Capitol Hill vent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Am I wrong in thinking a 45 min commute isn't that bad, for the right school? We're at SSSAS with ~20 min commute, but plenty of my kids' classmates seem to have 40 min commutes and longer. Sure it's not ideal, but it's a trade off that seems common with choosing an independent school. A lot of them make a dent in homework on the commute.

How do you like SSSAS? I think we're going to send DC there for K in the Fall.

We love the lower and middle schools and are planning to stay for high school, but also won't object if our kids want to look at other options too, especially since at that point they'll likely be able to get themselves to school if they choose somewhere in DC proper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I realize most Washingtonians on this thread likely live in Northwest, but I need a second to vent, as a Capitol Hill resident.

There is an appetite for more options.
- Our public early elementary choices are somewhat fine, but there’s a steep drop off as kids get older.
- I respect Capitol Hill Day School as a choice for some families who embrace a very, very progressive education model. We’re more traditional in our approach.
- St. Peter’s is also an option for some Catholic families, and I respect that they educate their children in their faith tradition. We aren’t Catholic, so this isn’t an option for us.
- Many Capitol Hill families opt to do the Potomac School because of their bus program, and there’s so many wonderful advantages to Potomac. Their high school course catalog and campus are truly inspirational. We’re reluctant to send our little ones so far away/add a long commute to their every day.
- Many families play the lottery for Basis or Latin charters, and admissions is all luck.

I doubt I’m alone in asking “HOW is there not another viable, more traditional secular private school to meet this Capitol Hill appetite?”

Landscape has changed. I don't think as many people live on the Hill anymore that would send to private school? I think they live in Northwest DC or close in VA or MD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I realize most Washingtonians on this thread likely live in Northwest, but I need a second to vent, as a Capitol Hill resident.

There is an appetite for more options.
- Our public early elementary choices are somewhat fine, but there’s a steep drop off as kids get older.
- I respect Capitol Hill Day School as a choice for some families who embrace a very, very progressive education model. We’re more traditional in our approach.
- St. Peter’s is also an option for some Catholic families, and I respect that they educate their children in their faith tradition. We aren’t Catholic, so this isn’t an option for us.
- Many Capitol Hill families opt to do the Potomac School because of their bus program, and there’s so many wonderful advantages to Potomac. Their high school course catalog and campus are truly inspirational. We’re reluctant to send our little ones so far away/add a long commute to their every day.
- Many families play the lottery for Basis or Latin charters, and admissions is all luck.

I doubt I’m alone in asking “HOW is there not another viable, more traditional secular private school to meet this Capitol Hill appetite?”

Landscape has changed. I don't think as many people live on the Hill anymore that would send to private school? I think they live in Northwest DC or close in VA or MD.

Sure the public elementaries on the hill are now wildly popular, but I don’t think families are supporting the walkable, neighborhood high school? I thought that was the plan decades ago as the neighborhood gentrified.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I realize most Washingtonians on this thread likely live in Northwest, but I need a second to vent, as a Capitol Hill resident.

There is an appetite for more options.
- Our public early elementary choices are somewhat fine, but there’s a steep drop off as kids get older.
- I respect Capitol Hill Day School as a choice for some families who embrace a very, very progressive education model. We’re more traditional in our approach.
- St. Peter’s is also an option for some Catholic families, and I respect that they educate their children in their faith tradition. We aren’t Catholic, so this isn’t an option for us.
- Many Capitol Hill families opt to do the Potomac School because of their bus program, and there’s so many wonderful advantages to Potomac. Their high school course catalog and campus are truly inspirational. We’re reluctant to send our little ones so far away/add a long commute to their every day.
- Many families play the lottery for Basis or Latin charters, and admissions is all luck.

I doubt I’m alone in asking “HOW is there not another viable, more traditional secular private school to meet this Capitol Hill appetite?”

Landscape has changed. I don't think as many people live on the Hill anymore that would send to private school? I think they live in Northwest DC or close in VA or MD.

Disagree. I think most families are ok with DCPS for elementary. Many Hill families then try for Latin and BASIS (though not as many stick with BASIS as they do with Latin). Of those who don't get one of those two options, some try to make Stuart Hobson or Elliot Hine work and the rest go private. I think if BASIS and Latin weren't options for some, you would see a larger number of Hill families in private schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I realize most Washingtonians on this thread likely live in Northwest, but I need a second to vent, as a Capitol Hill resident.

There is an appetite for more options.
- Our public early elementary choices are somewhat fine, but there’s a steep drop off as kids get older.
- I respect Capitol Hill Day School as a choice for some families who embrace a very, very progressive education model. We’re more traditional in our approach.
- St. Peter’s is also an option for some Catholic families, and I respect that they educate their children in their faith tradition. We aren’t Catholic, so this isn’t an option for us.
- Many Capitol Hill families opt to do the Potomac School because of their bus program, and there’s so many wonderful advantages to Potomac. Their high school course catalog and campus are truly inspirational. We’re reluctant to send our little ones so far away/add a long commute to their every day.
- Many families play the lottery for Basis or Latin charters, and admissions is all luck.

I doubt I’m alone in asking “HOW is there not another viable, more traditional secular private school to meet this Capitol Hill appetite?”

Landscape has changed. I don't think as many people live on the Hill anymore that would send to private school? I think they live in Northwest DC or close in VA or MD.

