Thoughts on DCI, Latin or BASIS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that list isn't going to impress anyone. This is college acceptance season and my niece who goes to a very large public high school, 3000+, outside San Diego got into UC Berkeley and Davis. She has a 3.96 out of a 5 point scale (APs) in the top 1/5 of her class. A friend of hers who maybe #1 got into Harvard, Yale and Stanford.

While Latin is a much smaller school, it Is disappointing to see this list of acceptances for a high school that some consider one of the public best in DC. So where does the #1 or a top 20% student from Latin go to college?

Obviously a public school in California is going to send more students to UC Berkeley and UC Davis (and all the other UCs) than a public school in DC. It's easier to get in, cheaper, and closer to home.

And a suburban school outside San Diego has totally different demographics than a school in DC.

The point is that many "regular" public high schools most anywhere, not magnets, can send their #1 or kids in the top 20% into Ivies and top tier public universities. So where does Latin send their #1 and their top 20%? Sounds like they mostly go to small private second tier liberal arts schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Latin does not have a very impressive list of college acceptances either. No idea of basis and DCI is too new.

Here is the link: http://latinpcs.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/WLPCS-College-Acceptances-2015.pdf

As an upper middle class parent, I also think this list of colleges is unimpressive. There are only 8 colleges on that list that I would be ok (not thrilled) with for my children. However, this list of colleges is probably more than acceptable for children raised in poverty, or are first generation college students.

So Brown you'd be merely be ok with but "not thrilled" about? Northwestern? Cornell? UCLA? Maybe so, but just asking whether you saw these schools on the list--there are some very good schools here.

Latin only got one kid into Brown, and that was three years ago. Almost any halfway decent public high school can launch one or two Ivy League careers at some point in history. Latin steers most kids to small, 2nd tier liberal arts colleges. No judgement, but that's what they do. If Ivy League and "Little Ivy" (Middlebury, Bowdoin, Amherst, Williams etc.) admissions matter to you, and you want your kids in public school, I'd shoot for the MoCo test-in middle and high school magnets, or Arlington or Fairfax GT.

+1

[Anonymous]

Yes that is true.

But the kids have to want to apply to those schools. Unless you have access to Latin's Naviance data there's just no way to know if they applied and were rejected, or chose to apply elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Admissions is much more about a holistic body of work than which high school you attended. In actuality, going to a lesser quality (or even gasp - traditional DCPS) and performing well may look better on your application. We want kids that are motivated, involved in their community, and have other interests outside of education. Your child must demonstrate a certain grasp of knowledge in their coursework; however, attending Basis or Latin makes no difference.

- signed former Admissions Officer at one of the referenced "snobby/elitist" schools

So, let's say I am about to send my child to an IB, unimpressive high school. I want my child to get into a top tier college. What MUST he/she achieve for you not to throw his/her application into the trash can? What do you personally need to see to consider an application holistic? My tendency is to send me child somewhere where at least the environment facilitates academic excellence. To say sending a child to such a school "makes no difference..." are you saying parents are out of their minds to try so hard? I have a sister who went to an IB HS instead of a magnet school. She went to Stanford after that.Yes. But she was the ONLY kid in her school who went to an elite college, and only because she scored perfect on her SATs. I, on the other hand, went to a school with a really good reputation. Most of my friends went on to elite colleges after that. So my sister and I are from the same gene pool. But I went to a school that launched more kids into better schools later on.

To sum it up... you REALLY mean it when you say it doesn't matter where they go to school???

I'm not PP, but that's exactly what I'd confirm statistically speaking (I'm also working in admissions) and indeed your story comes to confirm it. Assuming your sister and you come from similar backgrounds and have a similar set of abilities. It looks to me like you're saying you both got into good schools despite the fact that one of you went to a school that traditionally sends kids to good schools, the other not so much. What research tells you is exactly that: "One and the same kid" (hard to prove but you and your sister come close) will do pretty much the same in different contexts.

