DCBillingual Charter School?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have experience with the school? Likes, dislikes, etc... Considering it for the lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anyone?

[Anonymous]

Good luck op - I tried getting feedback on the school about a month ago and got nothing. I don't think DC Bilingual parents are on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

I only have second hand info from a DCPS teacher who is familiar with immersion school options.

She thought the school (teachers, admin, etc.) were academically serving the students very well, but there are some student behavior problems at this immersion school that are more problematic than at other immersion charters.

She said that she would put it last among the immersion schools.

[Anonymous]

I too was considering. I noticed they are a tier one school. I wrote an email with some questions and the principal was very prompt in responding, noting that they were offering 50% of instruction in Spanish and 50% in English for all students beginning in prek. She also said students are grouped in differentiated learning groups so they would be supported in the exact areas that they need. Intervention services are offered for any students who could benefit from receiving them, this is a decision that is made after we get to know the needs of our students.

They are hosting an Open House today from 12-2 at their main campus. I cannot go unfortunately. Hopefully someone on the listserv will attend and report here.

[Anonymous]

That's funny. I wrote the principal and she never answered. I found it really difficult to get through to them.

[Anonymous]

I just emailed the general info email....

[Anonymous]

If anyone goes on the tour today, can you ask about the massive antenna on the school's roof? One teacher told me that it was still working, but wasn't sure what it was for. It's really big and right over the rooftop play area.

[dcmom]

Interesting that some people have found DCB responsive. I have called and emailed a few times and have never heard back after leaving multiple messages and emails.

Does anyone know how they teach the common core standards (inquiry-based or whatnot approach) and what their early childhood curriculum looks like (play-based vs academic)? I attended an open house and learned a lot about the non-academic aspects of the school (specials, nutrition, etc.) but not much about their academics.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I was also at the open house. The ece curriculum is creative curriculum with some variations for the Spanish part. I don't know which curriculums they are using for math, science etc but science is in Spanish. Also noticed that they mentioned arts integration several times and that there is 4 hours science a week. I think some of the Spanish language curriculum is pieces together bc of lack of premade curriculums to draw on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I only have second hand info from a DCPS teacher who is familiar with immersion school options.

She thought the school (teachers, admin, etc.) were academically serving the students very well, but there are some student behavior problems at this immersion school that are more problematic than at other immersion charters.

She said that she would put it last among the immersion schools.

+1 I know a mom who pulled out her kid after 2nd because of bullying.