School Without Walls @ Francis-Stevens

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This "plan" seems crazy. Isn't one a magnet school requiring academic testing to get it, and the other a neighborhood school with very few in-boundary kids in attendance. I know FS attracts a lot in the PS because it is one of the very few such programs in the area, but how is there retention rate? Are the projected demographics change in Foggy Bottom sufficient to justify this as a neighhborhood middle school?

Basically, F-S is low attended because it is NOT a magnet school, like its new sister school Walls. A lot of the kids are dropped off at F-S because their parents work nearby; otherwise, not much of a draw to send your kids there.

[Anonymous]

The principal at sww has always had his eyes on FS as a space for his students as they are outgrowing their facilities at the high school. He was a part of several closed door meetings for years before this became a public discussion

[Anonymous]

Do yo think they will close FS but expand SWW?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The principal at sww has always had his eyes on FS as a space for his students as they are outgrowing their facilities at the high school. He was a part of several closed door meetings for years before this became a public discussion

Completely true. And at a recent education hearing the principal claimed that being transparent with his community and having trust with families is one of the keys to his success. I guess he forgot about these principles when it came to the HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The principal at sww has always had his eyes on FS as a space for his students as they are outgrowing their facilities at the high school. He was a part of several closed door meetings for years before this became a public discussion

Completely true. And at a recent education hearing the principal claimed that being transparent with his community and having trust with families is one of the keys to his success. I guess he forgot about these principles when it came to the HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do yo think they will close FS but expand SWW?

F-S should become a magnet school, just like Walls. Create proficiency or near-proficiency as an admission requirement, and it would become a great school, and enrolled close to capacity for the first time in the 21st century.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do yo think they will close FS but expand SWW?

F-S should become a magnet school, just like Walls. Create proficiency or near-proficiency as an admission requirement, and it would become a great school, and enrolled close to capacity for the first time in the 21st century.

???? - (DUHHH !?!?) Its almost like saying 2+2=4. Any school with admission requirement will become a great school and get the attention of parents that frequent this forum and parents that don"t want to sacrifice our kids to see if it is possible to really turn around a school without displacing the "undesirables."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do yo think they will close FS but expand SWW?

F-S should become a magnet school, just like Walls. Create proficiency or near-proficiency as an admission requirement, and it would become a great school, and enrolled close to capacity for the first time in the 21st century.

???? - (DUHHH !?!?) Its almost like saying 2+2=4. Any school with admission requirement will become a great school and get the attention of parents that frequent this forum and parents that don"t want to sacrifice our kids to see if it is possible to really turn around a school without displacing the "undesirables."

Francis-Stevens will follow the path carved by charters. I don't think you have to go the magnet route...parents will self-select by their willingness to cart their children across town for a decent program. Those that can't get in through lottery or open seats will woo the principal with their 'influence' as seen at other schools in this neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do yo think they will close FS but expand SWW?

F-S should become a magnet school, just like Walls. Create proficiency or near-proficiency as an admission requirement, and it would become a great school, and enrolled close to capacity for the first time in the 21st century.

???? - (DUHHH !?!?) Its almost like saying 2+2=4. Any school with admission requirement will become a great school and get the attention of parents that frequent this forum and parents that don"t want to sacrifice our kids to see if it is possible to really turn around a school without displacing the "undesirables."

Francis-Stevens will follow the path carved by charters. I don't think you have to go the magnet route...parents will self-select by their willingness to cart their children across town for a decent program. Those that can't get in through lottery or open seats will woo the principal with their 'influence' as seen at other schools in this neighborhood.

Wait, isn't F-S a low-proficiency school right now? What motivation do parents have to cart their kids over there, now or in the near future, without some incentive?

[Anonymous]

FS should be closed and give the building to Walls for expansion. It needs the gym, field, etc. Don't kid yourself that any of the decisions to associate the schools is in any interest of the student body at the hs. The Assist. Principals can't wipe their noses whiteout checking w Trogisch.

[Anonymous]

if SWW takes over the space completely, wouldn't that be a good thing?

[dcmom]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do yo think they will close FS but expand SWW?

F-S should become a magnet school, just like Walls. Create proficiency or near-proficiency as an admission requirement, and it would become a great school, and enrolled close to capacity for the first time in the 21st century.

???? - (DUHHH !?!?) Its almost like saying 2+2=4. Any school with admission requirement will become a great school and get the attention of parents that frequent this forum and parents that don"t want to sacrifice our kids to see if it is possible to really turn around a school without displacing the "undesirables."

Francis-Stevens will follow the path carved by charters. I don't think you have to go the magnet route...parents will self-select by their willingness to cart their children across town for a decent program. Those that can't get in through lottery or open seats will woo the principal with their 'influence' as seen at other schools in this neighborhood.

Wait, isn't F-S a low-proficiency school right now? What motivation do parents have to cart their kids over there, now or in the near future, without some incentive?

We are applying OOB and loved the school--is definitely changing under new leadership and 90% new teachers. We would consider ourselves lucky to get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The principal at sww has always had his eyes on FS as a space for his students as they are outgrowing their facilities at the high school. He was a part of several closed door meetings for years before this became a public discussion

yes, and it has always been a wildly unpopular idea to the SWW community.

[Anonymous]

How could anyone NOT get in when F-S is under-enrolled?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How could anyone NOT get in when F-S is under-enrolled?

There are a limited number of spots in each grade. They are under enrolled in the upper grades, certainly NOT in the lower grades.
It is a much better school than my IB school. It was much better even before The current principal took over, but it is even more so now.

I get why the HS people are pissed. This merger clearly only benefited FS. But it has made a huge difference for FS, and it has become a sought-after school in the lower grades because of the merger.