Private school to Janney

[Anonymous]

Hi all,
We're thinking of moving from our house in Glover Park to AU Park. We want to stay in the District, love AU Park, and like the houses there. We are currently at a religious private, and like it, but are not head over heels. We would consider switching DS and DD (K and 2nd) to Janney. DS loves his school, DD not as invested. Both are pretty easy going and could adjust well, I think. Can current Janney parents weigh in on how the year is going, especially as it relates to classroom size and curriculum modifications? (DS gets an accelerated math program at private school).

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

The kindergartner gets accelerated math? Probably should stay in the private school.

[Anonymous]

NP is there acceleration or differentiation at Janney? Although they have leeway, what is demonstrably different about the curriculum? I'm asking more about different classes for math levels as opposed to getting extra worksheets, which is I think all they get at eaton for example.

[Anonymous]

If they are truly accelerated, you could move just across MoCo border and get a better education. Kids not in school yet, but if my kid was really above grade level, I'd do it in a heartbeat no natter how much I love DC and city living.

[Anonymous]

It really is worth you going and observing the current and next grade, you will get a better sense given what you know of your child. Here you get just cynics.

[Anonymous]

The parent knows they can visit the school, that's not super helpful.

[Anonymous]

AU Park is like Lake Woebegone - all the children are above average.

[Anonymous]

I have a first grader at Janney and while I loved kindergarten, I'm realizing that I'm not as thrilled with first grade. It seems like most of the year has been spent getting the "stragglers" (for lack of a better word) up to speed in reading and math. I definitely feel like they want to move the class along as one big cohort. There is very little differentiation in terms of advanced learning (while there is plenty of support for kids that are lagging behind). My child is not super advanced but I'm not sure he/she has learned much this year. I honestly don't see it. He/she mastered reading and most elementary addition/subtraction last year and has been in a holding pattern of sorts this year.
I know I'm not alone in thinking this as I've had this conversation with several other parents.

However, that all said--"Average" is very high at Janney mostly because every.single.child is the product of highly educated, engaged parents. Most kids I know ended kindergarten reading and doing math at a first or second grade level. The only problem is--now they're stuck waiting around for the last 20 or 30% to catch up. I feel badly for the 1 or 2 kids I know that are truly academic outliers (you know the type of kids who are independently doing long division or writing sonnets in first grade). I could see them taking off with the right encouragement and I wonder if a different school would be a better fit.

[Anonymous]

Please be cautious of the potential boundary changes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a first grader at Janney and while I loved kindergarten, I'm realizing that I'm not as thrilled with first grade. It seems like most of the year has been spent getting the "stragglers" (for lack of a better word) up to speed in reading and math. I definitely feel like they want to move the class along as one big cohort. There is very little differentiation in terms of advanced learning (while there is plenty of support for kids that are lagging behind). My child is not super advanced but I'm not sure he/she has learned much this year. I honestly don't see it. He/she mastered reading and most elementary addition/subtraction last year and has been in a holding pattern of sorts this year.
I know I'm not alone in thinking this as I've had this conversation with several other parents.

However, that all said--"Average" is very high at Janney mostly because every.single.child is the product of highly educated, engaged parents. Most kids I know ended kindergarten reading and doing math at a first or second grade level. The only problem is--now they're stuck waiting around for the last 20 or 30% to catch up. I feel badly for the 1 or 2 kids I know that are truly academic outliers (you know the type of kids who are independently doing long division or writing sonnets in first grade). I could see them taking off with the right encouragement and I wonder if a different school would be a better fit.

I am not OP, but a future wotp parent and appreciate this honest response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a first grader at Janney and while I loved kindergarten, I'm realizing that I'm not as thrilled with first grade. It seems like most of the year has been spent getting the "stragglers" (for lack of a better word) up to speed in reading and math. I definitely feel like they want to move the class along as one big cohort. There is very little differentiation in terms of advanced learning (while there is plenty of support for kids that are lagging behind). My child is not super advanced but I'm not sure he/she has learned much this year. I honestly don't see it. He/she mastered reading and most elementary addition/subtraction last year and has been in a holding pattern of sorts this year.
I know I'm not alone in thinking this as I've had this conversation with several other parents.

