The problem with low SES middle schools -unfair!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually - it could be more diverse - it is about 64% BL, 15%HI, 12%MU, 8%WH
55% FARMS

Algebra completion rate by grade 8 is 36%

So basically - hardly any white or hispanic kids - negligible asian.
Predominantly low income
But the big issue is:
Predominantly low achievement

My daughters peers don't care about school and they aren't interested in any enrichment programs. She was so sad when her old friends invited her to one of their after school soccer practices at their school. I felt like we belonged there. I am hoping this adjustment builds character or does something positive for her. I am also hoping she doesn't lose interest in her education. One of the programs this school does offer is a truancy court program. Can anyone out there say that their school offers this???

Interesting. When posters talk about bethesda and potpmac schools with 15% Hispanic kids and and 8% black kids, but the majority are white, people seem to think that is a decent amount of diversity. Hmm.

It's enough for many white parents. BS meets the reality of racism.

I think it's when "idealism" meets "reality".

[Anonymous]

OP
I don't know about your financial situation but would you consider sending her to a private school through middle school and transferring back to MCPS for high school? It sounds like you want your child to have a peer group that is comparable to the one she had in elementary school - kids who are academically oriented and who have a broad range of extra curricular interests. This might be more likely in high school when many of the kids she hung out with in elementary school will attend school with her and if she is a good student she is more likely to be on an honors/AP track and be surrounded by kids who enjoy learning and want to do well. You have a couple of years to do your research and find out which NEC HS is most likely to offer a rigorous high school education and a broad range of stimulating EC activities (perhaps Blake?). Right now the school is not a good fit for your child who is unhappy and it also sounds like you are worried that she might lose her motivation to learn and do well in school which would be really unfortunate.

[Anonymous]

Rent out your current home and get a rental near the school you want to send your kid. After kids graduate from HS, you can go back to your home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If its cloverly, then why not move up the road to Ashton, Sandy Spring or (better yet) Olney?

OP here. Not a troll. School offers an after school basketball skills program. My child stopped going after 3 sessions.

If we were to sell our house, we would take a huge hit and would have a hard time finding something in out price range. I did investigate some catholic school options. I just hate having to pay extra since I really do believe the public schools offer a good education. But. they can't easily control the peer group. I have a friend who had 2 kids attend this middle scool, mentioned above. The one managed to stay focused and do well, but she was teased a lot for being studious. The other one fit in socially but got in trouble a lot and didn't excel academically. She was in the rotc program in high school and ultimately dropped out. Her demeanor changed, her language style changed, her goals changed and her parents feel it was not just herbat-risk personality but also her environment.

I know my daughter. She will be the one to do what she can to fit in. There have been a couple comments about me being a whiner. Before you point fingers, please visit a school with similar demographics and tell me if you still feel the same.

Well then the question is what your priorities are. It's not that you can't move, it's that it's difficult and you don't really want to. So? Decide how important your daughter's education is and act on it. Don't want to move or pay for private? Fine, but then whining about how things should be accomplishes nothing. My own parents lived in the NEC 30 years ago and exhausted their funds and wound up in a house they didn't really like (leaving one they loved) to move upcounty for schools for us. Make the best of it or find an alternative.

[Anonymous]

I do sympathize with you, OP. But you have to make some decisions here. Either you take the reins with your child or the peer group will do it for you. And it doesn't sound like you are going to like the potential outcome there.

I don't think this is an issue so much of race/class. I think it's an issue of your child choosing to associate with the wrong type of kid just to get some attention (from what you have posted). You have also posted that she doesn't apply herself to her studies. How is that a race/class issue?

I went to school in a poor school system most of my life, much poorer than what you'll find anywhere in the NEC schools. There were good groups and bad groups. I chose to hang with the nerdy kids and got great grades and went on to college, etc...

DD needs a firm parental hand and may need a new school... but I sincerely doubt that solves her internal picker when it comes to choosing the bad group of friends. Because these kids exist at every level of the socio-economic level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do sympathize with you, OP. But you have to make some decisions here. Either you take the reins with your child or the peer group will do it for you. And it doesn't sound like you are going to like the potential outcome there.

I don't think this is an issue so much of race/class. I think it's an issue of your child choosing to associate with the wrong type of kid just to get some attention (from what you have posted). You have also posted that she doesn't apply herself to her studies. How is that a race/class issue?

I went to school in a poor school system most of my life, much poorer than what you'll find anywhere in the NEC schools. There were good groups and bad groups. I chose to hang with the nerdy kids and got great grades and went on to college, etc...

DD needs a firm parental hand and may need a new school... but I sincerely doubt that solves her internal picker when it comes to choosing the bad group of friends. Because these kids exist at every level of the socio-economic level.

Me, too. All AP/honors classes. We had real gang bangers at my school.

[Anonymous]

Let's see.
1. Can't be Banneker--the activity bus just started this week.
2. Can't be Briggs Chaney--the announcements on 9/30 mentioned the following: step team, musical, flag football, the school newspaper club, and cheer tryouts.
3.Can't be Farquhar--they have over 10 clubs listed on their activities page.
4. Can't be White Oak--their posted announcements this week mentioned the drama club, flag football, the Spanish choir, as well as the creative writing group.
5. Can't be Key--their principal tweeted about the new leaders of their Eagle Environmental Club, as well as the members of Girls on the Run.