Disagree. I think most families are ok with DCPS for elementary. Many Hill families then try for Latin and BASIS (though not as many stick with BASIS as they do with Latin). Of those who don't get one of those two options, some try to make Stuart Hobson or Elliot Hine work and the rest go private. I think if BASIS and Latin weren't options for some, you would see a larger number of Hill families in private schools.

I so wish there was a way to snap my fingers and have everyone continue from ES into MS and then HS - the numbers are there for the Hill to have the type of MS and HS that so many are seeking if we could just get everyone into the buildings!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I realize most Washingtonians on this thread likely live in Northwest, but I need a second to vent, as a Capitol Hill resident.

There is an appetite for more options.
- Our public early elementary choices are somewhat fine, but there’s a steep drop off as kids get older.
- I respect Capitol Hill Day School as a choice for some families who embrace a very, very progressive education model. We’re more traditional in our approach.
- St. Peter’s is also an option for some Catholic families, and I respect that they educate their children in their faith tradition. We aren’t Catholic, so this isn’t an option for us.
- Many Capitol Hill families opt to do the Potomac School because of their bus program, and there’s so many wonderful advantages to Potomac. Their high school course catalog and campus are truly inspirational. We’re reluctant to send our little ones so far away/add a long commute to their every day.
- Many families play the lottery for Basis or Latin charters, and admissions is all luck.

I doubt I’m alone in asking “HOW is there not another viable, more traditional secular private school to meet this Capitol Hill appetite?”

Landscape has changed. I don't think as many people live on the Hill anymore that would send to private school? I think they live in Northwest DC or close in VA or MD.

Disagree. I think most families are ok with DCPS for elementary. Many Hill families then try for Latin and BASIS (though not as many stick with BASIS as they do with Latin). Of those who don't get one of those two options, some try to make Stuart Hobson or Elliot Hine work and the rest go private. I think if BASIS and Latin weren't options for some, you would see a larger number of Hill families in private schools.

I so wish there was a way to snap my fingers and have everyone continue from ES into MS and then HS - the numbers are there for the Hill to have the type of MS and HS that so many are seeking if we could just get everyone into the buildings!

Me too - however we lasted through two grades at Watkins and then went to private. The Cluster is a mess and is only getting worse. If you include our time at Peabody, it was 5 years of watching a lot of people work very hard to try to fix things. We finally left after raising a few serious issues to Berkowitz that were never addressed. Friends have moved or gone to private. We love the Hill. We didn't get lucky and lottery into another school. DCPS needs to fix Watkins and then consolidate the Hill into a single excellent middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I realize most Washingtonians on this thread likely live in Northwest, but I need a second to vent, as a Capitol Hill resident.

There is an appetite for more options.
- Our public early elementary choices are somewhat fine, but there’s a steep drop off as kids get older.
- I respect Capitol Hill Day School as a choice for some families who embrace a very, very progressive education model. We’re more traditional in our approach.
- St. Peter’s is also an option for some Catholic families, and I respect that they educate their children in their faith tradition. We aren’t Catholic, so this isn’t an option for us.
- Many Capitol Hill families opt to do the Potomac School because of their bus program, and there’s so many wonderful advantages to Potomac. Their high school course catalog and campus are truly inspirational. We’re reluctant to send our little ones so far away/add a long commute to their every day.
- Many families play the lottery for Basis or Latin charters, and admissions is all luck.

I doubt I’m alone in asking “HOW is there not another viable, more traditional secular private school to meet this Capitol Hill appetite?”

We aren't Catholic, yet both our sons attended St. Peter's and got a good education (then on to Gonzaga). If you want to stay on the Hill, you have to be flexible in terms of schooling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of Hill kids at Friends Community School.

Friends is a progressive school.

And also religious (Quaker).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I realize most Washingtonians on this thread likely live in Northwest, but I need a second to vent, as a Capitol Hill resident.

There is an appetite for more options.
- Our public early elementary choices are somewhat fine, but there’s a steep drop off as kids get older.
- I respect Capitol Hill Day School as a choice for some families who embrace a very, very progressive education model. We’re more traditional in our approach.
- St. Peter’s is also an option for some Catholic families, and I respect that they educate their children in their faith tradition. We aren’t Catholic, so this isn’t an option for us.
- Many Capitol Hill families opt to do the Potomac School because of their bus program, and there’s so many wonderful advantages to Potomac. Their high school course catalog and campus are truly inspirational. We’re reluctant to send our little ones so far away/add a long commute to their every day.
- Many families play the lottery for Basis or Latin charters, and admissions is all luck.

I doubt I’m alone in asking “HOW is there not another viable, more traditional secular private school to meet this Capitol Hill appetite?”

We aren't Catholic, yet both our sons attended St. Peter's and got a good education (then on to Gonzaga). If you want to stay on the Hill, you have to be flexible in terms of schooling.

It’s a lot harder to get into St Peters now than it was when your kids attended if they are in HS. Now even Catholic families are turned away.

[Anonymous]

Having been here for 20 years, I’ve never heard anyone lament the lack of options. OP is the first. The quality of the available options? Of course. Living here involves tradeoffs. CHDS and St. Peter’s are small, community schools whose students go on to great high schools and do well there. No, CHDS isn’t going to give your kid a standardized test, and yes, St. Peter’s is going to make your kid learn the names of saints. If those are dealbreakers, then move or stop complaining about the lack of options. Trust me, there are many DCPS parents on the Hill who would love the ability to choose to not go to those schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why so many people move to VA or NW when they have kids.

+1