Anyone else disillusioned with the whole process?

[Anonymous]

Learn to take each year as it comes unless something really terrible happens. That will work until around 3rd grade. IMO that is when you will notice how good a school really is for your child. Things will be changing consistently as your little person progresses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The lottery system turns us into consumers/ customers rather than citizens/ community members. If we don't like something at a school- there is little incentive to roll up our sleeves and invest to improve the school. We just roll the dice again and just leave.

There are lot of us 'rolling up our sleeves' and getting a lot done at our schools. But without support from administration and the school system only so much can be done. So, yeah it is heartbreaking to think about leaving a neighborhood dcps that we have but time, money and tons of energy into. But if a much better opportunity comes along for our kids we will probably take it. In in this case better doesn't mean all white or no at risk students. It means a truly diverse school with solid academics, creative learning, playtime and enrichment opportunities.
In the meantime I and many other parentswill keep 'rolling up my sleeves' in my working class/middle class neighborhood school trying to bring support and improvements where possible. But until dcps actually listens to parent bodies without a 6figure PTO we are kind of up a creek.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I’m in the same boat but just starting with PK3. We are AA as well and your concerns are in line with ours. I’ve had to come to the realization that a move outside to neighboring counties might just be what happens with us in a few years.

We are also AA and planning to de-camp to Howard County before 3rd grade.

We have thought of moving too. But we don't really enjoy the subrban lifestyle. We want our kids in schools with good mirrors and other kids of color. I have Ben told there isn't much diversity to really be found in Howard County. Maybe I am hearing from the wrong people and missing a gem of a neighborhood or school?

I really don't like the idea of needing to move to the burbs to find a good school system or some how come up with money for private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The lottery system turns us into consumers/ customers rather than citizens/ community members. If we don't like something at a school- there is little incentive to roll up our sleeves and invest to improve the school. We just roll the dice again and just leave.

There are lot of us 'rolling up our sleeves' and getting a lot done at our schools. But without support from administration and the school system only so much can be done. So, yeah it is heartbreaking to think about leaving a neighborhood dcps that we have but time, money and tons of energy into. But if a much better opportunity comes along for our kids we will probably take it. In in this case better doesn't mean all white or no at risk students. It means a truly diverse school with solid academics, creative learning, playtime and enrichment opportunities.
In the meantime I and many other parentswill keep 'rolling up my sleeves' in my working class/middle class neighborhood school trying to bring support and improvements where possible. But until dcps actually listens to parent bodies without a 6figure PTO we are kind of up a creek.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The lottery system turns us into consumers/ customers rather than citizens/ community members. If we don't like something at a school- there is little incentive to roll up our sleeves and invest to improve the school. We just roll the dice again and just leave.

There are lot of us 'rolling up our sleeves' and getting a lot done at our schools. But without support from administration and the school system only so much can be done. So, yeah it is heartbreaking to think about leaving a neighborhood dcps that we have but time, money and tons of energy into. But if a much better opportunity comes along for our kids we will probably take it. In in this case better doesn't mean all white or no at risk students. It means a truly diverse school with solid academics, creative learning, playtime and enrichment opportunities.
In the meantime I and many other parentswill keep 'rolling up my sleeves' in my working class/middle class neighborhood school trying to bring support and improvements where possible. But until dcps actually listens to parent bodies without a 6figure PTO we are kind of up a creek.

+1000

Which 6-figure PTO does DCPS listen to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I’m in the same boat but just starting with PK3. We are AA as well and your concerns are in line with ours. I’ve had to come to the realization that a move outside to neighboring counties might just be what happens with us in a few years.

We are also AA and planning to de-camp to Howard County before 3rd grade.

We have thought of moving too. But we don't really enjoy the subrban lifestyle. We want our kids in schools with good mirrors and other kids of color. I have Ben told there isn't much diversity to really be found in Howard County. Maybe I am hearing from the wrong people and missing a gem of a neighborhood or school?

I really don't like the idea of needing to move to the burbs to find a good school system or some how come up with money for private.

DP here. My sample size is small, but I happen to know several highly educated AA and biracial (with AA) people from work who live in Howard County and love the school system. I was told they have a program in high school for kids to take courses they get college credit for. It's free.

I'm not AA but they can't believe the schools crap I put up with here in DC. They make no bones about the fact that standardized test scores mean something (PARCC here in DC). It seems ludicrous to people in good school systems outside DC that folks in DC even debate this. After our charter school experience, I agree with them. We got into one of the top HRC's and around 2nd-3rd grade we started to see that it's all window dressing. We're leaving for our IB DCPS in the Fall. If that doesn't work out well, then we're moving to VA for good schools and in state tuition at lots of good colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The lottery system turns us into consumers/ customers rather than citizens/ community members. If we don't like something at a school- there is little incentive to roll up our sleeves and invest to improve the school. We just roll the dice again and just leave.

