The problem with low SES middle schools -unfair!

[Anonymous]

I am so annoyed - I was willing to give the home school a chance. Despite its poor reputation. My child keeps hearing about the cool after school activities that her former classmates get to do at their school. Our school offers basketball, which she tried to join, and as the only white player, she was not welcome and stopped going. There are no other activities offered. So, I volunteered to research and promote a few other fun after school options. We had a sports clinic, drama/drawing and chess activities selected and not a singe person registered. Emails, written communications to family, nothing helped to drive interest. I know cost is an issue, but the chess activity was free. My child is so disappointing because she is having a hard time fitting in and making friends. We can't afford private, we can't move and even though we can do stuff thru rec centers, it isn't the same as doing stuff with your classmates. All her friends from elementary school were zoned for another school or if they were zoned for ours, moved or are going to private and in a couple cases, are being home schooled.

When we moved here, demographics were different. And now, with aging parents that live nearby and our housing/job situation we aren't able to leave. She wouldn't qualify for magnet or IB programs - it just really seems unfair that you have to have $$$ to provide a well rounded education in an inclusive environment or your kid has to be super smart to get to go to another school with more engaged families. I would be willing to drive her to the other school where all her friends are - it would be a much better fit for her but I know I can't do that - only the smart kids get to go to other schools where their needs are better met.

Just venting - it has been a hard transition for my child and I hate to see her so unhappy and unfulfilled.

[Anonymous]

Our high SES middle school has problems signing kids up for after school activities. They cancelled a bunch this year. I think by middle school a lot of kids have activities outside of school so no time for all the "enrichment" they used to do in elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am so annoyed - I was willing to give the home school a chance. Despite its poor reputation. My child keeps hearing about the cool after school activities that her former classmates get to do at their school. Our school offers basketball, which she tried to join, and as the only white player, she was not welcome and stopped going. There are no other activities offered. So, I volunteered to research and promote a few other fun after school options. We had a sports clinic, drama/drawing and chess activities selected and not a singe person registered. Emails, written communications to family, nothing helped to drive interest. I know cost is an issue, but the chess activity was free. My child is so disappointing because she is having a hard time fitting in and making friends. We can't afford private, we can't move and even though we can do stuff thru rec centers, it isn't the same as doing stuff with your classmates. All her friends from elementary school were zoned for another school or if they were zoned for ours, moved or are going to private and in a couple cases, are being home schooled.

When we moved here, demographics were different. And now, with aging parents that live nearby and our housing/job situation we aren't able to leave. She wouldn't qualify for magnet or IB programs - it just really seems unfair that you have to have $$$ to provide a well rounded education in an inclusive environment or your kid has to be super smart to get to go to another school with more engaged families. I would be willing to drive her to the other school where all her friends are - it would be a much better fit for her but I know I can't do that - only the smart kids get to go to other schools where their needs are better met.

Just venting - it has been a hard transition for my child and I hate to see her so unhappy and unfulfilled.

Some HS offer IB (non-magnet) programs. Which HS is your home school?

[Anonymous]

Actually - it could be more diverse - it is about 64% BL, 15%HI, 12%MU, 8%WH
55% FARMS

Algebra completion rate by grade 8 is 36%

So basically - hardly any white or hispanic kids - negligible asian.
Predominantly low income
But the big issue is:
Predominantly low achievement

My daughters peers don't care about school and they aren't interested in any enrichment programs. She was so sad when her old friends invited her to one of their after school soccer practices at their school. I felt like we belonged there. I am hoping this adjustment builds character or does something positive for her. I am also hoping she doesn't lose interest in her education. One of the programs this school does offer is a truancy court program. Can anyone out there say that their school offers this???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually - it could be more diverse - it is about 64% BL, 15%HI, 12%MU, 8%WH
55% FARMS

Algebra completion rate by grade 8 is 36%

So basically - hardly any white or hispanic kids - negligible asian.
Predominantly low income
But the big issue is:
Predominantly low achievement

My daughters peers don't care about school and they aren't interested in any enrichment programs. She was so sad when her old friends invited her to one of their after school soccer practices at their school. I felt like we belonged there. I am hoping this adjustment builds character or does something positive for her. I am also hoping she doesn't lose interest in her education. One of the programs this school does offer is a truancy court program. Can anyone out there say that their school offers this???

