So, what is wrong with Hardy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those who think that the IB parent population shuns Hardy because there are too many OOB (code for AA) kids---I think the reality is more complicated. Hardy appears to me--a high SES EOTP parent with kids at a charter---to have an OOB population of AA kids from middle class homes who clearly cared enough about their children's education to seek out the next best middle school in DC. It has also been my observation that the largest demographic group at the highly regarded charters such as Latin and Basis are also middle class AA kids. Yet white IB families who shun Hardy will happily send their kids to Basis or Latin-------so it would seem that IB families are not shunning Hardy solely because of racial discomfort. My guess is that those parents believe that the administration and faculty culture at Basis and Latin are more receptive to parental input and less DCPS bureaucratic than Hardy, which is a regular DCPS school.

But that is just my guess.

My experience with Ward 3 parents is that they don't "happily" send their kids to Basis, Latin, or even Hardy -- kids go to those schools because it's the best their parents can do, considering the options. With respect to Latin, and even moreso Basis, the most common complaint is that those schools have too much homework, but the kids can't get in anywhere else with a kinder curriculum. These are parents that compare their options with the 'burbs and they take what they can get -- Basis, Latin, or even (ugh!) Hardy - because for one reason or another they are invested in D.C.

What every Ward 3 parent wants, who can't get into Deal, is Deal. Deal for All is what they want -- surprised? And, those who are in Deal, want better than Deal, too, but they mortgages don't let them pay for private. You shouldn't be surprised that Deal parents want better than Deal, either. These are the most self-impressed parents in the United States. At some point, we all gotta settle for what we can get. "What? Toby only went to Duke and not Williams?! He better be happy you settled for HIM!"

I think what is so intriguing about Hardy is that many IB parents see Hardy as potentially being so much better than it currently is. So they gripe. Back to the Hardy thread!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who think that the IB parent population shuns Hardy because there are too many OOB (code for AA) kids---I think the reality is more complicated. Hardy appears to me--a high SES EOTP parent with kids at a charter---to have an OOB population of AA kids from middle class homes who clearly cared enough about their children's education to seek out the next best middle school in DC. It has also been my observation that the largest demographic group at the highly regarded charters such as Latin and Basis are also middle class AA kids. Yet white IB families who shun Hardy will happily send their kids to Basis or Latin-------so it would seem that IB families are not shunning Hardy solely because of racial discomfort. My guess is that those parents believe that the administration and faculty culture at Basis and Latin are more receptive to parental input and less DCPS bureaucratic than Hardy, which is a regular DCPS school.

But that is just my guess.

My experience with Ward 3 parents is that they don't "happily" send their kids to Basis, Latin, or even Hardy -- kids go to those schools because it's the best their parents can do, considering the options. With respect to Latin, and even moreso Basis, the most common complaint is that those schools have too much homework, but the kids can't get in anywhere else with a kinder curriculum. These are parents that compare their options with the 'burbs and they take what they can get -- Basis, Latin, or even (ugh!) Hardy - because for one reason or another they are invested in D.C.

What every Ward 3 parent wants, who can't get into Deal, is Deal. Deal for All is what they want -- surprised? And, those who are in Deal, want better than Deal, too, but they mortgages don't let them pay for private. You shouldn't be surprised that Deal parents want better than Deal, either. These are the most self-impressed parents in the United States. At some point, we all gotta settle for what we can get. "What? Toby only went to Duke and not Williams?! He better be happy you settled for HIM!"

I think what is so intriguing about Hardy is that many IB parents see Hardy as potentially being so much better than it currently is. So they gripe. Back to the Hardy thread!

