Creative Minds - pros and cons?

[Anonymous]

Do you think it is workable school for a child with special needs?

[Anonymous]

I don't have a child with special needs, but I do know the school places signfiicant emphasis on inclusive classrooms and the idea that every child is individual -- with individual gifts and challenges that need to be supported. There are inclusion teachers, who assist students with special needs in the classroom, and there's also a sensory room. You can look up more information on the specific inclusion teachers on the school website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a child with special needs, but I do know the school places signfiicant emphasis on inclusive classrooms and the idea that every child is individual -- with individual gifts and challenges that need to be supported. There are inclusion teachers, who assist students with special needs in the classroom, and there's also a sensory room. You can look up more information on the specific inclusion teachers on the school website.

What is a sensory room?

[Anonymous]

<<I don't have a child with special needs, but I do know the school places signfiicant emphasis on inclusive classrooms and the idea that every child is individual -- with individual gifts and challenges that need to be supported. There are inclusion teachers, who assist students with special needs in the classroom, and there's also a sensory room. You can look up more information on the specific inclusion teachers on the school website. >>

PP -- I got this sense from the open house, and was pleased to see the inclusion teachers and their bios. Glad to see this validated, and thanks for the information. A sensory room is more than is available at my IB school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm pretty certain the model does not assume there will be turnover in the teachers in order to keep the classes small. This is the first year, folks, and the entire school budget was pretty much based on per-pupil money received from DC. So, it's probably accurate to say that there was some value in hiring younger teachers that don't demand the highest salaries. The school, however, is well aware that it will have to continue raising funds for the school to keep its teachers for the long-term as they become more experienced and demand/deserve regular salary increases.

Furthermore, they're implementing an international curriculum and project-based learning approach that isn't standard in DCPS schools (the only other school in DC using the International Primary Curriculum is the The British School). So, it's a school that is innovating. This tends to lend itself to younger teachers who are willing to innovate.

All this to say, the school does not intend to cyle out its current teachers over the years and cycle in new, young, teachers in order to maintain it's small class sizes.

Oh, and a moment of honesty for everyone --- after engaging in my school search last year (which included getting involved in efforts to revitalize my local failing school), I discovered that pretty much EVERY school in DC that is successful long term is successful b/c of the fundraising and involvement of the parents. The ONLY exceptions, to my knowledge, are schools that are backed by an organization/foundation/group and therefore secure additional funding that way. This is true for both DCPS and Charter schools. I personally find that truly disheartening as there are plenty of parents who don't have the time/energy/resources to make substantial contributions to their local schools and I firmly believe that this should not doom their children to a failed educational system. It is, however, the current reality.

So, CM, like all the others, will have to fundraise and continue building an engaged parent community....as is the story for all the other successful schools.

I firmly believe Creative Minds is really working hard to build something great -- and they've had, in my opinion, an extraordinary start. Folks mention bumps and hiccups, but as a PS parent...honestly, I'm continously impressed by both my child's teacher and the various administrators with whom I've had the pleasure of interacting.

Ok, off my soap box. Sorry for the rant.

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