Inpired Teaching: Can current parents weigh in?

[Anonymous]

We have a 1st grader and a Pre-Ker in a private school, and are considering switching to public. We're happy with our current school, but intrigued by IT. I went to a similar school for elementary school. It was on the campus of a university, and Master teachers trained graduate level teaching candidates. It was an amazing experience for me, and we are interested in the program at IT.

I realize that there are many threads about IT, but was wondering if some IT parents could give me a feel of what the school is like this year. What are the strengths? Areas of need? How is the music program? What is the feeling about the upcoming move? TIA.

[Anonymous]

Upcoming move = fantastic space and facilities
No formal music program, music incorporated in classroom activities and in Spanish language
We thank our lucky stars every day that our child is there. It won't hurt you to apply; good luck getting in.

[Anonymous]

You should apply. There is no harm in doing so. Besides, like most popular charters your chances of getting a spot for either child is slim. However, with the move there could be a few spots that open up. I bet move families will move with the school.

[Anonymous]

There is no other school I'd rather be at than ITS. There is no music program as PP mentioned, but there is talks about parent led efforts via DC Youth Orchestra. School wise, K and up have PhD (a PE type program led by YMCA instructors) 2-3 times a week and Spanish twice a week (no attempt or desire to become fluent but learn Spanish vocab and appreciation of Spanish culture). PS and PK have phd but not Spanish (not enough time in day due to naps). The school has an amazing art teacher and art gallery on top floor they work with (amount varies on grade). They also have a great 3 year partnership with the Phillips Collections. Artists come to the school throughout the year as well as collaborate with art teacher and the work is culminated in the spring by an exhibit at The Phillips Collection. It stays on exhibit at the museum for a few months. There is a partnership with The Kennedy Center but I have yet to see what is going to come of it. I believe some older grades have gone there on field trips but can't speak to that. There have been parent led ITS soccer and t-ball teams. The family community is welcoming and very friendly. There are all-class happy hours, play dates and other various events. The school and admin are great with collaborating community partnerships. One class last year got to visit the White House garden and meet the WH chef. The school really does a great job when it comes to the "demonstration" part of its name. There are reading partnerships between the younger classes and older classrooms as well as times of year where teachers from Capital City and Inspired "exchange" roles and observe and integrate into the classrooms.

I will let all the previous posts about how great the teachers are speak for me. Yes, the teachers are probably the best things about the school, but the school as a whole truly is a special place.

With an upcoming move to a larger permanent building, things can only get better.

[Anonymous]

Oh I forgot my kid's favorite part of year. Twice a year they have a week long intersession where kids get to choose various subjects (wooodshop, healthy cooking, yoga, film, robotics, photography, science, theater and many more) and work in a week long group. The school recruits parent experts as well as have various teachers work on different grade levels and pull off a pretty awesome week of focused learning. The first year they ended it in a cute parade in the neighborhood showing off their newly found skilled. I think last year they did an assembly instead.

[dcmom]

I am so interested in this school, but we are much closer to the current location than the future one. Do you think there would be people in the Mt. Pleasant/Adams-Morgan area who could carpool? Of course, that is assuming we got in for PK3, which I know is a long shot.... Any chance there will a parent-organized bus from the current location?

[Anonymous]

Doubt there will be a bus, but yes many carpools. The drive is actually not bad. We tried it from current location and made it in 10.

[dcmom]

Anonymous wrote:Doubt there will be a bus, but yes many carpools. The drive is actually not bad. We tried it from current location and made it in 10.

Great! Thanks for this info.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you for the information, we will definitely apply!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you for the information, we will definitely apply!

14:37 here. Great! We are also in 1st! Your rising 2nd grader will probably give you best shot of getting it and your K DC would follow.