However, that all said--"Average" is very high at Janney mostly because every.single.child is the product of highly educated, engaged parents. Most kids I know ended kindergarten reading and doing math at a first or second grade level. The only problem is--now they're stuck waiting around for the last 20 or 30% to catch up. I feel badly for the 1 or 2 kids I know that are truly academic outliers (you know the type of kids who are independently doing long division or writing sonnets in first grade). I could see them taking off with the right encouragement and I wonder if a different school would be a better fit.

Do you think you will stay in Janney? Go on to Deal? Just curious your thoughts given you gave a very even-handed post here. Much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a first grader at Janney and while I loved kindergarten, I'm realizing that I'm not as thrilled with first grade. It seems like most of the year has been spent getting the "stragglers" (for lack of a better word) up to speed in reading and math. I definitely feel like they want to move the class along as one big cohort. There is very little differentiation in terms of advanced learning (while there is plenty of support for kids that are lagging behind). My child is not super advanced but I'm not sure he/she has learned much this year. I honestly don't see it. He/she mastered reading and most elementary addition/subtraction last year and has been in a holding pattern of sorts this year.
I know I'm not alone in thinking this as I've had this conversation with several other parents.

However, that all said--"Average" is very high at Janney mostly because every.single.child is the product of highly educated, engaged parents. Most kids I know ended kindergarten reading and doing math at a first or second grade level. The only problem is--now they're stuck waiting around for the last 20 or 30% to catch up. I feel badly for the 1 or 2 kids I know that are truly academic outliers (you know the type of kids who are independently doing long division or writing sonnets in first grade). I could see them taking off with the right encouragement and I wonder if a different school would be a better fit.

Is there any form of differentiation at Janney? Like separated math or reading classes, at least in grades 3-5 perhaps?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a first grader at Janney and while I loved kindergarten, I'm realizing that I'm not as thrilled with first grade. It seems like most of the year has been spent getting the "stragglers" (for lack of a better word) up to speed in reading and math. I definitely feel like they want to move the class along as one big cohort. There is very little differentiation in terms of advanced learning (while there is plenty of support for kids that are lagging behind). My child is not super advanced but I'm not sure he/she has learned much this year. I honestly don't see it. He/she mastered reading and most elementary addition/subtraction last year and has been in a holding pattern of sorts this year.
I know I'm not alone in thinking this as I've had this conversation with several other parents.

However, that all said--"Average" is very high at Janney mostly because every.single.child is the product of highly educated, engaged parents. Most kids I know ended kindergarten reading and doing math at a first or second grade level. The only problem is--now they're stuck waiting around for the last 20 or 30% to catch up. I feel badly for the 1 or 2 kids I know that are truly academic outliers (you know the type of kids who are independently doing long division or writing sonnets in first grade). I could see them taking off with the right encouragement and I wonder if a different school would be a better fit.

This is us and my opinion as well. We have begun looking into privates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a first grader at Janney and while I loved kindergarten, I'm realizing that I'm not as thrilled with first grade. It seems like most of the year has been spent getting the "stragglers" (for lack of a better word) up to speed in reading and math. I definitely feel like they want to move the class along as one big cohort. There is very little differentiation in terms of advanced learning (while there is plenty of support for kids that are lagging behind). My child is not super advanced but I'm not sure he/she has learned much this year. I honestly don't see it. He/she mastered reading and most elementary addition/subtraction last year and has been in a holding pattern of sorts this year.
I know I'm not alone in thinking this as I've had this conversation with several other parents.

However, that all said--"Average" is very high at Janney mostly because every.single.child is the product of highly educated, engaged parents. Most kids I know ended kindergarten reading and doing math at a first or second grade level. The only problem is--now they're stuck waiting around for the last 20 or 30% to catch up. I feel badly for the 1 or 2 kids I know that are truly academic outliers (you know the type of kids who are independently doing long division or writing sonnets in first grade). I could see them taking off with the right encouragement and I wonder if a different school would be a better fit.

I am not OP, but a future wotp parent and appreciate this honest response.

So high SES doesn't necessarily correlate to a rigorous program. Are the families finally realizing the emperors (JKLMM) have no clothes?

[Anonymous]

^^not a jklm parent but they are still better than the rest of dcps, just not amazing. Of course the teaching still matters.