West Elementary and feeder question

[Anonymous]

We are looking at buying a house in 16th Street Heights that will be zoned for West in the 2016-2017 school year (its currently zoned something different). However, for middle school its showing zoned for Truesdale and Deal for 2016. I won't have kids in school until 2017, so assuming the boundaries don't change, would my kids have a choice to stay at West, go to Deal or to Truesdale? I was under the impression that once you were in a school you could stay at that school, but am a little confused.

Also - any experiences/impressions of West for elementary are also welcome.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:We are looking at buying a house in 16th Street Heights that will be zoned for West in the 2016-2017 school year (its currently zoned something different). However, for middle school its showing zoned for Truesdale and Deal for 2016. I won't have kids in school until 2017, so assuming the boundaries don't change, would my kids have a choice to stay at West, go to Deal or to Truesdale? I was under the impression that once you were in a school you could stay at that school, but am a little confused.

Also - any experiences/impressions of West for elementary are also welcome.

I am fairly certain that the boundary change will occur a year earlier than that (meaning this coming school year). At that time, West will become your feeder middle school because it currently has middle school grades. However, there are two caveats: 1) some addresses inbounds for West are grandfathered to Deal until 2022; and 2) a new middle school is planned for MacFarland and scheduled to open in 2018. Once that happens, West will revert to elementary-only and the new middle school will be your feeder.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you'll be zoned for the new middle school, or have the option of Deal if the grandfathering is still in place, which should be 2022 or later. I am curious about areas zoned for Truesdell that got added to the Deal boundary... I didn't think anything got added.

As for West, we've been really happy there for a few years now, and we like what we've seen from the elementary grades. Even the middle grades seem reasonable, albeit small, but those are going away.

There is a new principal, so we'll see what that looks like for next year. Keep an eye out for the meet and greets - I think I just saw an email about several coming up over the summer.

[Anonymous]

Looking up some of the addresses for sale in that area produces weird results on EBIS... like elementary switching from Truesdell to West, but middle school staying at Truesdell. That can't be right. You may want to call DCPS to find out if there's an error (likely in your favor).

[Anonymous]

I don't know if all of the listings have caught up with the new changes. We are now inbound for West (previously Truesdale) and sometimes we still come up as Truesdale.

[Anonymous]

I would strongly advise you to visit the schools first before making a final decision. For one thing West is in desperate need of renovations that keep getting pushed back. If your child has respiratory issues (Asthma or severe allergies) this should be a consideration. Also the teacher turnover rate at West is notorious. For some people it doesn't matter but for others who are concerned about a strong sense of community it might be a factor.

Once your child is in a school it is my understanding that you can stay in that school a long as you live in D.C. After the new middle school opens the E.C.s will be converted to E.C.s only. Students will feed into their zoned schools unless you can get grandfathered in or receive O.B. exceptions.

I also would not take current test scores into account for two reasons. First the PARCC was used for the first time this year while previous test scores were based on the DC CAS. Also West will be under the leadership of a new (fairly inexperienced) principal who doesn't have a strong record of success behind her. Truesdell has the same leadership team in place but they are no prize either. You would be gambling unless you have other options like the possibility of paying for private or playing the OOB lottery.

[Anonymous]

Correction, I meant to say the EC will will be converted to an ES K-5 campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would strongly advise you to visit the schools first before making a final decision. For one thing West is in desperate need of renovations that keep getting pushed back. If your child has respiratory issues (Asthma or severe allergies) this should be a consideration. Also the teacher turnover rate at West is notorious. For some people it doesn't matter but for others who are concerned about a strong sense of community it might be a factor.

Once your child is in a school it is my understanding that you can stay in that school a long as you live in D.C. After the new middle school opens the E.C.s will be converted to E.C.s only. Students will feed into their zoned schools unless you can get grandfathered in or receive O.B. exceptions.

