JKLM or HRCS??

[Anonymous]

If you could snap your fingers and send your kid to one, which choice would you make? And why?

[Anonymous]

What is the HR thingy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the HR thingy?

It's to differentiate the top tier or two tiers of all DC charter schools from the third tier and beyond.

It's also kind of dumb and unnecessary, because exactly NO one on the history of DCUM has ever started a thread seeking info about lower tier charters. Truly, do a search if you don't believe this. They could've simply continued on using the word "charter" but they had to get fancy and put on airs about a year ago.

[Anonymous]

Neither, there are several non-JKLM Public schools we'd love to attend though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the HR thingy?

It's to differentiate the top tier or two tiers of all DC charter schools from the third tier and beyond.

It's also kind of dumb and unnecessary, because exactly NO one on the history of DCUM has ever started a thread seeking info about lower tier charters. Truly, do a search if you don't believe this. They could've simply continued on using the word "charter" but they had to get fancy and put on airs about a year ago.

OK. But what charters are H,R, C and S?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the HR thingy?

It's to differentiate the top tier or two tiers of all DC charter schools from the third tier and beyond.

It's also kind of dumb and unnecessary, because exactly NO one on the history of DCUM has ever started a thread seeking info about lower tier charters. Truly, do a search if you don't believe this. They could've simply continued on using the word "charter" but they had to get fancy and put on airs about a year ago.

The term HRCS was JOKE! It is a riotously funny post from about a year or so ago. The whole idea was how silly it is to generalize about the great charters without context or even naming the school and about the absurd things people say in regards to charters solving the world's problems. As in, "I attended HRCS's open house and now I'm bilingual."

[Anonymous]

Wow. You full-time DCUMers are tiresome

[Anonymous]

OK. But what charters are H,R, C and S?

lol

[Anonymous]

I think it's meant to refer to highly rated charter schools or something like that.

[Anonymous]

OP, this seems more like musing rather than a real inquiry. If it is a real question: JKLM.

If you have reasonable access to a JKLM ES, the only reason to go charter is if you want language immersion or if you child has a specific and particular need that the charter, and not the JKLM, offers.

Why? JKLM's are comprehensive, provide a very solid well-rounded education, have great facilities, and playgrounds and room to run around. (Okay, one of the M's has lots of temporary units, but it does have an excellent playground. But, the other is beautiful and as state-of-the art as any private school in NOVA. And L's campus will be fabulous as soon as renovations are complete.) The principals at all of the JKLM's are excellent, the teachers are mostly very strong (and they get many of those strong teachers from charters, because the benefits and hours are so much better at DCPS schools!), the kids are great, the communities are supportive, and they all have well-organized, well-funded PTA's who can supplement the school in critical ways, like providing extra aides in classrooms, and providing extra curricular materials and professional development beyond what DCPS funds. All of these communities value project-based learning, and balk at teaching to the test.

If going to a JKLM over a charter involves moving or a terrible commute, that is another story, but all things being equal, JKLM seems like a no-brainer.

[Anonymous]

Neither

[Anonymous]

HRCS.

Here's why:
- JKLMs are 'traditional' schools while many of the HRCS's offer progressive models of education such as expeditionary learning, Montessori, etc.
- JKLMs are not socio-economically diverse because you have to have a lot of $$$ to live inbounds and secure a spot.
- As a result of the high premium to get into a JKLM, some of the kids at JKLMs are entitled and look down on those with less money.
- JKLMs are BIG schools -- your child will not feel like they know everyone at school as they might at a smaller charter.
- 2 out of 5 JKLMs badly need a renovation.
- Charters function more independently than traditional public schools, including teaching to the test less.

Signed,
Parent IB at a JKLM whose child attends an HRCS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Wow. You full-time DCUMers are tiresome

Then by all means please take a nap. And when you wake you might just appreciate the humor of asking a question about HRCS without any irony whatsoever. Sleep tight, my dear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HRCS.

Here's why:
- JKLMs are 'traditional' schools while many of the HRCS's offer progressive models of education such as expeditionary learning, Montessori, etc.
- JKLMs are not socio-economically diverse because you have to have a lot of $$$ to live inbounds and secure a spot.
- As a result of the high premium to get into a JKLM, some of the kids at JKLMs are entitled and look down on those with less money.
- JKLMs are BIG schools -- your child will not feel like they know everyone at school as they might at a smaller charter.
- 2 out of 5 JKLMs badly need a renovation.
- Charters function more independently than traditional public schools, including teaching to the test less.

Signed,
Parent IB at a JKLM whose child attends an HRCS

Has your child actually attended your JKLM?

My child's JKLM implements a progressive educational approach, does not teach to the test and has an extremely strong sense of community. I also take issue at the broad entitlement claims. These are public school kids. People live there for the schools and reasonable commute, there is no fancy lifestyle because, as is much discussed on DCUM, the premium is paid for the location, not the great housing stock. My kids envy the "mansions" in flyover country that relatives live in.

Are there really charters with better facilities than the JKLM's even without the renovations?

I don't take issue with your choice to send your child to a charter, I have neighbors that do the same for reasons I understand. But I would never make the statements you have made about the school my children attend except for the high cost of housing.

Here is the definition of progressive that I am using: any of various reformist educational philosophies and methodologies since the late 1800s, applied especially to elementary schools, that reject the rote recitation and strict discipline of traditional, single-classroom teaching, favoring instead more stimulation of the individual pupil as well as group discussion, more informality in the classroom, a broader curriculum, and use of laboratories, gymnasiums, kitchens, etc., in the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HRCS.

Here's why:
- JKLMs are 'traditional' schools while many of the HRCS's offer progressive models of education such as expeditionary learning, Montessori, etc.
- JKLMs are not socio-economically diverse because you have to have a lot of $$$ to live inbounds and secure a spot.
- As a result of the high premium to get into a JKLM, some of the kids at JKLMs are entitled and look down on those with less money.
- JKLMs are BIG schools -- your child will not feel like they know everyone at school as they might at a smaller charter.
- 2 out of 5 JKLMs badly need a renovation.
- Charters function more independently than traditional public schools, including teaching to the test less.

Signed,
Parent IB at a JKLM whose child attends an HRCS

Has your child actually attended your JKLM?

My child's JKLM implements a progressive educational approach, does not teach to the test and has an extremely strong sense of community. I also take issue at the broad entitlement claims. These are public school kids. People live there for the schools and reasonable commute, there is no fancy lifestyle because, as is much discussed on DCUM, the premium is paid for the location, not the great housing stock. My kids envy the "mansions" in flyover country that relatives live in.

Are there really charters with better facilities than the JKLM's even without the renovations?

I don't take issue with your choice to send your child to a charter, I have neighbors that do the same for reasons I understand. But I would never make the statements you have made about the school my children attend except for the high cost of housing.

Here is the definition of progressive that I am using: any of various reformist educational philosophies and methodologies since the late 1800s, applied especially to elementary schools, that reject the rote recitation and strict discipline of traditional, single-classroom teaching, favoring instead more stimulation of the individual pupil as well as group discussion, more informality in the classroom, a broader curriculum, and use of laboratories, gymnasiums, kitchens, etc., in the school.

No dog it fight, but yes there are quite a few charters that I can think of that have better facilities than the non-renovated JKLMs. ITS, MV, LAMB, Cap City, Latin, Haynes and Stokes all have good facilities. CMI looks very promising next year with great green space. Bridges new location as well.