Why are HRCS so popular? Test scores stink.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are HRCS so popular? Test scores stink.

Depends on the school, obviously. By way of example, I have a child at an HRCS. She scored 94th percentile on the PARCC Math, which is average for her school.

So nice you got to share that story with everyone.

How is that not a legitimate answer to the question? I'm not bragging about my child and identifying her or her school, she's in average range. I'm pointing out that test scores do not, in fact, universally "stink" at all HRCs as the subject line implied.

Apparently you're the sort of person who prefers less information instead of more, and gross generalizations over specifics. Fine for you, but not everyone takes such a limited view.

So what was your DD's score on the PARCC English and the avg for the school?

88th for PARCC English. It's also in average range for the school, but on the lower end of the group than the Math score. The students only spend half their time in English, and the school isn't a "teach to the test" environment, so I can live with it, but I'm going to have her do more outside reading here at home.

Is this a public charter immersion school in DC? What was the school's overall PARCC scores in math and English (scores of 4 and above)?

This can't be in DC. I don't think any charters had scores in that high of a range.

Might have been LAMB. They had too few 4th and 5th graders to be reported by OSSE but maybe the school shared the results with its parents?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are HRCS so popular? Test scores stink.

Depends on the school, obviously. By way of example, I have a child at an HRCS. She scored 94th percentile on the PARCC Math, which is average for her school.

So nice you got to share that story with everyone.

How is that not a legitimate answer to the question? I'm not bragging about my child and identifying her or her school, she's in average range. I'm pointing out that test scores do not, in fact, universally "stink" at all HRCs as the subject line implied.

Apparently you're the sort of person who prefers less information instead of more, and gross generalizations over specifics. Fine for you, but not everyone takes such a limited view.

So what was your DD's score on the PARCC English and the avg for the school?

88th for PARCC English. It's also in average range for the school, but on the lower end of the group than the Math score. The students only spend half their time in English, and the school isn't a "teach to the test" environment, so I can live with it, but I'm going to have her do more outside reading here at home.

Is this a public charter immersion school in DC? What was the school's overall PARCC scores in math and English (scores of 4 and above)?

This can't be in DC. I don't think any charters had scores in that high of a range.

Might have been LAMB. They had too few 4th and 5th graders to be reported by OSSE but maybe the school shared the results with its parents?

I doubt that this is LAMB. LAMB's scores in the earlier grades would be better. A public charter immersion school in DC where these scores are average doesn't exist.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the posters who have been confused about the mission of the CMI
MS. I attended some of the MS briefing sessions as an CMI parent and Golnar talked
about academic rigor and even said she was considering establishing an IB program
for the MS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are HRCS so popular? Test scores stink.

Depends on the school, obviously. By way of example, I have a child at an HRCS. She scored 94th percentile on the PARCC Math, which is average for her school.

So nice you got to share that story with everyone.

How is that not a legitimate answer to the question? I'm not bragging about my child and identifying her or her school, she's in average range. I'm pointing out that test scores do not, in fact, universally "stink" at all HRCs as the subject line implied.

Apparently you're the sort of person who prefers less information instead of more, and gross generalizations over specifics. Fine for you, but not everyone takes such a limited view.

So what was your DD's score on the PARCC English and the avg for the school?

88th for PARCC English. It's also in average range for the school, but on the lower end of the group than the Math score. The students only spend half their time in English, and the school isn't a "teach to the test" environment, so I can live with it, but I'm going to have her do more outside reading here at home.

Is this a public charter immersion school in DC? What was the school's overall PARCC scores in math and English (scores of 4 and above)?

This can't be in DC. I don't think any charters had scores in that high of a range.

Might have been LAMB. They had too few 4th and 5th graders to be reported by OSSE but maybe the school shared the results with its parents?

I doubt that this is LAMB. LAMB's scores in the earlier grades would be better. A public charter immersion school in DC where these scores are average doesn't exist.

LAMB's scores were pretty high. Could be them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are HRCS so popular? Test scores stink.

Depends on the school, obviously. By way of example, I have a child at an HRCS. She scored 94th percentile on the PARCC Math, which is average for her school.

So nice you got to share that story with everyone.

How is that not a legitimate answer to the question? I'm not bragging about my child and identifying her or her school, she's in average range. I'm pointing out that test scores do not, in fact, universally "stink" at all HRCs as the subject line implied.

Apparently you're the sort of person who prefers less information instead of more, and gross generalizations over specifics. Fine for you, but not everyone takes such a limited view.