Is there any chance you could move to a place where she could attend the same school as her friends?

[Anonymous]

So your dissatisfaction with your daughter's school is due to the lack of exciting afterschool activities? Just sign her up for activities outside of school. DD goes to a middle range MS with lots of activities. But she is too busy with her won outside activities to do much of the school-sponsored activities.
I am not sure what the SES of the school population has to do with it. There are high SES schools with limited afterschool activities too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so annoyed - I was willing to give the home school a chance. Despite its poor reputation. My child keeps hearing about the cool after school activities that her former classmates get to do at their school. Our school offers basketball, which she tried to join, and as the only white player, she was not welcome and stopped going. There are no other activities offered. So, I volunteered to research and promote a few other fun after school options. We had a sports clinic, drama/drawing and chess activities selected and not a singe person registered. Emails, written communications to family, nothing helped to drive interest. I know cost is an issue, but the chess activity was free. My child is so disappointing because she is having a hard time fitting in and making friends. We can't afford private, we can't move and even though we can do stuff thru rec centers, it isn't the same as doing stuff with your classmates. All her friends from elementary school were zoned for another school or if they were zoned for ours, moved or are going to private and in a couple cases, are being home schooled.

When we moved here, demographics were different. And now, with aging parents that live nearby and our housing/job situation we aren't able to leave. She wouldn't qualify for magnet or IB programs - it just really seems unfair that you have to have $$$ to provide a well rounded education in an inclusive environment or your kid has to be super smart to get to go to another school with more engaged families. I would be willing to drive her to the other school where all her friends are - it would be a much better fit for her but I know I can't do that - only the smart kids get to go to other schools where their needs are better met.

Just venting - it has been a hard transition for my child and I hate to see her so unhappy and unfulfilled.

Some HS offer IB (non-magnet) programs. Which HS is your home school?

We are in the NEC so her high school options are Paint Branch, Blake and Springbrook. I think she will have more opportunities in high school, but for now, we have 3 years of middle school to work through. She is not the best student but has a lot of potential if she puts her mind to it. She had both motivated and unmotivated friends in elem school and she really shined when she was working on projects with the motivated ones. She slacked off a bit when her peer group wasn't engaged with the assignment. Not to mention.. I am a little concerned about the quality of her school assignments - for example, they are covering multiplication which is something she learned in 4th grade.

[Anonymous]

OP, please ignore the all of the politically correct comments you are going to get here. I would not like this one bit, and neither would 99% of the DCUM posters. It's fine that YOUR kid is in a situation like this, but I can guarantee you that none of us/ them would be happy about it.

The only suggestion I have is not to be quick to dismiss private schools. They ALL offer financial aid, sometimes complete packages. You and your daughter are exactly the kind of family most independent schools like to attract -- involved parent(s) who care about education and enrichment and are going to do their part to help your child through.

I would get started right now going to open houses, or at least doing the research for next year. It's a daunting task, but please don't be discouraged. Her education and future are worth it

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

If your high school is also lacking I strongly recommend moving even if you have to rent or see if you qualify for finial aid at one of the privat or parochial schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So your dissatisfaction with your daughter's school is due to the lack of exciting afterschool activities? Just sign her up for activities outside of school. DD goes to a middle range MS with lots of activities. But she is too busy with her won outside activities to do much of the school-sponsored activities.
I am not sure what the SES of the school population has to do with it. There are high SES schools with limited afterschool activities too.