Then there are all the exceptions... and there are those who defy predictions. But statistically speaking the person you address your question to is right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Admissions is much more about a holistic body of work than which high school you attended. In actuality, going to a lesser quality (or even gasp - traditional DCPS) and performing well may look better on your application. We want kids that are motivated, involved in their community, and have other interests outside of education. Your child must demonstrate a certain grasp of knowledge in their coursework; however, attending Basis or Latin makes no difference.

- signed former Admissions Officer at one of the referenced "snobby/elitist" schools

So, let's say I am about to send my child to an IB, unimpressive high school. I want my child to get into a top tier college. What MUST he/she achieve for you not to throw his/her application into the trash can? What do you personally need to see to consider an application holistic? My tendency is to send me child somewhere where at least the environment facilitates academic excellence. To say sending a child to such a school "makes no difference..." are you saying parents are out of their minds to try so hard? I have a sister who went to an IB HS instead of a magnet school. She went to Stanford after that.Yes. But she was the ONLY kid in her school who went to an elite college, and only because she scored perfect on her SATs. I, on the other hand, went to a school with a really good reputation. Most of my friends went on to elite colleges after that. So my sister and I are from the same gene pool. But I went to a school that launched more kids into better schools later on.

To sum it up... you REALLY mean it when you say it doesn't matter where they go to school???

I'm not PP, but that's exactly what I'd confirm statistically speaking (I'm also working in admissions) and indeed your story comes to confirm it. Assuming your sister and you come from similar backgrounds and have a similar set of abilities. It looks to me like you're saying you both got into good schools despite the fact that one of you went to a school that traditionally sends kids to good schools, the other not so much. What research tells you is exactly that: "One and the same kid" (hard to prove but you and your sister come close) will do pretty much the same in different contexts.

Then there are all the exceptions... and there are those who defy predictions. But statistically speaking the person you address your question to is right.

Thanks, that is thoughtful feedback. I do have extra data to throw in... My sister and I started out in the same school (early education) that provided an exceptional, really first class childhood for us. Those formative years really built us up. My brother went to a different elementary school (weaker), and his path was not as measurably stellar, but he is a great human being with his own achievements. I think school cultures do form you, even if their names may not. I hope everyone finds a community within which they thrive!

[Anonymous]

I went to an Ivy, and the degree has probably helped me get places, but I think I might have been a lot happier at a smaller private liberal arts college. College admissions have changed a lot since I went to school, and now some of my older friends' brilliant kids who I would have thought of as Ivy League shoo-ins have opted for smaller colleges that really excite them rather than big ones that are supposedly more prestigious. I also notice that, among my own friends, plenty of the ones who went to less-known colleges have ended up having more interesting and exciting careers. The idea of judging a school purely by the prestige level of the colleges it gets its students into is astonishing to me, and repugnant. I can see it can be a factor, but much of this thread makes it sound as if this is the only noteworthy criterion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes that is true.

But the kids have to want to apply to those schools. Unless you have access to Latin's Naviance data there's just no way to know if they applied and were rejected, or chose to apply elsewhere.

I think that's the worst part- that maybe the school says crap like "oh but you'll thrive at small third tier private" instead of trying to apply to Michigan, for instance. I wonder if they direct kids to these third tier schools so they can say "our graduating class got over a million dollars in financial aide!" Really hope not.

Truthfully Latin's course offerings fail to impress, and maybe that's why they only got one kid in Brown three years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to an Ivy, and the degree has probably helped me get places, but I think I might have been a lot happier at a smaller private liberal arts college. College admissions have changed a lot since I went to school, and now some of my older friends' brilliant kids who I would have thought of as Ivy League shoo-ins have opted for smaller colleges that really excite them rather than big ones that are supposedly more prestigious. I also notice that, among my own friends, plenty of the ones who went to less-known colleges have ended up having more interesting and exciting careers. The idea of judging a school purely by the prestige level of the colleges it gets its students into is astonishing to me, and repugnant. I can see it can be a factor, but much of this thread makes it sound as if this is the only noteworthy criterion.

