The Sycamore School in Arlington???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had never heard of this school either but it sounds interesting and could be a good fit for my rising 9th grader. How does graduation and college acceptances work if there aren't grades? Someone mentioned the narratives are extensive and thorough but are colleges ok with that?!

It's a young school, only 6 years old. They have had three seniors graduate and all got into college, two more will graduate this year and there are 12 11th graders this year so I imagine the next year or two will be even more informative as far as college acceptance goes. To assess students the school uses Mastery-Based learning, which is a national program. Colleges seem to know what it is - the transcript is an extensive web-based portfolio colleges and universities can access.

Thank you, that's really helpful!

[Anonymous]

The Head of School has, in the past, called admissions offices to explain the transcripts in college applications.

I have a child there who loves it. Gifted with ADHD.

[Anonymous]

Current parent. There's a lot of good stuff about the school but i'm very concerned about the massive teacher turnover. Yet another is leaving mid-year-ish. Earlier this year my DC's 2 favorite teachers left. Last year one beloved, talented teacher left about this time. Lot's to love but wondering about HOS managing skills.

[Anonymous]

The staff turnover is due to administration, there is a huge lack of support for staff. It is not a healthy work environment. Staff are heavily overworked and severely underpaid, highest teaching salary is 55k even with masters degree. Staff generally are not treated well, hence why 4 staff left in one year. The school advertises that is not for behavioral needs, but accepts a vast number of students with them. It often times is a disruptive learning environment as well. Staff don’t have the appropriate resources to facilitate students with those kinds of needs either. The mission of the school is great, the execution is horrible.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]The staff turnover is due to administration, there is a huge lack of support for staff. It is not a healthy work environment. Staff are heavily overworked and severely underpaid, highest teaching salary is 55k even with masters degree. Staff generally are not treated well, hence why 4 staff left in one year. The school advertises that is not for behavioral needs, but accepts a vast number of students with them. It often times is a disruptive learning environment as well. Staff don’t have the appropriate resources to facilitate students with those kinds of needs either. The mission of the school is great, the execution is horrible. [/quote]

You have to wonder why most of the staff is coming back including everyone who started with the school last fall. Plus the max salary figure is wrong.

As for dealing with the students, again most teachers understand and lean jnto the mission successfully. A few don't and leave. What "resources" do you need to be patient and supportive? That's a basic teaching skill.

Schools without this percentage of annual turnover are rare. You'll find the same worried post all over DCUM.

[Anonymous]

As a former employee of The Sycamore School, I feel compelled to warn others about the detrimental working conditions at this institution. The atmosphere is rife with hostility, making it an unbearable place to work. One of the most glaring issues is the lack of support and resources provided to teachers to effectively handle the needs of the students. Despite admitting students with diverse needs, the administration fails to equip teachers adequately, leading to frustration and ineffective teaching methods. Furthermore, teacher retention is abysmal, highlighting the systemic problems within the organization. The high turnover rate speaks volumes about the toxic environment created by the administration. Adding insult to injury, the administration is driven by emotions rather than logic or professionalism. This leads to irrational decision-making and a lack of accountability. Perhaps most concerning is the administration's propensity for dishonesty and inappropriate behavior. It is shocking and unacceptable that administrators engage in speaking about children inappropriately and spreading lies within the workplace. Overall, I strongly advise against working at The Sycamore School or sending students there due to its hostile environment, lack of support for teachers, abysmal retention rates, emotionally-driven administration, and unprofessional conduct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a former employee of The Sycamore School, I feel compelled to warn others about the detrimental working conditions at this institution. The atmosphere is rife with hostility, making it an unbearable place to work. One of the most glaring issues is the lack of support and resources provided to teachers to effectively handle the needs of the students. Despite admitting students with diverse needs, the administration fails to equip teachers adequately, leading to frustration and ineffective teaching methods. Furthermore, teacher retention is abysmal, highlighting the systemic problems within the organization. The high turnover rate speaks volumes about the toxic environment created by the administration. Adding insult to injury, the administration is driven by emotions rather than logic or professionalism. This leads to irrational decision-making and a lack of accountability. Perhaps most concerning is the administration's propensity for dishonesty and inappropriate behavior. It is shocking and unacceptable that administrators engage in speaking about children inappropriately and spreading lies within the workplace. Overall, I strongly advise against working at The Sycamore School or sending students there due to its hostile environment, lack of support for teachers, abysmal retention rates, emotionally-driven administration, and unprofessional conduct.

Current employee here with totally opposite view. I encourage prospective students to visit the school and speak with students and staff there. You won't hear the tale above.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The staff turnover is due to administration, there is a huge lack of support for staff. It is not a healthy work environment. Staff are heavily overworked and severely underpaid, highest teaching salary is 55k even with masters degree. Staff generally are not treated well, hence why 4 staff left in one year. The school advertises that is not for behavioral needs, but accepts a vast number of students with them. It often times is a disruptive learning environment as well. Staff don’t have the appropriate resources to facilitate students with those kinds of needs either. The mission of the school is great, the execution is horrible. [/quote]

You have to wonder why most of the staff is coming back including everyone who started with the school last fall. Plus the max salary figure is wrong.

As for dealing with the students, again most teachers understand and lean jnto the mission successfully. A few don't and leave. What "resources" do you need to be patient and supportive? That's a basic teaching skill.

Schools without this percentage of annual turnover are rare. You'll find the same worried post all over DCUM.[/quote]

This must be administration. How else would you know the individual salaries of each employee?

And “dealing with students?”

