Matched IB Ludlow Taylor :( What is the lowest WL position worth considering as an option?

[Anonymous]

Our PreK-3 daughter was waitlisted 120's for all of our preferred schools, while matched with IB Ludlow Taylor.

We have heard really bad things about Ludlow Taylor and don't really know what we should do at this point. Advice?

Current ludlow taylor parents' feedback appreciated...

[Anonymous]

You obviously aren't talking to the right people. We are in our second year at LT and love it. All 3 of the PreK3 teachers are amazing. You should post on MOTH for real input -- it's a fabulous school.

[Anonymous]

We got matched as well (proximity) and really were impressed at the Open House. The ECE classrooms--beautiful. PP, do you have the sense more parents are willing to return next year for K and 1st?

[Anonymous]

The current K class is the first that has really retained a bunch of IB families, and I know a bunch of PK4 families like mine who aren't lotterying. Dont know as many of the current PK3 families but many of them seem to be staying as well. OP seems not to have even visited the school. It's an amazing community despite the principal's lack of PR skills.

[Anonymous]

OP here. We were not able to attend the open house, and since the school was not high on our list, we did not prioritize a visit. We do live in the neighborhood though, and have heard mixed reports from neighbors who attended. Our impression from three + years of walking past the school is that there are a high percentage of children with behavioral problems in the higher grades. Combine that with all of the forum comments about the mediocrity of the school and the out of bound parents, and we just weren't feeling it. The school has a lackluster image in the nearby community that this 'tight group of current parents' doesn't seem to be combatting effectively.

[Anonymous]

Gotcha. I also live IB and understand the pitfalls. Just saying maybe you should do some -actual- research before you despair. Post on MOTH, arrange a get-together (where many of us spend Saturday mornings). Sorry that we are more focused on our kids' happiness than mounting a PR campaign for the school...

[Anonymous]

Oh and "high percentage of children with behavioral problems in the higher grades" was a total LOL line for me. Translation: AA.

[Anonymous]

NP Here,- Can someone please describe the current pre-K teacher(s).
You don't have to list their names....just the nature of their character.
What is the nature of the PTA?
Is there a group of parents that put pressure on the school to raise standards or remove underperforming teachers or administrators?

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Actually underperforming teachers is not the problem -- LT has amazing teachers pretty much across the board. I can only think of one 4th grade teacher I've heard negative things about. The principal is unfriendly and not interested in courting the white vote (or auditing the MD residents in upper grades), but she is laser focused on literacy and learning and makes pretty much amazing hires across the board. The PTA is great, very active, with lots of events open to the whole community. there are 3 PK teachers, and I haven't heard a complaint about any of them. There is one combined 3/4 class and some parents of older kids were upset to be assigned to it (assignments were made randomly and not based on age, which seemed weird).

[Anonymous]

PP here - I need to go to sleep but will revisit this page in the morn !

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh and "high percentage of children with behavioral problems in the higher grades" was a total LOL line for me. Translation: AA.

Translate it however you want to... As a child I went to an urban elementary school that was very diverse, lower - middle income, primarily AA in areas, and had a small group of AA kids who were behaviorally challenged. Schools were more strict in the 80's though, and there was less tolerance for misbehavior. The behavior I have personally witnessed is not race-specific, it was just plain bullying and a lot of physical and verbal altercations... while "monitors" stare off into space. Cast my comments in whatever light you would like to, but I didn't like the tone of the play on the playground over the course of the years I have seen it at different times of day and age groups.

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[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh and "high percentage of children with behavioral problems in the higher grades" was a total LOL line for me. Translation: AA.

Translate it however you want to... As a child I went to an urban elementary school that was very diverse, lower - middle income, primarily AA in areas, and had a small group of AA kids who were behaviorally challenged. Schools were more strict in the 80's though, and there was less tolerance for misbehavior. The behavior I have personally witnessed is not race-specific, it was just plain bullying and a lot of physical and verbal altercations... while "monitors" stare off into space. Cast my comments in whatever light you would like to, but I didn't like the tone of the play on the playground over the course of the years I have seen it at different times of day and age groups.

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Just to clarify- the school I am referring to was about half AA, half white, with about 5 behaviorally challenged kids in the whole school. that's more than enough, in my experience, as one of them sucker punched me in the face down a flight of stairs just for kicks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually underperforming teachers is not the problem -- LT has amazing teachers pretty much across the board. I can only think of one 4th grade teacher I've heard negative things about. The principal is unfriendly and not interested in courting the white vote (or auditing the MD residents in upper grades), but she is laser focused on literacy and learning and makes pretty much amazing hires across the board. The PTA is great, very active, with lots of events open to the whole community. there are 3 PK teachers, and I haven't heard a complaint about any of them. There is one combined 3/4 class and some parents of older kids were upset to be assigned to it (assignments were made randomly and not based on age, which seemed weird).

We're an OOB family in PS3 staying for PK4. My impression is same as above. Principal may be unfriendly but runs a tight ship with good teachers. PS3 is excellent, and we have heard the same for PK4. Be the change you want to see, OP, and give it a try.

[Anonymous]

We were in the same boat last year and gave PS-3 a try. We love it! Great teachers and great community. (And great commute since it's so close to home!)
Definitely give it a shot...I don't know anyone that's unhappy at the PS-3 level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our PreK-3 daughter was waitlisted 120's for all of our preferred schools, while matched with IB Ludlow Taylor.

We have heard really bad things about Ludlow Taylor and don't really know what we should do at this point. Advice?

Current ludlow taylor parents' feedback appreciated...

I can't quite believe you've heard so many bad things about LT. I live near there but my kids go elsewhere and I hear almost entirely great things. I love that their PS-PK kids spend so much time outside. And I really liked the teachers when I met them at an open house.

The only bad thing I ever hear is that the principal may be racist, and at this point, I think that story is apocryphal.