And the sad thing about most of these parents that are so desperate for Deal - and so displeased with Hardy - is that they have never set foot in Deal and have no first-hand experience at Deal to even know if it is all it cracked up to be. Similarly, even though they are unsatisfied with Hardy, they have never set foot in Hardy, have no first-hand experience with Hardy, and don't even know anybody who attends Hardy - all they know is the often-false and always exaggerated nonsense they read on this website. Hardy's real barrier isn't one of quality, but of perception.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who think that the IB parent population shuns Hardy because there are too many OOB (code for AA) kids---I think the reality is more complicated. Hardy appears to me--a high SES EOTP parent with kids at a charter---to have an OOB population of AA kids from middle class homes who clearly cared enough about their children's education to seek out the next best middle school in DC. It has also been my observation that the largest demographic group at the highly regarded charters such as Latin and Basis are also middle class AA kids. Yet white IB families who shun Hardy will happily send their kids to Basis or Latin-------so it would seem that IB families are not shunning Hardy solely because of racial discomfort. My guess is that those parents believe that the administration and faculty culture at Basis and Latin are more receptive to parental input and less DCPS bureaucratic than Hardy, which is a regular DCPS school.

But that is just my guess.

My experience with Ward 3 parents is that they don't "happily" send their kids to Basis, Latin, or even Hardy -- kids go to those schools because it's the best their parents can do, considering the options. With respect to Latin, and even moreso Basis, the most common complaint is that those schools have too much homework, but the kids can't get in anywhere else with a kinder curriculum. These are parents that compare their options with the 'burbs and they take what they can get -- Basis, Latin, or even (ugh!) Hardy - because for one reason or another they are invested in D.C.

What every Ward 3 parent wants, who can't get into Deal, is Deal. Deal for All is what they want -- surprised? And, those who are in Deal, want better than Deal, too, but they mortgages don't let them pay for private. You shouldn't be surprised that Deal parents want better than Deal, either. These are the most self-impressed parents in the United States. At some point, we all gotta settle for what we can get. "What? Toby only went to Duke and not Williams?! He better be happy you settled for HIM!"

I think what is so intriguing about Hardy is that many IB parents see Hardy as potentially being so much better than it currently is. So they gripe. Back to the Hardy thread!

I was not convinced that a large fee could buy me a better education that my kid is having at Hardy. It's not that I cannot afford GDS or WIS, which we did like and could have afforded. We were not convinced that it was going to be a good investment, that our kid was going to have a better social and academic experience at those schools than at Hardy. And we did not think that a $35,000/year investment to have the kid stay in a SES environment similar to her ES and to our status was a good one. If you have a frank and cozy conversation with parents from NW private schools you will hear that each school has its own issues.... The difference is that it is easier for me to be frank to myself and to others about areas for improvement at Hardy than is for other parents from my block who are paying $3,000/month for private education! I have no problem admitting that, while the 6th grade team was outstanding with non exceptions, I do not like one of the 7th grade teachers (poor communication; outdated teaching). Not a very big deal given that I am very happy with, for instance, math and English (the very politicized teacher mentioned above, yes, reading list focused on emargination and social issues but she works hard and makes them work hard) but there's definetly an area in 7th grade where we are demanding improvement and change.

We did not believe that our kid would be dragged down by the relatively larger number of students from lower performing ES. She is actually thriving and attends honors classes in the most important subjects, which are physically separated classes (not just more advanced homework as a troll was stating). Classes and team assignments are stimulating her creativity and teamwork capabilities, both crucial skills to succeed in the modern world... She has a nice relationship with most girls of her age, though I see that for hangouts and team projects she mainly picks mates from our same neighborhood... She tells us that there's troublemakers in the school, "you just don't care, we are not friends and they don't bother us" . But she has never felt intimidated. And by the way, talking about intimidation, if you have close friends at National Cathedral , try ask them about girl bullying...

So I am afraid money cannot buy me or you a smart kid, and the decision set and factors are much more complex than the mere $$$ argument you were presenting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who think that the IB parent population shuns Hardy because there are too many OOB (code for AA) kids---I think the reality is more complicated. Hardy appears to me--a high SES EOTP parent with kids at a charter---to have an OOB population of AA kids from middle class homes who clearly cared enough about their children's education to seek out the next best middle school in DC. It has also been my observation that the largest demographic group at the highly regarded charters such as Latin and Basis are also middle class AA kids. Yet white IB families who shun Hardy will happily send their kids to Basis or Latin-------so it would seem that IB families are not shunning Hardy solely because of racial discomfort. My guess is that those parents believe that the administration and faculty culture at Basis and Latin are more receptive to parental input and less DCPS bureaucratic than Hardy, which is a regular DCPS school.

