ITS v CMI waitlist decision

[Anonymous]

We realize we're crazy lucky to be in this position, but would still really appreciate constructive advice:

Our kid's just started pk3 at ITS, and is happy so far, as are we. Our only waitlist was cmi, and we've rather quickly dropped to spot 5 in the past couple of days. Trying to give it some thought now since we know they give little time to decide (understandably). Our gut is that we should stay put. Both are wonderful schools with many similarities, so why switch now? We know that kids generally adapt well, but ours had some major social anxiety in the past that led to not speaking to classmates at all for 1.5 years of preschool, yet is already happily speaking and playing with the new classmates. So we would be concerned about a regression if we suddenly switch now, which could be pretty bad as far as social development.

The only two things that have made it hard to decide (and to remove ourselves from the waitlist, which we'll do if we decide to stay put), are class size and after-school activities. I think we actually are fine with ITS's larger class sizes because the teachers seem to handle them extremely well.

ITS aftercare has been fine so far too - the teachers seem lovely and it is calm and well organized. But - when our kid and younger sib are older, do you think we'll wish there were more activities to choose after school? We both work full time, so the kids will likely have full afternoons at school, and neither of us can drive then around to things in the afternoons. So what's doable at the school will be it for them, as far as activities and social life, on weekdays at least. Given that, it's hard not to drool over CMI's listing of after-school clubs, with so many choices depending what your kid is into as s/he grows.

Am I being crazy, or is this a reasonable thing to wonder about? Basically we feel that it would be easier short-term to stay, but know that it's a long-term decision (up to eleven years for each kid!), and want to make sure we're giving enough consideration to real difference between the schools.

In a related question, why is the difference in after-school options so stark between two otherwise very similar schools? I've seen talk on here about concern that cmi's model prices some people out, even with discounts. I'm definitely sympathetic to that, but couldn't there be some happy medium, with a sliding scale that goes to zero? I'll try to engage on this with other ITS parents in person, of course - but wanted to see if anyone on here has ideas, since there may not be time before we hear from CMI.

Thanks so much in advance.

[Anonymous]

Five on CMI wait list for prek3? Would not worry about it unless you get in. School has already started. Doubt there will be much more movement.

[Anonymous]

Doubt you will get into CMI. Movement only happened because of cleaning waitlists.

[Anonymous]

We realize it's not a given, but it keeps moving. Maybe still trickle-down from the MV expansion? Regardless, we want to give it thought in case it's offered.

[Anonymous]

ITS admin does not seem to care much about after school enrichment, to be blunt. If that's really important to you and you have the means, then CMI might be better for you in the long run.

[Anonymous]

I agree that ITS doesn't focus on afterschool activities, although I think they will become more robust as the school matures. I am pretty swayed by the IT commitment to equity and diversity and like that it extends to aftercare.

I would also encourage you, if you are comparing, to consider teacher experience/stability, which I don't see as something reflected in your list. There are many reasons teachers stay or leave a school, of course, but it is something to think about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that ITS doesn't focus on afterschool activities, although I think they will become more robust as the school matures. I am pretty swayed by the IT commitment to equity and diversity and like that it extends to aftercare.

I would also encourage you, if you are comparing, to consider teacher experience/stability, which I don't see as something reflected in your list. There are many reasons teachers stay or leave a school, of course, but it is something to think about.

Talkto me about the commitment to diversity. I think charters should reflect the diversity of the city, but I don't see, well, any diversity in ITS' incoming PK3ers as a parent. Im not as familiar with CMI's racial and socioeconomic mix.

[Anonymous]

The Y has promised to try to make better strides with aftercare options. Last year was a pretty big change with the new bundling and all. It was great when they had it onsite at the Y, they had swim, cooking, and Rick climbing all included in the price. The kids seem to love it. They do have good curriculum in aftercare and learn a lot about fun things like health, women's history, black history, and planets. They do talent shows and have dance parties. The school is very interested in enrichment, they just don't want to do too much too fast. They want to build the enrichment during the school day. They did dance (which was replaced with PE program with the Y), then they brought on the Spanish teacher, then this year the parents raised the funds to hire full time music teacher and the school has agreed to sustain her. The issue ITS admin had was they started too old. With 7th graders, and only 2 classes per grade (PS-3rd) and 1 each for 4-7th, their resources are scarce. The IFA has been tried to pick up where they can, they did chess last year, most grade PK and up have a soccer team and they practice in field in back, there is a Girls on The Run team for older girls. It will come. Which teacher do you have?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that ITS doesn't focus on afterschool activities, although I think they will become more robust as the school matures. I am pretty swayed by the IT commitment to equity and diversity and like that it extends to aftercare.

