Brent vs JKLM

[Anonymous]

Moving to dc this summer and love what I hear about Capitol Hill for a young family but then also think perhaps we should just move to NW to a JKLM school. Dd would be starting K. Any insight? Thanks

[Anonymous]

where will you be commuting to? that would make a huge difference for me. also, if J, Murch or other NW school, you get Deal and Wilson. Which even if you plan for private it is nice to have a back-up.

[Anonymous]

I would prefer the Hill in terms of neighborhood, but if you are buying and are planning on staying for middle and high schools, I would by west of Rock Creek Park (not necessarily JKLMM).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:where will you be commuting to? that would make a huge difference for me. also, if J, Murch or other NW school, you get Deal and Wilson. Which even if you plan for private it is nice to have a back-up.

Both of us would be working downtown dc. Farragut area.

[Anonymous]

I would do WOTP for long term reasons. Also, Cap Hill is too isolated for me. If like to have access to Bethesda, SS, and Downtown.

[Anonymous]

Brent has three K classes, each with experienced teachers. I would expect that classes will have 22-23 students at most, but there is a bit of a bubble in terms of the 30 or so families who were shut out of PK two years ago.

Brent has a dedicated science instructor, reading specialist, and BURST coach, and will be adding an specialist aide to assist teachers with classroom behavior issues. One potential issue is the ongoing debate about the future of the world language program, a topic which is being discussed tonite.

Overall, we have been very happy with Brent, but different families have different needs and expectations and YMMV. it is a relatively small and close it community in the midst of a vibrant, walkable neighborhood getting that is getting better and better. Don't expect to find too many real estate bargains as homes don't linger very long on the market.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Brent has three K classes, each with experienced teachers. I would expect that classes will have 22-23 students at most, but there is a bit of a bubble in terms of the 30 or so families who were shut out of PK two years ago.

Brent has a dedicated science instructor, reading specialist, and BURST coach, and will be adding an specialist aide to assist teachers with classroom behavior issues. One potential issue is the ongoing debate about the future of the world language program, a topic which is being discussed tonite.

Overall, we have been very happy with Brent, but different families have different needs and expectations and YMMV. it is a relatively small and close it community in the midst of a vibrant, walkable neighborhood getting that is getting better and better. Don't expect to find too many real estate bargains as homes don't linger very long on the market.

This is good insight, thanks. How are all K teachers? Equally strong?

[Anonymous]

How long to you plan to be in DC? We love the Hill with little kids, but are planning to move for middle school. If you don't mind moving, Brent is a good option for elementary. Given the population growth in DC, you can't really count on getting into a charter at 6th anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would do WOTP for long term reasons. Also, Cap Hill is too isolated for me. If like to have access to Bethesda, SS, and Downtown.

I have never heard of anyone thinking of Capitol Hill as isolated. We have Barracks Row and nearby H Street. You can walk to Nationals Park, SE Waterfront/Navy Yard and National Mall/Smithsonian Museums. Holiday concerts and occasional sledding on the Capitol Grounds. Child-friendly programs at the Library of Congress. Arts programs at CHAW. Ballet at St. Marks. Skating at Canal Park. Yards Splash fountain. Marine Barracks or concerts at Yards Park on summer evenings. Sports on the Hill. Capitol Hill Little League. Bike to the Pirate Ship in Anacostis Park. Fort Dupont or Ballston for year-round indoor ice skating. Shopping at Eastern Market or nearby Union Market. Winter days at tbe Botanic Garden. Short drive to the National Arboretum and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

Downtown in less than 15 minutes by Blue/Orange/Silver Line. Ten minutes by car to National Airport or Pentagon City Mall. Three Target stores within a 15 minute drive, if you don't take advantage of delivery services like Instacart. We seldom leave the Hill and couldn't think of a good reason to drive to Silver Spring or Bethesda. To each her own I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brent has three K classes, each with experienced teachers. I would expect that classes will have 22-23 students at most, but there is a bit of a bubble in terms of the 30 or so families who were shut out of PK two years ago.