But that is just my guess.

My experience with Ward 3 parents is that they don't "happily" send their kids to Basis, Latin, or even Hardy -- kids go to those schools because it's the best their parents can do, considering the options. With respect to Latin, and even moreso Basis, the most common complaint is that those schools have too much homework, but the kids can't get in anywhere else with a kinder curriculum. These are parents that compare their options with the 'burbs and they take what they can get -- Basis, Latin, or even (ugh!) Hardy - because for one reason or another they are invested in D.C.

What every Ward 3 parent wants, who can't get into Deal, is Deal. Deal for All is what they want -- surprised? And, those who are in Deal, want better than Deal, too, but they mortgages don't let them pay for private. You shouldn't be surprised that Deal parents want better than Deal, either. These are the most self-impressed parents in the United States. At some point, we all gotta settle for what we can get. "What? Toby only went to Duke and not Williams?! He better be happy you settled for HIM!"

I think what is so intriguing about Hardy is that many IB parents see Hardy as potentially being so much better than it currently is. So they gripe. Back to the Hardy thread!

And the sad thing about most of these parents that are so desperate for Deal - and so displeased with Hardy - is that they have never set foot in Deal and have no first-hand experience at Deal to even know if it is all it cracked up to be. Similarly, even though they are unsatisfied with Hardy, they have never set foot in Hardy, have no first-hand experience with Hardy, and don't even know anybody who attends Hardy - all they know is the often-false and always exaggerated nonsense they read on this website. Hardy's real barrier isn't one of quality, but of perception.

Perception, racism and social peer pressure. Plus the American myth that money can buy you everything, including a smart and successful kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who think that the IB parent population shuns Hardy because there are too many OOB (code for AA) kids---I think the reality is more complicated. Hardy appears to me--a high SES EOTP parent with kids at a charter---to have an OOB population of AA kids from middle class homes who clearly cared enough about their children's education to seek out the next best middle school in DC. It has also been my observation that the largest demographic group at the highly regarded charters such as Latin and Basis are also middle class AA kids. Yet white IB families who shun Hardy will happily send their kids to Basis or Latin-------so it would seem that IB families are not shunning Hardy solely because of racial discomfort. My guess is that those parents believe that the administration and faculty culture at Basis and Latin are more receptive to parental input and less DCPS bureaucratic than Hardy, which is a regular DCPS school.

But that is just my guess.

My experience with Ward 3 parents is that they don't "happily" send their kids to Basis, Latin, or even Hardy -- kids go to those schools because it's the best their parents can do, considering the options. With respect to Latin, and even moreso Basis, the most common complaint is that those schools have too much homework, but the kids can't get in anywhere else with a kinder curriculum. These are parents that compare their options with the 'burbs and they take what they can get -- Basis, Latin, or even (ugh!) Hardy - because for one reason or another they are invested in D.C.

What every Ward 3 parent wants, who can't get into Deal, is Deal. Deal for All is what they want -- surprised? And, those who are in Deal, want better than Deal, too, but they mortgages don't let them pay for private. You shouldn't be surprised that Deal parents want better than Deal, either. These are the most self-impressed parents in the United States. At some point, we all gotta settle for what we can get. "What? Toby only went to Duke and not Williams?! He better be happy you settled for HIM!"

I think what is so intriguing about Hardy is that many IB parents see Hardy as potentially being so much better than it currently is. So they gripe. Back to the Hardy thread!

What you're saying is that Hardy IB parents are just like all the other parents in DC who don't live in-boundary for Deal. Everybody settles.

[Anonymous]

Because brown kids. That's the only plausible explanation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who think that the IB parent population shuns Hardy because there are too many OOB (code for AA) kids---I think the reality is more complicated. Hardy appears to me--a high SES EOTP parent with kids at a charter---to have an OOB population of AA kids from middle class homes who clearly cared enough about their children's education to seek out the next best middle school in DC. It has also been my observation that the largest demographic group at the highly regarded charters such as Latin and Basis are also middle class AA kids. Yet white IB families who shun Hardy will happily send their kids to Basis or Latin-------so it would seem that IB families are not shunning Hardy solely because of racial discomfort. My guess is that those parents believe that the administration and faculty culture at Basis and Latin are more receptive to parental input and less DCPS bureaucratic than Hardy, which is a regular DCPS school.

