Mundo Verde parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you value your child's safety, steer clear of mundo verde. The administration and staff are told to coddle the bullies and disruptive kids. The victims are made to believe they are making things up.

Further, the Spanish instruction is weak, the principal Dahlia is barely visible, and traffic near the school is always congested.

Spoken from years of experience with MV.

Did you pull your child(ren) out of MV because it was so bad? We have been offered a spot at MV for K but from what I’ve been hearing, it worries me and I feel like we should stay put.

We were offered a K spot too, but we declined. We have a really great waitlist number for DCB so I'm hoping all goes well. If not, I don't hate the current school my child is attending, so there's always that option as well.

[Anonymous]

Just hopping on to say that the not all families are having difficulties with MV.

We've been here three years, two kids in the school--the younger is getting lots of support in getting used to school, beginning writing, etc. The older is reading above grade level, getting some (but not extensive) support in being a highish-flyer in math, and has what native speakers (unafflilated with MV) to be an expressive vocabulary for a 7-yr-old. This is not to say that our kids are special & amazing--they seem about average and they're doing decently well.

We've found the teachers and support staff to be responsive to questions of discipline and classroom culture (younger kid likes to push boundaries, the older kid has been in some not-so-helpful friendships and needed redirection. They've both gotten these needs met.)

Which is to say it must be more of a crap-shoot.

However, if your kid is on an IEP, ask A LOT of questions and connect specifically to current parents. We don't have direct experience, but I have heard a lot of stories.

MV is not a perfect school, but it's one that's been good for our family. I don't know if it will be good for yours.

And good luck with your decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just hopping on to say that the not all families are having difficulties with MV.

We've been here three years, two kids in the school--the younger is getting lots of support in getting used to school, beginning writing, etc. The older is reading above grade level, getting some (but not extensive) support in being a highish-flyer in math, and has what native speakers (unafflilated with MV) to be an expressive vocabulary for a 7-yr-old. This is not to say that our kids are special & amazing--they seem about average and they're doing decently well.

We've found the teachers and support staff to be responsive to questions of discipline and classroom culture (younger kid likes to push boundaries, the older kid has been in some not-so-helpful friendships and needed redirection. They've both gotten these needs met.)

Which is to say it must be more of a crap-shoot.

However, if your kid is on an IEP, ask A LOT of questions and connect specifically to current parents. We don't have direct experience, but I have heard a lot of stories.

MV is not a perfect school, but it's one that's been good for our family. I don't know if it will be good for yours.



The troubles really begin in 2nd grade and up in mundo Verde where they have less staffing in the classrooms. Just wait....you will see.....unless your kid is a low income bully and then he/she will be idolized by the school

And good luck with your decision.

[Anonymous]

30 percent of last years 4th grade class left for other schools for 5th grade......what does that tell you about the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:30 percent of last years 4th grade class left for other schools for 5th grade......what does that tell you about the school?

I know nothing of MV other than what I saw at an open house (and it did feel rather chaotic to me so I'm not shocked to hear some concern over behavior) but I think this is a year lots of kids leave schools in DC. It's when you can start at Latin and Basis and not all MV kids probably want to trek up to DCI.

I'm really most interested in hearing about DCB and Stokes. Both schools have LONG wait lists but unlike MV, YY, and LAMB are rarely discussed by parents actually attending here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:30 percent of last years 4th grade class left for other schools for 5th grade......what does that tell you about the school?

It tells me they don't want to go to DCI?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just hopping on to say that the not all families are having difficulties with MV.

We've been here three years, two kids in the school--the younger is getting lots of support in getting used to school, beginning writing, etc. The older is reading above grade level, getting some (but not extensive) support in being a highish-flyer in math, and has what native speakers (unafflilated with MV) to be an expressive vocabulary for a 7-yr-old. This is not to say that our kids are special & amazing--they seem about average and they're doing decently well.

We've found the teachers and support staff to be responsive to questions of discipline and classroom culture (younger kid likes to push boundaries, the older kid has been in some not-so-helpful friendships and needed redirection. They've both gotten these needs met.)

Which is to say it must be more of a crap-shoot.

However, if your kid is on an IEP, ask A LOT of questions and connect specifically to current parents. We don't have direct experience, but I have heard a lot of stories.

MV is not a perfect school, but it's one that's been good for our family. I don't know if it will be good for yours.



The troubles really begin in 2nd grade and up in mundo Verde where they have less staffing in the classrooms. Just wait....you will see.....unless your kid is a low income bully and then he/she will be idolized by the school

And good luck with your decision.

Problems began for us in K, not 2nd. Dahlia's inflexibility to address parent concerns directly is damaging to the school. A lot of good can be created if simply stating, yes, we know there are issues, and we are trying to address rather than staying silent- or simply changing teachers without informing parents first. Other schools do this more thoughtfully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just hopping on to say that the not all families are having difficulties with MV.