So what was your DD's score on the PARCC English and the avg for the school?

88th for PARCC English. It's also in average range for the school, but on the lower end of the group than the Math score. The students only spend half their time in English, and the school isn't a "teach to the test" environment, so I can live with it, but I'm going to have her do more outside reading here at home.

Is this a public charter immersion school in DC? What was the school's overall PARCC scores in math and English (scores of 4 and above)?

This can't be in DC. I don't think any charters had scores in that high of a range.

Might have been LAMB. They had too few 4th and 5th graders to be reported by OSSE but maybe the school shared the results with its parents?

I doubt that this is LAMB. LAMB's scores in the earlier grades would be better. A public charter immersion school in DC where these scores are average doesn't exist.

LAMB's scores were pretty high. Could be them.

Not that high. LAMBS's scores are not even the highest amount public charter or DCPS immersion school scores.

[Anonymous]

It seems that other schools have had PARCC scores for a while. Anyone at CMI get them? I did not. No one has even mentioned PARCC scores to me there -- not a teacher, administrator, aide, no one. I'm talking individual scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm on and off this forum. Don't remember CMI parents being stoked about MS. Remember a lot of parents having concern.

Did anyone express those concerns to the DCPCSB during spring 2015 when the application was under review? No one weighed in on the public comments with reservations? Why not?

If you are legitimately curious about this, go to the discussion on the new BASIS amendment. It sounds like community, potential families, and even current families are concerned yet NOT ONE has said they will weigh in on the public comments. NOT ONE. Many have brought up that problem and yet poster after poster says they will not make their comments public:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/584303.page

Why? Not sure. These aren't my comments, so it's not my job to make them public and I know nothing about the application, the current school, or the future school. Posters seem extremely concerned about this model for an Elementary School (exactly the opposite reasons that posters here are concerned about the CMI model for a Middle School). It seems like people only care about their child and figure they'll just decide not to go there and don't care whether or not the school is created.

One importantly consideration, however, that may offer explanation -- amendments to an existing charter (as both CMI was and BASIS is) are rarely denied, so I'm sure posters feel like it is a futile effort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are HRCS so popular? Test scores stink.

Depends on the school, obviously. By way of example, I have a child at an HRCS. She scored 94th percentile on the PARCC Math, which is average for her school.

So nice you got to share that story with everyone.

How is that not a legitimate answer to the question? I'm not bragging about my child and identifying her or her school, she's in average range. I'm pointing out that test scores do not, in fact, universally "stink" at all HRCs as the subject line implied.

Apparently you're the sort of person who prefers less information instead of more, and gross generalizations over specifics. Fine for you, but not everyone takes such a limited view.

So what was your DD's score on the PARCC English and the avg for the school?

88th for PARCC English. It's also in average range for the school, but on the lower end of the group than the Math score. The students only spend half their time in English, and the school isn't a "teach to the test" environment, so I can live with it, but I'm going to have her do more outside reading here at home.

Is this a public charter immersion school in DC? What was the school's overall PARCC scores in math and English (scores of 4 and above)?

This can't be in DC. I don't think any charters had scores in that high of a range.

[Anonymous]

Don't forget retaliation. There are many ways they can make your child's life miserable. And if they're smart about it, there's nothing you can do other than leave the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are HRCS so popular? Test scores stink.

Depends on the school, obviously. By way of example, I have a child at an HRCS. She scored 94th percentile on the PARCC Math, which is average for her school.

So nice you got to share that story with everyone.

How is that not a legitimate answer to the question? I'm not bragging about my child and identifying her or her school, she's in average range. I'm pointing out that test scores do not, in fact, universally "stink" at all HRCs as the subject line implied.

Apparently you're the sort of person who prefers less information instead of more, and gross generalizations over specifics. Fine for you, but not everyone takes such a limited view.

So what was your DD's score on the PARCC English and the avg for the school?

88th for PARCC English. It's also in average range for the school, but on the lower end of the group than the Math score. The students only spend half their time in English, and the school isn't a "teach to the test" environment, so I can live with it, but I'm going to have her do more outside reading here at home.

Is this a public charter immersion school in DC? What was the school's overall PARCC scores in math and English (scores of 4 and above)?

This can't be in DC. I don't think any charters had scores in that high of a range.

