S/o next great white hope: Breakthrough Montessori

[Anonymous]

The 2014 crop didn't have much for the woe-is-me-"I live in the District but can't educate my kids with those of my neighbors but man I better not pay tuition" crowd. Washington Global, once promising to set up shop in underprivileged territory finds a home at L'Enfant Plaza and looks more a place to send your kid after Brent than anything.

The 2015 crop promises a breakthrough with Breakthrough Montessori, for whom the primary breakthrough will be the realization by some parents newly trying to figure out the lottery that as a new school it's not likely to be nearly full of children of "longtime DC residents." The rest of the school offerings appear to be oriented to whoever lives in "Wards 7 and 8." (Srsly, who are those people?)

Suddenly it will break on to everyone's lists in Wards 1, 4, and 5 and we will all avow a deep and abiding interest in a fully implemented model Montessori school, ranking it right behind dual language and environmental protection and artsy creativity as must-haves for a child's education, never mind whatever the kid watches on the iPad at home. Just you watch.

Here's a breakthrough: how about no more schools with themes that that are a fig leaf for avoidance of DCPS and some uplift and integration through community participation instead?

[Anonymous]

Are you super bored, particularly in the mood to stir the pot, or just really anxious about lottery results and without a good outlet?

[Anonymous]

They claim to want to serve low income kids, but their recruitment plan is very light on details about how they would do that. I'm unconvinced.

[Anonymous]

OP is spot on and a good anthropologist.

-- longtime DC resident-transplant and amused observer of the new group of young parents

[Anonymous]

Wow. You're very mean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They claim to want to serve low income kids, but their recruitment plan is very light on details about how they would do that. I'm unconvinced.

At some point, the enthusiastic founders will come to realize what many of us have already figured out: Even exceptional teaching stands little chance against mediocre parenting.

[Anonymous]

I love you, op.

-signed, mediocre parent

[Anonymous]

I see nothing wrong with providing a place for people to send their kids after brent and avoid the dismal ward 6 middle schools. If you're inbounds for Brent, you will just pay for private school.

[Anonymous]

Or move. I'd rather not lose a high taxing paying dc citizen to moco or Virginia. And the privates by the Hill are ok, but imho not worth the price tag. Most parents I've met from the Hill have tended to be really involved too. Better that they put their kids in a great charter than move!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love you, op.

-signed, mediocre parent

Please. You're on DCUM following and engaging in a debate on public education. Hardly the behavior of a mediocre parent.

[Anonymous]

Resurrecting this thread. I bet OP is 100% right given Breakthrough's location in Petworth. Still, here's hoping to the school's success for every child it educates, even those of "mediocre" parents such as myself.

[Anonymous]

OP may be right about Breakthrough.

I think she is wrong about what's going on at Washington Global.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The 2014 crop didn't have much for the woe-is-me-"I live in the District but can't educate my kids with those of my neighbors but man I better not pay tuition" crowd. Washington Global, once promising to set up shop in underprivileged territory finds a home at L'Enfant Plaza and looks more a place to send your kid after Brent than anything.

The 2015 crop promises a breakthrough with Breakthrough Montessori, for whom the primary breakthrough will be the realization by some parents newly trying to figure out the lottery that as a new school it's not likely to be nearly full of children of "longtime DC residents." The rest of the school offerings appear to be oriented to whoever lives in "Wards 7 and 8." (Srsly, who are those people?)

Suddenly it will break on to everyone's lists in Wards 1, 4, and 5 and we will all avow a deep and abiding interest in a fully implemented model Montessori school, ranking it right behind dual language and environmental protection and artsy creativity as must-haves for a child's education, never mind whatever the kid watches on the iPad at home. Just you watch.

Here's a breakthrough: how about no more schools with themes that that are a fig leaf for avoidance of DCPS and some uplift and integration through community participation instead?

Where do your kids go to school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP is spot on and a good anthropologist.

-- longtime DC resident-transplant and amused observer of the new group of young parents

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Resurrecting this thread. I bet OP is 100% right given Breakthrough's location in Petworth. Still, here's hoping to the school's success for every child it educates, even those of "mediocre" parents such as myself.

It is an effective way at increasing market share. Put the product near the people who want it.