i know it is a favorite, but anyone else underwhelmed by Mundo Verde open house?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current MV parent. Moved from another charter. I'll admit that MVs open houses do a poor job of "selling" the school; terrible sound system, awkward translation. But, I would urge you to talk to current parents and find out what they think. MV has a very high re-enrollment rate, which indicates that parents are happy. My children have amazing, dedicated teachers, and we have a great parent community.

I disagree with the above poster that MV is trying to do to much and is not focused. The administration and academic leadership are very committed to the expeditionary learning system and do a great job of making learning fun and interesting for children. In addition, unlike a couple of other schools mentioned, MV has a good aftercare program.

Doesn't MV aftercare cost around $400 month compared to $200- $300 at most schools?

Many of the new charters have aftercare fees in this range.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current MV parent. Moved from another charter. I'll admit that MVs open houses do a poor job of "selling" the school; terrible sound system, awkward translation. But, I would urge you to talk to current parents and find out what they think. MV has a very high re-enrollment rate, which indicates that parents are happy. My children have amazing, dedicated teachers, and we have a great parent community.

I disagree with the above poster that MV is trying to do to much and is not focused. The administration and academic leadership are very committed to the expeditionary learning system and do a great job of making learning fun and interesting for children. In addition, unlike a couple of other schools mentioned, MV has a good aftercare program.

Doesn't MV aftercare cost around $400 month compared to $200- $300 at most schools?

Many of the new charters have aftercare fees in this range.

Good way to weed out lower middle class families on non-profit salaries who aren't FARMS but can't shell out that kind of money, either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given the physical constraints of the current building, I can see that it would be difficult to get a real sense of the school or the community from an open house. In fairness to the school, they do a fantastic job in the classrooms with the building that they have, but it isn't conducive for large gatherings such as open houses and presentations. As someone else already mentioned, this will change when the move to a traditional school building happens in August. If you want to get a real feel for the school you would be better off finding a parent(s) to speak to. The aftercare program is very high quality and most parents we know are happy to pay for care that is organized, well-staffed, and includes a selection of specials. $420 per month breaks out to about $8.40 per hour for full-time aftercare based on 50 hours per month (3:30-6pm daily). I think that this is a reasonable price for everything that is offered. There is also the option to use aftercare on a part-time basis.

What are some of the specials and is there an additional fee on top of the $420/mo? (I know a lot of schools have separate fees for "enrichment"--eg mad science)

There is no additional fee, the specials are integrated into the aftercare program. Some recent workshop specials:

Jewelry Making
Art of papermaking
Zumba Dance
Capoeira
Swimming (at Washington Sports Club)

They also do gardening and cooking that are linked to the classes they do during the day. My kid doesn't do aftercare regularly, but like the others said, when we do it, I really have trouble getting her out because she likes it so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current MV parent. Moved from another charter. I'll admit that MVs open houses do a poor job of "selling" the school; terrible sound system, awkward translation. But, I would urge you to talk to current parents and find out what they think. MV has a very high re-enrollment rate, which indicates that parents are happy. My children have amazing, dedicated teachers, and we have a great parent community.

I disagree with the above poster that MV is trying to do to much and is not focused. The administration and academic leadership are very committed to the expeditionary learning system and do a great job of making learning fun and interesting for children. In addition, unlike a couple of other schools mentioned, MV has a good aftercare program.

Doesn't MV aftercare cost around $400 month compared to $200- $300 at most schools?

Many of the new charters have aftercare fees in this range.

Good way to weed out lower middle class families on non-profit salaries who aren't FARMS but can't shell out that kind of money, either.

There is "mid-level" for families in exactly that income range. Not sure what the exact income range is, but the cost is $252 a month. It's right on the website, there is a link here with the schedule of fees.

http://mundoverdepcs.org/extended-day/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current MV parent. Moved from another charter. I'll admit that MVs open houses do a poor job of "selling" the school; terrible sound system, awkward translation. But, I would urge you to talk to current parents and find out what they think. MV has a very high re-enrollment rate, which indicates that parents are happy. My children have amazing, dedicated teachers, and we have a great parent community.

