New Elementary School Opening near the National Cathedral

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:In your mission statement, it says that children will learn to value "political, economic, and religious freedom." This feels like a euphemism for something -- what exactly does it mean? Are you religiously or politically affiliated with something?

I was thrown by this as well. It sounds like an agenda. How do you teach kids in lower elementary to value economic freedom?

I was also thrown by the statement that they don't take kids with SN who need any kind of accommodation. There is no school that I'm aware of that says this. Even the big 3 will support kids with mild learning differences who need minor accommodations like extra time. Of course every school has its limits, and those limits will vary from school to school. But to say nope, not at all? I look at that, statements of preparing children for their "heroic journey" to create "profound change" and "value political, economic and religious freedom" and it sounds like they are trying to create ubermen.

I noticed that too... nice (not).

Why? At least they are honest up front.

Exactly. No getting counseled out. I have two children with LD's, and I don't see a problem with a private school not being able to serve the entire range of abilities and needs of every child. FAPE does NOT apply to private schools. If every school tries to serve every child, we are left with the mess we have now.

I'm PP and I was very careful to write that not all schools can serve all children. But there are children who can go to any school as long as they have extra time for tests or can keyboard or something easy like that. There is no school that will refuse a child solely because of those minor accommodations, except this one. I have a DC with SN as well and agree that schools need to be up front about what they can and can't do. But I have never seen a school say it can't do anything.

I am an educational consultant. I once had a kid with low muscle tone for whom the accommodation of sitting in a chair during circle was proposed. The private school in this area responded that they weren't "that kind of school", and that they couldn't possibly allow it because "what would people on admissions tours think". Instead the people on the admissions tours got to see this little boy sit in time out (on a chair) every day, where he was sent for wiggling and "not respecting the space" of those around him.

So, yes, there are plenty of private schools that might give lip service to "accommodations", but don't offer them in reality.

[Anonymous]

And, schools that say that they are "SN-friendly" when the economy is slow, and then suddenly things pick up and they're now no longer serving "that" population.

[Anonymous]

All of this is true -- many, many schools fail in what they say they will do. But I know of no schools that say they will do nothing.

I don't think you are understanding the point I had raising this. In the context of the whole hero's journey, Ayn Randian individual liberty, the statement that they will serve no child who has SN, regardless, is part of a larger impression. And its not a general impression that is positive.

[Anonymous]

Oh and I'm not saying they have to be or say "SN Friendly." Many schools in this area don't say that but they will make minor accommodations, or at least claim. What is new to me is the idea of being "SN Unfriendly."

[Anonymous]

I think it is telling that the heads of school did not post again to correct any misperceptions ... Meaning, they are fine with the school being called non-friendly to SN kids.

[Anonymous]

nicolspen wrote:To clarify, these figures are for middle school children: Students who have been at Acton Academy in Austin through elementary school (and are now in middle school there) are on average 5.7 grade levels above age in reading and 5.6 grade levels above age in math.

http://www.actondc.org/faq/#tests

So the "average" student is 5.6 grade levels above in math? The "average" 7th grader is working at a college level in math? If that's the average, then that means at least half are working above 5.6 grade levels? There are many 7th graders working at a 2nd, 3rd, 4th year college level in mathematics? They are doing what-- advanced calculus and statistics? In the 7th grade?

I find this rather difficult to believe, to say the least.

[Anonymous]

Have you read the admissions process? You need a portfolio with writing sample, recent math work, projects and a resume showing extracurricular activities. For a first grader.

These people are clueless.

[Anonymous]

The parents have to write a series of essays before their children are allowed to apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, at least the founders have really extensive backgrounds in education. That bodes well … wait ...

Because public school teachers do such a fabulous job in the UnitedStates?

[Anonymous]

I think it's interesting that I first learned of this school on a listserv for homeschoolers and the founder said it would follow many "unschooling" principles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, at least the founders have really extensive backgrounds in education. That bodes well … wait ...

Because public school teachers do such a fabulous job in the UnitedStates?

You don't have to have taught in public school to have a background in education ...

[Anonymous]

So they are targeting the homeschooling movement? I know in NY home schooling coops are common. Maybe DC is next.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also obviously not familiar with the shark tank that is DCUM ...

Or DC in general - the proposed location of the school is like putting a Hebrew Academy in the heart of Tehran.

I just spat out my wine.

[Anonymous]

It's a school for children of conservative twits. They should have picked a location in NoVa.

[Anonymous]

Tossers.