Hyde-Addison reviews

[Anonymous]

Yes, definitely. We will continue. The kids are sweet, parents are friendly, teachers and staff are open, warm, awesome. Great after-school and enrichment. Just a great community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a lot of neighborhood families left during the renovation, did they fill those open spots with OB kids? If so, does that mean that the school will be overcrowded when it returns to its regular building and the neighborhood families sign up again?

They took some OOB students, but not as many as they could have.

Not clear that it will be overcrowded. New school will have more capacity They are in swing space for just 2 years. Many of the families who left are of the demographic group that would always leave Hyde as the 4th/5th grade entry year for private schools approached.

This renovation will not be over in "just 2 years." They didn't even start excavating the place where the underground gym will be located. Nine months have passed and they are still working on the playground.

HA used to be a good school, thanks to its diverse community. The current principal destroyed it completely. My DC will go to private next year.

Do you mind elaborating?

Yes, I do mind. But you can do a fast research online. You will find plenty of articles and reviews about this topic.

[Anonymous]

We got into H-A tihis year through the lottery. It has been a great year for us. Our teacher is awesome, our kid likes aftercare (although it's not as fancy as some other schools, the guy who runs it is well-loved by all) and is progressing well with her studies.

My child's K classroom is diverse in a really great way. If you're looking for a school full or rich white kids, this isn't it. If you're looking for a solid school with teachers and admin that cares and works hard, Hyde would work for you.

We are looking forward to staying with the school when the reno is done and moving along to Hardy and then Wilson eventually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a lot of neighborhood families left during the renovation, did they fill those open spots with OB kids? If so, does that mean that the school will be overcrowded when it returns to its regular building and the neighborhood families sign up again?

They took some OOB students, but not as many as they could have.

Not clear that it will be overcrowded. New school will have more capacity They are in swing space for just 2 years. Many of the families who left are of the demographic group that would always leave Hyde as the 4th/5th grade entry year for private schools approached.

This renovation will not be over in "just 2 years." They didn't even start excavating the place where the underground gym will be located. Nine months have passed and they are still working on the playground.

HA used to be a good school, thanks to its diverse community. The current principal destroyed it completely. My DC will go to private next year.

Do you mind elaborating?

Yes, I do mind. But you can do a fast research online. You will find plenty of articles and reviews about this topic.

Hmm. I do see articles about DCPS springing an inconvenient swing location on the parents. While I can sympathize with that (part of the appeal of public school is walking and having friends nearby), I haven’t come across much about the principal. I saw a couple of parent reviews on Great Schools that slammed her, but I still don’t have a feel for what the issue is. One said she’s destroyed the school’s diversity, but the racial/ethnic breakdown doesn’t look substantially different from previous years, except for a maybe slightly declining Asian population.

I’m not sure why you’re hesitant to elaborate on your previous post, but I’m sure you have a good reason. In lieu of that, could you point me toward some specific articles or throw out a few google phrases that will assist me on my research journey?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We got into H-A tihis year through the lottery. It has been a great year for us. Our teacher is awesome, our kid likes aftercare (although it's not as fancy as some other schools, the guy who runs it is well-loved by all) and is progressing well with her studies.

My child's K classroom is diverse in a really great way. If you're looking for a school full or rich white kids, this isn't it. If you're looking for a solid school with teachers and admin that cares and works hard, Hyde would work for you.

We are looking forward to staying with the school when the reno is done and moving along to Hardy and then Wilson eventually.

Thanks for the feedback. I’m not looking for a school full of rich white kids, but I’d pause if none of the rich white kids zoned for this school attend it. I’d like to see my kids in a school with plenty of racial/ethnic/religious/economic diversity.

I’m happy to hear you’ve had a good experience; so far the comments have been more positive than negative, which I take as a good sign!

If there’s some weird socio-economic war being waged within the school, I hope someone will just come out and say that (since this is an anonymous forum). I’d rather know if we’re walking into some sort of tension.

[Anonymous]

How can a principal have a significant impact on a school's diversity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a lot of neighborhood families left during the renovation, did they fill those open spots with OB kids? If so, does that mean that the school will be overcrowded when it returns to its regular building and the neighborhood families sign up again?

They took some OOB students, but not as many as they could have.

Not clear that it will be overcrowded. New school will have more capacity They are in swing space for just 2 years. Many of the families who left are of the demographic group that would always leave Hyde as the 4th/5th grade entry year for private schools approached.