You sound like an apologist for that list of overwhelmingly mediocre schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that list isn't going to impress anyone. This is college acceptance season and my niece who goes to a very large public high school, 3000+, outside San Diego got into UC Berkeley and Davis. She has a 3.96 out of a 5 point scale (APs) in the top 1/5 of her class. A friend of hers who maybe #1 got into Harvard, Yale and Stanford.

While Latin is a much smaller school, it Is disappointing to see this list of acceptances for a high school that some consider one of the public best in DC. So where does the #1 or a top 20% student from Latin go to college?

Obviously a public school in California is going to send more students to UC Berkeley and UC Davis (and all the other UCs) than a public school in DC. It's easier to get in, cheaper, and closer to home.

And a suburban school outside San Diego has totally different demographics than a school in DC.

The point is that many "regular" public high schools most anywhere, not magnets, can send their #1 or kids in the top 20% into Ivies and top tier public universities. So where does Latin send their #1 and their top 20%? Sounds like they mostly go to small private second tier liberal arts schools.

NP here. But that is California, sending kids to well regarded in-state schools. No surprise. Irrelevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to an Ivy, and the degree has probably helped me get places, but I think I might have been a lot happier at a smaller private liberal arts college. College admissions have changed a lot since I went to school, and now some of my older friends' brilliant kids who I would have thought of as Ivy League shoo-ins have opted for smaller colleges that really excite them rather than big ones that are supposedly more prestigious. I also notice that, among my own friends, plenty of the ones who went to less-known colleges have ended up having more interesting and exciting careers. The idea of judging a school purely by the prestige level of the colleges it gets its students into is astonishing to me, and repugnant. I can see it can be a factor, but much of this thread makes it sound as if this is the only noteworthy criterion.

NP here, and I completely agree with this. But hey, if others want to go ahead and bring on more Latin-bashing, have at it, because then when it's our turn Latin won't have as long of a waiting list.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps you could use that ivy degree to explain why, with all of your perceived privilege and background, you feel.so compelled to spend your time putting down the accomplishments of a group of teenaged children you do not know.

BTW, where do your kids go to high school? I need to make sure it's not on our shortlist. (Before you opine--yes, we could afford it, the neighborhood it is in, and our kids would get in.) Your privilege is just not that special or interesting.

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP with a child in Latin's MS (the PP who posted about doubling up on math). What the list of schools says to me is that there is a wide range at Latin, which I think is terrific! It is a truly diverse place in all aspects. I agree that there are many schools on that list where I wouldn't be thrilled to have my child go, but guess what? They won't go to those places if we're not happy with them! There are lots of schools on that list that I'd be delighted with: Brown, William and Mary, Cornell, Wesleyan, Haverford, McGill, Georgetown, UCLA, UMD College Park, U Wisconsin Madison. (There are probably others but I didn't scrutinize the entire list carefully.) On what planet are those schools "mediocre"? Wow.

Also, I can tell you from firsthand knowledge that every year more high achievers are staying from MS and entering the high school, so if the trend continues, I am completely confident that the college acceptances will reflect that more as time goes on.

[Anonymous]

My child (Basis 5th grade) comes home often excited to share what she is learning in school. Every other thing is "so cool." That makes me believe the school is doing a good job stimulating her brain appetite. For someone like her, Basis is a great place.

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP with a child in Latin's MS (the PP who posted about doubling up on math). What the list of schools says to me is that there is a wide range at Latin, which I think is terrific! It is a truly diverse place in all aspects. I agree that there are many schools on that list where I wouldn't be thrilled to have my child go, but guess what? They won't go to those places if we're not happy with them! There are lots of schools on that list that I'd be delighted with: Brown, William and Mary, Cornell, Wesleyan, Haverford, McGill, Georgetown, UCLA, UMD College Park, U Wisconsin Madison. (There are probably others but I didn't scrutinize the entire list carefully.) On what planet are those schools "mediocre"? Wow.