But that is just my guess.

My experience with Ward 3 parents is that they don't "happily" send their kids to Basis, Latin, or even Hardy -- kids go to those schools because it's the best their parents can do, considering the options. With respect to Latin, and even moreso Basis, the most common complaint is that those schools have too much homework, but the kids can't get in anywhere else with a kinder curriculum. These are parents that compare their options with the 'burbs and they take what they can get -- Basis, Latin, or even (ugh!) Hardy - because for one reason or another they are invested in D.C.

What every Ward 3 parent wants, who can't get into Deal, is Deal. Deal for All is what they want -- surprised? And, those who are in Deal, want better than Deal, too, but they mortgages don't let them pay for private. You shouldn't be surprised that Deal parents want better than Deal, either. These are the most self-impressed parents in the United States. At some point, we all gotta settle for what we can get. "What? Toby only went to Duke and not Williams?! He better be happy you settled for HIM!"

I think what is so intriguing about Hardy is that many IB parents see Hardy as potentially being so much better than it currently is. So they gripe. Back to the Hardy thread!

"Settling for what we can get" is the surest way to perpetuate the status quo and acquiesce to the "soft bigotry of low expectations." This is the sorry legacy of failed urban leaders like Marion Barry and Coleman Young, whose cities decadess after their malfeasance are still struggling to improve schools and services to acceptable national norms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who think that the IB parent population shuns Hardy because there are too many OOB (code for AA) kids---I think the reality is more complicated. Hardy appears to me--a high SES EOTP parent with kids at a charter---to have an OOB population of AA kids from middle class homes who clearly cared enough about their children's education to seek out the next best middle school in DC. It has also been my observation that the largest demographic group at the highly regarded charters such as Latin and Basis are also middle class AA kids. Yet white IB families who shun Hardy will happily send their kids to Basis or Latin-------so it would seem that IB families are not shunning Hardy solely because of racial discomfort. My guess is that those parents believe that the administration and faculty culture at Basis and Latin are more receptive to parental input and less DCPS bureaucratic than Hardy, which is a regular DCPS school.

But that is just my guess.

My experience with Ward 3 parents is that they don't "happily" send their kids to Basis, Latin, or even Hardy -- kids go to those schools because it's the best their parents can do, considering the options. With respect to Latin, and even moreso Basis, the most common complaint is that those schools have too much homework, but the kids can't get in anywhere else with a kinder curriculum. These are parents that compare their options with the 'burbs and they take what they can get -- Basis, Latin, or even (ugh!) Hardy - because for one reason or another they are invested in D.C.

What every Ward 3 parent wants, who can't get into Deal, is Deal. Deal for All is what they want -- surprised? And, those who are in Deal, want better than Deal, too, but they mortgages don't let them pay for private. You shouldn't be surprised that Deal parents want better than Deal, either. These are the most self-impressed parents in the United States. At some point, we all gotta settle for what we can get. "What? Toby only went to Duke and not Williams?! He better be happy you settled for HIM!"

I think what is so intriguing about Hardy is that many IB parents see Hardy as potentially being so much better than it currently is. So they gripe. Back to the Hardy thread!

Beg to disagree re Basis. We have happily sent two STEM kids who are academically advanced and love math and science (our 5th grader is taking and loving Algebra I, meaning AP Calculus BC in 9th grade, our 8th grader is in the LEAP Chemistry class, meaning AP Chemistry in 9th grade.) We could not imagine a better environment for kids like ours in terms of their peers - yes a computer lab, wonderful site, etc, would be great, but what our kids are getting is being around kids with the same STEM orientation that they have, who are just as smart as they are, and these are kids who honestly come from such a diverse population it blows my mind. Some have been in foster care, some have been homeless, most are not white, and my kids are learning the lesson of an intellectual meritocracy the way MLK envisioned it in a way that they never really will once they get into one of the top colleges or universities, which, from Basis, they will. No worries, never considered Deal or Latin or Md or VA.