Brent has a dedicated science instructor, reading specialist, and BURST coach, and will be adding an specialist aide to assist teachers with classroom behavior issues. One potential issue is the ongoing debate about the future of the world language program, a topic which is being discussed tonite.

Overall, we have been very happy with Brent, but different families have different needs and expectations and YMMV. it is a relatively small and close it community in the midst of a vibrant, walkable neighborhood getting that is getting better and better. Don't expect to find too many real estate bargains as homes don't linger very long on the market.

This is good insight, thanks. How are all K teachers? Equally strong?

I think each has a lot to offer. Not surprisingly, they differ, with two generally perceived as being more old school. My take away is that some parents favor one approach over another, but the kiddos will flourish under any of the three teachers. You can expect focus on the development of reading and writing skills. Homework is not an expectation until First or Second Grade. You should also be aware that Brent puts very little emphasis on standardized testing and your DD should not be exposed to anything more than basic assessments.-- no high-stakes test prep mentality.

[Anonymous]

BTW, since you asked about Brent specifically, I did not bother to venture into the middle school morass, which is the subject of any number of threads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:where will you be commuting to? that would make a huge difference for me. also, if J, Murch or other NW school, you get Deal and Wilson. Which even if you plan for private it is nice to have a back-up.

Both of us would be working downtown dc. Farragut area.

Redline would be perfect OP. I would strongly consider living walking to metro in deal-wilson feeder area, you won't be sorry!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would do WOTP for long term reasons. Also, Cap Hill is too isolated for me. If like to have access to Bethesda, SS, and Downtown.

I have never heard of anyone thinking of Capitol Hill as isolated. We have Barracks Row and nearby H Street. You can walk to Nationals Park, SE Waterfront/Navy Yard and National Mall/Smithsonian Museums. Holiday concerts and occasional sledding on the Capitol Grounds. Child-friendly programs at the Library of Congress. Arts programs at CHAW. Ballet at St. Marks. Skating at Canal Park. Yards Splash fountain. Marine Barracks or concerts at Yards Park on summer evenings. Sports on the Hill. Capitol Hill Little League. Bike to the Pirate Ship in Anacostis Park. Fort Dupont or Ballston for year-round indoor ice skating. Shopping at Eastern Market or nearby Union Market. Winter days at tbe Botanic Garden. Short drive to the National Arboretum and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

Downtown in less than 15 minutes by Blue/Orange/Silver Line. Ten minutes by car to National Airport or Pentagon City Mall. Three Target stores within a 15 minute drive, if you don't take advantage of delivery services like Instacart. We seldom leave the Hill and couldn't think of a good reason to drive to Silver Spring or Bethesda. To each her own I guess.

Agree. Capitol Hill is closer to downtown, so that's silly, and thankfully we have no need to get to Bethesda or Silver Spring. Why would you? If you don't work there or live close by, those are not destinations. The Capitol Hill is isolated argument is oft-repeated on this site and it really shows a lack of knowledge about DC and the Hill in particular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:where will you be commuting to? that would make a huge difference for me. also, if J, Murch or other NW school, you get Deal and Wilson. Which even if you plan for private it is nice to have a back-up.

Both of us would be working downtown dc. Farragut area.

Redline would be perfect OP. I would strongly consider living walking to metro in deal-wilson feeder area, you won't be sorry!

I, on the other hand, would recommend living on the Orange or blue lines. Capitol South or Eastern Market. Capitol Hill is friendlier, closer knit, and a more vibrant neighborhood right now than the JKLM areas. Brent is excellent.

The red line/NW snobbery of years past is outdated. You'll love Capitol Hill.

[Anonymous]

But the no middle or high school options argument carries real weight. And a 10-15 minute ride on the redline to downtown makes it just as close to downtown as Capitol Hill.