We've been here three years, two kids in the school--the younger is getting lots of support in getting used to school, beginning writing, etc. The older is reading above grade level, getting some (but not extensive) support in being a highish-flyer in math, and has what native speakers (unafflilated with MV) to be an expressive vocabulary for a 7-yr-old. This is not to say that our kids are special & amazing--they seem about average and they're doing decently well.

We've found the teachers and support staff to be responsive to questions of discipline and classroom culture (younger kid likes to push boundaries, the older kid has been in some not-so-helpful friendships and needed redirection. They've both gotten these needs met.)

Which is to say it must be more of a crap-shoot.

However, if your kid is on an IEP, ask A LOT of questions and connect specifically to current parents. We don't have direct experience, but I have heard a lot of stories.

MV is not a perfect school, but it's one that's been good for our family. I don't know if it will be good for yours.



The troubles really begin in 2nd grade and up in mundo Verde where they have less staffing in the classrooms. Just wait....you will see.....unless your kid is a low income bully and then he/she will be idolized by the school

And good luck with your decision.

First grade MV parent here. I thought there were aides in the classroom even in upper grades? I agree that I definitely tend to hear more complaints about upper grades but hadn't realized that less staffing could be one of the reasons.

[menchum]

MV parent to two kids. We've been enrolled for several years and love the community, the level of the immersion program (we are Spanish native speakers) and the instructional model. It's not traditional at all, so if you want the 20th century education you received for your kids, this is probably not your school. To me, it's amazing to see how fluent in writing, reading and speaking most kids are by second grade and the opportunity they have to apply theory into practice on a regular basis.

Regarding behavior, personally, we have not experienced what other parents have expressed in this forum. They make it sound like an awful place to be, but it does not reflect the experience of all parents and kids. No school is perfect and it all depends on what you value most. It is always helpful to consider a wide range of opinions and experiences. Things are never black or white.

[Anonymous]

If Dupont near the metro, then you could red line to Noma. Faster is the 90 bus line straight down U St./Florida. Runs every 10 minutes and drops off at the park MV uses for a playground.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:30 percent of last years 4th grade class left for other schools for 5th grade......what does that tell you about the school?

I know nothing of MV other than what I saw at an open house (and it did feel rather chaotic to me so I'm not shocked to hear some concern over behavior) but I think this is a year lots of kids leave schools in DC. It's when you can start at Latin and Basis and not all MV kids probably want to trek up to DCI.

I'm really most interested in hearing about DCB and Stokes. Both schools have LONG wait lists but unlike MV, YY, and LAMB are rarely discussed by parents actually attending here.

very true.

Stokes people I know are happy, same with DCB. But they don't come on here and spill about their dirty laundry.

Which actually makes me a little suspicious

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:30 percent of last years 4th grade class left for other schools for 5th grade......what does that tell you about the school?

I know nothing of MV other than what I saw at an open house (and it did feel rather chaotic to me so I'm not shocked to hear some concern over behavior) but I think this is a year lots of kids leave schools in DC. It's when you can start at Latin and Basis and not all MV kids probably want to trek up to DCI.

I'm really most interested in hearing about DCB and Stokes. Both schools have LONG wait lists but unlike MV, YY, and LAMB are rarely discussed by parents actually attending here.

very true.

Stokes people I know are happy, same with DCB. But they don't come on here and spill about their dirty laundry.

Which actually makes me a little suspicious

I think we don’t hear much from Stokes or DCB parents because those schools aren’t favorite DCUM targets like YY, LAMB and MV (and while I’m at it, CMI and Janney). I’m sure there would be some vocal parents compelled to post should Stokes and DCB get called out on the regular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:30 percent of last years 4th grade class left for other schools for 5th grade......what does that tell you about the school?

I know nothing of MV other than what I saw at an open house (and it did feel rather chaotic to me so I'm not shocked to hear some concern over behavior) but I think this is a year lots of kids leave schools in DC. It's when you can start at Latin and Basis and not all MV kids probably want to trek up to DCI.

I'm really most interested in hearing about DCB and Stokes. Both schools have LONG wait lists but unlike MV, YY, and LAMB are rarely discussed by parents actually attending here.

very true.

Stokes people I know are happy, same with DCB. But they don't come on here and spill about their dirty laundry.

Which actually makes me a little suspicious

The reason you hear so many complaints about MV is simple: the administration does not tend to cater to parents concerns. other schools actually address parent concerns while MV is notorious for actually doing the opposite and specifically try to not address parent concerns. the administration believes that they and their consultants know all about education in their 5 years of experience running a school.

[Anonymous]

Maybe they just have different motivations. The consultants are trying to maximize profitability, and you're more concerned about your kid's education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:30 percent of last years 4th grade class left for other schools for 5th grade......what does that tell you about the school?

It tells me they don't want to go to DCI?

Doubtful that is the case reason. DCI has the longest WL of any MS in the city. It remains to be seen if the MV kids are sufficiently well-prepared, of course. The feeders do have different average PARCC scores.