I disagree with the above poster that MV is trying to do to much and is not focused. The administration and academic leadership are very committed to the expeditionary learning system and do a great job of making learning fun and interesting for children. In addition, unlike a couple of other schools mentioned, MV has a good aftercare program.

Doesn't MV aftercare cost around $400 month compared to $200- $300 at most schools?

Many of the new charters have aftercare fees in this range.

Good way to weed out lower middle class families on non-profit salaries who aren't FARMS but can't shell out that kind of money, either.

There is "mid-level" for families in exactly that income range. Not sure what the exact income range is, but the cost is $252 a month. It's right on the website, there is a link here with the schedule of fees.

http://mundoverdepcs.org/extended-day/

No info there about what the income cutoff is. I imagine it's well below 100k, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:for those impressed by Stokes, I hope you all get in and are as impressed with the ill behaved, impoverished kids that make up the majority of the school.

sticks and stone will break someone ones but your words will not stop us from applying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current MV parent. Moved from another charter. I'll admit that MVs open houses do a poor job of "selling" the school; terrible sound system, awkward translation. But, I would urge you to talk to current parents and find out what they think. MV has a very high re-enrollment rate, which indicates that parents are happy. My children have amazing, dedicated teachers, and we have a great parent community.

I disagree with the above poster that MV is trying to do to much and is not focused. The administration and academic leadership are very committed to the expeditionary learning system and do a great job of making learning fun and interesting for children. In addition, unlike a couple of other schools mentioned, MV has a good aftercare program.

Doesn't MV aftercare cost around $400 month compared to $200- $300 at most schools?

Many of the new charters have aftercare fees in this range.

Good way to weed out lower middle class families on non-profit salaries who aren't FARMS but can't shell out that kind of money, either.

There is "mid-level" for families in exactly that income range. Not sure what the exact income range is, but the cost is $252 a month. It's right on the website, there is a link here with the schedule of fees.

http://mundoverdepcs.org/extended-day/

No info there about what the income cutoff is. I imagine it's well below 100k, though.

You are probably right. No one is forcing anyone to do the aftercare program. If you don't feel it is worth the money, you can arrange for separate care for your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current MV parent. Moved from another charter. I'll admit that MVs open houses do a poor job of "selling" the school; terrible sound system, awkward translation. But, I would urge you to talk to current parents and find out what they think. MV has a very high re-enrollment rate, which indicates that parents are happy. My children have amazing, dedicated teachers, and we have a great parent community.

I disagree with the above poster that MV is trying to do to much and is not focused. The administration and academic leadership are very committed to the expeditionary learning system and do a great job of making learning fun and interesting for children. In addition, unlike a couple of other schools mentioned, MV has a good aftercare program.

Doesn't MV aftercare cost around $400 month compared to $200- $300 at most schools?

Many of the new charters have aftercare fees in this range.

Good way to weed out lower middle class families on non-profit salaries who aren't FARMS but can't shell out that kind of money, either.

There is "mid-level" for families in exactly that income range. Not sure what the exact income range is, but the cost is $252 a month. It's right on the website, there is a link here with the schedule of fees.

http://mundoverdepcs.org/extended-day/

I wish Yu Ying did this! There is a reduced FARMS rate, but not aware of any mid-level or sliding rates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current MV parent. Moved from another charter. I'll admit that MVs open houses do a poor job of "selling" the school; terrible sound system, awkward translation. But, I would urge you to talk to current parents and find out what they think. MV has a very high re-enrollment rate, which indicates that parents are happy. My children have amazing, dedicated teachers, and we have a great parent community.

I disagree with the above poster that MV is trying to do to much and is not focused. The administration and academic leadership are very committed to the expeditionary learning system and do a great job of making learning fun and interesting for children. In addition, unlike a couple of other schools mentioned, MV has a good aftercare program.

Doesn't MV aftercare cost around $400 month compared to $200- $300 at most schools?

Many of the new charters have aftercare fees in this range.