That's part of it - but she is struggling making friends. She has always been like this until she was in sports and other activities with her classmates. Then she did much better. It is really hard to go thru middle school without any friends and just feeling out of place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually - it could be more diverse - it is about 64% BL, 15%HI, 12%MU, 8%WH
55% FARMS

Algebra completion rate by grade 8 is 36%

So basically - hardly any white or hispanic kids - negligible asian.
Predominantly low income
But the big issue is:
Predominantly low achievement

My daughters peers don't care about school and they aren't interested in any enrichment programs. She was so sad when her old friends invited her to one of their after school soccer practices at their school. I felt like we belonged there. I am hoping this adjustment builds character or does something positive for her. I am also hoping she doesn't lose interest in her education. One of the programs this school does offer is a truancy court program. Can anyone out there say that their school offers this???

Interesting. When posters talk about bethesda and potpmac schools with 15% Hispanic kids and and 8% black kids, but the majority are white, people seem to think that is a decent amount of diversity. Hmm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually - it could be more diverse - it is about 64% BL, 15%HI, 12%MU, 8%WH
55% FARMS

Algebra completion rate by grade 8 is 36%

So basically - hardly any white or hispanic kids - negligible asian.
Predominantly low income
But the big issue is:
Predominantly low achievement

My daughters peers don't care about school and they aren't interested in any enrichment programs. She was so sad when her old friends invited her to one of their after school soccer practices at their school. I felt like we belonged there. I am hoping this adjustment builds character or does something positive for her. I am also hoping she doesn't lose interest in her education. One of the programs this school does offer is a truancy court program. Can anyone out there say that their school offers this???

Interesting. When posters talk about bethesda and potpmac schools with 15% Hispanic kids and and 8% black kids, but the majority are white, people seem to think that is a decent amount of diversity. Hmm.

idiotic post. because blacks and hispanics are considered minorities. duh...

[Anonymous]

Except W-districts, magnets, privates, and BCC schools, this is where MCPS is now days. Kinda ghetto schools all over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually - it could be more diverse - it is about 64% BL, 15%HI, 12%MU, 8%WH
55% FARMS

Algebra completion rate by grade 8 is 36%

So basically - hardly any white or hispanic kids - negligible asian.
Predominantly low income
But the big issue is:
Predominantly low achievement

My daughters peers don't care about school and they aren't interested in any enrichment programs. She was so sad when her old friends invited her to one of their after school soccer practices at their school. I felt like we belonged there. I am hoping this adjustment builds character or does something positive for her. I am also hoping she doesn't lose interest in her education. One of the programs this school does offer is a truancy court program. Can anyone out there say that their school offers this???

Interesting. When posters talk about bethesda and potpmac schools with 15% Hispanic kids and and 8% black kids, but the majority are white, people seem to think that is a decent amount of diversity. Hmm.

Here comes that stupid canard again...you realize that in the country we live in, 72% are white, only 12% are black, correct?

So a school where kids are 72% white, 12% black is perfectly diverse and proportionate.

Whereas a school where kids are 72% black, 12% white is...not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually - it could be more diverse - it is about 64% BL, 15%HI, 12%MU, 8%WH
55% FARMS

Algebra completion rate by grade 8 is 36%

So basically - hardly any white or hispanic kids - negligible asian.
Predominantly low income
But the big issue is:
Predominantly low achievement

My daughters peers don't care about school and they aren't interested in any enrichment programs. She was so sad when her old friends invited her to one of their after school soccer practices at their school. I felt like we belonged there. I am hoping this adjustment builds character or does something positive for her. I am also hoping she doesn't lose interest in her education. One of the programs this school does offer is a truancy court program. Can anyone out there say that their school offers this???

Interesting. When posters talk about bethesda and potpmac schools with 15% Hispanic kids and and 8% black kids, but the majority are white, people seem to think that is a decent amount of diversity. Hmm.

Here comes that stupid canard again...you realize that in the country we live in, 72% are white, only 12% are black, correct?

So a school where kids are 72% white, 12% black is perfectly diverse and proportionate.

Whereas a school where kids are 72% black, 12% white is...not.

So, Mike Pence, how is the post-truth lifestyle going for you?

Montgomery County is NOT 72 percent white. It's 45 percent white, assuming you are talking about non-Hispanic whites. http://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/24031