Also, I can tell you from firsthand knowledge that every year more high achievers are staying from MS and entering the high school, so if the trend continues, I am completely confident that the college acceptances will reflect that more as time goes on.

As a fellow Latin parent, I agree with this. I also think that Latin works at placing kids into schools where the individual child will have the best overall opportunities for future success. I do not think that it does kids any favors to pressure them to apply, and if accepted, attend, a school which may be a "reach" in terms of both academic pressure and financial cost. That would benefit the school at cost of the child. Latin draws from all quadrants of the city. It has students who have benefitted from the WOTP elementary schools and the myriad enrichment opportunities those school environments provide. It also has students coming from much weaker ES schools in other parts of the city and often, more challenging life circumstances. For those students, getting into what the snobs on here characterize as "second tier" liberal arts colleges ---especially if that admissions offer comes couples with significant aid in the form of grants and not loans---is an enormous success story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Admissions is much more about a holistic body of work than which high school you attended. In actuality, going to a lesser quality (or even gasp - traditional DCPS) and performing well may look better on your application. We want kids that are motivated, involved in their community, and have other interests outside of education. Your child must demonstrate a certain grasp of knowledge in their coursework; however, attending Basis or Latin makes no difference.

- signed former Admissions Officer at one of the referenced "snobby/elitist" schools

So, let's say I am about to send my child to an IB, unimpressive high school. I want my child to get into a top tier college. What MUST he/she achieve for you not to throw his/her application into the trash can? What do you personally need to see to consider an application holistic? My tendency is to send me child somewhere where at least the environment facilitates academic excellence. To say sending a child to such a school "makes no difference..." are you saying parents are out of their minds to try so hard? I have a sister who went to an IB HS instead of a magnet school. She went to Stanford after that.Yes. But she was the ONLY kid in her school who went to an elite college, and only because she scored perfect on her SATs. I, on the other hand, went to a school with a really good reputation. Most of my friends went on to elite colleges after that. So my sister and I are from the same gene pool. But I went to a school that launched more kids into better schools later on.

To sum it up... you REALLY mean it when you say it doesn't matter where they go to school???

I'm not PP, but that's exactly what I'd confirm statistically speaking (I'm also working in admissions) and indeed your story comes to confirm it. Assuming your sister and you come from similar backgrounds and have a similar set of abilities. It looks to me like you're saying you both got into good schools despite the fact that one of you went to a school that traditionally sends kids to good schools, the other not so much. What research tells you is exactly that: "One and the same kid" (hard to prove but you and your sister come close) will do pretty much the same in different contexts.

Then there are all the exceptions... and there are those who defy predictions. But statistically speaking the person you address your question to is right.

Thanks, that is thoughtful feedback. I do have extra data to throw in... My sister and I started out in the same school (early education) that provided an exceptional, really first class childhood for us. Those formative years really built us up. My brother went to a different elementary school (weaker), and his path was not as measurably stellar, but he is a great human being with his own achievements. I think school cultures do form you, even if their names may not. I hope everyone finds a community within which they thrive!

Original poster here: I would go even a little farther. if I had a choice of a kid coming from Wilson or a kid coming from a top tier private school and both had similar courses and achievements I would give a slight advantage to the kid from Wilson. Now statistically speaking there would probably be a larger number of higher achieving kids at a top tier private school. However, if you were achieving the same things at Wilson you would get the first look. Now there is much more that goes into an admissions decision, community involvement, leadership roles, other interests, etc. Also, there are probably more kids as a percentage that go to the best universities from private schools but that is more a reflection of the pool of students. Your child has no better chance of being accepted based on where they attend. Those that get into elite schools have an internal thirst for knowledge and self improvement. That isn't something that comes from the school you send them to; however, it is something that can flourish in any school.