Middle and high school on Capitol Hill

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have also been following the discussion of having a comprehensive neighborhood middle school vs. a test-in magnet school. My child is younger, but my spouse and I definitely lean toward the idea of a comprehensive neighborhood middle school because:

1) We have not idea if our child would test in to a selective program, and I'd hate to see the brain drain from a test-in magnet for the rest of the middle schools. Perhaps that's selfish, but many kids are not equally proficient in math, science, English, etc. A comprehensive middle school with classes at a variety of level seems like it would allow more students to work at their highest possible level even when that level varied between subject matter.

2) Can you imagine how miserable elementary school would become if many of the kids were being prepped for a test-in magnet? Parents at our school (and on this forum) are not particularly easy-going. Private tutors and those providing prep classes would make a fortune. It would be a miserable arms race...

Hello, a good many Brent kids are already being prepped for test-in magnets, er...private middle schools and the BASIS sink or swim (pass those comps in 6th, 7th and 8th or your only option to stay is to repeat the grade). It's a dirty little secret at Brent that plenty of upper grades kids already work with tutors, and/or attend academic summer camps. Private tutors and those providing prep classes for independent middle schools and BASIS math classes already do well enough on the Hill. A quiet, slightly miserable arms race is already underway.

BASIS parent. Barring serious learning disabilities, no one needs to be hiring tutors to get through BASIS' comprehensive exams. They just aren't that hard, and you can pass with a 60%.

Yea, but some parents worry that kids who aren't math aces will struggle at BASIS without tutoring before they enroll. Perhaps they worry unnecessarily. Scary stories about BASIS admins not caring much about stragglers (because the franchise is notorious for weeding weaker MS kids out) trickle down to Brent, motivating parents to take action to get a jump on curriculum. It's well known that the BASIS curriculum isn't suited for every 11 year old, but so far the school is the only charter where every Brent 4th grader has been offered a spot by the start of 5th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have also been following the discussion of having a comprehensive neighborhood middle school vs. a test-in magnet school. My child is younger, but my spouse and I definitely lean toward the idea of a comprehensive neighborhood middle school because:

1) We have not idea if our child would test in to a selective program, and I'd hate to see the brain drain from a test-in magnet for the rest of the middle schools. Perhaps that's selfish, but many kids are not equally proficient in math, science, English, etc. A comprehensive middle school with classes at a variety of level seems like it would allow more students to work at their highest possible level even when that level varied between subject matter.

2) Can you imagine how miserable elementary school would become if many of the kids were being prepped for a test-in magnet? Parents at our school (and on this forum) are not particularly easy-going. Private tutors and those providing prep classes would make a fortune. It would be a miserable arms race...

Hello, a good many Brent kids are already being prepped for test-in magnets, er...private middle schools and the BASIS sink or swim (pass those comps in 6th, 7th and 8th or your only option to stay is to repeat the grade). It's a dirty little secret at Brent that plenty of upper grades kids already work with tutors, and/or attend academic summer camps. Private tutors and those providing prep classes for independent middle schools and BASIS math classes already do well enough on the Hill. A quiet, slightly miserable arms race is already underway.

BASIS parent. Barring serious learning disabilities, no one needs to be hiring tutors to get through BASIS' comprehensive exams. They just aren't that hard, and you can pass with a 60%.

Yea, but some parents worry that kids who aren't math aces will struggle at BASIS without tutoring before they enroll. Perhaps they worry unnecessarily. Scary stories about BASIS admins not caring much about stragglers (because the franchise is notorious for weeding weaker MS kids out) trickle down to Brent, motivating parents to take action to get a jump on curriculum. It's well known that the BASIS curriculum isn't suited for every 11 year old, but so far the school is the only charter where every Brent 4th grader has been offered a spot by the start of 5th.

There are also 3 (maybe 4 now) distinct different levels of math available for an incoming BASIS student. I have no doubt that some parents want to try and make sure their kids get into whatever the 'most advanced' one is, although there's not a good reason to push or rush a kid.

And math is the only class that you can not pass the comp, and still be promoted into the next grade. But you will repeat the math class the following year.

[Anonymous]

Brent students are also starting to compete in school and city-wide competitions, e.g. for spelling, geography and chess. I know parents who prep kids to compete in these "arms races," which I don't think is bad as long as the competitors likes the activities. No different than sending kids to sports camps.

I'd be fine with a test-in MS (even if my children didn't clear the bar) as long as there were other decent ms options.