DCPS Selective HSs: What to know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"better prioritize taking kids with advanced academic needs"

vs

"kids who got good grades so far and recommendations from their teachers"

Is that the request?

Different poster here. My oldest is in 7th so I’ve been paying close attention both in my personal life and on here to the SWW discussion. I know many brilliant students who were not even interviewed. I’ve tried very hard to figure out why without being rude. But it doesn’t seem to make sense. I have also noted that SWW seems great BUT there are definitely areas where DC could improve. I personally thought SWW took the top students but I’m learning that probably we should look at other options as well if our our wants to take some classes. Which is fine and normal. Just a bit sad that there seem to be more great students for a small about of spots and the process doesn’t make a lot of sense to me so far.

In other words, SWW seems great but could be better and the process doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. Why no testing or review of the courses the kids took? I understand there is a short written test but that seems odd. Are they disputing the CAPE results? Should I not even bother having my kid take the cape this year?

A friend told me that her ward 3 middle school had so many kids applying to the application HSs that the teachers didn't have time to write/turn in all of the letters of recommendation.

[Anonymous]

which ward 3 middle school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Below is updated list then for those interested.


- No full courses of AP science classes every year - this is accurate
- No science labs - this is accurate
- No math classes after Calculus - this is accurate
- No STEM elective classes - coding class
- No computer science - accurate.
- No robotics team- not accurate. It exists just not very good.
- No STEM clubs- they have science Olympiad
- No school STEM internship opportunities- accurate.

Cool. Why are you interested in Walls vs McKinley?

Is it your desire to be right? Is it needing validation of a label?

Why are you so triggered? It’s helpful info to families as a number of posters have said on this thread.

Info and transparency is a good thing

DP - Because the poster seems more driven to make some inscrutable point than to provide info and transparency.

Walls has Multivariate Calc and AP Statistics? Do those count as classes "after calculus"? Is that different than other schools? Beats me.

Walls has other relevant electives, especially if you are looking for STEAM, such as graphic design and imaging. Those classes are on the course list, if the poster above would bother to look.

Why does the poster deem Walls robotics club "not very good"?

Why does the poster keep mentioning just one relevant club when at least three others have been mentioned up thread?

Who knows what her agenda is.

+1. It's especially weird because, while there are other DC public/charter schools which are for sure better on some of these, none of them checks all of the boxes in a way that would apparently satisfy this person. If the case you want to make is that you need to get out of DC because your kid needs linear algebra in high school (and not from a dual enrollment program), knock yourself out, but that's not specific to SWW.

This person has been on multiple threads spouting the same thing over and over. From what I can tell they want us all to "demand better" from DCPS. They refuse to accept that other people have different priorities and will characterize any deviation from their ideal as either ignorance or lack of care.

Omg is this the Stuart hobson admin posting again? I’m excited to hear how you decide which “other priorities” you are focusing on. Because your school is letting down all students.

Nope, DP. But you are a very rigid thinker who doesn't seem to understand that you're not going to build a coalition by exaggerating and insulting anyone who doesn't 100% agree with everything you say.

Sorry how is it rigid to want kids to be at grade level? And I doubt it’s a different poster.

Your goal posts for "grade level" and "STEM offerings" change every single time someone points out what's actually available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Below is updated list then for those interested.


- No full courses of AP science classes every year - this is accurate
- No science labs - this is accurate
- No math classes after Calculus - this is accurate
- No STEM elective classes - coding class
- No computer science - accurate.
- No robotics team- not accurate. It exists just not very good.
- No STEM clubs- they have science Olympiad
- No school STEM internship opportunities- accurate.

Cool. Why are you interested in Walls vs McKinley?

Is it your desire to be right? Is it needing validation of a label?

Why are you so triggered? It’s helpful info to families as a number of posters have said on this thread.

Info and transparency is a good thing

DP - Because the poster seems more driven to make some inscrutable point than to provide info and transparency.

Walls has Multivariate Calc and AP Statistics? Do those count as classes "after calculus"? Is that different than other schools? Beats me.

Walls has other relevant electives, especially if you are looking for STEAM, such as graphic design and imaging. Those classes are on the course list, if the poster above would bother to look.

Why does the poster deem Walls robotics club "not very good"?

