Highly regarded charter schools - name them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a little perspective on CMI's test scores would be helpful.

When CMI started, the current 5th-7th grades had only one class each with 13-15 kids. 7th grade expanded last year to add a second class and 5th and 6th grades added a second class this year. Class sizes also increased at CMI last year to 20 kids per class. Therefore, the majority of 5th-7th graders are brand new to CMI. I wouldn't really expect great test scores under those circumstances.

For me, it's the current 3rd and 4th graders who will provide a better picture of how things are going at CMI. These are the first grades that started in ECE and the first grades that started with two classes each. 3rd grade will test for the first time this year so we'll see how that goes, but last year's 3rd grade (current 4th grade) did pretty well on the PARCC. Looking at the combined Math and ELA scores for 3rd grade charters, only three charters (all KIPPs) scored better than CMI. There's a lot of chatter on this board about CMI's low test scores, but if last year is any indication, scores are on the upswing.

But almost 25% of last years 3rd grade left the school. That's huge.

[Anonymous]

For me, it's the current 3rd and 4th graders who will provide a better picture of how things are going at CMI. These are the first grades that started in ECE and the first grades that started with two classes each. 3rd grade will test for the first time this year so we'll see how that goes, but last year's 3rd grade (current 4th grade) did pretty well on the PARCC. Looking at the combined Math and ELA scores for 3rd grade charters, only three charters (all KIPPs) scored better than CMI. There's a lot of chatter on this board about CMI's low test scores, but if last year is any indication, scores are on the upswing.

But almost 25% of last years 3rd grade left the school. That's huge.

Sure it is, but considering all the issues 3rd grade had last year, it's actually a positive thing that more than 75% of the class even chose to came back. And 4th grade is off to a great start, but even so there will still be a bunch of families who won't come back for 5th or 6th because middle school is not considered a viable option for many right now. That's the nature of the beast when you're a founding family of a new school -- there is always attrition in upper grades as the school works out the kinks and goes through its growing pains.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

For me, it's the current 3rd and 4th graders who will provide a better picture of how things are going at CMI. These are the first grades that started in ECE and the first grades that started with two classes each. 3rd grade will test for the first time this year so we'll see how that goes, but last year's 3rd grade (current 4th grade) did pretty well on the PARCC. Looking at the combined Math and ELA scores for 3rd grade charters, only three charters (all KIPPs) scored better than CMI. There's a lot of chatter on this board about CMI's low test scores, but if last year is any indication, scores are on the upswing.

But almost 25% of last years 3rd grade left the school. That's huge.

Sure it is, but considering all the issues 3rd grade had last year, it's actually a positive thing that more than 75% of the class even chose to came back. And 4th grade is off to a great start, but even so there will still be a bunch of families who won't come back for 5th or 6th because middle school is not considered a viable option for many right now. That's the nature of the beast when you're a founding family of a new school -- there is always attrition in upper grades as the school works out the kinks and goes through its growing pains.

So they started a middle school before they'd truly mastered elementary, and people are bailing anyway.

Great plan!

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:OP here, that thread is hilarious! (Still want to know what the favorites are - any help?)

Perennial favorites seem to be:

LAMB
YY
MV
Stokes
Lee Montessori
Inspired Teaching
Two Rivers - both campuses
Washington Latin

However, each of these has a cadre of detractors and the favorites shift from year to year. With a couple of exceptions, these are the schools with the highest percentage of white students / lowest percentage of at-risk kids.

I would add Creative Minds.

signed,
CMI parent

That place is a sinking ship, key leadership is heading out the door.

What does this mean? Is there actually reality to this comment or a troll?

A couple positions were announced to leave today- the head of school culture and the middle school director. My kid is in an early grade and I don't feel like that will affect me, but we will see.

FWIW, we love the school and are so glad to be there. I'm not sure how we will feel when it gets to late elementary/middle school time for our kids, but for now, we couldn't ask for a better school. My kid had some special needs and the school has been beyond supportive (I.e. Suggesting extra in-school therapies and then implementing those suggestions). The staff is really loving and teaches to the individual kid.

Isn't the middle school director the much lauded Garrison principal? Oif. Middle school options for those of us EOTP are depressing.

I have heard mixed reviews from Garrison parents. But in my family's experience at CMI, we are close with a middle school teacher there and this teacher believed that he was nothing but a great asset and supporter of the staff.

Leaving after one month? Wow.

I take it as sign of things to come that a lot of founding families left after last year. The 2nd Grade and 4th Grade specifically seemed to have had large turnover.

Unfortunately I think you are correct. The old middle school director departed in June, now this? Two middle school directors leaving in the span of 4 months? I think the leadership is in over their heads. I would not be surprised to see more departures throughout the school year.

Didn't they have the Director of student culture leave as well?

[Anonymous]

So they started a middle school before they'd truly mastered elementary, and people are bailing anyway.

Great plan!

