What are the thoughts on Maury Elementary??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I think Maury will have better upper grades in two years, and I think Watkins will always be kinda okay, but never really great unless there are big changes.

I think Maury needs to look at Brent to see what will happen to their upper grades.

I think Maury is well advised to pursue it's own solution for upper grades. Maury's 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade aren't experiencing the kind of attrition that Brent is in 5th. Not to say it's all rosy - never is, never will be, nowhere - but those grades have something unique to offer and there is a sense of community, among kids, parents, staff in those grades that I for one wouldn't easily compromise on. The 5th grade experience is pretty unique actually and may well be a model for others to follow.

Maybe I have this all wrong but I think the doomsday predictors just don't account for the fact that Maury's location and catchment area are different. For one thing, many parents live in Hill East and aren't all that squeamish about venturing Eo[L]P to look for middle school if that's what it takes.

Famous last words. Where are the white kids at Eliot-Hine? When are we going to see them? School year 2016-2017, when the big group of IB 3rd graders reaches 6th grade? Hope you're right but not holding my breath.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I think Maury will have better upper grades in two years, and I think Watkins will always be kinda okay, but never really great unless there are big changes.

I think Maury needs to look at Brent to see what will happen to their upper grades.

I think Maury is well advised to pursue it's own solution for upper grades. Maury's 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade aren't experiencing the kind of attrition that Brent is in 5th. Not to say it's all rosy - never is, never will be, nowhere - but those grades have something unique to offer and there is a sense of community, among kids, parents, staff in those grades that I for one wouldn't easily compromise on. The 5th grade experience is pretty unique actually and may well be a model for others to follow.

Maybe I have this all wrong but I think the doomsday predictors just don't account for the fact that Maury's location and catchment area are different. For one thing, many parents live in Hill East and aren't all that squeamish about venturing Eo[L]P to look for middle school if that's what it takes.

Famous last words. Where are the white kids at Eliot-Hine? When are we going to see them? School year 2016-2017, when the big group of IB 3rd graders reaches 6th grade? Hope you're right but not holding my breath.

[/quote

Who said I'm white?

[Anonymous]

Looking for whites, that's DCPS newest slogan.

[Anonymous]

Get over yourselves. If they're aren't white kids at E-H, almost all the IB Maury, Brent and Tyler SI high-SES parents (AA, Latino, white, Arab, Asian, biracial, whatever) will continue to avoid the school.

[Anonymous]

The real question for Maury remains whether its scores will ever climb to the levels met by better performing schools.

[Anonymous]

Ditzy, get over yourself Maury ain't all that, we've seen the data. Quite frankly accecpting them is a favor but remember a school that you don't want, just might not want you.

[Anonymous]

Oh look, Word Sala has arrived! Yep, remember the school may not want you. It may be your IB school but (just like Eastern) you are not welcome to attend! Get it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The real question for Maury remains whether its scores will ever climb to the levels met by better performing schools.

Nah, that's not the real question. The real question is how many high-SES families will stick around in the upper grades in years to come. When droves of high-SES families stick around, the scores invariably shoot up to the point where they're no longer worth discussing. e.g. Lafayette with 90%+ scoring proficient and around half scoring advanced.

[Anonymous]

For all of you who choose schools based on the socio-economic status of the children within the school I have two sincere questions for you.

A) If a school had 70 percent lower ses students but test scores around 89-94 percent proficient, would that school be acceptable to you? Why or why not?

B) Does it ever concern you that your throughly high SES school ( Lafayette, janney, Murch, Mann ) could be providing a pretty blah education but posting high test scores based on students privileged backgrounds?

In other words, so you employ any critical thinking to determining if the school is full of talented and committed educators? Or do you just want it full of rich kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For all of you who choose schools based on the socio-economic status of the children within the school I have two sincere questions for you.

A) If a school had 70 percent lower ses students but test scores around 89-94 percent proficient, would that school be acceptable to you? Why or why not?

It depends. Since there are no schools w/ 70% FARMS and 90+% proficient, it's pure speculation, but I would also have to take a look at the school culture and teaching methods. If we're talking about KIPP-style schools, I don't think I'd want my kid in that super-regimented environment either.

B) Does it ever concern you that your throughly high SES school ( Lafayette, janney, Murch, Mann ) could be providing a pretty blah education but posting high test scores based on students privileged backgrounds?

In other words, so you employ any critical thinking to determining if the school is full of talented and committed educators? Or do you just want it full of rich kids?

My kid isn't in a "thoroughly high SES school" but I'd guess most JKLM parents are like me in that they'd prefer a level of poverty in their kids school no higher than, say, 20-30% FARMS.

[Anonymous]

My children's high SES DCPS school is full of talented and committed teachers.

[Anonymous]

I think the answer is that many parents seek a school with a majority of students with cultural norms that they are comfortable with, because their children---especially as they grow into middle and HS years---will start to look at their peer groups for those norms. For example, I don't want my DD in a school where a number of her peers and the families of her peers are fine with early age out of wedlock pregnancy being the norm. I'm not okay with my DC being in a school where a significant number of peers have family members who may be incarcerated. Similarly, I don't want my DC in an elitist environment either, with peers who have an entitled sense that somehow they enjoy their privileged existence due to the fact that somehow they, or their mom, dad or grandpa, are better than everyone else because they have a larger bank account.

[Anonymous]

^^ that doesn't leave 16:11 with a lot of options in DC!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For all of you who choose schools based on the socio-economic status of the children within the school I have two sincere questions for you.

A) If a school had 70 percent lower ses students but test scores around 89-94 percent proficient, would that school be acceptable to you? Why or why not?

B) Does it ever concern you that your throughly high SES school ( Lafayette, janney, Murch, Mann ) could be providing a pretty blah education but posting high test scores based on students privileged backgrounds?

In other words, so you employ any critical thinking to determining if the school is full of talented and committed educators? Or do you just want it full of rich kids?

A) Yes. I could care less about the SES of students as long as the kids are grade level or above.

B) Same answer as A. I don't care about race or economic status or how many talented educators, yadi yada as long as the test scores are at an acceptable range especially for high school. I care about SAT scores and where kids go to college.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]Ditzy, get over yourself Maury ain't all that, we've seen the data. Quite frankly accecpting them is a favor but remember a school that you don't want, just might not want you.[/quote]

I'm not Ditzy. I just hands down refuse to accept a school that can't improve its numbers, particularly on a test as easy as the one DCPS administers. Say what you want about the Stanford 9 test, but the CAS is just a breeze for my kids. As for the school not "wanting" me or my kids ... it's not the school's option. Providing a public education is mandated by statute. So get over yourself ... and look in the mirror. The ditz is you.