Shell-shocked student - on to Deal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you think that this phenomenon does not occur in private schools? I would think that a $30,000/year/child investment might influence what a parent might say about their child's school. Who wants to admit they are spending that kind of money on something that they are not ecstatic about? Probably only the ridiculously wealthy and they are likely not on this board No school, public or private is perfect. Find what works best for your kid and support that. OP-it sounds like your current situation is not working for your child. Investigate your options and make the best decision you can with what you learn. Take the cr@p on this thread with a grain of salt.

They are on this board but not on this part of it!
I went to a private prep school with 51 kids in my class, and went on to a private college with 1500 students. Both extremely competitive and "amazing" - and we did NOT pay $30 grand a year because we got financial aid and scholarships. So to those of you thinking it can't be done for financial reasons, it CAN. At least, it doesn't hurt to try. You can always go back the the public school if the money part of things doesn't work out.

[Anonymous]

We're one of those families with one in private (older) and one still in younger. I must say, while nothing maybe worth every penny of $30G, the experience in private vs. DC public is mind-blowing. Our child has absolutely blossomed, we believe partly because of the street smarts and diversity a kid gets only in public (early years through 6), but the utter enthusiasm by staff and quality of teaching, and so many sensible things going on, we're poor now but so happy for our kid. I am sure there are a couple of DC public Middle and High Schools that compare but let's be honest, they can't house every kid in the city. Also the numbers of public school families that enter in upper grades makes for a much less snobby atmosphere, the "lifers" begin to be outnumbered and the weaker students (or troublemakers) weeded out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're one of those families with one in private (older) and one still in younger. I must say, while nothing maybe worth every penny of $30G, the experience in private vs. DC public is mind-blowing. Our child has absolutely blossomed, we believe partly because of the street smarts and diversity a kid gets only in public (early years through 6), but the utter enthusiasm by staff and quality of teaching, and so many sensible things going on, we're poor now but so happy for our kid. I am sure there are a couple of DC public Middle and High Schools that compare but let's be honest, they can't house every kid in the city. Also the numbers of public school families that enter in upper grades makes for a much less snobby atmosphere, the "lifers" begin to be outnumbered and the weaker students (or troublemakers) weeded out.

??????????

[Anonymous]

???? are you confused? This is simply the experience shared by a parent (me) whose children attended DCPS through elementary and reluctantly applied to a private school when the middle school options for our older child were not a good fit. For parents like us who never imagined we would ever consider private we are pleasantly surprised, that's the message. So to parents who want to roll the dice on private and for many aim for financial aid, I say go for it. The other point made is that by the upper grades (after elementary years) the socio-economic mix is more balanced as this is when many public school families make the switch. Finally, it's shameful that four years after Rhee, Deal is still the only sought after Middle School option (and always was), and there's simply not room there for all of us. Hardy would have been a very attractive option for us as well, but the ugly removal of the principal ruined many of its unique qualities. Parents at Hardy now will say its the strength of the remaining teachers at Hardy that it survives despite the upheaval forced upon it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:???? are you confused? This is simply the experience shared by a parent (me) whose children attended DCPS through elementary and reluctantly applied to a private school when the middle school options for our older child were not a good fit. For parents like us who never imagined we would ever consider private we are pleasantly surprised, that's the message. So to parents who want to roll the dice on private and for many aim for financial aid, I say go for it. The other point made is that by the upper grades (after elementary years) the socio-economic mix is more balanced as this is when many public school families make the switch. Finally, it's shameful that four years after Rhee, Deal is still the only sought after Middle School option (and always was), and there's simply not room there for all of us. Hardy would have been a very attractive option for us as well, but the ugly removal of the principal ruined many of its unique qualities. Parents at Hardy now will say its the strength of the remaining teachers at Hardy that it survives despite the upheaval forced upon it.

Washington Latin is superior to Deal (due to the smaller size and more rigorous curriculum) but Rhee can't take credit for that. Latin actually grew on her watch. As for Hardy, it's just reinforced its also-ran status. Private makes a lot of sense once you get to middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Washington Latin is superior to Deal (due to the smaller size and more rigorous curriculum) but Rhee can't take credit for that. Latin actually grew on her watch. As for Hardy, it's just reinforced its also-ran status. Private makes a lot of sense once you get to middle school.