Why does the poster keep mentioning just one relevant club when at least three others have been mentioned up thread?

Who knows what her agenda is.

+1. It's especially weird because, while there are other DC public/charter schools which are for sure better on some of these, none of them checks all of the boxes in a way that would apparently satisfy this person. If the case you want to make is that you need to get out of DC because your kid needs linear algebra in high school (and not from a dual enrollment program), knock yourself out, but that's not specific to SWW.

This person has been on multiple threads spouting the same thing over and over. From what I can tell they want us all to "demand better" from DCPS. They refuse to accept that other people have different priorities and will characterize any deviation from their ideal as either ignorance or lack of care.

Omg is this the Stuart hobson admin posting again? I’m excited to hear how you decide which “other priorities” you are focusing on. Because your school is letting down all students.

Nope, DP. But you are a very rigid thinker who doesn't seem to understand that you're not going to build a coalition by exaggerating and insulting anyone who doesn't 100% agree with everything you say.

Sorry how is it rigid to want kids to be at grade level? And I doubt it’s a different poster.

I don’t think anyone is trying to “build a coalition”?

So what exactly is this poster trying to do thread after thread after thread shitting on every single DCPS offering and telling everyone to "demand better"?

Just bitter they can't move to the suburbs or go private?

The constant complaining is annoying when people are trying to have actual, practical conversations about existing DC public options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"better prioritize taking kids with advanced academic needs"

vs

"kids who got good grades so far and recommendations from their teachers"

Is that the request?

Straight test scores, or test scores + taking advanced math if their middle school offers it. Combine it with equity lottery if you want to basically have a quota, but use the same process for both groups. It's crazy that you have these kids who are way ahead of grade level, zoned to a high school with zero ability or interest in teaching them, and they're crossing their fingers and hoping that what's basically a random number generator gets them into a selective high school. It also drives kids to leave their neighborhood schools in 5th for Latin or BASIS, when otherwise some of them would stick around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"better prioritize taking kids with advanced academic needs"

vs

"kids who got good grades so far and recommendations from their teachers"

Is that the request?

Straight test scores, or test scores + taking advanced math if their middle school offers it. Combine it with equity lottery if you want to basically have a quota, but use the same process for both groups. It's crazy that you have these kids who are way ahead of grade level, zoned to a high school with zero ability or interest in teaching them, and they're crossing their fingers and hoping that what's basically a random number generator gets them into a selective high school. It also drives kids to leave their neighborhood schools in 5th for Latin or BASIS, when otherwise some of them would stick around.

DP. This would be my ideal solution too. With maybe a 10-20% equity set aside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"better prioritize taking kids with advanced academic needs"

vs

"kids who got good grades so far and recommendations from their teachers"

Is that the request?

Different poster here. My oldest is in 7th so I’ve been paying close attention both in my personal life and on here to the SWW discussion. I know many brilliant students who were not even interviewed. I’ve tried very hard to figure out why without being rude. But it doesn’t seem to make sense. I have also noted that SWW seems great BUT there are definitely areas where DC could improve. I personally thought SWW took the top students but I’m learning that probably we should look at other options as well if our our wants to take some classes. Which is fine and normal. Just a bit sad that there seem to be more great students for a small about of spots and the process doesn’t make a lot of sense to me so far.

In other words, SWW seems great but could be better and the process doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. Why no testing or review of the courses the kids took? I understand there is a short written test but that seems odd. Are they disputing the CAPE results? Should I not even bother having my kid take the cape this year?

I will say that the kids who got interviews at SH vs not seem pretty random except that almost all of the 4.0s who have one teacher got interviews vs almost none of those with another. I am sure this happens at other schools too and it's really unfortunate, because I don't think either teacher did anything wrong, but I also don't think the results were intentional. I don't think SH gave teachers enough information that non-perfect recommendation = zero interview.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"better prioritize taking kids with advanced academic needs"

vs

"kids who got good grades so far and recommendations from their teachers"

Is that the request?

Straight test scores, or test scores + taking advanced math if their middle school offers it. Combine it with equity lottery if you want to basically have a quota, but use the same process for both groups. It's crazy that you have these kids who are way ahead of grade level, zoned to a high school with zero ability or interest in teaching them, and they're crossing their fingers and hoping that what's basically a random number generator gets them into a selective high school. It also drives kids to leave their neighborhood schools in 5th for Latin or BASIS, when otherwise some of them would stick around.

