Benefits of being a high school graduate in DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crap, liberal arts colleges cost $65K a year now?

my kid was admitted at one last year that, without merit aid, was $79k a year, including room and board.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ actually I take that back for private universities. I just looked it up. It appears that DC Tag applies only to public universities, HBCUs and private universities (American?) in the district of columbia, so it's not as broad as I said above. So yet another reason to move to Virginia. DC TAG eligible institutions are: all public colleges and universities throughout the US; public and private Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) throughout the US; all private colleges and universities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
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So actually PP was right that at public universities with decent merit, DCTAG can make a meaningful difference. UVM, for example, regularly gives 16-20K of merit to high-achieving students; with the 10K from DCTAG, tuition would be 11-16K for my kid. I have friends in VA who always assumed their kid would go in-state (they even did the VA state pre-pay)…and then the kid ended up loving UVM and going there. We live in DC and have a kid who loves UVM; we’ll pay less than my VA friend if my kid ends up going there.

Point is, you can move to VA or MD and assume your kid will go to a state school, and then the state schools might not be what they want. If you want to be in VA or MD, you should move. But don’t move just for college (unless your financial situation requires it).

Correct, this is where DC TAG is quite helpful. You get that up to $10k if you pay $1 of tuition to any state university...so if University of Vermont or Nebraska or anyone else gives you in-state tuition/merit aid to induce you to attend, you can still use that $10k from DC TAG. There is no reduction in DC TAG for any grants provided by that State U.

You can’t count on any merit aid. That’s a big if and variable. Where you know for sure and it’s guarantee that you get in state tuition in VA.

My nephew went to a VA state school and just graduated 2 years ago. It was a total steal and bargain at about 25k a year all in for tuition, room and board.

You also can’t count on getting into the VA state school(s) you prefer. If the idea is to make your kid go to an in-state school no matter what, sure, this is the more certain plan. But if the kid is going to have choices, it’s worth factoring DCTAG into the equation.

Also, merit aid is guaranteed at many state schools for certain stats. And it’s all but certain at others for OOS kids. If you have a middle schooler who is doing well academically, you can make a pretty good bet that there will be merit aid out there for them and factor that into the equation as you make decisions about where/whether to move.

Yes you can definitely bet on getting into a state school in VA. UVA is not the only option.

VA has a ton of in state schools to choose from. My nephew is a mediocre student and had no problems getting into VCU. BTW his brother who is still in college is going to James Madison

you may not need to move. my DC kid was admitted to St. Mary's college of Maryland, they have a special tuition for DC kids and we would have paid $24K a year , less than the $28K a friend in VA pays for an in-state college (i think Newport).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I can only speak anecdotally, but it seems like DCPS kids (I only know JR and Walls) seem to punch above their weight in college admissions.

I hear horror stories from parents in VA about how their kid was rejected by VT or UVA and their kids have incredible grades, stats, etc...and then I look at the kids I know from JR and Walls getting accepted into those schools with scores, stats, etc. that are nothing incredible. I don't know what majors kids are applying for which could impact it or what...that is why it is all anecdotal.

We also know a number of parents with kids at SJC and JR and they will make the same comment...that kids that have been friends (or even siblings) and were similar at Deal and have similar classes at JR and SJC and similar test scores...the JR kids seem to get "better" college acceptances.

Perhaps DCPS schools are all considered challenged...I honestly don't know.

One final comment on DC TAG...if you look beyond the expensive state flagships (UVA very expensive OOS...Michigan and Cal schools also expensive OOS), then DC TAG can be meaningful. There are a number of state flagships like University of Nebraska, University of South Carolina and others that offer in-state tuition as merit inducement for OOS candidates. In that instance, you receive in-state tuition, plus DC TAG and can attend those schools for very little out-of-pocket $$$s on a net basis.

Going to a large DC public school creates a different type of student that one who attended SJC. I wouldn’t assume that they are a lesser choice or less qualified. They’ve had a very different experience and bring that with them.

A lot of universities don’t want to deal with students who are able to think critically and thus Catholic school students are often disfavored.

DCPS grads think critically? A solid half can't even read.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:they have a special tuition for DC kids and we would have paid $24K a year , less than the $28K a friend in VA pays for an in-state college (i think Newport).

anybody know of any other colleges that have this kind of direct relationship?

[Anonymous]

So no one is going to mention DC-CAP as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So no one is going to mention DC-CAP as well?

Forgot about that because we make too much to qualify for CAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak anecdotally, but it seems like DCPS kids (I only know JR and Walls) seem to punch above their weight in college admissions.

I hear horror stories from parents in VA about how their kid was rejected by VT or UVA and their kids have incredible grades, stats, etc...and then I look at the kids I know from JR and Walls getting accepted into those schools with scores, stats, etc. that are nothing incredible. I don't know what majors kids are applying for which could impact it or what...that is why it is all anecdotal.

