Deal and Hardy turnaround

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are IB for hardy, but DD is a few years away. I have had the opportunity to visit the school while Pope was there, but lately it seems like a place I would not want to send my child. When I walk by kids are screaming and cursing and I have seen teachers yelling at kids. I get it. It's middle school. In an urban environment. But I haven't seen that stuff at deal.

No- I haven't seen this stuff at Deal, either, and for a few months last year I was able to pick up my child every day after school.

Oyster-Adams is another middle school where outdoor screaming, cursing, and even making out happens before and after school. This says a lot to prospective families... and when the schools don't deal with these public behavior problems, it effectively sends a strong "keep out, we're not interested in your priorities" message to in-bounds families.

[Anonymous]

These Hardy families that talk great things about Hardy must not have the teachers that my DC has. My DC continues to say that his teacher shaves his head during the class, locks the door, hides far away from the door and keeps playing video games. There is a PE teacher who has never given an organized PE class. The kids are throwing basketball and cones to each other during the class. And there are fights. These are things you can't see during the open house or school tour. You probably can't get these info by talking to other Hardy parents either. I have never told these to any prospective families. I can't believe no students or parents talk about these things that are happening at Hardy. I must say that these families who talk only good things about Hardy are very lucky to not have to associate with lazy and unqualified teachers. Otherwise you would be furious like us. Another thing, don't believe everything that their website says about them. Those clubs supposedly offered at Hardy are not mostly offered. Some say that the principal runs a tight ship - really? When a teacher is shaving his head in the class and obsessively playing video games, kids throwing objects to each other in the PE class.... She needs to open her eyes because she hasn't seen everything yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These Hardy families that talk great things about Hardy must not have the teachers that my DC has. My DC continues to say that his teacher shaves his head during the class, locks the door, hides far away from the door and keeps playing video games. There is a PE teacher who has never given an organized PE class. The kids are throwing basketball and cones to each other during the class. And there are fights. These are things you can't see during the open house or school tour. You probably can't get these info by talking to other Hardy parents either. I have never told these to any prospective families. I can't believe no students or parents talk about these things that are happening at Hardy. I must say that these families who talk only good things about Hardy are very lucky to not have to associate with lazy and unqualified teachers. Otherwise you would be furious like us. Another thing, don't believe everything that their website says about them. Those clubs supposedly offered at Hardy are not mostly offered. Some say that the principal runs a tight ship - really? When a teacher is shaving his head in the class and obsessively playing video games, kids throwing objects to each other in the PE class.... She needs to open her eyes because she hasn't seen everything yet.

Are you IB? Why don't you pull your kids. I am guessing that other pants who know about this stuff do. They don't complain because their kids aren't there anymore.

[Anonymous]

How could such unqualified and "lazy" teachers make it through the rigorous IMPACT system?

Perhaps they are first year teachers who will be flushed out next year.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if these disgruntled parents are attending the same school as my IB child who is at Hardy. Our child is involved in multiple school activities and we are frequently at Hardy - as are many (IB and OB) friends. Not every teacher is perfect and not every kid is a little angel. But there is no evidence - none - of the kind of nonsense that some of the people on this page seem to think is going on.

In our experience, teachers are high quality - with a few that stand out as being incredibly good. The facility is almost new, the administration is good.

Come see Hardy yourself - you and your children are lucky to have the opportunity to attend.

[Anonymous]

PP, I had the same reaction as a parent who has volunteered at the school.

This morning, as I dropped off my DC, I reflected on the profile of the OOB parents I see. Of course I see the ones who are driving like me. These are the folks I also see at events.

Here's my assumption: These families are families like mine. The parents are white collar/professional. They live in neighborhoods that are not in boundary for Deal. Many of the children went to Stoddert, Hyde, Key and Brent. Many live in neighborhoods like Hillcrest, Brightwood, Petworth, Capitol Hill. I am noticing an uptick of IB families too. There also families that I might described as embassy or World Bank. Not everyone can afford private schools!

Like a previous poster, I check in with my child because we took a chance on Hardy over two very desirable options for MS. We wanted Wilson, a school for which we are not in boundary, to be option in the future. So far, my kid reports a great time at Hardy. The teachers we have, with maybe one exception, are first rate. The atmosphere is warm, and my student is sufficiently challenged.

I have had the opportunity to talk to the students there as a volunteer. If anything, many come across as a little nerdy. Yes, I have seen the typical middle school behavior outside of school at dismissal (loud and silly not vulgar), but students who are not involved in extracurricular activities quickly depart for home.

If you are seriously considering Hardy, I suggest that you make an appointment with the principal and visit the school. Also, if you have expertise in science, technology (or anything else), I know that the administration and the PTA would love to talk with you about getting involved in the after school enrichment program. That might actually be the best way to get a read on the type of students who attend Hardy as oppose to the caricatures that are painted on an anonymous forum.