This renovation will not be over in "just 2 years." They didn't even start excavating the place where the underground gym will be located. Nine months have passed and they are still working on the playground.

HA used to be a good school, thanks to its diverse community. The current principal destroyed it completely. My DC will go to private next year.

Do you mind elaborating?

Yes, I do mind. But you can do a fast research online. You will find plenty of articles and reviews about this topic.

Hmm. I do see articles about DCPS springing an inconvenient swing location on the parents. While I can sympathize with that (part of the appeal of public school is walking and having friends nearby), I haven’t come across much about the principal. I saw a couple of parent reviews on Great Schools that slammed her, but I still don’t have a feel for what the issue is. One said she’s destroyed the school’s diversity, but the racial/ethnic breakdown doesn’t look substantially different from previous years, except for a maybe slightly declining Asian population.

I’m not sure why you’re hesitant to elaborate on your previous post, but I’m sure you have a good reason. In lieu of that, could you point me toward some specific articles or throw out a few google phrases that will assist me on my research journey?

The school is undergoing a full gut renovation. Literally, they are digging out all the underground utilities, too. So yeah, DCPS needs to put them in a swing space for two years. That's the price you pay for a brand new school.
We recently moved to Burleith and will be putting our newborn into H-A in a few years. Sounds like a great community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can a principal have a significant impact on a school's diversity?

Diverse community is different of diversity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a lot of neighborhood families left during the renovation, did they fill those open spots with OB kids? If so, does that mean that the school will be overcrowded when it returns to its regular building and the neighborhood families sign up again?

They took some OOB students, but not as many as they could have.

Not clear that it will be overcrowded. New school will have more capacity They are in swing space for just 2 years. Many of the families who left are of the demographic group that would always leave Hyde as the 4th/5th grade entry year for private schools approached.

This renovation will not be over in "just 2 years." They didn't even start excavating the place where the underground gym will be located. Nine months have passed and they are still working on the playground.

HA used to be a good school, thanks to its diverse community. The current principal destroyed it completely. My DC will go to private next year.

Do you mind elaborating?

Yes, I do mind. But you can do a fast research online. You will find plenty of articles and reviews about this topic.

Hmm. I do see articles about DCPS springing an inconvenient swing location on the parents. While I can sympathize with that (part of the appeal of public school is walking and having friends nearby), I haven’t come across much about the principal. I saw a couple of parent reviews on Great Schools that slammed her, but I still don’t have a feel for what the issue is. One said she’s destroyed the school’s diversity, but the racial/ethnic breakdown doesn’t look substantially different from previous years, except for a maybe slightly declining Asian population.

I’m not sure why you’re hesitant to elaborate on your previous post, but I’m sure you have a good reason. In lieu of that, could you point me toward some specific articles or throw out a few google phrases that will assist me on my research journey?

She doesn't even know the names of our children. She is cold, distant, and doesn't like parents' involvement. She is the only principal I know that doesn't have an open doors policy.

Did you visit the school to check the current racial/ethnic breakdown? Numbers online are not updated.

Yes, aftercare is good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is a student that lives in Ward 3 but chooses to go to another school in Ward 3 considered out of boundary? Is out of boundary a bad thing? Is there something unique about inboundary students? Is OOB code for something?

In the literal meaning of OOB, a student attending any DCPS other than their zoned school is OOB, even ward 3 going to another ward 3 school. Practically, though, no one would do that -- the schools west of the park aren't different enough to justify the increased commute. So most people OOB at the WOTP schools are commuting from less affluent areas. So it's code for someone less well off and, often, a different race than the IB kids (i.e. black).

Is this just a bad joke?

I know OOB ward 3 resident in ward 3. Their kids got in Murch through the lottery and the family moved to Janney area after all, but decided to keep the kids at Murch.

There are also many Hyde-Addison IB families as OOB at Stoddert.

Um, no. There are H-A IB families attending Stoddert using addresses of properties (condos) they own or where kids' grandparents live, before they moved to bigger 4-story townhouses in Georgetown proper. They are not OOB at Stoddert as Stoddert takes very, very few OOB.

No. I'm not.

You are wrong. They are OOB and got in thanks to the lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can a principal have a significant impact on a school's diversity?

Diverse community is different of diversity.

What does this mean?

[Anonymous]

There is no open culture war - lol. Here's the thing OP, this board is notorious for hysteria, non-stop drama, and comments that border on outright racism. People have their bad issues, things that stick in their craw, a lot of people at this school aren't happy about the move, etc.