[Anonymous]

@ 20:08: not intending to convert a Hardy thread into a Basis thread (Basis as a keyword seems to be viral like that) but you did not seem to process what was written as a common critique of Basis; in fact, you are supporting the substance of the criticism. Not everyone wants STEM.

[Anonymous]

PS would never send our kids to private because they might feel poor. We are not poor. And we do not fear a school that, much like my former top ten law firm, is all about what you do once you get there, not where you came from. Extremely happy at Basis, and was despairing before they opened having looked at the entire DC metropolitan area, and having seriously investigated TJ, which sounded like a nightmare pressure cooker with subjective grading on projects where parents needed to be involved.

We are not involved with our kids homework or academics at Basis. It is not possible to be helicopter parents, and we would never think that would be good for our kids or for us. Seriously, I thank God every day that Basis opened a school here in 2012. Even the private schools here for our STEM kids do not come anywhere close to measuring up, and there is all the social bullshit and social climbing that goes along with attending these privates that we do not have the time or the patience to deal with.

Signed,
Ward 3 Family whose gratitude for Basis DC simply cannot be measured. Our kids come home happy, intellectually stimulated, academically challenged, and are doing most of it on their own. Very important lesson to be learned for the kids, for family harmony, and for life. The earlier the better. Thank God for Basis DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PS would never send our kids to private because they might feel poor. We are not poor. And we do not fear a school that, much like my former top ten law firm, is all about what you do once you get there, not where you came from. Extremely happy at Basis, and was despairing before they opened having looked at the entire DC metropolitan area, and having seriously investigated TJ, which sounded like a nightmare pressure cooker with subjective grading on projects where parents needed to be involved.

We are not involved with our kids homework or academics at Basis. It is not possible to be helicopter parents, and we would never think that would be good for our kids or for us. Seriously, I thank God every day that Basis opened a school here in 2012. Even the private schools here for our STEM kids do not come anywhere close to measuring up, and there is all the social bullshit and social climbing that goes along with attending these privates that we do not have the time or the patience to deal with.

Signed,
Ward 3 Family whose gratitude for Basis DC simply cannot be measured. Our kids come home happy, intellectually stimulated, academically challenged, and are doing most of it on their own. Very important lesson to be learned for the kids, for family harmony, and for life. The earlier the better. Thank God for Basis DC.

OK, yeah, Basis is great, STEM is awesome but not too much STEM unless you want "TJ," everyone gets where you're coming from. Now, back to Hardy...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:@ 20:08: not intending to convert a Hardy thread into a Basis thread (Basis as a keyword seems to be viral like that) but you did not seem to process what was written as a common critique of Basis; in fact, you are supporting the substance of the criticism. Not everyone wants STEM.

-

No disagree. The observation was that Ward 3 parents reluctantly send their kids to Basis because they cannot afford private or are dedicated to living in the city. We are neither. We have STEM kids, who want access to STEM offerings as soon as possible as opposed to waiting until high school, and we are for the most part completely happy with how happy Basis is making our STEM kids - by giving them the kind of intellectual stimulation they need starting in 5th grade rather than waiting until high school. Our kids know who they are and where they are going, any other kind of curriculum would have just been a constant source of frustration to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PS would never send our kids to private because they might feel poor. We are not poor. And we do not fear a school that, much like my former top ten law firm, is all about what you do once you get there, not where you came from. Extremely happy at Basis, and was despairing before they opened having looked at the entire DC metropolitan area, and having seriously investigated TJ, which sounded like a nightmare pressure cooker with subjective grading on projects where parents needed to be involved.

We are not involved with our kids homework or academics at Basis. It is not possible to be helicopter parents, and we would never think that would be good for our kids or for us. Seriously, I thank God every day that Basis opened a school here in 2012. Even the private schools here for our STEM kids do not come anywhere close to measuring up, and there is all the social bullshit and social climbing that goes along with attending these privates that we do not have the time or the patience to deal with.