This doesn’t seem like the proper verbiage.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The staff turnover is due to administration, there is a huge lack of support for staff. It is not a healthy work environment. Staff are heavily overworked and severely underpaid, highest teaching salary is 55k even with masters degree. Staff generally are not treated well, hence why 4 staff left in one year. The school advertises that is not for behavioral needs, but accepts a vast number of students with them. It often times is a disruptive learning environment as well. Staff don’t have the appropriate resources to facilitate students with those kinds of needs either. The mission of the school is great, the execution is horrible. [/quote]

You have to wonder why most of the staff is coming back including everyone who started with the school last fall. Plus the max salary figure is wrong.

As for dealing with the students, again most teachers understand and lean jnto the mission successfully. A few don't and leave. What "resources" do you need to be patient and supportive? That's a basic teaching skill.

Schools without this percentage of annual turnover are rare. You'll find the same worried post all over DCUM.[/quote]

This must be administration. How else would you know the individual salaries of each employee?

And “dealing with students?”

This doesn’t seem like the proper verbiage. [/quote]

LOL other teachers deal with students and know what they are paid. Not rocket science.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The staff turnover is due to administration, there is a huge lack of support for staff. It is not a healthy work environment. Staff are heavily overworked and severely underpaid, highest teaching salary is 55k even with masters degree. Staff generally are not treated well, hence why 4 staff left in one year. The school advertises that is not for behavioral needs, but accepts a vast number of students with them. It often times is a disruptive learning environment as well. Staff don’t have the appropriate resources to facilitate students with those kinds of needs either. The mission of the school is great, the execution is horrible. [/quote]

You have to wonder why most of the staff is coming back including everyone who started with the school last fall. Plus the max salary figure is wrong.

As for dealing with the students, again most teachers understand and lean jnto the mission successfully. A few don't and leave. What "resources" do you need to be patient and supportive? That's a basic teaching skill.

Schools without this percentage of annual turnover are rare. You'll find the same worried post all over DCUM.[/quote]

They aren’t.. 4 staff left in the 2023-2024 school year, 3 mid year. My student attends, the school also sends out newsletters informing current students/parents.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The staff turnover is due to administration, there is a huge lack of support for staff. It is not a healthy work environment. Staff are heavily overworked and severely underpaid, highest teaching salary is 55k even with masters degree. Staff generally are not treated well, hence why 4 staff left in one year. The school advertises that is not for behavioral needs, but accepts a vast number of students with them. It often times is a disruptive learning environment as well. Staff don’t have the appropriate resources to facilitate students with those kinds of needs either. The mission of the school is great, the execution is horrible. [/quote]

You have to wonder why most of the staff is coming back including everyone who started with the school last fall. Plus the max salary figure is wrong.

As for dealing with the students, again most teachers understand and lean jnto the mission successfully. A few don't and leave. What "resources" do you need to be patient and supportive? That's a basic teaching skill.

Schools without this percentage of annual turnover are rare. You'll find the same worried post all over DCUM.[/quote]

This must be administration. How else would you know the individual salaries of each employee?

And “dealing with students?”

This doesn’t seem like the proper verbiage. [/quote]

LOL other teachers deal with students and know what they are paid. Not rocket science.[/quote]

This sounds like an emotional response…

[Anonymous]

PPs who are pointing to problems with the administration, do you mean the HOS specifically? Or is there a broader team you think is problematic?

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The staff turnover is due to administration, there is a huge lack of support for staff. It is not a healthy work environment. Staff are heavily overworked and severely underpaid, highest teaching salary is 55k even with masters degree. Staff generally are not treated well, hence why 4 staff left in one year. The school advertises that is not for behavioral needs, but accepts a vast number of students with them. It often times is a disruptive learning environment as well. Staff don’t have the appropriate resources to facilitate students with those kinds of needs either. The mission of the school is great, the execution is horrible. [/quote]

You have to wonder why most of the staff is coming back including everyone who started with the school last fall. Plus the max salary figure is wrong.

As for dealing with the students, again most teachers understand and lean jnto the mission successfully. A few don't and leave. What "resources" do you need to be patient and supportive? That's a basic teaching skill.

Schools without this percentage of annual turnover are rare. You'll find the same worried post all over DCUM.[/quote]

This must be administration. How else would you know the individual salaries of each employee?

And “dealing with students?”

This doesn’t seem like the proper verbiage. [/quote]

LOL other teachers deal with students and know what they are paid. Not rocket science.[/quote]

This sounds like an emotional response…
[/quote]

Ad hominem attacks are the last resort of those who lack a proven substantive argument.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The staff turnover is due to administration, there is a huge lack of support for staff. It is not a healthy work environment. Staff are heavily overworked and severely underpaid, highest teaching salary is 55k even with masters degree. Staff generally are not treated well, hence why 4 staff left in one year. The school advertises that is not for behavioral needs, but accepts a vast number of students with them. It often times is a disruptive learning environment as well. Staff don’t have the appropriate resources to facilitate students with those kinds of needs either. The mission of the school is great, the execution is horrible. [/quote]

You have to wonder why most of the staff is coming back including everyone who started with the school last fall. Plus the max salary figure is wrong.

As for dealing with the students, again most teachers understand and lean jnto the mission successfully. A few don't and leave. What "resources" do you need to be patient and supportive? That's a basic teaching skill.

Schools without this percentage of annual turnover are rare. You'll find the same worried post all over DCUM.[/quote]

This must be administration. How else would you know the individual salaries of each employee?

And “dealing with students?”

This doesn’t seem like the proper verbiage. [/quote]

LOL other teachers deal with students and know what they are paid. Not rocket science.[/quote]

This sounds like an emotional response…
[/quote]

Ad hominem attacks are the last resort of those who lack a proven substantive argument.[/quote]

Insecurities and unintelligence lead people to believe that stating facts are attacks.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]PPs who are pointing to problems with the administration, do you mean the HOS specifically? Or is there a broader team you think is problematic?[/quote]

HOS and co-assistant heads of school.