I also would not take current test scores into account for two reasons. First the PARCC was used for the first time this year while previous test scores were based on the DC CAS. Also West will be under the leadership of a new (fairly inexperienced) principal who doesn't have a strong record of success behind her. Truesdell has the same leadership team in place but they are no prize either. You would be gambling unless you have other options like the possibility of paying for private or playing the OOB lottery.

Actually if you get into a school because of In-Boundary matter-of-right and then move, you forfeit your spot at the end of the year (presumably at low-demand schools you could just re-apply as OOB and get right back in).

[Anonymous]

Wow, 19:40 - your description of the school is not at all what I saw there. When was the last time you set foot in the building? I get the need for renovation, but asthma concern?? I think you're just making stuff up now.

[Anonymous]

Fine PP. I'll bite. What did you see when you were there?

[Anonymous]

Oh, you again. Hi troll.

[Anonymous]

As I was saying to the O.P. take a look good look around before you decide and take into account any factors that might impact your child including health issues. As a result of the school not being renovated the technology is also very outdated. No Smartboards in the classroom and a few outdated desktops. There is a computer lab but no dedicated technology teacher. There are iPads and it is my understanding that they will be ordering more next year.

[JoshH]

Anonymous wrote:As I was saying to the O.P. take a look good look around before you decide and take into account any factors that might impact your child including health issues. As a result of the school not being renovated the technology is also very outdated. No Smartboards in the classroom and a few outdated desktops. There is a computer lab but no dedicated technology teacher. There are iPads and it is my understanding that they will be ordering more next year.

I agree that the lack of renovation is impeding some of the technology improvements, but they are working it into the classroom. To toot our own horns, the parents ran a tree sale last December (with lots of great participation from the community) and bought a load of laptops (about 20, I think) that are being used throughout the school.
I'd love to have a dedicated technology teacher, but the school is just making strides hiring a music teacher, which I think we're all excited about. I know there's been some coding taught, including participation in the Hour of Code with help from Christopher Alexander (of NW Saturday Academy fame). There are also a number of kids working on robotics projects. We cleaned up against other DC schools at a Navy competition with underwater robots that the students built.

I'm not sure what you're referring to regarding health issues. Our biggest issue with deferred renovation is the lack of walls between classrooms, but if you see the classes in session, the teachers (and credit to the kids too) do a good job at keeping a nice environment. While some of the classrooms are less pleasant (little to no natural light), it doesn't seem unclean / unhealthy to me.

As far as the principal, I've met her a few times now, and she seems to be getting off to a great start. I like her organized approach to getting into the school, and I think she legitimately understands the issues we are facing. If you're genuinely interested, come meet her at one of the upcoming meet and greets.

Thanks,
Josh
West PSCO President

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure what you're referring to regarding health issues. Our biggest issue with deferred renovation is the lack of walls between classrooms, but if you see the classes in session, the teachers (and credit to the kids too) do a good job at keeping a nice environment. While some of the classrooms are less pleasant (little to no natural light), it doesn't seem unclean / unhealthy to me.

The teachers do an amazing job at the school as do the active members of the PSCO. The majority of the school (outside of the PK4 suite) is carpeted. There was a pest infestations this past year that might be curbed by now. The PK3 suite did flood regularly so that is a mold issue there. Fortunately the roof was redone last year so those leaks seem to have subsided (the interior space has skylights) but there is still lingering mold from the previous leaks. The classrooms that have no natural light are the kindergarten and first grade classrooms. The bathrooms may or may not have supplies on a regular basis. These are just a few of the issues I have noted.

No doubt this school has a lot of potential with the right leadership model on board. In addition to the outdoor space it also has a gym which a lot of schools do not have. The school needs stability and some TLC. Giving prospective families both the pros and cons of the school will keep them invested in making the necessary changes to move the school forward.

[Anonymous]

anyone who is in prek or above in 16th street heights /crestwood is grandfathered into deal until 2022 when all the boundaries city wide are reviewed.