Truth about being three coughs above FARMS at a high performing Charter School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:uh, don't say it.
a) because it's uncool
b) because what OP writes about is true OF EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL IN AMERICA. it has nothing to do with HRCS's. at every highly regarded DCPS and private school it's the exact same case.

Good try. You know you're wrong. But thanks for playing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know you are talking about Mundo Verde. Just say it.

Actually, when I read the line about wealthy parents recognized as pioneers, I thought Creative Minds. Their list of families with guaranteed acceptance seemed to grow year after year and that preference for donors is only the only explanation I can think of for their cloaked admissions.

Yeah you have a point. It's either Creative Minds (if it is - how ironic of a name!) or Mundo Verde.

+1000

[Anonymous]

We definitely fit in the lower income category, though we're nowhere near FARMS levels. I just can't relate to a single thing in OP's post. The primary issue I have is that it's hard to be involved in the school when I work during school hours (and beyond) and have little flexibility.

I just don't understand how anyone at the school has any idea what our income is or where we fit on a socio economic continuum. We're never asked for monetary donations and I have absolutely no idea at all how our income compares to his class mates - none.

But perhaps our charter school just isn't popular or "highly regarded" enough.

[Anonymous]

OP here, the most surprising thing about the responses is the defensiveness and the assumptions of some of the responders that disagree.

I charge responders to speak to the equanimity in high demand charters that implement:

A. Irregular public school calendars that make it disparately costly for working low income parents to enroll their children,
B. Above average costs for public before and after auxiliary programs,
C. Lack of 100% parent participation in public school support organizations;
D. Lack of scrutiny or outside oversight to ensure that every child has equal access to educational offerings at the public school.

Remember, these are public schools, and I think we fail to remember that public means everyone.

In response to the poster at 12:22, while I know a few MV parents, that charter began fairly recently; my perspective comes from my family's experiences at three others. Generally speaking, my opinions are shared, and the environments that breed these issues are not isolated.

[Anonymous]

Struggling middle/working class people problems. you want to make it clear you're not poor by not needing a govt hand out but want us to feel sorry for you because you can't compete with the upper class. Don't have a savings to donate for favor, huh? Child's not an academic or athletic stand out, huh?

OP, sit your regular ass down somewhere and continue to brew about all the things you are not. Don't waste our time with these long ass diary posts.

[Anonymous]

You can clearly tell in these posts who belongs to which SE class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We definitely fit in the lower income category, though we're nowhere near FARMS levels. I just can't relate to a single thing in OP's post. The primary issue I have is that it's hard to be involved in the school when I work during school hours (and beyond) and have little flexibility.

I just don't understand how anyone at the school has any idea what our income is or where we fit on a socio economic continuum. We're never asked for monetary donations and I have absolutely no idea at all how our income compares to his class mates - none.

But perhaps our charter school just isn't popular or "highly regarded" enough.

#1 - you admitted yourself that you don't have time to be at the school much, so how do you know what goes on there?

#2 - rest assured, they know who donates to the school and who doesn't. Which therefore indicates your SES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:uh, don't say it.
a) because it's uncool
b) because what OP writes about is true OF EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL IN AMERICA. it has nothing to do with HRCS's. at every highly regarded DCPS and private school it's the exact same case.

I agree with point B. I know that parents are hiring tutors and paying for numerous enrichment opportunities outside of our HRCS. I know parents at two of the top private schools doing the same thing. The irony for me is that if a high income family feels that they need tutors at these schools then the HRCS is not serving the educational needs of these families either. The issue is that OP and other middle income families can't afford to give their children these advantages. It seems that OP is arguing that public schools should provide everyone with these services beyond the standard curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:uh, don't say it.
a) because it's uncool
b) because what OP writes about is true OF EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL IN AMERICA. it has nothing to do with HRCS's. at every highly regarded DCPS and private school it's the exact same case.

I agree with point B. I know that parents are hiring tutors and paying for numerous enrichment opportunities outside of our HRCS. I know parents at two of the top private schools doing the same thing. The irony for me is that if a high income family feels that they need tutors at these schools then the HRCS is not serving the educational needs of these families either. The issue is that OP and other middle income families can't afford to give their children these advantages. It seems that OP is arguing that public schools should provide everyone with these services beyond the standard curriculum.

I think what's she's saying is that families who can afford enrichment beyond what the school can offer are highly desired by the highly desired charters. It raises the school's scores - and their popularity - without the school having to do much except attract more high SES families. It doesn't seem possible for every school to provide the extras that higher income families can give their kids, but it does seem possible that a school that looks high quality is actually mediocre.

It speaks to my dubiousness about some charters and the heavy reliance on test scores as a barometer of school quality. That goes for DCPS too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Struggling middle/working class people problems. you want to make it clear you're not poor by not needing a govt hand out but want us to feel sorry for you because you can't compete with the upper class. Don't have a savings to donate for favor, huh? Child's not an academic or athletic stand out, huh?