Not true. Only MV and YY have aftercare this high. IT, CM and other new charters are less than $300. Extras are great, but to make the cost that high? Can they try to do less extras to bring the cost down to $350? A happy medium? While they may offer discounts for low income, there are many working-middle class families that $420 will cause a hardship for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current MV parent. Moved from another charter. I'll admit that MVs open houses do a poor job of "selling" the school; terrible sound system, awkward translation. But, I would urge you to talk to current parents and find out what they think. MV has a very high re-enrollment rate, which indicates that parents are happy. My children have amazing, dedicated teachers, and we have a great parent community.

I disagree with the above poster that MV is trying to do to much and is not focused. The administration and academic leadership are very committed to the expeditionary learning system and do a great job of making learning fun and interesting for children. In addition, unlike a couple of other schools mentioned, MV has a good aftercare program.

Doesn't MV aftercare cost around $400 month compared to $200- $300 at most schools?

Many of the new charters have aftercare fees in this range.

Good way to weed out lower middle class families on non-profit salaries who aren't FARMS but can't shell out that kind of money, either.

There is "mid-level" for families in exactly that income range. Not sure what the exact income range is, but the cost is $252 a month. It's right on the website, there is a link here with the schedule of fees.

http://mundoverdepcs.org/extended-day/

No info there about what the income cutoff is. I imagine it's well below 100k, though.

You are probably right. No one is forcing anyone to do the aftercare program. If you don't feel it is worth the money, you can arrange for separate care for your child.

Aftercare is usually more affordable option than private babysitting. Doing care through the school is usually supposed to me cheaper than private care as you're working in numbers. People say $9/hour isn't that bad, well actually it is pretty high when you're talking about 20-50 kids. $9/hour is not bad if you are the only child for a babysitter. But you're not talking one on one care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current MV parent. Moved from another charter. I'll admit that MVs open houses do a poor job of "selling" the school; terrible sound system, awkward translation. But, I would urge you to talk to current parents and find out what they think. MV has a very high re-enrollment rate, which indicates that parents are happy. My children have amazing, dedicated teachers, and we have a great parent community.

I disagree with the above poster that MV is trying to do to much and is not focused. The administration and academic leadership are very committed to the expeditionary learning system and do a great job of making learning fun and interesting for children. In addition, unlike a couple of other schools mentioned, MV has a good aftercare program.

Doesn't MV aftercare cost around $400 month compared to $200- $300 at most schools?

Many of the new charters have aftercare fees in this range.

Not true. Only MV and YY have aftercare this high. IT, CM and other new charters are less than $300. Extras are great, but to make the cost that high? Can they try to do less extras to bring the cost down to $350? A happy medium? While they may offer discounts for low income, there are many working-middle class families that $420 will cause a hardship for.

This is from the Bridges thread - the cost of aftercare with a contract is $20/day, so around $400/month. The cost of drop-in is $22/day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current MV parent. Moved from another charter. I'll admit that MVs open houses do a poor job of "selling" the school; terrible sound system, awkward translation. But, I would urge you to talk to current parents and find out what they think. MV has a very high re-enrollment rate, which indicates that parents are happy. My children have amazing, dedicated teachers, and we have a great parent community.

I disagree with the above poster that MV is trying to do to much and is not focused. The administration and academic leadership are very committed to the expeditionary learning system and do a great job of making learning fun and interesting for children. In addition, unlike a couple of other schools mentioned, MV has a good aftercare program.

Doesn't MV aftercare cost around $400 month compared to $200- $300 at most schools?

Many of the new charters have aftercare fees in this range.

Good way to weed out lower middle class families on non-profit salaries who aren't FARMS but can't shell out that kind of money, either.

There is "mid-level" for families in exactly that income range. Not sure what the exact income range is, but the cost is $252 a month. It's right on the website, there is a link here with the schedule of fees.

http://mundoverdepcs.org/extended-day/

No info there about what the income cutoff is. I imagine it's well below 100k, though.

You are probably right. No one is forcing anyone to do the aftercare program. If you don't feel it is worth the money, you can arrange for separate care for your child.