We also know a number of parents with kids at SJC and JR and they will make the same comment...that kids that have been friends (or even siblings) and were similar at Deal and have similar classes at JR and SJC and similar test scores...the JR kids seem to get "better" college acceptances.

Perhaps DCPS schools are all considered challenged...I honestly don't know.

One final comment on DC TAG...if you look beyond the expensive state flagships (UVA very expensive OOS...Michigan and Cal schools also expensive OOS), then DC TAG can be meaningful. There are a number of state flagships like University of Nebraska, University of South Carolina and others that offer in-state tuition as merit inducement for OOS candidates. In that instance, you receive in-state tuition, plus DC TAG and can attend those schools for very little out-of-pocket $$$s on a net basis.

Going to a large DC public school creates a different type of student that one who attended SJC. I wouldn’t assume that they are a lesser choice or less qualified. They’ve had a very different experience and bring that with them.

A lot of universities don’t want to deal with students who are able to think critically and thus Catholic school students are often disfavored.

DCPS grads think critically? A solid half can't even read.

What a deeply stupid comment from one of the legion of ignoramus who know nothing about DCPS and schools like Walls, JR, McKinley, and Banneker and yet, like moths to a flame, can’t help coming to the DCPS forum to parade their ignorance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So no one is going to mention DC-CAP as well?

Forgot about that because we make too much to qualify for CAP.

What is the income ceiling for DC-CAP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So no one is going to mention DC-CAP as well?

Forgot about that because we make too much to qualify for CAP.

What is the income ceiling for DC-CAP?

It doesn't have a specific income limitation like DC TAG. Says you have to demonstrate financial need (and leadership potential), but unclear how they define it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak anecdotally, but it seems like DCPS kids (I only know JR and Walls) seem to punch above their weight in college admissions.

I hear horror stories from parents in VA about how their kid was rejected by VT or UVA and their kids have incredible grades, stats, etc...and then I look at the kids I know from JR and Walls getting accepted into those schools with scores, stats, etc. that are nothing incredible. I don't know what majors kids are applying for which could impact it or what...that is why it is all anecdotal.

We also know a number of parents with kids at SJC and JR and they will make the same comment...that kids that have been friends (or even siblings) and were similar at Deal and have similar classes at JR and SJC and similar test scores...the JR kids seem to get "better" college acceptances.

Perhaps DCPS schools are all considered challenged...I honestly don't know.

One final comment on DC TAG...if you look beyond the expensive state flagships (UVA very expensive OOS...Michigan and Cal schools also expensive OOS), then DC TAG can be meaningful. There are a number of state flagships like University of Nebraska, University of South Carolina and others that offer in-state tuition as merit inducement for OOS candidates. In that instance, you receive in-state tuition, plus DC TAG and can attend those schools for very little out-of-pocket $$$s on a net basis.

Going to a large DC public school creates a different type of student that one who attended SJC. I wouldn’t assume that they are a lesser choice or less qualified. They’ve had a very different experience and bring that with them.

A lot of universities don’t want to deal with students who are able to think critically and thus Catholic school students are often disfavored.

DCPS grads think critically? A solid half can't even read.

What a deeply stupid comment from one of the legion of ignoramus who know nothing about DCPS and schools like Walls, JR, McKinley, and Banneker and yet, like moths to a flame, can’t help coming to the DCPS forum to parade their ignorance.

PP is incorrect - 2/3 can't read. See Slide 12. https://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/page_content/attachments/Assessment%202023%20Deck_.08.24_0.pdf
And three of the four high schools you cite are application-based, which indicates that they're pulling from the top candidates. The majority of students in DC cannot perform at grade level in reading. It's not controversial. The data are right there and no amount of DCUM boosting will change that. Students in public schools deserve better, but putting down kids who attend parochial schools won't help. However, it does imply that if you're the kind of person who absolutely needs your kid to be valedictorian, DCPS could be a good place for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak anecdotally, but it seems like DCPS kids (I only know JR and Walls) seem to punch above their weight in college admissions.

I hear horror stories from parents in VA about how their kid was rejected by VT or UVA and their kids have incredible grades, stats, etc...and then I look at the kids I know from JR and Walls getting accepted into those schools with scores, stats, etc. that are nothing incredible. I don't know what majors kids are applying for which could impact it or what...that is why it is all anecdotal.

We also know a number of parents with kids at SJC and JR and they will make the same comment...that kids that have been friends (or even siblings) and were similar at Deal and have similar classes at JR and SJC and similar test scores...the JR kids seem to get "better" college acceptances.

Perhaps DCPS schools are all considered challenged...I honestly don't know.

One final comment on DC TAG...if you look beyond the expensive state flagships (UVA very expensive OOS...Michigan and Cal schools also expensive OOS), then DC TAG can be meaningful. There are a number of state flagships like University of Nebraska, University of South Carolina and others that offer in-state tuition as merit inducement for OOS candidates. In that instance, you receive in-state tuition, plus DC TAG and can attend those schools for very little out-of-pocket $$$s on a net basis.