I was one of the PP who said that we are definitely staying (we are OOB) because we love it and find the school to be a fantastic community. Here's what I can tell you that I've observed. Almost universally, these parents, regardless of race or ethnicity, care about their children's education. They are involved and committed. That's something every school should have. If that is what's important to you then you will be happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no open culture war - lol. Here's the thing OP, this board is notorious for hysteria, non-stop drama, and comments that border on outright racism. People have their bad issues, things that stick in their craw, a lot of people at this school aren't happy about the move, etc.

I was one of the PP who said that we are definitely staying (we are OOB) because we love it and find the school to be a fantastic community. Here's what I can tell you that I've observed. Almost universally, these parents, regardless of race or ethnicity, care about their children's education. They are involved and committed. That's something every school should have. If that is what's important to you then you will be happy.

Thanks! Your description (of the school!) is very reassuring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a lot of neighborhood families left during the renovation, did they fill those open spots with OB kids? If so, does that mean that the school will be overcrowded when it returns to its regular building and the neighborhood families sign up again?

They took some OOB students, but not as many as they could have.

Not clear that it will be overcrowded. New school will have more capacity They are in swing space for just 2 years. Many of the families who left are of the demographic group that would always leave Hyde as the 4th/5th grade entry year for private schools approached.

This renovation will not be over in "just 2 years." They didn't even start excavating the place where the underground gym will be located. Nine months have passed and they are still working on the playground.

HA used to be a good school, thanks to its diverse community. The current principal destroyed it completely. My DC will go to private next year.

Do you mind elaborating?

Yes, I do mind. But you can do a fast research online. You will find plenty of articles and reviews about this topic.

Hmm. I do see articles about DCPS springing an inconvenient swing location on the parents. While I can sympathize with that (part of the appeal of public school is walking and having friends nearby), I haven’t come across much about the principal. I saw a couple of parent reviews on Great Schools that slammed her, but I still don’t have a feel for what the issue is. One said she’s destroyed the school’s diversity, but the racial/ethnic breakdown doesn’t look substantially different from previous years, except for a maybe slightly declining Asian population.

I’m not sure why you’re hesitant to elaborate on your previous post, but I’m sure you have a good reason. In lieu of that, could you point me toward some specific articles or throw out a few google phrases that will assist me on my research journey?

She doesn't even know the names of our children. She is cold, distant, and doesn't like parents' involvement. She is the only principal I know that doesn't have an open doors policy.

Did you visit the school to check the current racial/ethnic breakdown? Numbers online are not updated.

Yes, aftercare is good.

Thanks for the additional details. I am planning to visit the school before making a final decision about enrollment but may not have an opportunity before committing to a house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a lot of neighborhood families left during the renovation, did they fill those open spots with OB kids? If so, does that mean that the school will be overcrowded when it returns to its regular building and the neighborhood families sign up again?

They took some OOB students, but not as many as they could have.

Not clear that it will be overcrowded. New school will have more capacity They are in swing space for just 2 years. Many of the families who left are of the demographic group that would always leave Hyde as the 4th/5th grade entry year for private schools approached.

This renovation will not be over in "just 2 years." They didn't even start excavating the place where the underground gym will be located. Nine months have passed and they are still working on the playground.

HA used to be a good school, thanks to its diverse community. The current principal destroyed it completely. My DC will go to private next year.

Do you mind elaborating?

Yes, I do mind. But you can do a fast research online. You will find plenty of articles and reviews about this topic.

Hmm. I do see articles about DCPS springing an inconvenient swing location on the parents. While I can sympathize with that (part of the appeal of public school is walking and having friends nearby), I haven’t come across much about the principal. I saw a couple of parent reviews on Great Schools that slammed her, but I still don’t have a feel for what the issue is. One said she’s destroyed the school’s diversity, but the racial/ethnic breakdown doesn’t look substantially different from previous years, except for a maybe slightly declining Asian population.

I’m not sure why you’re hesitant to elaborate on your previous post, but I’m sure you have a good reason. In lieu of that, could you point me toward some specific articles or throw out a few google phrases that will assist me on my research journey?

She doesn't even know the names of our children. She is cold, distant, and doesn't like parents' involvement. She is the only principal I know that doesn't have an open doors policy.

Did you visit the school to check the current racial/ethnic breakdown? Numbers online are not updated.

Yes, aftercare is good.

Thanks for the additional details. I am planning to visit the school before making a final decision about enrollment but may not have an opportunity before committing to a house.

Early years are solid, but it goes downhill after grade 2. Teachers and principal are solid.