+1. Whiners go home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current MV parent. Moved from another charter. I'll admit that MVs open houses do a poor job of "selling" the school; terrible sound system, awkward translation. But, I would urge you to talk to current parents and find out what they think. MV has a very high re-enrollment rate, which indicates that parents are happy. My children have amazing, dedicated teachers, and we have a great parent community.

I disagree with the above poster that MV is trying to do to much and is not focused. The administration and academic leadership are very committed to the expeditionary learning system and do a great job of making learning fun and interesting for children. In addition, unlike a couple of other schools mentioned, MV has a good aftercare program.

Doesn't MV aftercare cost around $400 month compared to $200- $300 at most schools?

Many of the new charters have aftercare fees in this range.

Not true. Only MV and YY have aftercare this high. IT, CM and other new charters are less than $300. Extras are great, but to make the cost that high? Can they try to do less extras to bring the cost down to $350? A happy medium? While they may offer discounts for low income, there are many working-middle class families that $420 will cause a hardship for.

This is from the Bridges thread - the cost of aftercare with a contract is $20/day, so around $400/month. The cost of drop-in is $22/day.

Bridges is not "new" as you or PP stated "Many of the new charters have aftercare fees in this range". Also $20 day at 180 school days is $360/month

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current MV parent. Moved from another charter. I'll admit that MVs open houses do a poor job of "selling" the school; terrible sound system, awkward translation. But, I would urge you to talk to current parents and find out what they think. MV has a very high re-enrollment rate, which indicates that parents are happy. My children have amazing, dedicated teachers, and we have a great parent community.

I disagree with the above poster that MV is trying to do to much and is not focused. The administration and academic leadership are very committed to the expeditionary learning system and do a great job of making learning fun and interesting for children. In addition, unlike a couple of other schools mentioned, MV has a good aftercare program.

Doesn't MV aftercare cost around $400 month compared to $200- $300 at most schools?

Many of the new charters have aftercare fees in this range.

Not true. Only MV and YY have aftercare this high. IT, CM and other new charters are less than $300. Extras are great, but to make the cost that high? Can they try to do less extras to bring the cost down to $350? A happy medium? While they may offer discounts for low income, there are many working-middle class families that $420 will cause a hardship for.

As a MV parent I agree that it is high compared to other schools. However, one of the reasons why is that MV does it own aftercare and does not contract out to a separate company like some of the other schools mentioned (they do this primarily for language reasons as I understand). Also, they hire bilingual staff for aftercare which reduces the applicant pool. Last year my family qualified for the sliding scale rate and now that we are doing much better financially pay the full rate. I think the aftercare is great, but again I don't discount that there are families in between the sliding scale rate and full price that would be a serious challenge in considering attending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current MV parent. Moved from another charter. I'll admit that MVs open houses do a poor job of "selling" the school; terrible sound system, awkward translation. But, I would urge you to talk to current parents and find out what they think. MV has a very high re-enrollment rate, which indicates that parents are happy. My children have amazing, dedicated teachers, and we have a great parent community.

I disagree with the above poster that MV is trying to do to much and is not focused. The administration and academic leadership are very committed to the expeditionary learning system and do a great job of making learning fun and interesting for children. In addition, unlike a couple of other schools mentioned, MV has a good aftercare program.

Doesn't MV aftercare cost around $400 month compared to $200- $300 at most schools?

Many of the new charters have aftercare fees in this range.

Good way to weed out lower middle class families on non-profit salaries who aren't FARMS but can't shell out that kind of money, either.

There is "mid-level" for families in exactly that income range. Not sure what the exact income range is, but the cost is $252 a month. It's right on the website, there is a link here with the schedule of fees.

http://mundoverdepcs.org/extended-day/

No info there about what the income cutoff is. I imagine it's well below 100k, though.

You are probably right. No one is forcing anyone to do the aftercare program. If you don't feel it is worth the money, you can arrange for separate care for your child.

+1. Whiners go home.

"Separate care"? You mean a nanny for $15-$20 an hour? How am I supposed to afford that?
Thanks, but I'll stick with my public school where the aftercare is under $300/month.

I know what's next, of course... I should have researched all this years ago and concluded that on my non-profit salary, I could not afford to have children.