Signed,
Ward 3 Family whose gratitude for Basis DC simply cannot be measured. Our kids come home happy, intellectually stimulated, academically challenged, and are doing most of it on their own. Very important lesson to be learned for the kids, for family harmony, and for life. The earlier the better. Thank God for Basis DC.

Is this a joke?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because brown kids. That's the only plausible explanation.

Lots of brown kids at Basis, Latin and Wilson, lots of Hardy IB kids too. Try again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who think that the IB parent population shuns Hardy because there are too many OOB (code for AA) kids---I think the reality is more complicated. Hardy appears to me--a high SES EOTP parent with kids at a charter---to have an OOB population of AA kids from middle class homes who clearly cared enough about their children's education to seek out the next best middle school in DC. It has also been my observation that the largest demographic group at the highly regarded charters such as Latin and Basis are also middle class AA kids. Yet white IB families who shun Hardy will happily send their kids to Basis or Latin-------so it would seem that IB families are not shunning Hardy solely because of racial discomfort. My guess is that those parents believe that the administration and faculty culture at Basis and Latin are more receptive to parental input and less DCPS bureaucratic than Hardy, which is a regular DCPS school.

But that is just my guess.

My experience with Ward 3 parents is that they don't "happily" send their kids to Basis, Latin, or even Hardy -- kids go to those schools because it's the best their parents can do, considering the options. With respect to Latin, and even moreso Basis, the most common complaint is that those schools have too much homework, but the kids can't get in anywhere else with a kinder curriculum. These are parents that compare their options with the 'burbs and they take what they can get -- Basis, Latin, or even (ugh!) Hardy - because for one reason or another they are invested in D.C.

What every Ward 3 parent wants, who can't get into Deal, is Deal. Deal for All is what they want -- surprised? And, those who are in Deal, want better than Deal, too, but they mortgages don't let them pay for private. You shouldn't be surprised that Deal parents want better than Deal, either. These are the most self-impressed parents in the United States. At some point, we all gotta settle for what we can get. "What? Toby only went to Duke and not Williams?! He better be happy you settled for HIM!"

I think what is so intriguing about Hardy is that many IB parents see Hardy as potentially being so much better than it currently is. So they gripe. Back to the Hardy thread!

I was not convinced that a large fee could buy me a better education that my kid is having at Hardy. It's not that I cannot afford GDS or WIS, which we did like and could have afforded. We were not convinced that it was going to be a good investment, that our kid was going to have a better social and academic experience at those schools than at Hardy. And we did not think that a $35,000/year investment to have the kid stay in a SES environment similar to her ES and to our status was a good one. If you have a frank and cozy conversation with parents from NW private schools you will hear that each school has its own issues.... The difference is that it is easier for me to be frank to myself and to others about areas for improvement at Hardy than is for other parents from my block who are paying $3,000/month for private education! I have no problem admitting that, while the 6th grade team was outstanding with non exceptions, I do not like one of the 7th grade teachers (poor communication; outdated teaching). Not a very big deal given that I am very happy with, for instance, math and English (the very politicized teacher mentioned above, yes, reading list focused on emargination and social issues but she works hard and makes them work hard) but there's definetly an area in 7th grade where we are demanding improvement and change.

We did not believe that our kid would be dragged down by the relatively larger number of students from lower performing ES. She is actually thriving and attends honors classes in the most important subjects, which are physically separated classes (not just more advanced homework as a troll was stating). Classes and team assignments are stimulating her creativity and teamwork capabilities, both crucial skills to succeed in the modern world... She has a nice relationship with most girls of her age, though I see that for hangouts and team projects she mainly picks mates from our same neighborhood... She tells us that there's troublemakers in the school, "you just don't care, we are not friends and they don't bother us" . But she has never felt intimidated. And by the way, talking about intimidation, if you have close friends at National Cathedral , try ask them about girl bullying...

So I am afraid money cannot buy me or you a smart kid, and the decision set and factors are much more complex than the mere $$$ argument you were presenting.

OP here, thanks for taking the time to share your Hardy experience and your thoughts around it. Very useful!