Feynman school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Strange experience at open house.

In what way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've long suspected many of the pro-Feynman posts are from the school's founder.

They're not.... Feynman is an amazing community of engaged parents who have candid and great things to say. If it weren't great, people wouldn't stay. We do stay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCUM is split on Feynman. Half the parents (mostly moms!) here are prestige conscious- so big 3 or bust. They hate upstarts like Feynman, so big "naysayers". The owners dont do any favor to this opinion by moving every other year and giving interviews that reinroces the school is new or that they hired consultants to burnish image or that they are trying to building up the school's higher grades (as a non-profit) without a clear line of sight into how that might look. The other half of the "yays" who are either enamored by the slick marketing campaign or a small fraction who really believe in gifted/talented kids can be "built" with right exposure to STEM from an early age.

The ideal person you should be asking is someone who has 2 kids- one who goes/went to Feynman and the other who goes/went to MoCo HGC or FCPS system. Good luck finding that ideal person to interview

We have one at Feynman one at a big 3. We could not be happier with Feynman and believe it is serving our child extremely well. I look forward to socializing with the Feynman parents more than I look forward to our big 3 social events. There is a joy and enthusiasm about the place and our child cannot wait to get to school every day and wants to stay for after school activities. No question that the kids are very talented with families that are supportive and looking to build a great institution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM is split on Feynman. Half the parents (mostly moms!) here are prestige conscious- so big 3 or bust. They hate upstarts like Feynman, so big "naysayers". The owners dont do any favor to this opinion by moving every other year and giving interviews that reinroces the school is new or that they hired consultants to burnish image or that they are trying to building up the school's higher grades (as a non-profit) without a clear line of sight into how that might look. The other half of the "yays" who are either enamored by the slick marketing campaign or a small fraction who really believe in gifted/talented kids can be "built" with right exposure to STEM from an early age.

The ideal person you should be asking is someone who has 2 kids- one who goes/went to Feynman and the other who goes/went to MoCo HGC or FCPS system. Good luck finding that ideal person to interview

We have one at Feynman one at a big 3. We could not be happier with Feynman and believe it is serving our child extremely well. I look forward to socializing with the Feynman parents more than I look forward to our big 3 social events. There is a joy and enthusiasm about the place and our child cannot wait to get to school every day and wants to stay for after school activities. No question that the kids are very talented with families that are supportive and looking to build a great institution.

Can you talk about the difference in curriculum between Feynman and your other child's school? What is it about Feynman that makes it a good fit for one child but not the other?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM is split on Feynman. Half the parents (mostly moms!) here are prestige conscious- so big 3 or bust. They hate upstarts like Feynman, so big "naysayers". The owners dont do any favor to this opinion by moving every other year and giving interviews that reinroces the school is new or that they hired consultants to burnish image or that they are trying to building up the school's higher grades (as a non-profit) without a clear line of sight into how that might look. The other half of the "yays" who are either enamored by the slick marketing campaign or a small fraction who really believe in gifted/talented kids can be "built" with right exposure to STEM from an early age.

The ideal person you should be asking is someone who has 2 kids- one who goes/went to Feynman and the other who goes/went to MoCo HGC or FCPS system. Good luck finding that ideal person to interview

We have one at Feynman one at a big 3. We could not be happier with Feynman and believe it is serving our child extremely well. I look forward to socializing with the Feynman parents more than I look forward to our big 3 social events. There is a joy and enthusiasm about the place and our child cannot wait to get to school every day and wants to stay for after school activities. No question that the kids are very talented with families that are supportive and looking to build a great institution.

Can you talk about the difference in curriculum between Feynman and your other child's school? What is it about Feynman that makes it a good fit for one child but not the other?

Sure - our "big 3" kid craves structure, the discipline of homework, etc. Our Feynman child (and caveat: DC is still so young to tell, but observations so far ... ) is very happy with no homework, loved yesterday's "hour of code," craves less structured time to play chess with friends, hurries to be on time for school so as not to miss a minute of STEM (first item of every day).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM is split on Feynman. Half the parents (mostly moms!) here are prestige conscious- so big 3 or bust. They hate upstarts like Feynman, so big "naysayers". The owners dont do any favor to this opinion by moving every other year and giving interviews that reinroces the school is new or that they hired consultants to burnish image or that they are trying to building up the school's higher grades (as a non-profit) without a clear line of sight into how that might look. The other half of the "yays" who are either enamored by the slick marketing campaign or a small fraction who really believe in gifted/talented kids can be "built" with right exposure to STEM from an early age.