I think you misunderstood my point. At ANY charter that goes through an expansion, you'll find people leaving in the upper grades no matter how happy (or unhappy) they are because they are looking for a solid, proven middle school. I do think with each year that passes, the school will continue to work out the kinks in upper elementary and middle and more people will remain at CMI in the older grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For me, it's the current 3rd and 4th graders who will provide a better picture of how things are going at CMI. These are the first grades that started in ECE and the first grades that started with two classes each. 3rd grade will test for the first time this year so we'll see how that goes, but last year's 3rd grade (current 4th grade) did pretty well on the PARCC. Looking at the combined Math and ELA scores for 3rd grade charters, only three charters (all KIPPs) scored better than CMI. There's a lot of chatter on this board about CMI's low test scores, but if last year is any indication, scores are on the upswing.

But almost 25% of last years 3rd grade left the school. That's huge.

Sure it is, but considering all the issues 3rd grade had last year, it's actually a positive thing that more than 75% of the class even chose to came back. And 4th grade is off to a great start, but even so there will still be a bunch of families who won't come back for 5th or 6th because middle school is not considered a viable option for many right now. That's the nature of the beast when you're a founding family of a new school -- there is always attrition in upper grades as the school works out the kinks and goes through its growing pains.

So they started a middle school before they'd truly mastered elementary, and people are bailing anyway.

Great plan!

What are these amazing schools people are bailing to for 5th grade that have so much space available?

[Anonymous]

In bound DCPS, Washington Latin, Basis, private

[Anonymous]

In bound DCPS, Washington Latin, Basis, private

+1

And also moving to VA or MD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a previous poster said, DCUM people favor schools that are as white as possible and with as few low-income students as possible. Look for those demographics and you will have your list of schools that DCUM considers the best. DCUMers sticks to this even when it becomes clear that the school is all smoke and mirrors.

Couldn't have said it better.

[Anonymous]

My black friend chose a charter that is majority white. I'm white and chose a charter that is majority black. We were looking for different things in a school so your assumption doesn't hold water, pp.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:They really shouldn't have expanded to middle school. They had a pretty good thing going with ECE and elementary.

Middle school is a whole other ball game.

+1

as long as it doesn't impact the elementary, no harm done.

Plenty of harm done by having poor performing upper grades..

Low PARCC scores and student retention rates are important elements of the PCSB Tier rating.

Tier ratings may not mean much to ECE parents, but it hurts schools financially. Private donors have been intrigued by CMI's model, but won't invest if the results aren't there.

I thought PCSB tier ratings went away and there will be new ratings this year, citywide?

The inputs will be essentially the same in the new system; it's a much bigger change for DCPS than charters. Rather than 1, 2, 3 there will now be 5 levels and DCPS and charters will be compared.

The challenges CMI is having with test scores (even controlling for students with SN) and retention won't go away.

I predict the data will show that "HRCSs" are no better than middling DCPS.

I also predict people will ignore that data and focus on whiteness.

I predict the very many of us without access to a middling DCPS, will, indeed choose a charter that gives us what our far below middling IB school won't.

[Anonymous]

The new ESSA report cards won't come out until SY 2018-19.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a previous poster said, DCUM people favor schools that are as white as possible and with as few low-income students as possible. Look for those demographics and you will have your list of schools that DCUM considers the best. DCUMers sticks to this even when it becomes clear that the school is all smoke and mirrors.

This could not be further from the truth. I am a black mom and I chose one of these charters because I love the philosophy of the school. I love that my son is taught how to critically think rather that prepare for various tests. I detest when people continue to make these simplistic statements.

That's called Kool aid. Tastes great, huh?
Like a school called green world in the middle of urban blight.

Look - we found the bitter hate-filled shrew!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a previous poster said, DCUM people favor schools that are as white as possible and with as few low-income students as possible. Look for those demographics and you will have your list of schools that DCUM considers the best. DCUMers sticks to this even when it becomes clear that the school is all smoke and mirrors.

This could not be further from the truth. I am a black mom and I chose one of these charters because I love the philosophy of the school. I love that my son is taught how to critically think rather that prepare for various tests. I detest when people continue to make these simplistic statements.

That's called Kool aid. Tastes great, huh?
Like a school called green world in the middle of urban blight.

Look - we found the bitter hate-filled shrew!

Oh there are many.

I too take issue with this blanket, people only want white rich charters. I know nobody who put that down on their spreadsheets in which they assessed each charter in detail. I'm not saying it doesn't play out that way sometimes, but actually performance is high as is school culture like the black mom above mentioned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a previous poster said, DCUM people favor schools that are as white as possible and with as few low-income students as possible. Look for those demographics and you will have your list of schools that DCUM considers the best. DCUMers sticks to this even when it becomes clear that the school is all smoke and mirrors.

This could not be further from the truth. I am a black mom and I chose one of these charters because I love the philosophy of the school. I love that my son is taught how to critically think rather that prepare for various tests. I detest when people continue to make these simplistic statements.

You must be a BASIS parent, the school with a huge white population and under 30% FARMS