There are lot of us 'rolling up our sleeves' and getting a lot done at our schools. But without support from administration and the school system only so much can be done. So, yeah it is heartbreaking to think about leaving a neighborhood dcps that we have but time, money and tons of energy into. But if a much better opportunity comes along for our kids we will probably take it. In in this case better doesn't mean all white or no at risk students. It means a truly diverse school with solid academics, creative learning, playtime and enrichment opportunities.
In the meantime I and many other parentswill keep 'rolling up my sleeves' in my working class/middle class neighborhood school trying to bring support and improvements where possible. But until dcps actually listens to parent bodies without a 6figure PTO we are kind of up a creek.

+1000

Which 6-figure PTO does DCPS listen to?

It is dawning on me that there is a lot of "grass is greener" going on. Go visit. There is a lot going on in your imagination that does not match reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I’m in the same boat but just starting with PK3. We are AA as well and your concerns are in line with ours. I’ve had to come to the realization that a move outside to neighboring counties might just be what happens with us in a few years.

We are also AA and planning to de-camp to Howard County before 3rd grade.

We have thought of moving too. But we don't really enjoy the subrban lifestyle. We want our kids in schools with good mirrors and other kids of color. I have Ben told there isn't much diversity to really be found in Howard County. Maybe I am hearing from the wrong people and missing a gem of a neighborhood or school?

I really don't like the idea of needing to move to the burbs to find a good school system or some how come up with money for private.

DP here. My sample size is small, but I happen to know several highly educated AA and biracial (with AA) people from work who live in Howard County and love the school system. I was told they have a program in high school for kids to take courses they get college credit for. It's free.

I'm not AA but they can't believe the schools crap I put up with here in DC. They make no bones about the fact that standardized test scores mean something (PARCC here in DC). It seems ludicrous to people in good school systems outside DC that folks in DC even debate this. After our charter school experience, I agree with them. We got into one of the top HRC's and around 2nd-3rd grade we started to see that it's all window dressing. We're leaving for our IB DCPS in the Fall. If that doesn't work out well, then we're moving to VA for good schools and in state tuition at lots of good colleges.

That's because those people do not have any poors around, so they just don't get the extreme level of inequality present in DC. Trust me. And DC people do not debate the importance of PARCC they just try to take it apart based more on the background of the child, growth scores, etc. This is not so ludicrous. My feeling is, the real issue is SES - everyone wants their kids around a few model upper class POCs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I’m in the same boat but just starting with PK3. We are AA as well and your concerns are in line with ours. I’ve had to come to the realization that a move outside to neighboring counties might just be what happens with us in a few years.

We are also AA and planning to de-camp to Howard County before 3rd grade.

We have thought of moving too. But we don't really enjoy the subrban lifestyle. We want our kids in schools with good mirrors and other kids of color. I have Ben told there isn't much diversity to really be found in Howard County. Maybe I am hearing from the wrong people and missing a gem of a neighborhood or school?

I really don't like the idea of needing to move to the burbs to find a good school system or some how come up with money for private.

DP here. My sample size is small, but I happen to know several highly educated AA and biracial (with AA) people from work who live in Howard County and love the school system. I was told they have a program in high school for kids to take courses they get college credit for. It's free.

I'm not AA but they can't believe the schools crap I put up with here in DC. They make no bones about the fact that standardized test scores mean something (PARCC here in DC). It seems ludicrous to people in good school systems outside DC that folks in DC even debate this. After our charter school experience, I agree with them. We got into one of the top HRC's and around 2nd-3rd grade we started to see that it's all window dressing. We're leaving for our IB DCPS in the Fall. If that doesn't work out well, then we're moving to VA for good schools and in state tuition at lots of good colleges.

Your kids must be young if you are not aware that all DCPS high school kids can take courses for which they can receive college credit -- they and even dual enroll in college while in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I’m in the same boat but just starting with PK3. We are AA as well and your concerns are in line with ours. I’ve had to come to the realization that a move outside to neighboring counties might just be what happens with us in a few years.

We are also AA and planning to de-camp to Howard County before 3rd grade.

We have thought of moving too. But we don't really enjoy the subrban lifestyle. We want our kids in schools with good mirrors and other kids of color. I have Ben told there isn't much diversity to really be found in Howard County. Maybe I am hearing from the wrong people and missing a gem of a neighborhood or school?

I really don't like the idea of needing to move to the burbs to find a good school system or some how come up with money for private.

DP here. My sample size is small, but I happen to know several highly educated AA and biracial (with AA) people from work who live in Howard County and love the school system. I was told they have a program in high school for kids to take courses they get college credit for. It's free.

