Roots PCS for PK3

[Anonymous]

Hello -
Does anyone have any experience with Roots PCS for PK3? I only recently learned that I'll be moving to DC for work, and we missed both rounds of the lottery. I contacted the Charter schools who don't use the lottery, and plan to apply to other schools when the app opens again on May 30th. In the meantime, my daughter was offered a space at Roots for PK3. From everything I've seen on the internet, it looks like a nice place for preschool, but I would love to hear personal experiences from current or past parents. Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Never heard of it. Where is it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never heard of it. Where is it?

Not the OP, but it's off of Kansas ave NE near Sela and Hope.

[Anonymous]

It's in an area that's pretty car-repair intensive near N. Capitol. I think their curriculum is heavy on African culture, hence the name, Roots. Here's more info: http://issuu.com/pcsb/docs/dcpcsb_pmf_2013/265

[Anonymous]

Are you African or AA? If not, it may be a little...awkward.

The Mission of Roots Public Charter School is to:
Encourage success, leading to self-reliance and economic, social/political contributions to society.
Promote and secure the connection of Mother Africa within our children;
Prepare students to break the chains of psychological conditioning that attempt to keep them powerless in all phases of society;
Provide students with a strong African-centered learning environment;
Guide students toward academic excellence, exemplary character and social responsibility;
Encourage success leading to self-reliance and economic, social/political contributions to society.

Roots Public Charter School believes in the principles of Nguzo Saba – The African Value System of:
?Umoja - Unity
?Kujichagulia - Self Determination
?Ujima - Collective Work & Responsibility
?Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics
?Nia - Purpose
?Kuumba - Creativity
?Imani - Faith

The teachers and staff of Roots believe that children of African heritage have unlimited potential, that if nourished properly can flourish and bring about a brighter world. We believe in teaching from an African-centered perspective, which includes hands-on and holistic activities

[Anonymous]

Not a pretty picture: only Tier 2 status
scores dropping quickly:
2011: 58% of students proficient
2012: 48%
2013: 43%

Yikes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello -
Does anyone have any experience with Roots PCS for PK3? I only recently learned that I'll be moving to DC for work, and we missed both rounds of the lottery. I contacted the Charter schools who don't use the lottery, and plan to apply to other schools when the app opens again on May 30th. In the meantime, my daughter was offered a space at Roots for PK3. From everything I've seen on the internet, it looks like a nice place for preschool, but I would love to hear personal experiences from current or past parents. Thanks in advance!

You can see which charters still have open PK3 seats here (seem to be quite a few, including Kipp Connect which is Tier 1):
http://www.dcpcsb.org/Parents/Available-Charter-School-Seats-and-Wait-Lists.aspx

[Anonymous]

A friend sent her kid there and the child is now at Yu Ying. She raved about the education her child received--it was very reading/writing/rithmetic based--as well as the discipline in a caring environment.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses, everyone - very helpful! Yes, my daughter is AA so that would not be a problem, but I would actually like her to be in a more diverse environment than 100% AA kids. Anyways, I'll check out the other schools that still have spots. Cheers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a pretty picture: only Tier 2 status
scores dropping quickly:
2011: 58% of students proficient
2012: 48%
2013: 43%

Yikes.

Just as a point of comparison, a lot of parent are sending their preschool kids to DCPS with similar scores -- many have waitlists.

[Anonymous]

We also know families who are very happy at Roots for pre-K.

[Anonymous]

dropping scores like that? wow. sad. people waiting to get in crappy schools. kind of tells you something about DC, huh????? Makes me wanna holla.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:dropping scores like that? wow. sad. people waiting to get in crappy schools. kind of tells you something about DC, huh????? Makes me wanna holla.

Since OP is looking for what is likely a short term (PK3/PK4) spot, the dropping test scores are probably inconsequential, as it's not like they're doing CAS testing in PreK.

[Anonymous]

it's not like the CAS scores spring magically from the grade they start in: What goes on in the early grades sets up the CAS scores in the later grades!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it's not like the CAS scores spring magically from the grade they start in: What goes on in the early grades sets up the CAS scores in the later grades!!!

I agree wholeheartedly, but again...OP is looking for a place to park her kid in PK3. Doesn't sound like she plans on sticking around.