Agree. There is no charter where a 5 in Math and a "88th for PARCC English" is in the "average range for the school." My kid scored a 5 in PARCC Math at Yu Ying and on the individual score sheet we received it states that he "scored better than 96% of students in Washington Yu Ying... who took this Grade 3 Math test".

For English, he scored a 4 which is "better than 96% of students in YY... who took this Grade 3 ELA test."

If there is a charter where a 5 in Math and a 88th for English is the "average" at the school, name the school because we would all love to know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if any one here is an actual CMI parent. Starting in 5th grade, there is only one language and it's only twice a week so language basically drops out for the parent who said there was too many focii. Exposure to any language is minimised. It becomes a joke. But...

No one is at CMI for the academics. Only a few kids stayed for 6th grade. The (those with options and not severe special needs) rest moved to better middle schools. Talking to the upper grades (3rd, 4th, 5th), that's the plan except for some kids with IEPs or who don't have a choice. Once IB schools (Deal, etc) and private middle start in 6th, the students will pursue academics.

CMI parents are there exactly for the carefree elementary school that allows our children to be sheltered from the pressure they'll face in a few years. I don't care about the PARCC and I never have. I originally chose CMI for the premise and stayed years later for the new campus. My child will go IB to deal or private to Georgetown Day eventually. I've drunk the koolaid of CMI but I'm not stupid.

Yes, there is a meeting on parcc but it's just so people continue to say they'll stay for middle school (it wasn't anonymous so 100% of parents said they'd stay, myself included, so our kid doesn't get penalized, but no one stayed for 6th and most won't). The "whole child" sales pitch doesn't work for a middle school that won't spend money on a language elective or real science curriculum. I'll go, applaud, pretend to agree, and stay on the inside.

This actually sounds pretty similar to what I've heard about ITS (I know someone who left for middle school elsewhere due to concerns re: academic rigor, etc.). Nonetheless, both schools still seem to have a lot to like for the early grades.

So it's 2Rivers all over again.

Can't imagine anyone at CMI or ITS would "penalize" someone for admitting you are already out the door and why.

Another long-time CMI parent here. The survey (whether or not I'd be there for MS) was required in order to return to school this year. So, it was not anonymous. Maybe I wouldn't have been penalized, but it wouldn't have been good. I joked with the founder that I felt silly making a decision about 6th grade in 2nd grade. She got very serious and shot me down. I backtracked, and she said something like "Great. I wouldn't want to question your loyalty." CMI can be a fishbowl.

The survey was not required. And who calls her the "founder"? This sounds made up.

Not the poster you're responding too...I know! That's why I mentioned in a previous post there is so much misinformation here. I have never heard another parent call Golnar anything, but her name.

It sounds legitimate to me. Why would PP refer to Golnar by name? That makes no sense -- that's like referring to our PTA as the CFA -- only other CMI parents would understand it, and it doesn't sound like PP was posting for other CMI parents. I'm also a CMI parent, know Golnar well, and share some of PP's concerns. I'm not in complete agreement, but but PP sounds real to me. The fact that so many fellow CMI parents cannot handle any criticism, no matter how real, and constantly trashes or tries to take down (or calls "made up") anyone who raises any issues is exactly why everyone on DCUM thinks that all CMI parents have "drunk the koolaid". Do you not get that both you make all of us normal people at CMI look bad? Yes, our MS has problems right now - big, gigantic, wart-on-the face type of problems. It's the first year, and I'm hoping that in 3-4 years, it'll be ready, but I'm not going to pretend it's there yet. Pretending it's something that it's not makes us all look either like we are a clique of mean girls that don't allow for any dissent, that we are liars afraid to admit any flaws, or that Golnar spends all night hacking these posts to try to "sell" her product like a shady MLM on the ranks of Herbalife. I'm great at CMI, but I'm not going to act like it's for everyone or that the MS is something I would stay for if I had to make that decision this year and didn't like at least 3 years to even start thinking about it. I hope those here who are considering CMI know that 99% of us do not think CMI is great for everyone, knows its strengths and its weaknesses equally well, welcome everyone and constructive criticism, and have not even had to think for a second about the MS because only last year's 5th grade class had to make a decision about it.

I have no idea what survey everyone is talking about. I can only figure DH filled ours out, but he doesn't remember it either. That does not mean anything. I asked him to pick up groceries on his way home from work, as he was on the bus here, and didn't remember.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are HRCS so popular? Test scores stink.

Depends on the school, obviously. By way of example, I have a child at an HRCS. She scored 94th percentile on the PARCC Math, which is average for her school.

