Middle Schools?

[BBaer]

We're thinking about moving to DC (from Brooklyn, NY) this summer with our son who will be
entering 6th grade. We will be leaving a great school (elementary that has a middle school
attached). We're looking for a similar school in DC. The school is very diverse, they only
spend a week on test prep, they go on field trips every couple of weeks, the curriculum is
integrated, and the learning is project-based.

We're looking at a few charter schools, Capital City Public Charter School, Two Rivers Public
Charter School, and possibly E.L. Haynes Public Charter School (but it's a year-round school).
On the web, these look great, but they're all lottery schools, and we're not sure we'll get in.

We've been looking at GreatSchools.net, and we're having difficulty finding diverse schools.

We would love any suggestions.

[Anonymous]

I lived in Brooklyn for over 8 years - I don't think there is any public school in DC that could come close to the level of diversity that exists in Brooklyn. (I assume you mean racial/socioeconomic/religious/family makeup)

I have visited Capital City and it appears to be fairly diverse - it straddles two of the most diverse neighborhoods in DC Mt. Pleasant and Columbia Heights. I think all of the schools that you have listed are lottery charter schools.

Alice Deal (a regular public school) could potentially be another option - it may be diverse on paper, but is it integrated? (I am sure some Deal parents can chime in) The curriculum at Deal is probably more traditional than Cap City and El Haynes (I think both of those charters are more on the progressive side). I have heard nothing but positive things about the academics at Deal.

Good luck with your search.

[Anonymous]

If you are open to private school you should look at Capitol Hill Day School. It has a lot of the features of how you describe your child's current school. It is a PK-8 school, emphasizes field education (field trips are integrated into the curriculum and are weekly in the younger grades, closer to bi weekly in the older grades), and is diverse (35-40% AA).

[Anonymous]

just to clarify - by bi weekly I meant every two weeks, not twice a week.

[Anonymous]

if you're willing to look at maryland schools and private, check out green acres (www.greenacres.org). pre-k through 8th, progressive curriculum, emphasis on experiential learning, diverse.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to everyone for responding! Unfortunately, we won't be able to afford the private school route. We're hoping we can find a public school...

[Anonymous]

BBaer wrote:We're thinking about moving to DC (from Brooklyn, NY) this summer with our son who will be
entering 6th grade. We will be leaving a great school (elementary that has a middle school
attached). We're looking for a similar school in DC. The school is very diverse, they only
spend a week on test prep, they go on field trips every couple of weeks, the curriculum is
integrated, and the learning is project-based.

We're looking at a few charter schools, Capital City Public Charter School, Two Rivers Public
Charter School, and possibly E.L. Haynes Public Charter School (but it's a year-round school).
On the web, these look great, but they're all lottery schools, and we're not sure we'll get in.

We've been looking at GreatSchools.net, and we're having difficulty finding diverse schools.

We would love any suggestions.

Have a look at http://fightforchildren.org/pdf/SchoolChooser.pdf and contact the three charters you mention to see if you can get into their lotteries or on their waitlists from outside DC. They're all very tough to get into for little ones, but older grades are not so predictable. They're also likely your best shots at the kind of school you're seeking without tuition attached. You might also contact Hardy (PDF page 152), and, if all else fails, consider moving in-boundary for Deal (PDF page 151). There also may be good options in the 'burbs, but I have no idea what they might be.

[Anonymous]

Washington Latin PCS is another middle school charter you may want to look into. I'm not personally familiar with it (my oldest child is in Pre-K) but I understand it's an ambitious curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Public schools in Virginia are surprisingly diverse. I teach at two elementary schools in Fairfax County and I would guess that 80% of the students have recently moved to the U.S. from other countries in Asia, South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe. It's phenomenal.

[Anonymous]

I would second the washington latin recommendation and deal. I believe you will get into washington latin. It is a diverse student body with traditional academics though. Not sure if that's what you want.

[Anonymous]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/11/AR2007041100162.html

[Anonymous]

What about School Without Walls?

[Anonymous]

Oh, sorry. I think that's high school.

[Anonymous]

Deal Middle School.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would second the washington latin recommendation and deal. I believe you will get into washington latin. It is a diverse student body with traditional academics though. Not sure if that's what you want.

Washington Latin or Deal