Sooo...OP...what school? Seems like all the NEC feeder middle schools have multiple activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's see.
1. Can't be Banneker--the activity bus just started this week.
2. Can't be Briggs Chaney--the announcements on 9/30 mentioned the following: step team, musical, flag football, the school newspaper club, and cheer tryouts.
3.Can't be Farquhar--they have over 10 clubs listed on their activities page.
4. Can't be White Oak--their posted announcements this week mentioned the drama club, flag football, the Spanish choir, as well as the creative writing group.
5. Can't be Key--their principal tweeted about the new leaders of their Eagle Environmental Club, as well as the members of Girls on the Run.


Sooo...OP...what school? Seems like all the NEC feeder middle schools have multiple activities.

Thank you PP! I'm definitely calling troll on this one now!

[Anonymous]

And putting two and two together to make 4--looks like you're talking about Key.

I don't know what the offerings are this year, but last school year, based on the principal's tweets, there was a Howard University Law School Debate Club, four girls raised over $1K for the National Wildlife Federation, there was a Rubik's Cube club...

...if this indeed is about Key, instead of posting about it on DCUM, why not reach out to the principal and express your concerns?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If its cloverly, then why not move up the road to Ashton, Sandy Spring or (better yet) Olney?

OP here. Not a troll. School offers an after school basketball skills program. My child stopped going after 3 sessions.

If we were to sell our house, we would take a huge hit and would have a hard time finding something in out price range. I did investigate some catholic school options. I just hate having to pay extra since I really do believe the public schools offer a good education. But. they can't easily control the peer group. I have a friend who had 2 kids attend this middle scool, mentioned above. The one managed to stay focused and do well, but she was teased a lot for being studious. The other one fit in socially but got in trouble a lot and didn't excel academically. She was in the rotc program in high school and ultimately dropped out. Her demeanor changed, her language style changed, her goals changed and her parents feel it was not just herbat-risk personality but also her environment.

I know my daughter. She will be the one to do what she can to fit in. There have been a couple comments about me being a whiner. Before you point fingers, please visit a school with similar demographics and tell me if you still feel the same.

Well OP based on what you're describing here it seems your experience is not in line with what you believed. As others have said do not dismiss private schools. It could make a world of difference and be well worth the investment to keep your child interested in school. There are more affordable options beyond Catholic schools. Some may still accept students this year though financial aid would not be available until next year. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I guess this is some school in Northern Silver Spring. I've noticed that many people move to get bigger or newer houses. But there are people who live in 1000 sq ft houses in southern Silver Spring. We stay because our schools are decent, we have a pretty diverse student body, but we aren't dealing with a mono-race. Our houses are old and small.

Of course if you live in a condo, and that is all you can afford, I'm sorry. But some of us chose where we live on the school district and a not-so-big house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's see.
1. Can't be Banneker--the activity bus just started this week.
2. Can't be Briggs Chaney--the announcements on 9/30 mentioned the following: step team, musical, flag football, the school newspaper club, and cheer tryouts.
3.Can't be Farquhar--they have over 10 clubs listed on their activities page.
4. Can't be White Oak--their posted announcements this week mentioned the drama club, flag football, the Spanish choir, as well as the creative writing group.
5. Can't be Key--their principal tweeted about the new leaders of their Eagle Environmental Club, as well as the members of Girls on the Run.


Sooo...OP...what school? Seems like all the NEC feeder middle schools have multiple activities.

Not OP. Why is it so important for you to figure out what school she is referring to. If she wanted to disclose that information she would have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's see.
1. Can't be Banneker--the activity bus just started this week.
2. Can't be Briggs Chaney--the announcements on 9/30 mentioned the following: step team, musical, flag football, the school newspaper club, and cheer tryouts.
3.Can't be Farquhar--they have over 10 clubs listed on their activities page.
4. Can't be White Oak--their posted announcements this week mentioned the drama club, flag football, the Spanish choir, as well as the creative writing group.
5. Can't be Key--their principal tweeted about the new leaders of their Eagle Environmental Club, as well as the members of Girls on the Run.


Sooo...OP...what school? Seems like all the NEC feeder middle schools have multiple activities.

Not OP. Why is it so important for you to figure out what school she is referring to. If she wanted to disclose that information she would have.

I am not the PP you are quoting, but the point seems to be that sh must be talking about one of the above schools, but her description doesn't fit what is actually happening at any of those schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's see.
1. Can't be Banneker--the activity bus just started this week.
2. Can't be Briggs Chaney--the announcements on 9/30 mentioned the following: step team, musical, flag football, the school newspaper club, and cheer tryouts.
3.Can't be Farquhar--they have over 10 clubs listed on their activities page.
4. Can't be White Oak--their posted announcements this week mentioned the drama club, flag football, the Spanish choir, as well as the creative writing group.
5. Can't be Key--their principal tweeted about the new leaders of their Eagle Environmental Club, as well as the members of Girls on the Run.


Sooo...OP...what school? Seems like all the NEC feeder middle schools have multiple activities.

None of the options listed would be of any interest to a lot of kids. The selections at 2 and 5 seem weak. I would be disappointed, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's see.
1. Can't be Banneker--the activity bus just started this week.
2. Can't be Briggs Chaney--the announcements on 9/30 mentioned the following: step team, musical, flag football, the school newspaper club, and cheer tryouts.
3.Can't be Farquhar--they have over 10 clubs listed on their activities page.
4. Can't be White Oak--their posted announcements this week mentioned the drama club, flag football, the Spanish choir, as well as the creative writing group.
5. Can't be Key--their principal tweeted about the new leaders of their Eagle Environmental Club, as well as the members of Girls on the Run.


Sooo...OP...what school? Seems like all the NEC feeder middle schools have multiple activities.

None of the options listed would be of any interest to a lot of kids. The selections at 2 and 5 seem weak. I would be disappointed, too.

OP said only basketball was available. Why make up a story?