Going to a large DC public school creates a different type of student that one who attended SJC. I wouldn’t assume that they are a lesser choice or less qualified. They’ve had a very different experience and bring that with them.

A lot of universities don’t want to deal with students who are able to think critically and thus Catholic school students are often disfavored.

DCPS grads think critically? A solid half can't even read.

What a deeply stupid comment from one of the legion of ignoramus who know nothing about DCPS and schools like Walls, JR, McKinley, and Banneker and yet, like moths to a flame, can’t help coming to the DCPS forum to parade their ignorance.

PP is incorrect - 2/3 can't read. See Slide 12. https://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/page_content/attachments/Assessment%202023%20Deck_.08.24_0.pdf
And three of the four high schools you cite are application-based, which indicates that they're pulling from the top candidates. The majority of students in DC cannot perform at grade level in reading. It's not controversial. The data are right there and no amount of DCUM boosting will change that. Students in public schools deserve better, but putting down kids who attend parochial schools won't help. However, it does imply that if you're the kind of person who absolutely needs your kid to be valedictorian, DCPS could be a good place for you.

Quite honestly, who cares how an overall school district performs as long as your school performs well? I actually would not be surprised that if you looked at how all Catholic or private schools perform in DC, the numbers would not be all that great. There are many private schools in Wards 7 & 8 that do not perform well at all, but nobody knows they even exist. However, what does that matter if your kid attends SJC or Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

I used to think like PP above. Then I moved my kids from NW to MoCo for high school after a divorce. My ex lives in Chevy Chase MD and we share custody.

What I get in MoCo that I didn't get in JKLM or at Deal, and wouldn't have had at J-R, are systemic supports, capacity and competence that exceeds that in DCPS by a country mile.

I get better tech, better guidance counselors, better trained teachers overall, a more stable teaching force, better school discipline, a much larger high-performing peer group, much better ECs across the board, more transparency and a accountability (loads), more serious AP classes, IBD classes, more classes past the AP level, more foreign languages taught better, far more flexibility in what my kid can learn, superior school leadership, better facilities across the board and less crowding. I could go on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to think like PP above. Then I moved my kids from NW to MoCo for high school after a divorce. My ex lives in Chevy Chase MD and we share custody.

What I get in MoCo that I didn't get in JKLM or at Deal, and wouldn't have had at J-R, are systemic supports, capacity and competence that exceeds that in DCPS by a country mile.

I get better tech, better guidance counselors, better trained teachers overall, a more stable teaching force, better school discipline, a much larger high-performing peer group, much better ECs across the board, more transparency and a accountability (loads), more serious AP classes, IBD classes, more classes past the AP level, more foreign languages taught better, far more flexibility in what my kid can learn, superior school leadership, better facilities across the board and less crowding. I could go on.

Except you wouldn't say that if your kid went to Einstein or Blair (non-magnet). I agree that Whitman, Churchill, and the other highly rated MoCo HSs are better than JR. Nobody was claiming otherwise. However, that doesn't mean every MoCo school is the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to think like PP above. Then I moved my kids from NW to MoCo for high school after a divorce. My ex lives in Chevy Chase MD and we share custody.

What I get in MoCo that I didn't get in JKLM or at Deal, and wouldn't have had at J-R, are systemic supports, capacity and competence that exceeds that in DCPS by a country mile.

I get better tech, better guidance counselors, better trained teachers overall, a more stable teaching force, better school discipline, a much larger high-performing peer group, much better ECs across the board, more transparency and a accountability (loads), more serious AP classes, IBD classes, more classes past the AP level, more foreign languages taught better, far more flexibility in what my kid can learn, superior school leadership, better facilities across the board and less crowding. I could go on.

Have you read any of the MoCo parent issues? They are on fire and say something totally different. Every school system is great at the top-parents make sure of that. It's the lower tier schools that tell the real story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to think like PP above. Then I moved my kids from NW to MoCo for high school after a divorce. My ex lives in Chevy Chase MD and we share custody.

What I get in MoCo that I didn't get in JKLM or at Deal, and wouldn't have had at J-R, are systemic supports, capacity and competence that exceeds that in DCPS by a country mile.

I get better tech, better guidance counselors, better trained teachers overall, a more stable teaching force, better school discipline, a much larger high-performing peer group, much better ECs across the board, more transparency and a accountability (loads), more serious AP classes, IBD classes, more classes past the AP level, more foreign languages taught better, far more flexibility in what my kid can learn, superior school leadership, better facilities across the board and less crowding. I could go on.

Have you read any of the MoCo parent issues? They are on fire and say something totally different. Every school system is great at the top-parents make sure of that. It's the lower tier schools that tell the real story.

I take your point, but, really, who says DCPS is "great at the top"? Parents are battling against some strong, entrenched currents who think eliminiating the tops eliminates the existence of a lower tier.