This would be my ideal solution, along with a cut for people who don’t keep up/backfill for kids through like 11th grade. The new admissions policies have let a lot of kids in who can’t keep up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Below is updated list then for those interested.


- No full courses of AP science classes every year - this is accurate
- No science labs - this is accurate
- No math classes after Calculus - this is accurate
- No STEM elective classes - coding class
- No computer science - accurate.
- No robotics team- not accurate. It exists just not very good.
- No STEM clubs- they have science Olympiad
- No school STEM internship opportunities- accurate.

Cool. Why are you interested in Walls vs McKinley?

Is it your desire to be right? Is it needing validation of a label?

Why are you so triggered? It’s helpful info to families as a number of posters have said on this thread.

Info and transparency is a good thing

DP - Because the poster seems more driven to make some inscrutable point than to provide info and transparency.

Walls has Multivariate Calc and AP Statistics? Do those count as classes "after calculus"? Is that different than other schools? Beats me.

Walls has other relevant electives, especially if you are looking for STEAM, such as graphic design and imaging. Those classes are on the course list, if the poster above would bother to look.

Why does the poster deem Walls robotics club "not very good"?

Why does the poster keep mentioning just one relevant club when at least three others have been mentioned up thread?

Who knows what her agenda is.

+1. It's especially weird because, while there are other DC public/charter schools which are for sure better on some of these, none of them checks all of the boxes in a way that would apparently satisfy this person. If the case you want to make is that you need to get out of DC because your kid needs linear algebra in high school (and not from a dual enrollment program), knock yourself out, but that's not specific to SWW.

This person has been on multiple threads spouting the same thing over and over. From what I can tell they want us all to "demand better" from DCPS. They refuse to accept that other people have different priorities and will characterize any deviation from their ideal as either ignorance or lack of care.

Omg is this the Stuart hobson admin posting again? I’m excited to hear how you decide which “other priorities” you are focusing on. Because your school is letting down all students.

Nope, DP. But you are a very rigid thinker who doesn't seem to understand that you're not going to build a coalition by exaggerating and insulting anyone who doesn't 100% agree with everything you say.

Sorry how is it rigid to want kids to be at grade level? And I doubt it’s a different poster.

Your goal posts for "grade level" and "STEM offerings" change every single time someone points out what's actually available.

I don’t think you’re talking to the same person as before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"better prioritize taking kids with advanced academic needs"

vs

"kids who got good grades so far and recommendations from their teachers"

Is that the request?

Straight test scores, or test scores + taking advanced math if their middle school offers it. Combine it with equity lottery if you want to basically have a quota, but use the same process for both groups. It's crazy that you have these kids who are way ahead of grade level, zoned to a high school with zero ability or interest in teaching them, and they're crossing their fingers and hoping that what's basically a random number generator gets them into a selective high school. It also drives kids to leave their neighborhood schools in 5th for Latin or BASIS, when otherwise some of them would stick around.

Joining the chorus of those who agree with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"better prioritize taking kids with advanced academic needs"

vs

"kids who got good grades so far and recommendations from their teachers"

Is that the request?

Different poster here. My oldest is in 7th so I’ve been paying close attention both in my personal life and on here to the SWW discussion. I know many brilliant students who were not even interviewed. I’ve tried very hard to figure out why without being rude. But it doesn’t seem to make sense. I have also noted that SWW seems great BUT there are definitely areas where DC could improve. I personally thought SWW took the top students but I’m learning that probably we should look at other options as well if our our wants to take some classes. Which is fine and normal. Just a bit sad that there seem to be more great students for a small about of spots and the process doesn’t make a lot of sense to me so far.

In other words, SWW seems great but could be better and the process doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. Why no testing or review of the courses the kids took? I understand there is a short written test but that seems odd. Are they disputing the CAPE results? Should I not even bother having my kid take the cape this year?

I will say that the kids who got interviews at SH vs not seem pretty random except that almost all of the 4.0s who have one teacher got interviews vs almost none of those with another. I am sure this happens at other schools too and it's really unfortunate, because I don't think either teacher did anything wrong, but I also don't think the results were intentional. I don't think SH gave teachers enough information that non-perfect recommendation = zero interview.

