It's Official: Shaed Awarded to Inspired Teaching and Lee Montessori

[Anonymous]

The problem with the Share site is the problem in general with charters going into closed DCPS schools. They're generally located in inconvenient areas with declining populations of children rather than the growing areas that supply the core interest in these schools. A perennial conundrum.

[Anonymous]

I meant to write Shaed not Share. Darn autocorrect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem with the Share site is the problem in general with charters going into closed DCPS schools. They're generally located in inconvenient areas with declining populations of children rather than the growing areas that supply the core interest in these schools. A perennial conundrum.

I wouldn't say this is entirely true. The largest majority at IT is from ward 5. My family is in ward 4, but happily accessible to the new campus. IT is a charter with students from every ward. I don't think you can accurately say its inconvenient just because it's inconvenient to you. What some consider central is Columbia Heights, but then the complaints become parking, congestion etc. Seems like there is no pleasuring everyone. I honestly couldn't imagine a more convenient location if you're talking about accessibility for all and not just U St and Columbia Heights families.

[Anonymous]

I think there is pleasuring everyone, but that is a different forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem with the Share site is the problem in general with charters going into closed DCPS schools. They're generally located in inconvenient areas with declining populations of children rather than the growing areas that supply the core interest in these schools. A perennial conundrum.

Brookland/Edgewood/Woodridge and Ward 5 have increasing populations of children. They just have declining populations of families who are willing to settle for the existing, traditional publics. When Shaed closed, there were only around 100 children enrolled, if I remember correctly. Re-opening a school building with the goal of 500 students when fully occupied (Inspired Teaching PS3 - 8th) plus Lee Montessori on its way to full capacity of 350 (not also full that at Shaed, of course) indicates demand, just not demand for the traditional public school that was there before.

[Anonymous]

Well Shaed is certainly closer to Ward 5. But just compare it to the growth and transit links that IT is close to now. It really is going to be in a random little backwater.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with the Share site is the problem in general with charters going into closed DCPS schools. They're generally located in inconvenient areas with declining populations of children rather than the growing areas that supply the core interest in these schools. A perennial conundrum.

Brookland/Edgewood/Woodridge and Ward 5 have increasing populations of children. They just have declining populations of families who are willing to settle for the existing, traditional publics. When Shaed closed, there were only around 100 children enrolled, if I remember correctly. Re-opening a school building with the goal of 500 students when fully occupied (Inspired Teaching PS3 - 8th) plus Lee Montessori on its way to full capacity of 350 (not also full that at Shaed, of course) indicates demand, just not demand for the traditional public school that was there before.

When I wrote that population was declining I didn't mean in Ward 5, Brookland or Edgewood or Woodridge (Woodridge?). I meant within Shaed's DCPS catchment area boundaries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well Shaed is certainly closer to Ward 5. But just compare it to the growth and transit links that IT is close to now. It really is going to be in a random little backwater.

I'd rather have a school in a "backwater" where my child isn't in danger from the hectic traffic every day, I can reasonably park and volunteer in the school for more than 2 hours at a time, and the children can look out the windows to grass and fields rather than be hemmed in by buildings and construction on 3 sides. I drive by Shaed every day on my way to IT and don't consider it a random location; I consider it a brilliant placement for a school such as IT which draws students from all over the city. Kudos, IT!

[Anonymous]

I will be sad to leave the current neighborhood because I do think the current neighborhood has more to offer than Edgewood as far as partnerships and public transit options, but it will be amazing to have so much space, both indoor and out. A majority of families currently drive, and probably even more families will drive to the new location, but parking and kiss & go options will be so much better over there. Cap City moved to a pretty remote corner of the city a few years ago, and they seem to be doing fine as far as I can tell, so I'm not too worried about it.

As far as families leaving, I'm sure some will. Of course, those kids will need to win the lottery somewhere else (or move, or suddenly decide their IB school is OK) to make that happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well Shaed is certainly closer to Ward 5. But just compare it to the growth and transit links that IT is close to now. It really is going to be in a random little backwater.

It kind of feels this way to me too. But it's still WAY more convenient to downtown and the centrally located neighborhoods than most charters. We live in Logan Circle and it will be a pain to have to drive but its really just a few additional minutes. The problem is that if you want fields and space, you have to go further out. Plus, DC is really screwing charters by not releasing any of the actually convenient locations, like Shaw Middle, Garnet Patterson and Meyer.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, what is up with Shaw being vacant for so many years. This could be a fantastic school for a charter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm so glad! As an IT parent and Edgewood neighbor of Shaed, I couldn't be happier.

Glad you're happy, but some of us would prefer not having our children have a cemetery as their view while they play. No wonder they closed down because of low student enrollment. An unsafe neighborhood + a cemetery does not make for happy surroundings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do people think of shaed neighborhood? We pass through on way to Home Depot and my husband thinks it is rough. I remember there was a shooting a few years ago at the pizza place near Rhode Island.

It's very rough. Doesn't look very kid friendly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do people think of shaed neighborhood? We pass through on way to Home Depot and my husband thinks it is rough. I remember there was a shooting a few years ago at the pizza place near Rhode Island.

This is DC. There has been a shooting in every neighborhood, even in my "safe" neighborhood. Even in GT. Also, by the RI metro is half mile from site. The neighborhood doesn't look rough to me at all. It looks like the average NE DC neighborhood. Edgewood is a great neighborhood with many seniors. If the first thing that someone saw was the schools windows, then that's pretty sad. I was thrilled with the before and after IT did with current building in less time. I think this campus is a dream come true.

What kind of dreams are you having? A school that looks like a prison with a sprawling cemetery as its backdrop? Doesn't seem like a dream at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm so glad! As an IT parent and Edgewood neighbor of Shaed, I couldn't be happier.

Glad you're happy, but some of us would prefer not having our children have a cemetery as their view while they play. No wonder they closed down because of low student enrollment. An unsafe neighborhood + a cemetery does not make for happy surroundings.

Wow. It is not an unsafe neighborhood. It is very quiet residential neighborhood. Low enrollment due to many DCPS issues (mainly being a poor school) and many senior citizens that live in the neighborhood. As far as cemetery, it is not viewable from playground. I would say many people that live across from Rock Creek cemetery and solders home would disagree. I am thrilled to have lovely green space and a soon-to-be beautiful building that is very central for all.