How to replicate Ross's success?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, Ross was turned around nearly 10 years ago through parents like Mary Siddal. She also brought BASIS to DC. She do these things by all by herself, but her examples show the Herculean efforts needed to create a sustainable "success." It's much more than "investing" in your local school.

Interestingly, Mary and many others in this group were OOB parents.

[Anonymous]

14:00--um exCUSE me. Maureen Diner and Noreen Oconnor turned Ross around! When DC Gov and others wanted to sell that real estate in 2003 Mary was in Egypt emailing Maureen to get her a spot for her kids (OOB). Mary was also part of the effort --with Maureen and Noreen- to get Ross on board as a bilingual-Spanish English prototype. She got all starry eyed for Rhee until she ditched Ross for BASIS. Before Mary jumped ship for the Rhee wagon, she made sure Ross wd not have excellent options for MS or HS feeders for YOUR kids -- it was about hers. Yup that is right. U Ross families could have had the feeder right to Oyster Adams the. On to Wilson from grades 4 to 8, had charter boosters like Mary not stood in the way. Had the early proposal worked between Ross and Oyster, Ross Wd have fed to Oyster Adams up the street thru 8, Mary ditched Ross for BASIS burning bridges n her wake.bshe was assisted by Ximena Hartsock and other Rhee worshipers in leaving Ross--once again--without options and therefore vulnerable for closure unless all get on board for the next school of right.

[Anonymous]

PP here, sorry, typo meant to type "Mary did NOT do this by herself." My mistake. I knew there were others, but did not know their names.

[Anonymous]

Mary did BASIS. As for Ross she stomped all over it for her own agenda. Just sayin'

[Anonymous]

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/cover/2006/cover0616.html

Article from 2006 on the early struggled around gentrification at Ross.

[Anonymous]

My child attends Ross. Her class is not filled with rich kids, not by a long shot. We are definitely not rich, nor are the families we are closer to. Lots living in small apartments or condos purchased pre-kids in the neighborhood, or some out of boundary. Teachers and principal expect the kids to work hard, and they find ways to help each kid do their best. Parents are on board with this and willing to pitch in and help the school as they are able. It's a small community and people care. The teachers and principal know everyone by name.

No, no school is perfect. But in our opinion the school and the parent community are getting a lot of things right.

Yes, middle school is a problem. For a few years now quite a few have gone to BASIS. Some are trying SWW-FS. Those a few years out are keeping an eye on all options. Most of us cannot afford private school and hope to make a public or charter option work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are people who live in small apartments. ! bed/den for less than $2000 in Dupont Circle.

Do these people have kids in a 1 bedroom apt? No.

[Anonymous]

There are people who live in small apartments. ! bed/den for less than $2000 in Dupont Circle.

Do these people have kids in a 1 bedroom apt? No.

Some do (single parent families). And 1 bedroom+den families are common.

[Anonymous]

Our child attends Ross, and we are certainly not wealthy. We were lucky enough to buy a small condo pre-kids, when the prices were lower. We know plenty of Ross families in a similar situation, and the difference between Ross families and many other DC folks I have encountered is that we are city people who don't mind living in small spaces since we appreciate being close to everything. Many families we know at Ross do not own cars.

In terms of middle schools, we are hopeful that SWWFS will improve enough to make it a reasonable option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There are people who live in small apartments. ! bed/den for less than $2000 in Dupont Circle.

Do these people have kids in a 1 bedroom apt? No.

Some do (single parent families). And 1 bedroom+den families are common.

At the Ross Open House, one teacher told me that during home visits she saw several families who had their kids sleep in walk-in closets converted to "bedrooms!" Truth is there are very few apts (except very $$$ houses) IB for Ross with more than 2 bedrooms. Many of us are comfortable in a 1BD with a kid. Remember in many places in the world, multiple generations of 10+ people live in the same size spaces that Americans live in. It's a matter of culture / what you're used to.

[Anonymous]

Problem with those closets and dens (and many basements) is inadequate fire egress. There has to be a window or door to allow you to get out in a fire that is not the same door you walked in through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our child attends Ross, and we are certainly not wealthy. We were lucky enough to buy a small condo pre-kids, when the prices were lower. We know plenty of Ross families in a similar situation, and the difference between Ross families and many other DC folks I have encountered is that we are city people who don't mind living in small spaces since we appreciate being close to everything. Many families we know at Ross do not own cars.

In terms of middle schools, we are hopeful that SWWFS will improve enough to make it a reasonable option.

Another Ross parent & I agree with this.

[Anonymous]

Everyone at Ross needs to get behind the FrancisSWW option and quit leaving for charters -- you can bet your money that FS/SWW will flourish. BASIS has no programs outside of academics that can/will compare to what can be organized on that green space at Francis, not to mention the pool.

[Anonymous]

We are at Seaton and have our eye on FS/SWW for middle school too. Really think that will flourish soon and be a great option.

[Anonymous]

But do you Ross families plan to have your 10 yo in the closet? I don't really get this past K.