By the way, I have many friends whose DC attend Deal. I have heard universally positive things about Deal. I have picked up friend's children at dismissal on several occasions witnessing the same loud, goofy behavior and I have also heard about fights. I shrug at that because I know from students and adults connected that Deal is a very well run school. So an isolated incident is just that - isolated.

[Anonymous]

We are IB for Hardy also, but 5 years away.How can Hardy have so many oob kids?Where do all the Stoddert and other feeder school kids go to middle school?

[Anonymous]

If you had a rising 6th grader two years ago, you may have been able to shoehorn your way into Deal. That ship has sailed. Rising 5th graders may have peeled off for Latin.

PP, I have IB friends with children at Stoddert. Many are now planning to send their children to Hardy. I think the tide is turning. Some will halfheartedly apply to Latin and Basis, but many will not get in for 6th grade. Then there's the unappealing idea of commuting.

I don't know if you know this, but there was a time when IB parents were not that excited about Stoddert. The same could be said at Deal. That has changed. Soon it will be more difficult to get in OOB at Hardy.

Stay tuned.

[Anonymous]

We are in-boundary with 3 children for Stoddert/Hardy and I would love to know from a current parent what the actual returning numbers are for IB children for 5th grade (what percentage did not apply to or get into Latin or Basis). Also, what percentage of IB Stoddert students who did stay for 5th grade are going to Hardy for 6th next year vs getting one of the few 6th grade spots at Latin or Basis, going private, or moving?

I know from friends with older children that the numbers are higher for IB Stoddert 5th grade and for Stoddert>Hardy 6th than in previous years, but I would really like to know how MUCH higher they are. A neighbor told me that this year's Hardy 6th grade has less than a dozen children from Stoddert, but that this number is a slight increase over previous years.

Can anyone correct or confirm? I know I could call both schools, but I don't think they'd give the information to someone who is not yet a parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in-boundary with 3 children for Stoddert/Hardy and I would love to know from a current parent what the actual returning numbers are for IB children for 5th grade (what percentage did not apply to or get into Latin or Basis). Also, what percentage of IB Stoddert students who did stay for 5th grade are going to Hardy for 6th next year vs getting one of the few 6th grade spots at Latin or Basis, going private, or moving?

I know from friends with older children that the numbers are higher for IB Stoddert 5th grade and for Stoddert>Hardy 6th than in previous years, but I would really like to know how MUCH higher they are. A neighbor told me that this year's Hardy 6th grade has less than a dozen children from Stoddert, but that this number is a slight increase over previous years.

Can anyone correct or confirm? I know I could call both schools, but I don't think they'd give the information to someone who is not yet a parent.

The real question is how many will it take for you to embrace your neighborhood school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These Hardy families that talk great things about Hardy must not have the teachers that my DC has. My DC continues to say that his teacher shaves his head during the class, locks the door, hides far away from the door and keeps playing video games. There is a PE teacher who has never given an organized PE class. The kids are throwing basketball and cones to each other during the class. And there are fights. These are things you can't see during the open house or school tour. You probably can't get these info by talking to other Hardy parents either. I have never told these to any prospective families. I can't believe no students or parents talk about these things that are happening at Hardy. I must say that these families who talk only good things about Hardy are very lucky to not have to associate with lazy and unqualified teachers. Otherwise you would be furious like us. Another thing, don't believe everything that their website says about them. Those clubs supposedly offered at Hardy are not mostly offered. Some say that the principal runs a tight ship - really? When a teacher is shaving his head in the class and obsessively playing video games, kids throwing objects to each other in the PE class.... She needs to open her eyes because she hasn't seen everything yet.

So what did Dr. Mary say when you shared your concerns with her? Because I quiz my 6th grader every day for stories like this, and if i had heard what you have posted, I'd be parked in her office. What was her response?

[Anonymous]

The question is are you willing to wait for the tide to turn because of economics or are you going to push for a leader to lead to get to that positive change faster? The question here is about a needed turnaround of Hardy. Deal went through a turnaround in 2 years. How long are we going to let it take for Hardy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are IB for Hardy also, but 5 years away.How can Hardy have so many oob kids?Where do all the Stoddert and other feeder school kids go to middle school?

Feeder Schools =
Mann - 0 IB kids go to Hardy, all go private
Key - a handful of IB kids go to Hardy. Most go private
Hyde - most upper grades are OOB
Eaton - high OOB population

so that leaves you with Stoddert as the main feeder to Hardy. when you no longer have critical mass, you start considering other options. I know families that are happy w Stoddert who are planning to move their children to private MS.

[Anonymous]

What's amusing about the above is the assumption that the OOB population is something to fear. There are more than a few of us OOB with HHI higher than Glover Park at Hardy.

[Anonymous]

I don't find it amusing. It is sad, really.