I would be so mad if I sent my kid to Stuart Hobson and some rando administrator or teacher was here all day posting rude comments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Below is updated list then for those interested.


- No full courses of AP science classes every year - this is accurate
- No science labs - this is accurate
- No math classes after Calculus - this is accurate
- No STEM elective classes - coding class
- No computer science - accurate.
- No robotics team- not accurate. It exists just not very good.
- No STEM clubs- they have science Olympiad
- No school STEM internship opportunities- accurate.

Cool. Why are you interested in Walls vs McKinley?

Is it your desire to be right? Is it needing validation of a label?

Why are you so triggered? It’s helpful info to families as a number of posters have said on this thread.

Info and transparency is a good thing

DP - Because the poster seems more driven to make some inscrutable point than to provide info and transparency.

Walls has Multivariate Calc and AP Statistics? Do those count as classes "after calculus"? Is that different than other schools? Beats me.

Walls has other relevant electives, especially if you are looking for STEAM, such as graphic design and imaging. Those classes are on the course list, if the poster above would bother to look.

Why does the poster deem Walls robotics club "not very good"?

Why does the poster keep mentioning just one relevant club when at least three others have been mentioned up thread?

Who knows what her agenda is.

+1. It's especially weird because, while there are other DC public/charter schools which are for sure better on some of these, none of them checks all of the boxes in a way that would apparently satisfy this person. If the case you want to make is that you need to get out of DC because your kid needs linear algebra in high school (and not from a dual enrollment program), knock yourself out, but that's not specific to SWW.

This person has been on multiple threads spouting the same thing over and over. From what I can tell they want us all to "demand better" from DCPS. They refuse to accept that other people have different priorities and will characterize any deviation from their ideal as either ignorance or lack of care.

Omg is this the Stuart hobson admin posting again? I’m excited to hear how you decide which “other priorities” you are focusing on. Because your school is letting down all students.

Nope, DP. But you are a very rigid thinker who doesn't seem to understand that you're not going to build a coalition by exaggerating and insulting anyone who doesn't 100% agree with everything you say.

Sorry how is it rigid to want kids to be at grade level? And I doubt it’s a different poster.

Your goal posts for "grade level" and "STEM offerings" change every single time someone points out what's actually available.

That prior post was a parent saying they didn’t want to send their kid to their IB middle bc cape scores showed that 70% of kids at Hobson were below grade level at math and 4% were above. A school administrator or teacher explained that some kids take the cape above their grade. He had detailed hard numbers. It seems that 11% of the kids at Hobson are above grade level and 70% are below grade level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Walls is better than fine, got lunch with a development officer from Dartmouth who used to be in admissions there and other places, and they love Walls (and it has a great reputation at that kind of school). I feel like we’re arguing about really fine, inconsequential margins here,

The guy didn’t have any real sense of McKinley, and I told him he should. I think McKinley in particular is a great school that is very early in building a brand

One tidbit that is overlooked is that Walls, Banneker, and Duke were all established in roughly their current models in the 1970s, and McKinley only opened as a STEM-focused school in 2007. (Prior to that, it was a regular neighborhood high school.)

This is only partially true -- it opened in in 1902 as a white-only technical school. Then after desgregation it flipped to mostly black, though they still had technical and challeging math and science classes for a while.

But then enrollment slowly dropped through the end of the 20th century and they shuttered in the late 90s, and were reopened in the early 2000s as a STEM application school.

NP. How is this different than what you are replying to?

(This is about McKinley Tech). The context means that the school has had proper math/science/technical infrastructure and curriculum for longer than it's history as a STEM application school, because even 100 years ago it was "McKinley Tech" and students went there to learn STEM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would also like to know about Latin, Basis and DCI. Sorry to piggyback but I’m considering all options as well as DCPS.

A moment to be a "BASIS booster" but their science olympiad team just won the region competition and is now heading to nationals!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:which ward 3 middle school?

Not Hardy. They have a system in place to track recs and require that students request them at least 30 days in advance. It's a real burden on the ELA and math teachers, but they do an amazing job of handling the deluge.