I'm not AA but they can't believe the schools crap I put up with here in DC. They make no bones about the fact that standardized test scores mean something (PARCC here in DC). It seems ludicrous to people in good school systems outside DC that folks in DC even debate this. After our charter school experience, I agree with them. We got into one of the top HRC's and around 2nd-3rd grade we started to see that it's all window dressing. We're leaving for our IB DCPS in the Fall. If that doesn't work out well, then we're moving to VA for good schools and in state tuition at lots of good colleges.

Your kids must be young if you are not aware that all DCPS high school kids can take courses for which they can receive college credit -- they and even dual enroll in college while in high school.

Also I think they get in state tuition at any state. Or has that program been ended?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I’m in the same boat but just starting with PK3. We are AA as well and your concerns are in line with ours. I’ve had to come to the realization that a move outside to neighboring counties might just be what happens with us in a few years.

We are also AA and planning to de-camp to Howard County before 3rd grade.

We have thought of moving too. But we don't really enjoy the subrban lifestyle. We want our kids in schools with good mirrors and other kids of color. I have Ben told there isn't much diversity to really be found in Howard County. Maybe I am hearing from the wrong people and missing a gem of a neighborhood or school?

I really don't like the idea of needing to move to the burbs to find a good school system or some how come up with money for private.

DP here. My sample size is small, but I happen to know several highly educated AA and biracial (with AA) people from work who live in Howard County and love the school system. I was told they have a program in high school for kids to take courses they get college credit for. It's free.

I'm not AA but they can't believe the schools crap I put up with here in DC. They make no bones about the fact that standardized test scores mean something (PARCC here in DC). It seems ludicrous to people in good school systems outside DC that folks in DC even debate this. After our charter school experience, I agree with them. We got into one of the top HRC's and around 2nd-3rd grade we started to see that it's all window dressing. We're leaving for our IB DCPS in the Fall. If that doesn't work out well, then we're moving to VA for good schools and in state tuition at lots of good colleges.

Your kids must be young if you are not aware that all DCPS high school kids can take courses for which they can receive college credit -- they and even dual enroll in college while in high school.

Also I think they get in state tuition at any state. Or has that program been ended?

DC residents currently get $10K towards tuition at any state school. However, the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at the most popular state schools (Michigan, UVA, Wisconsin, UNC and on) is typically close to $35K per year. So it's not "instate tuition". It's 10K saving off out-of-state. Many kids are finding it cheaper to go to private colleges with scholarship or aid money.

[Anonymous]

^^ NP adding -- the DC TAG funding, which PPs refer to, must be funded each year by Congress, and it is not an easy fight.

Should Eleanor Holmes Norton retire before your children are college age, I wouldn't count on it being there. Her personal relationships with House and Senate Republicans have had to be leveraged to save it every single year since its inception.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I’m in the same boat but just starting with PK3. We are AA as well and your concerns are in line with ours. I’ve had to come to the realization that a move outside to neighboring counties might just be what happens with us in a few years.

We are also AA and planning to de-camp to Howard County before 3rd grade.

We have thought of moving too. But we don't really enjoy the subrban lifestyle. We want our kids in schools with good mirrors and other kids of color. I have Ben told there isn't much diversity to really be found in Howard County. Maybe I am hearing from the wrong people and missing a gem of a neighborhood or school?

I really don't like the idea of needing to move to the burbs to find a good school system or some how come up with money for private.

DP here. My sample size is small, but I happen to know several highly educated AA and biracial (with AA) people from work who live in Howard County and love the school system. I was told they have a program in high school for kids to take courses they get college credit for. It's free.

I'm not AA but they can't believe the schools crap I put up with here in DC. They make no bones about the fact that standardized test scores mean something (PARCC here in DC). It seems ludicrous to people in good school systems outside DC that folks in DC even debate this. After our charter school experience, I agree with them. We got into one of the top HRC's and around 2nd-3rd grade we started to see that it's all window dressing. We're leaving for our IB DCPS in the Fall. If that doesn't work out well, then we're moving to VA for good schools and in state tuition at lots of good colleges.

Your kids must be young if you are not aware that all DCPS high school kids can take courses for which they can receive college credit -- they and even dual enroll in college while in high school.

Also I think they get in state tuition at any state. Or has that program been ended?

I never said that DCPS didn't offer the college credit courses; only that my Howard County colleagues are very pleased with their high schools and this program. I don't think they would be pleased to send their kids to Coolidge or even Wilson to access this program.

No, DC has never received in state tuition for every state. There are some state schools that offer in state tuition to DC. Most don't. While TAG provides some benefits, the DC resident tuition is frequently much more than in state tuition. It would be less expensive to send my kids to VA schools with in state tuition than to pay the DC resident rate.

[Anonymous]

So, what are the best ward 4&5 schools middle class AA families? (for those of us that can't pick up and move)

[Anonymous]

So, what are the best ward 4&5 schools middle class AA families? (for those of us that can't pick up and move)