would not write them off so quickly.

[Anonymous]

"I think this depends on your child. Anecdotally, I know of some very bright kids who loved their Deal experience and others who were frustrated because their classes were slowed down to let other kids catch up.

Our family chose not to use Deal because they don't track and don't offer advanced classes (except for math). Our DC was bored by the grade level curriculum at our JKLM, and was very unhappy with school as a result. We didn't see the point of repeating that for 3 more years at Deal, especially since Deal would have a much larger number of kids performing below grade level and Deal does not do "pull outs" unless kids are several grade levels behind. That was the right decision for our kid's personality and needs. But I'm sure there are bright kids who felt happy and challenged at their JKLM and continue to feel that way at Deal.


This is factually incorrect. I'm the "engaged" pp and my son was pulled out for history starting in 7th grade, as he's a history nut. He met with a small group of kids reading The Odyssey (abridged) and was doing independent research projects in lieu of homework. Even though he wasn't technically "tracked" and in with kids performing below level (geez!), he wasn't bored."

Well, you completely missed my point, which is that it depends on the child. As I stated, I know of some bright kids who loved Deal, some who didn't feel challenged. While I'm glad that your child was satisfied getting extra work and attention in history class, there is no way that this would have been sufficient for our child.

[Anonymous]

The Basis DC middle school curriculum is far more advanced and challenging than Deal.

Deal will have more numerous extracurriculars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I think this depends on your child. Anecdotally, I know of some very bright kids who loved their Deal experience and others who were frustrated because their classes were slowed down to let other kids catch up.

Our family chose not to use Deal because they don't track and don't offer advanced classes (except for math). Our DC was bored by the grade level curriculum at our JKLM, and was very unhappy with school as a result. We didn't see the point of repeating that for 3 more years at Deal, especially since Deal would have a much larger number of kids performing below grade level and Deal does not do "pull outs" unless kids are several grade levels behind. That was the right decision for our kid's personality and needs. But I'm sure there are bright kids who felt happy and challenged at their JKLM and continue to feel that way at Deal.


This is factually incorrect. I'm the "engaged" pp and my son was pulled out for history starting in 7th grade, as he's a history nut. He met with a small group of kids reading The Odyssey (abridged) and was doing independent research projects in lieu of homework. Even though he wasn't technically "tracked" and in with kids performing below level (geez!), he wasn't bored."

Well, you completely missed my point, which is that it depends on the child. As I stated, I know of some bright kids who loved Deal, some who didn't feel challenged. While I'm glad that your child was satisfied getting extra work and attention in history class, there is no way that this would have been sufficient for our child.

If your child didn't go to Deal, where did they go? Private? Charter? I'm curious what other options people choose. Thanks.