As of this year, we are no longer IB for Wilson and have been switched to Cardozo for HS. We are happy with our elementary and MS options, but I am concerned about HS. I know the current opinion of Cardozo is negative (aside from the beautiful building). But does anyone see hope for improvement? Our children are currently in Kindergarten and PK3, so we have plenty of time. We would really like to stay in our neighborhood and have our children continue to go to school with many of their current classmates.
Are the families at schools that feed to Cardozo for MS doing something to help improve the school? What can the community do to make the school better and attract more IB kids? |
Start a steering group through the PTOs of the feeder schools. |
You could talk to the guy who runs this: https://nwsadc.wordpress.com/ He seems very in the know about middle and high school issues.
Some Seaton, Cleveland, Garrison etc. parents have gotten a Google Group together but I don't know how to get on it. |
The big question is what is the deal with Shaw Middle School. |
I have a kid at a feeder ES and took a tour of Cardozo with parents from a few feeders (Seaton, Garrison, Cleveland, etc) and was very impressed with the principal Dr. Roane. She fired tons of staff and rehired new a few years ago
The school seems to be improving quickly, including attracting many more students each year. My kid is also little and I do think there is hope Cardozo will be an acceptable option in a few years. I think one of the most important thing we can all do is speak positively about Cardozo as an option. Public perception can change. |
This is very encouraging. Thanks for your input! |
When is it going to be a high school rather than a 6-12 'educational center' school? |
From a quick glance that seems like a very impressive program and effort. Kudos to him, this is the kind of thing we need more of, people taking a proactive approach to these issues. |
OP, I would ask whoever's on your current school PTA. They should at least know a few people taking an interest. |
I am in that google group and am happy to connect you (and others). You should be able to PM me through my profile. |
That's my biggest concern about Cardozo right now. I will not be convinced that it's good to have 6th graders in the same school as high school kids. |
Will you lottery for Basis or Latin? |
no |
There is way too much subsidized housing feeding to Cardozo to make it a realistic option for middle class parents. DC will not get a EOTP Wilson until it economically gerrymanders feeder patterns and creates a MS/HS pattern EOTP that is less than 30-40% FARMs. Starry eyed pre-K parents will quickly learn that no amount of optimism can overcome the realities of high poverty schools. |
Cardoza is a mess. They lost the one amazing administrator (an AP) who had started to make it a success. |