Thoughts on West for PreK3?

[ediebear]

What are people's thoughts on west for PreK3? Stay at Bright Start for Prek3 or go to West for PreK3? Any input appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Hi! We are a West family (and former brightStart family). We debated the same thing last year and ultimately ended up going to West for Prek3. We have been very happy this year with our decision. If you have any specific questions I'd be happy to answer them.

While we were extremely happy with the care our DC received at BrightStart, I understand that there have been some bumps in the road with the preschool classroom. The teacher is awesome but I am not sure how much support to deal with the challenges she has received. It may be worth asking about before making your decision.

[Anonymous]

Have you met the PK team at West? They are pretty awesome. I'd take it in a heartbeat.

Plus, it'll make it that much easier for the next years. They'll already have some friends, and they'll know the teachers / building.

[Anonymous]

I agree that the PK teachers at West are phenomenal. I recommend staying at West at least through PK4 but try to potter for other schools for K and up since West is in flux with the upcoming renovations and staff turnover.

[Anonymous]

That should have said lottery not potter. Spell check can be a blessing or curse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the PK teachers at West are phenomenal. I recommend staying at West at least through PK4 but try to potter for other schools for K and up since West is in flux with the upcoming renovations and staff turnover.

The teachers seem to be much happier with the new principal.

[Anonymous]

I agree. I've gotten the vibe that the teachers are much happier with the new principal. I would wait to see what happens this year before judging staff turnover.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! Appreciate all the input and we are going to go with West!

[Anonymous]

Welcome to West!

[Anonymous]

I didn't realize West has a new principal. I visited West 2 years ago when we were applying for our older son in the lottery and they mentioned their ROAR Matrix - it was something like (I may not have it exactly right):
- Responsibility
- Obedience
- Accountability
- Respect

I was just inwardly shuddering when they talked about it - pretty much brought back every bad memory of school growing up. I never ever got in trouble and was almost a straight A student - yet I felt like I was in a police state.

Then in visiting schools I learned about the Four Is at Inspired Teaching:
- Intellect
- Inquiry
- Imagination
- Integrity

That pretty much sealed the deal for me that ITS was the right school for us. I think in some ways you can pretty much divide schools in DC between ROAR-like models and something else meant to stimulate students, not to merely control them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't realize West has a new principal. I visited West 2 years ago when we were applying for our older son in the lottery and they mentioned their ROAR Matrix - it was something like (I may not have it exactly right):
- Responsibility
- Obedience
- Accountability
- Respect

I was just inwardly shuddering when they talked about it - pretty much brought back every bad memory of school growing up. I never ever got in trouble and was almost a straight A student - yet I felt like I was in a police state.

Then in visiting schools I learned about the Four Is at Inspired Teaching:
- Intellect
- Inquiry
- Imagination
- Integrity

That pretty much sealed the deal for me that ITS was the right school for us. I think in some ways you can pretty much divide schools in DC between ROAR-like models and something else meant to stimulate students, not to merely control them.

Inspired Teaching is very difficult to get into so this post is not really helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't realize West has a new principal. I visited West 2 years ago when we were applying for our older son in the lottery and they mentioned their ROAR Matrix - it was something like (I may not have it exactly right):
- Responsibility
- Obedience
- Accountability
- Respect

I was just inwardly shuddering when they talked about it - pretty much brought back every bad memory of school growing up. I never ever got in trouble and was almost a straight A student - yet I felt like I was in a police state.

Then in visiting schools I learned about the Four Is at Inspired Teaching:
- Intellect
- Inquiry
- Imagination
- Integrity

That pretty much sealed the deal for me that ITS was the right school for us. I think in some ways you can pretty much divide schools in DC between ROAR-like models and something else meant to stimulate students, not to merely control them.

You botched the acronym (organized, not obedient), and it's use. There's a lot more focus on rewarding positive behavior than punishing bad behavior. There's an awesome school culture team. Did you meet the school counselor? She's awesome.

You're welcome to make your own choice about schools, but it's kind of a jerk move to crap on someone else's choice just to advertise your own kool-aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't realize West has a new principal. I visited West 2 years ago when we were applying for our older son in the lottery and they mentioned their ROAR Matrix - it was something like (I may not have it exactly right):
- Responsibility
- Obedience
- Accountability
- Respect

I was just inwardly shuddering when they talked about it - pretty much brought back every bad memory of school growing up. I never ever got in trouble and was almost a straight A student - yet I felt like I was in a police state.

Then in visiting schools I learned about the Four Is at Inspired Teaching:
- Intellect
- Inquiry
- Imagination
- Integrity

That pretty much sealed the deal for me that ITS was the right school for us. I think in some ways you can pretty much divide schools in DC between ROAR-like models and something else meant to stimulate students, not to merely control them.

You botched the acronym (organized, not obedient), and it's use. There's a lot more focus on rewarding positive behavior than punishing bad behavior. There's an awesome school culture team. Did you meet the school counselor? She's awesome.

You're welcome to make your own choice about schools, but it's kind of a jerk move to crap on someone else's choice just to advertise your own kool-aid.

+1

and the A is actually Attentive, not Accountable

and to the OP, welcome to West...we are excited to have you, your child and all of your I's!

[Anonymous]

Any thoughts on WL movement. We're "lottery losers" for PK3 with west among our lower WL numbers at low 50s. Not super hopeful, just curious about movement pattern in past.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't realize West has a new principal. I visited West 2 years ago when we were applying for our older son in the lottery and they mentioned their ROAR Matrix - it was something like (I may not have it exactly right):
- Responsibility
- Obedience
- Accountability
- Respect

I was just inwardly shuddering when they talked about it - pretty much brought back every bad memory of school growing up. I never ever got in trouble and was almost a straight A student - yet I felt like I was in a police state.

Then in visiting schools I learned about the Four Is at Inspired Teaching:
- Intellect
- Inquiry
- Imagination
- Integrity

That pretty much sealed the deal for me that ITS was the right school for us. I think in some ways you can pretty much divide schools in DC between ROAR-like models and something else meant to stimulate students, not to merely control them.

You botched the acronym (organized, not obedient), and it's use. There's a lot more focus on rewarding positive behavior than punishing bad behavior. There's an awesome school culture team. Did you meet the school counselor? She's awesome.

You're welcome to make your own choice about schools, but it's kind of a jerk move to crap on someone else's choice just to advertise your own kool-aid.

+1000 That post really took the cake in snarkiness. Great job, that poster takes the jerk of the day award.