So nice you got to share that story with everyone.

How is that not a legitimate answer to the question? I'm not bragging about my child and identifying her or her school, she's in average range. I'm pointing out that test scores do not, in fact, universally "stink" at all HRCs as the subject line implied.

Apparently you're the sort of person who prefers less information instead of more, and gross generalizations over specifics. Fine for you, but not everyone takes such a limited view.

So what was your DD's score on the PARCC English and the avg for the school?

88th for PARCC English. It's also in average range for the school, but on the lower end of the group than the Math score. The students only spend half their time in English, and the school isn't a "teach to the test" environment, so I can live with it, but I'm going to have her do more outside reading here at home.

Is this a public charter immersion school in DC? What was the school's overall PARCC scores in math and English (scores of 4 and above)?

This can't be in DC. I don't think any charters had scores in that high of a range.

Agree. There is no charter where a 5 in Math and a "88th for PARCC English" is in the "average range for the school." My kid scored a 5 in PARCC Math at Yu Ying and on the individual score sheet we received it states that he "scored better than 96% of students in Washington Yu Ying... who took this Grade 3 Math test".

For English, he scored a 4 which is "better than 96% of students in YY... who took this Grade 3 ELA test."

If there is a charter where a 5 in Math and a 88th for English is the "average" at the school, name the school because we would all love to know.

Numbers change depending on how you choose them. I know that doesn't make sense, but it does. Go to: http://results.osse.dc.gov/ Type in an established school with a lot of students. Then toggle the settings. You can get them down to 50% and then up to 80% at the same school depending on the setting. Also, schools have even more information than this site provides, so they know percentages of students who scored a 1 (did not meet expectations) and may say "Only 4% of our students did not meet expectations!'" Well, PP may think this means 96% of students either met or exceeded expectations (scored 4 or 5). But there is also "partially met" or "almost met". It all depends how it was worded. I know, because I toured schools last year who played this game on me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the posters who have been confused about the mission of the CMI
MS. I attended some of the MS briefing sessions as an CMI parent and Golnar talked
about academic rigor and even said she was considering establishing an IB program
for the MS.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Long-time CMI parent here...please talk to parents in person at the school. There is so much misinformation on this board. I don't even know where to start. There is NOT a separate mission for the MS. The mission is the same. The parents who left for other MS school options left because it's a new MS with a small group of kids. If my kid were the leading edge, I would probably make the same choice. MS is a tough time to make your kid the Guinea pig. Having said this, the kids in the current 6th grade are really sweet, well-spoken, smart kids. They'll do well wherever they end up in the future.

Please tour the MS and make the decision based on facts. All the MS give tours and it's never too early to check then out. Private have scholarships and it's great to see them too. Base your decisions on your own eyes and what you see. That's what I'll do.

That said, fellow long-time CMI parent and I agree with PP. My kids won't be staying for MS. But I'm basing my decision on a tour.

Great advice PPs! I am also a long time CMI parent and holy cow there is a lot of misinformation on the board! First, I can tell you that of course I (and many other parents) are very concerned about academics. We are multiple years away from MS and I am grateful for the option. When the time comes, we will see if it's right for our DCs. For now, I am happy to see a renovated brand new science lab, MS teachers with excellent credentials, and other additions. In the mean time, our DCs love school, have learned a lot, and seem to be at about the same place as friends' kids who are at other elementary schools in the DMV.

Anyone who accuses our head of school (not using her name on purpose) of "strong arming" anyone has clearly never met her. Wow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the posters who have been confused about the mission of the CMI
MS. I attended some of the MS briefing sessions as an CMI parent and Golnar talked
about academic rigor and even said she was considering establishing an IB program
for the MS.

I would not place much faith in this. It's like saying I watched "The Martian" and now I'm considering studying Astrophysics and Botany.

1. IB Programs are incredibly expensive
2. They take at least 3 years for approval from the IB organization
3. That's once you get it implemented. Unless you have hired dedicated IB staff, you will need a few years for them to get up to speed
4. It is a school-wide effort which involves (expensive) specific training for all the teachers
5. It involves certification of a specific kind of curriculum, and any curricular changes have to be approved by the PCSB
6. It makes no sense (as in, it won't happen) for the MS portion of a PK-8 school to be approved as an IB school for the MYP portion if the ES portion isn't also approved as a PYP school.
7. Did I mention how expensive it is?

I like CMI, but I could use some money, so I'd like to place a bet against this happening in 6 years. If ever.