Middle and High school for Cap Hill?

[Anonymous]

I lived in CH when I had my first child, but we moved by the time she was one. I have to say, there is a kind of cult mentality to CH parents and I was drinking the kool aid for a long time. Take for example the MOTH listserv, which people treat like it's the best thing ever, but isn't any different than my other neighborhood parent lists.

We've since moved IB to Deal, and it's SOOOOOO nice to not have to worry. And the WOTP parents are WAY less neurotic than CH parents. I think the bother about middle and high schools for CH parents is self-inflicted, IMHO. I think these are high achieving, smart parents who can't afford or don't want to leave WOTP, and want to hustle for their kids.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying my kids' school, not worried about middle and high, and loving that I dropped out of the hustle - I spend my time and money on them in other fun ways.

[Anonymous]

^ The bother isn't self-inflicted; it's inflicted by city politicians, DCPS leaders and community activists who won't support the creation of test-in MS programs, or other paths to serious academic challenge in gentrifying neighborhoods.

Without the demographics for majority high SES MS programs like that at Deal, those of us who love Cap Hill for many other reasons (from great architecture and church communities, to easy work commutes, to lovey parks and playgrounds) struggle to stay here if we can't afford privates. It's easy to pull up and go with a baby, another story if your children are older and attached to local friends, homes and activities.

[Anonymous]

I love the posters who state that schools are getting whiter so one must just be patient. As if the schools aren't really the problem but really it's the brown kids.

Why does race need to be injected into this? grrr....

For the sake of the conversation, let's make that 'high SES'. The fact is that in Cap Hill, there will always be an element of low SES if for no other reason than folks OOB will lottery into Cap Hill schools. Simple as that.

Now, some schools like Brent are small enough that they can crowd out any OOB applicants. I wish there were test-in options for some of the larger schools so that each child can get the attention they need to learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ The bother isn't self-inflicted; it's inflicted by city politicians, DCPS leaders and community activists who won't support the creation of test-in MS programs, or other paths to serious academic challenge in gentrifying neighborhoods.

Without the demographics for majority high SES MS programs like that at Deal, those of us who love Cap Hill for many other reasons (from great architecture and church communities, to easy work commutes, to lovey parks and playgrounds) struggle to stay here if we can't afford privates. It's easy to pull up and go with a baby, another story if your children are older and attached to local friends, homes and activities.

There is going to be a test-in middle school - it's just going to be across the river.

[Anonymous]

Is Washington Global open now? Or next year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Washington Global open now? Or next year?

This year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I lived in CH when I had my first child, but we moved by the time she was one. I have to say, there is a kind of cult mentality to CH parents and I was drinking the kool aid for a long time. Take for example the MOTH listserv, which people treat like it's the best thing ever, but isn't any different than my other neighborhood parent lists.

We've since moved IB to Deal, and it's SOOOOOO nice to not have to worry. And the WOTP parents are WAY less neurotic than CH parents. I think the bother about middle and high schools for CH parents is self-inflicted, IMHO. I think these are high achieving, smart parents who can't afford or don't want to leave WOTP, and want to hustle for their kids.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying my kids' school, not worried about middle and high, and loving that I dropped out of the hustle - I spend my time and money on them in other fun ways.

Well aren't you special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a mixed bag. I know Hill folks who attend Walls, McKinley, Duke, DeMatha (in MD), Gonzaga, Latin and Basis.

NCS - $38,850
St. Anselm's -$25,000
Georgetown Visitation - $27,400
St. John's - $20,750
Sidwell - $37,750
St. Alban's - $40,480

For convenience I've appended the list above with the 2015 tuition numbers. Please keep in mind that these don't include books or other fees at some of these schools. The way people here throw around the term "go private" or suggest that it's that easy amuses me. If you have enough disposable income to send your kid to these schools for 7 years (and to pay the tuition increases that will come annually) then you are in a 30+% federal tax bracket and paying almost 9% to DC. So do the math on this. To pay for tuition that costs only 25k a year you need to find $40,000 pretax W2 dollars just laying around (and that's for the tuitions that are only 25k. Some people can find that kind of money. But to throw that around like a legitimate and accessible option is absurd. But because high income earners make a lot they can probably find that amount. But at a lower tax rate and lower income levels where the heck are you going to find that money? And at what cost? If you saved half of that ($12,500) a year into a 529 account starting in 6th grade you'd have college more than paid for. If you are already maxed out in your 529 and college is paid for then no problem. But if your kid is going to graduate with a hundred grand (or more) in student debt because you spent all your money on private schools then you have to ask yourself if staying in an area without viable schools is the responsible thing to do.

P.S. You still have to apply and get accepted to those schools, yet another barrier to entry.
P.P.S And that's assuming only one kid. I see lots and lots of families on the Hill with 2 or 3.

You're making an assumption that all these families are all paying full tuition. I can assure you that they are not.

-Long time CH resident whose kids get a LOT of financial aid

[Anonymous]

Holy crap. Who is paying $40k/year for Middle school?! I can't even wrap my head around that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is Washington Global open now? Or next year?

This year.

I have heard nothing about it. It's on the hill? And a middle school? I bet the CHPSPO are crapping themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holy crap. Who is paying $40k/year for Middle school?! I can't even wrap my head around that.

To quote a cliche, "if you have to ask..." But that's the point, isn't it? The people who can afford to spend 40k a year on MS aren't limited as to where they can live in DC. Which is why I put that list together in the first place. Because the way people throw around "go private" belies the economic reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is Washington Global open now? Or next year?

This year.

I have heard nothing about it. It's on the hill? And a middle school? I bet the CHPSPO are crapping themselves.

SW DC. Near L'Enfant Plaza. http://washingtonglobal.org/

[Anonymous]

Washington Global doesn't seem to be on anyone's radar. Maybe because the entry point is at 6th Grade. Or maybe because it's like Fight Club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Washington Global doesn't seem to be on anyone's radar. Maybe because the entry point is at 6th Grade. Or maybe because it's like Fight Club.

Brand new. But it's website now highlights it's free before and aftercare as well as GED classes and computer labs for parents. So perhaps targeting a different audience than typical DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Washington Global doesn't seem to be on anyone's radar. Maybe because the entry point is at 6th Grade. Or maybe because it's like Fight Club.

Brand new. But it's website now highlights it's free before and aftercare as well as GED classes and computer labs for parents. So perhaps targeting a different audience than typical DCUM.

you can't get a charter approved in DC unless it focuses on low-income families, or at least pays lip service to doing so.