The ideal person you should be asking is someone who has 2 kids- one who goes/went to Feynman and the other who goes/went to MoCo HGC or FCPS system. Good luck finding that ideal person to interview

We have one at Feynman one at a big 3. We could not be happier with Feynman and believe it is serving our child extremely well. I look forward to socializing with the Feynman parents more than I look forward to our big 3 social events. There is a joy and enthusiasm about the place and our child cannot wait to get to school every day and wants to stay for after school activities. No question that the kids are very talented with families that are supportive and looking to build a great institution.

Can you talk about the difference in curriculum between Feynman and your other child's school? What is it about Feynman that makes it a good fit for one child but not the other?

Sure - our "big 3" kid craves structure, the discipline of homework, etc. Our Feynman child (and caveat: DC is still so young to tell, but observations so far ... ) is very happy with no homework, loved yesterday's "hour of code," craves less structured time to play chess with friends, hurries to be on time for school so as not to miss a minute of STEM (first item of every day).

Thanks, very helpful. So it sounds like Feynman is a more flexible, creative curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Yes, much more flexible and lots of room to converse and be creative. The upper Elementary grades did a field trip this week to the Thinkfun board game HQ and learned about game design and development. They will be creating their own board games with game theory and documentation. What a great way to teach a variety of important learning skills!

Sometimes the lack of structure bothers me and my kid, but more often than not, we appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, much more flexible and lots of room to converse and be creative. The upper Elementary grades did a field trip this week to the Thinkfun board game HQ and learned about game design and development. They will be creating their own board games with game theory and documentation. What a great way to teach a variety of important learning skills!

Sometimes the lack of structure bothers me and my kid, but more often than not, we appreciate it.

Thanks again. Your perspective is really helpfulI'm hoping to move my DS to private school when he's in 3rd grade. He's currently at a public school that offers no advancement or enrichment. He's very smart, but still, he doesn't know what he doesn't know. How hard would it be to catch up?

[Anonymous]

Catch up to what? Kids can work at their own level at Feynman so I don't think you need to worry about catching him up. Maybe send him for a visit this year and see what you think?

[Anonymous]

Prospective families should be aware that not everyone is happy with Feynman. I agree with most of what has been written thus far, but that's only part of the picture. It is not accredited. Fledgling parent organizations are shut down. Dissenting opinions are pushed aside if they make the owners uncomfortable. There has been a lot of student and staff turnover. Parents are treated with glowing favoritism or coldness, depending on how the Golds feel about them. It might still be the best school for your child. It might even be life-altering for your child. But before committing, you should locate and talk to a family who has left Feynman and is willing to speak frankly to get a more complete picture of what goes on behind the scenes. There are a number of former Feynman families who are quite angry and resentful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, much more flexible and lots of room to converse and be creative. The upper Elementary grades did a field trip this week to the Thinkfun board game HQ and learned about game design and development. They will be creating their own board games with game theory and documentation. What a great way to teach a variety of important learning skills!

Sometimes the lack of structure bothers me and my kid, but more often than not, we appreciate it.

I'm curious. Why do you keep your other child in the big 3 school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Prospective families should be aware that not everyone is happy with Feynman. I agree with most of what has been written thus far, but that's only part of the picture. It is not accredited. Fledgling parent organizations are shut down. Dissenting opinions are pushed aside if they make the owners uncomfortable. There has been a lot of student and staff turnover. Parents are treated with glowing favoritism or coldness, depending on how the Golds feel about them. It might still be the best school for your child. It might even be life-altering for your child. But before committing, you should locate and talk to a family who has left Feynman and is willing to speak frankly to get a more complete picture of what goes on behind the scenes. There are a number of former Feynman families who are quite angry and resentful.

Sounds very Trumpian.

[Anonymous]

How would one locate a family who left? Hypothetically, of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Strange experience at open house.

Explain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Prospective families should be aware that not everyone is happy with Feynman. I agree with most of what has been written thus far, but that's only part of the picture. It is not accredited. Fledgling parent organizations are shut down. Dissenting opinions are pushed aside if they make the owners uncomfortable. There has been a lot of student and staff turnover. Parents are treated with glowing favoritism or coldness, depending on how the Golds feel about them. It might still be the best school for your child. It might even be life-altering for your child. But before committing, you should locate and talk to a family who has left Feynman and is willing to speak frankly to get a more complete picture of what goes on behind the scenes. There are a number of former Feynman families who are quite angry and resentful.

Okay, excellent feedback. How would I get in touch with parents who left Feynman?