How to replicate Ross's success?

[Anonymous]

I noticed on schooldigger.com this set of rankings. http://www.schooldigger.com/go/DC/schoolrank.aspx

Looks like Ross is really doing well. Any insight into how they're doing it that could be replicated in other schools?

Well done, Ross!

[Anonymous]

You just need families who can afford to live near DuPont Circle. Easy.

[Anonymous]

A lot of it is demographic shift. Hard to replicate. But the most notable achievement is the lack of a performance gap across race and income groups. Everyone is doing well. It's fucking lack wobegon in Dupont Circle.

[Anonymous]

You have to be pretty wealthy (or not saving) to even live in an apartment with two kids for Ross. also, they are stuck with no middle school so kids start leaving at 4th like on the hill to private or charter, etc. not a sure route my any means.

[Anonymous]

Just sit back and let you high density neighborhood (with lots of offices and retail nearby) gentrify.

[Anonymous]

OP, is there a school you are hoping to improve?

[Anonymous]

Also keep in mind that when Ross improved there were fewer charter options. Now schools like Garrison and Seaton lose more kids to charters than Ross likely did back when it's scores were starting to improve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to be pretty wealthy (or not saving) to even live in an apartment with two kids for Ross. also, they are stuck with no middle school so kids start leaving at 4th like on the hill to private or charter, etc. not a sure route my any means.

If that's really the case they are still doing well in testing for 4th and 5th grade. Also agree it's not just about $$ as ALL the kids are doing well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to be pretty wealthy (or not saving) to even live in an apartment with two kids for Ross. also, they are stuck with no middle school so kids start leaving at 4th like on the hill to private or charter, etc. not a sure route my any means.

If that's really the case they are still doing well in testing for 4th and 5th grade. Also agree it's not just about $$ as ALL the kids are doing well.

But aren't the numbers of students remaining very small? Like one small fifth grade class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to be pretty wealthy (or not saving) to even live in an apartment with two kids for Ross. also, they are stuck with no middle school so kids start leaving at 4th like on the hill to private or charter, etc. not a sure route my any means.

If that's really the case they are still doing well in testing for 4th and 5th grade. Also agree it's not just about $$ as ALL the kids are doing well.

But aren't the numbers of students remaining very small? Like one small fifth grade class?

Yes in some years it has been just a handful of 4th and 5th graders. I think they're considering consolidating these grades into a single classroom (the school only has room for ~150 students or 1 classroom per grade).

[Anonymous]

So, the middle school problem again

[Anonymous]

Yup. Now that the city has deferred reopening Shaw indefinitely it seems, it is not clear that they will ever get that path. It is really too bad. Could have helped not only Ross but several other elementary schools by giving folks more of a reason to invest in their local school.

[Anonymous]

In the meantime Ross has a feed to Walls@FS for middle school. That seems to be something more parents are willing to consider.

[Anonymous]

I think parents consider it for pk...

[Anonymous]

Give it time. The middle school filled up for the first time last year and has a lot of kids from the Hill and even some privates. It seems like the appeal of a great HS is like moths to a flame.