I would also encourage you, if you are comparing, to consider teacher experience/stability, which I don't see as something reflected in your list. There are many reasons teachers stay or leave a school, of course, but it is something to think about.

Talkto me about the commitment to diversity. I think charters should reflect the diversity of the city, but I don't see, well, any diversity in ITS' incoming PK3ers as a parent. Im not as familiar with CMI's racial and socioeconomic mix.

There are more Caucasian kids coming through the lottery at ITS than years past. It's a lottery and you get what you get. I am AA. I don't see anything wrong with it as long as the school shows an effort to recruit all kids. The school as a whole is almost the exact % makeup as the city. The teaching staff is extremely diverse with many races, orientations, and genders. I think the average master teacher has like 12 years experience with hardly any attrition. The only teachers I know that have left have been due to 1) getting let go after it not being a good fit, 2) leaving for growing family 3) move out of state and 4) move for additionally schooling.

That said, we Harv a former resident that now teaches at CMI and they seem pretty pleased. CMI seems like a great school in a great location. I don't think tiu can go wrong either way.

[Anonymous]

If resources allow, you might be able to have a babysitter help drive to after-school activities when kids are older--i.e., I'd focus more on what happens during the school day in making the current decision.

[Anonymous]

Both schools really offer great and positive programming. How is the commute for you? Both have brand new locations and both are unquie in their own way.

Make a list of things that are important to you and see which school focuses on it better.

I'm a CMI parent, but I think both are wonderful places. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I'm an ITS parent. The parents at Inspired Teaching are very involved. My children attend several afterschool activities as part of a parent carpool.

Most parents at ITS want enrichment opportunities for their kids and they'll make it happen. So, I wouldn't be too concerned about the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an ITS parent. The parents at Inspired Teaching are very involved. My children attend several afterschool activities as part of a parent carpool.

Most parents at ITS want enrichment opportunities for their kids and they'll make it happen. So, I wouldn't be too concerned about the future.

I agree with this. Some parents also get together and do JCC, some do Beta academy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that ITS doesn't focus on afterschool activities, although I think they will become more robust as the school matures. I am pretty swayed by the IT commitment to equity and diversity and like that it extends to aftercare.

I would also encourage you, if you are comparing, to consider teacher experience/stability, which I don't see as something reflected in your list. There are many reasons teachers stay or leave a school, of course, but it is something to think about.

Talkto me about the commitment to diversity. I think charters should reflect the diversity of the city, but I don't see, well, any diversity in ITS' incoming PK3ers as a parent. Im not as familiar with CMI's racial and socioeconomic mix.

CMI and ITS has very similar percentages of white students something like 40%+. CMI has more Hispanic students but I am not sure if that will continue as the school moves out of Columbia Heights/ Mt Pleasant. Inspired Teaching has more African American students.

I would be curious about the outreach activities at both schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that ITS doesn't focus on afterschool activities, although I think they will become more robust as the school matures. I am pretty swayed by the IT commitment to equity and diversity and like that it extends to aftercare.

I would also encourage you, if you are comparing, to consider teacher experience/stability, which I don't see as something reflected in your list. There are many reasons teachers stay or leave a school, of course, but it is something to think about.

Talkto me about the commitment to diversity. I think charters should reflect the diversity of the city, but I don't see, well, any diversity in ITS' incoming PK3ers as a parent. Im not as familiar with CMI's racial and socioeconomic mix.

CMI and ITS has very similar percentages of white students something like 40%+. CMI has more Hispanic students but I am not sure if that will continue as the school moves out of Columbia Heights/ Mt Pleasant. Inspired Teaching has more African American students.

I would be curious about the outreach activities at both schools.

CMI also has more Asian students.