Cue the anti-Deal poster. It is funny, I never see pro-Deal posters claim superiority to WL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Washington Latin is superior to Deal (due to the smaller size and more rigorous curriculum) but Rhee can't take credit for that. Latin actually grew on her watch. As for Hardy, it's just reinforced its also-ran status. Private makes a lot of sense once you get to middle school.

Cue the anti-Deal poster. It is funny, I never see pro-Deal posters claim superiority to WL.

Me neither. Similarly, I never see pro-Stuart Hobson or pro-Noyes or pro-Takoma posters claiming superiority.

Maybe it's because they can't? Latin has a challenging curriculum. Everyone else doesn't. If you care about challenging academics, it looks like your choices are Latin or private.

(BTW, my DS is in 1st, and I'm not a booster.)

[Anonymous]

If you don't think the child will be well served in a large class, then move her back to the charter...or give her time to adjust to the new teaching structure

[Anonymous]

OP, I think that is a hard year to move and to break in at a school where the kids have mostly been together, it's like moving in 8th grade. Does she seem to be making friends? Have you invited kids over from the new school? Have you been able to volunteer at the new school to get a sense of what is going on?

Had you been to Deal before making the switch? Maybe look at charter options like Latin, Haynes, Cap City? I think if you go to Deal you are going to have to work to help her find her place, there are a lot of kids there who have grown up together at JLM. There are newer kids but if she is less outgoing you may have to strategize and work to help her find her niche. That said, all of the activities at Deal should help with that as well.

Some kids do better in small classes. Transfering in ANYWHERE in 5th would be tough though. Are privates an option at all? It's not just DC, MC upper schools are often HUGE.

Cliche, but work to expand you options and work hard to make the one you choose work for your kid. You might want to try to get a sense of where her buds from her old charter are likely to go for 6th as well.

[Anonymous]

I bet if the Gray admin. gets Washington Latin a great and accessble campus with the bells and whistles a high performing school like Latin deserves it will give Deal a big run for the money.

[Anonymous]

Enough about WL. Give it a rest.

[Anonymous]

PP said noone is saying Stuart Hobson is better than Latin. True, but I know kids who have gone on from Hobson to Wilson then Penn State, GW and Dartmouth. My oldest kid is in 1st and not in boundary for either Stuart Hobson or Deal, but honestly if we hit the massive jackpot and got into all three, I'd probably pick Hobson because its near home and decent. It's smaller and my child would know friends from camps, daycare, sports all on Cap Hill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Washington Latin is superior to Deal (due to the smaller size and more rigorous curriculum) but Rhee can't take credit for that. Latin actually grew on her watch. As for Hardy, it's just reinforced its also-ran status. Private makes a lot of sense once you get to middle school.

Cue the anti-Deal poster. It is funny, I never see pro-Deal posters claim superiority to WL.

Me neither. Similarly, I never see pro-Stuart Hobson or pro-Noyes or pro-Takoma posters claiming superiority.

Maybe it's because they can't? Latin has a challenging curriculum. Everyone else doesn't. If you care about challenging academics, it looks like your choices are Latin or private.

(BTW, my DS is in 1st, and I'm not a booster.)

Shut up already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bet if the Gray admin. gets Washington Latin a great and accessble campus with the bells and whistles a high performing school like Latin deserves it will give Deal a big run for the money.

Why would that be Gray's responsibility? Other charter schools have managed to create great and accessible campuses -- look at Seed, KIPP-KEY, and the new Haynes high school for some examples.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Washington Latin is superior to Deal (due to the smaller size and more rigorous curriculum) but Rhee can't take credit for that. Latin actually grew on her watch. As for Hardy, it's just reinforced its also-ran status. Private makes a lot of sense once you get to middle school.

Cue the anti-Deal poster. It is funny, I never see pro-Deal posters claim superiority to WL.

Me neither. Similarly, I never see pro-Stuart Hobson or pro-Noyes or pro-Takoma posters claiming superiority.

Maybe it's because they can't? Latin has a challenging curriculum. Everyone else doesn't. If you care about challenging academics, it looks like your choices are Latin or private.

(BTW, my DS is in 1st, and I'm not a booster.)

My kid's in MCPS, but I have friends with kids at both Latin and Deal. I've had a chance to talk to other parents, compare homework, etc. . . . , and was frankly underwhelmed with Latin. The Latin student had more homework than the other two, true, but of less quality -- lots of pointless busy work.