OP, sit your regular ass down somewhere and continue to brew about all the things you are not. Don't waste our time with these long ass diary posts.

What a disturbing post. It's hard to tell what this person means. Are you saying that those who don't have the money to compete should just shut up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:uh, don't say it.
a) because it's uncool
b) because what OP writes about is true OF EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL IN AMERICA. it has nothing to do with HRCS's. at every highly regarded DCPS and private school it's the exact same case.

I agree with point B. I know that parents are hiring tutors and paying for numerous enrichment opportunities outside of our HRCS. I know parents at two of the top private schools doing the same thing. The irony for me is that if a high income family feels that they need tutors at these schools then the HRCS is not serving the educational needs of these families either. The issue is that OP and other middle income families can't afford to give their children these advantages. It seems that OP is arguing that public schools should provide everyone with these services beyond the standard curriculum.

Welcome to Capitalism!!! Welcome to America!!! I still don't get why the OP is singling out HRCS. This happens everywhere!!!! To me, he/she has done nothing but raised a big old "DUH"!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We definitely fit in the lower income category, though we're nowhere near FARMS levels. I just can't relate to a single thing in OP's post. The primary issue I have is that it's hard to be involved in the school when I work during school hours (and beyond) and have little flexibility.

I just don't understand how anyone at the school has any idea what our income is or where we fit on a socio economic continuum. We're never asked for monetary donations and I have absolutely no idea at all how our income compares to his class mates - none.

But perhaps our charter school just isn't popular or "highly regarded" enough.

#1 - you admitted yourself that you don't have time to be at the school much, so how do you know what goes on there?

#2 - rest assured, they know who donates to the school and who doesn't. Which therefore indicates your SES.

Rest assured, pretty much no-one donates to my kid's school. In two years we have never, not once, been asked for money. I don't think there are covert donations going on behind my back where other parents are getting favorable treatment. I know enough about my kid's school to know that they are all treated the same.

[Anonymous]

14:32 again, I should clarify that my kid's school gets grants and likely gets donations from someone, but it's not the parents, with the exception of a few dollars here and there for the PTA. (that's literally a few dollars).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:uh, don't say it.
a) because it's uncool
b) because what OP writes about is true OF EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL IN AMERICA. it has nothing to do with HRCS's. at every highly regarded DCPS and private school it's the exact same case.

I agree with point B. I know that parents are hiring tutors and paying for numerous enrichment opportunities outside of our HRCS. I know parents at two of the top private schools doing the same thing. The irony for me is that if a high income family feels that they need tutors at these schools then the HRCS is not serving the educational needs of these families either. The issue is that OP and other middle income families can't afford to give their children these advantages. It seems that OP is arguing that public schools should provide everyone with these services beyond the standard curriculum.

I think what's she's saying is that families who can afford enrichment beyond what the school can offer are highly desired by the highly desired charters. It raises the school's scores - and their popularity - without the school having to do much except attract more high SES families. It doesn't seem possible for every school to provide the extras that higher income families can give their kids, but it does seem possible that a school that looks high quality is actually mediocre.

It speaks to my dubiousness about some charters and the heavy reliance on test scores as a barometer of school quality. That goes for DCPS too.

It feeds the myth that a "high scoring" school is a "high quality school," when it could have a lot to do with what's going on outside what the school is doing -- e.g. private tutoring. I'm in favor of parents doing what they can for their kids, but it's certainly unfair for a school building to get credit for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, the most surprising thing about the responses is the defensiveness and the assumptions of some of the responders that disagree.

I charge responders to speak to the equanimity in high demand charters that implement:

A. Irregular public school calendars that make it disparately costly for working low income parents to enroll their children,
B. Above average costs for public before and after auxiliary programs,
C. Lack of 100% parent participation in public school support organizations;
D. Lack of scrutiny or outside oversight to ensure that every child has equal access to educational offerings at the public school.

Remember, these are public schools, and I think we fail to remember that public means everyone.

In response to the poster at 12:22, while I know a few MV parents, that charter began fairly recently; my perspective comes from my family's experiences at three others. Generally speaking, my opinions are shared, and the environments that breed these issues are not isolated.

OP,

Have you asked for assistance if you're struggling with before and aftercare costs and "enrichment" programs? Has the school denied working with you on these costs if you're struggling? Are you not welcome to attend support organization meetings? Are you not welcome to run for a seat? To volunteer in the classroom? Do you truly believe your Kindergartener is getting "meets expectations" on her reviews because of your financial situation? Do you honestly believe, for a second, that they put her in the "crappy" teacher's class because of your income level and/or ability to donate?! Be honest, if not with us, then at least with yourself.

Is there even an outside chance that your complaints are being met with a hint "of apathy" because your complaints are off-hand and undeserved? Can you be more concrete about how your DC has been discriminated against?

Regardless of whatever reality you want to create for yourself, I hope you don't poison your kids heads with this before you send them off to school each morning. "Try not to let the fact that you're being treated unfairly effect your success DC!" There's one approach to parenting.