of the dozen(?) top charters, which did you NOT apply to, and why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's what they actually submitted to OSSE in 2012 - 4.4%

http://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/publication/attachments/Inspired%20Teaching%20School.pdf

My guess is that the PCSB inflates the data.

What are you pointing out? That out of the 138 students that participated in lunch, that 32 qualified for free or reduced priced lunch? How is that 4%?

[Anonymous]

32/138 x 100 = 23%

Maybe PP skipped 4th grade math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IT is 4.4% FARMs. Yep, closer to 4 than 20 and is a pretty light and bright school, let's be real. As a multi-racial family, we didn't get a good vibe when we visited. The principal was fabulous, but it is what it is.

I am a multi racial family at IT as well and am very alert to these things. IT is probably one of the most diverse schools you can find in the city. If you didn't get a good vibe, I completely understand and it's your perogative not to apply. I just wanted to make sure what was being said was accurate.

+1 Multiracial family, single parent family, PS3 at IT, have never felt more comfortable at a school. Came from a VA private near my office. Also completely understand when school doesn't feel like a fit, but like PP, wanted to share my experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IT is 4.4% FARMs. Yep, closer to 4 than 20 and is a pretty light and bright school, let's be real. As a multi-racial family, we didn't get a good vibe when we visited. The principal was fabulous, but it is what it is.

IT is 22% FARMs with 50% black, 38% white, 5% Asian, and 5% Hispanic. Where did you get your stats from?

http://www.dcpubliccharter.com/data/files/Schools/185/081-ITD_AP11-12.pdf

Double posting here. Funny, these stats are nearly the exact same as DC demographics.
50% black
38% white
9% Hispanic
4% Asian

That's pretty darn diverse if you ask me or anyone that loves living in DC because of the demographics.

[Anonymous]

Didn't apply to 2R, its too far and LAMB because friends are not that happy there, not that the chances are that good. We're increasingly interested in language immersion or strong language offering.

[Anonymous]

It's cliquey.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We didn't apply to IT, either. It really is an individual family decision. I really liked the principal at IT, but we want to be at a more diverse school, and languages are important to us. We are in an excellent private nursery, so we can wait a year if we don't get in for pre-K, and our IB school is not awful as well.

.

I think IT is very diverse. What's not diverse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We didn't apply to IT, either. It really is an individual family decision. I really liked the principal at IT, but we want to be at a more diverse school, and languages are important to us. We are in an excellent private nursery, so we can wait a year if we don't get in for pre-K, and our IB school is not awful as well.

.

I think IT is very diverse. What's not diverse.

Maybe not white enough? That's what diversity usually means in this forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We didn't apply to IT, either. It really is an individual family decision. I really liked the principal at IT, but we want to be at a more diverse school, and languages are important to us. We are in an excellent private nursery, so we can wait a year if we don't get in for pre-K, and our IB school is not awful as well.

.

I think IT is very diverse. What's not diverse.

Maybe not white enough? That's what diversity usually means in this forum.

Don't think so, PP said "face it, IT is pretty light and bright". IT has just as many whites as any other sought after charter. I don't think there could be an argument for lack of diversity at IT unless you are seeking 50% FARMS. That would be the only thing I could think of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's cliquey.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We didn't apply to IT, either. It really is an individual family decision. I really liked the principal at IT, but we want to be at a more diverse school, and languages are important to us. We are in an excellent private nursery, so we can wait a year if we don't get in for pre-K, and our IB school is not awful as well.

.

I think IT is very diverse. What's not diverse.

Are you a parent or is that the impression you got at an open house? I am a two year parent and can say that this couldn't be further from the truth. The school families are accepting, involved and super excited to be a part of such a great school. I am not the most outgoing person, but I had parents (male and female) approach me at every school function and have forged great friendships. I am truly asking where you got this impression because it seems to be the opposite of what I hear most current families speak about. At all family IFA meetings, I am surprised with the involvement of both moms and dads and see social events (happy hours, play dates, ice cream socials) going on all the time to inlcude the entire school or grades. It seems to be that most current families #1 favorite thing about IT would be the teachers, I would say the families (including diversity) would be a #2 strength.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's cliquey.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We didn't apply to IT, either. It really is an individual family decision. I really liked the principal at IT, but we want to be at a more diverse school, and languages are important to us. We are in an excellent private nursery, so we can wait a year if we don't get in for pre-K, and our IB school is not awful as well.

.

I think IT is very diverse. What's not diverse.

Are you a parent or is that the impression you got at an open house? I am a two year parent and can say that this couldn't be further from the truth. The school families are accepting, involved and super excited to be a part of such a great school. I am not the most outgoing person, but I had parents (male and female) approach me at every school function and have forged great friendships. I am truly asking where you got this impression because it seems to be the opposite of what I hear most current families speak about. At all family IFA meetings, I am surprised with the involvement of both moms and dads and see social events (happy hours, play dates, ice cream socials) going on all the time to inlcude the entire school or grades. It seems to be that most current families #1 favorite thing about IT would be the teachers, I would say the families (including diversity) would be a #2 strength.

Current IT parent here. I totally agree. The class my kid is in is definitely not "light and bright" if you're getting at it being majority white. Let's get real here. There are six white kids, four mixed race kids and the rest are AA. Families at the school ARE welcoming and inclusive and my kid LOVES it. She doesn't notice or even know what "diversity" or "FARMS" mean. She knows that she loves school, loves her teachers and has great friends she is excited to see every day. That's what matters for my family.

[Anonymous]

What I did not apply for:
Mundo Verde - too new. I don't like startups. Plus, I don't like the "vibe" from this school.
Two Rivers - too far
LAMB - our kids are too old
Appletree - does not apply. our kids are too old
Bridges - does not apply. our kids are too old
Yu Ying - Don't like the "vibe" from this school. Plus, no interest in Mandarin.
Creative Minds - too new. I don't like startups.
Inspired Teaching - too new. I don't like startups.

[Anonymous]

Where DID you apply? Haynes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where DID you apply? Haynes?

I was thinking the same thing, I gues Haynes, Stokes, and Cap City.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I did not apply for:
Mundo Verde - too new. I don't like startups. Plus, I don't like the "vibe" from this school.
Two Rivers - too far
LAMB - our kids are too old
Appletree - does not apply. our kids are too old
Bridges - does not apply. our kids are too old
Yu Ying - Don't like the "vibe" from this school. Plus, no interest in Mandarin.
Creative Minds - too new. I don't like startups.
Inspired Teaching - too new. I don't like startups.

Do you mind sharing how you get a vibe from these schools? How many functions does it take for you to attend at each school or classroom visits does it take to get a "vibe"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I did not apply for:
Mundo Verde - too new. I don't like startups. Plus, I don't like the "vibe" from this school.
Two Rivers - too far
LAMB - our kids are too old
Appletree - does not apply. our kids are too old
Bridges - does not apply. our kids are too old
Yu Ying - Don't like the "vibe" from this school. Plus, no interest in Mandarin.
Creative Minds - too new. I don't like startups.
Inspired Teaching - too new. I don't like startups.

Do you mind sharing how you get a vibe from these schools? How many functions does it take for you to attend at each school or classroom visits does it take to get a "vibe"?

NP. The poster may have gotten the same vibe from both schools because MV received a lot of start-up help and support from YY. So perhaps the two schools share a lot of similarities, but a different language.