Hidden Gems

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, the concept of "hidden gems" is the topic of an entire episode of the Integrated Schools podcast. I commend it to you (and others here):

https://integratedschools.org/podcast/ep-6-the-hidden-gem/

Here is a summary of the episode:

There are lots of great schools without many white kids, however, when white parents start to integrate a global majority school because they think they’ve found a hidden gem, it can lead in some troubling directions. Anna from LA (you may remember her from Ep 1) joins us to discuss the problems that arise when we come to integration just looking for a hidden gem. We touch on the narrative around what makes a “good” school, and we discuss how the Hidden Gem story encourages resource hoarding and can pave the way for colonizing.

I thought the earlier poster was exaggerating, but I guess not. So, I'm out. Clearly nothing I do will ever be right.

No idea how old he is but Jeff is sounding like a particularly unenlightened boomer.

It doesn't make you enlightened to be mean. Were you always super knowledgeable? Ever need to learn something? Ever on the wrong side of an issue?

Try to be a little more understanding. We're all learning.

We are all learning. I have a lot easier time being understanding with someone who admits that than with someone insisting they already know everything they need to know, and that different information is immediately wrong/insulting/laughable just by virtue of its unfamiliarity.

“Nothing I do will ever be right” is something I have previously heard only from Livia Soprano.

I'm not saying that being defensive is the right thing to do. The guy just got his baby (this website) publicly trashed all over the place, took a shot at trying to do better, and, not surprisingly, still has issues. Piling on probably feels pretty satisfying to you, but isn't actually helpful.

I don't believe that Jeff has bad intentions. While intentions are not enough, it's at least a starting point where he can build from if he can get past the hurt feelings from this.

his intention is to create a forum for discussion of schools, not to know all the buzzwords.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A friend of a friend worked at McKinley Tech about 3 years ago. Kids do not hold/keep the required GPA to stay enrolled. It’s not what it’s cracked up to be.

There's a reliable opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, the concept of "hidden gems" is the topic of an entire episode of the Integrated Schools podcast. I commend it to you (and others here):

https://integratedschools.org/podcast/ep-6-the-hidden-gem/

Here is a summary of the episode:

There are lots of great schools without many white kids, however, when white parents start to integrate a global majority school because they think they’ve found a hidden gem, it can lead in some troubling directions. Anna from LA (you may remember her from Ep 1) joins us to discuss the problems that arise when we come to integration just looking for a hidden gem. We touch on the narrative around what makes a “good” school, and we discuss how the Hidden Gem story encourages resource hoarding and can pave the way for colonizing.

I thought the earlier poster was exaggerating, but I guess not. So, I'm out. Clearly nothing I do will ever be right.

No idea how old he is but Jeff is sounding like a particularly unenlightened boomer.

It doesn't make you enlightened to be mean. Were you always super knowledgeable? Ever need to learn something? Ever on the wrong side of an issue?

Try to be a little more understanding. We're all learning.

There's scant evidence on the other thread about the Brookings report that DCUM is "learning" anything at all. All I see if defensiveness and denial. Very little introspection.

[Anonymous]

Well this thread really got off the rails.

I nominate Bard College Early High School. Top notch teachers who have PhDs, students get a Slac experience in high school and an associates degree. Plus the Bard brand. I don’t know why literally no one ever talks about it on here, except it is very very new, and EOTR: https://www.myschooldc.org/schools/profile/415

Also everyone moons over Oyster-Adams, but I think more people should consider Columbia Heights Educational Campus. A bilingual dual immersion school, lots of APs offered, partnership with the Kennedy center, great location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, the concept of "hidden gems" is the topic of an entire episode of the Integrated Schools podcast. I commend it to you (and others here):

https://integratedschools.org/podcast/ep-6-the-hidden-gem/

Here is a summary of the episode:

There are lots of great schools without many white kids, however, when white parents start to integrate a global majority school because they think they’ve found a hidden gem, it can lead in some troubling directions. Anna from LA (you may remember her from Ep 1) joins us to discuss the problems that arise when we come to integration just looking for a hidden gem. We touch on the narrative around what makes a “good” school, and we discuss how the Hidden Gem story encourages resource hoarding and can pave the way for colonizing.

I thought the earlier poster was exaggerating, but I guess not. So, I'm out. Clearly nothing I do will ever be right.

No idea how old he is but Jeff is sounding like a particularly unenlightened boomer.

It doesn't make you enlightened to be mean. Were you always super knowledgeable? Ever need to learn something? Ever on the wrong side of an issue?

Try to be a little more understanding. We're all learning.

There's scant evidence on the other thread about the Brookings report that DCUM is "learning" anything at all. All I see if defensiveness and denial. Very little introspection.

disagreement isn’t an option? interesting way you have of approaching public policy issues. the only legitimate response is to “reflect.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, the concept of "hidden gems" is the topic of an entire episode of the Integrated Schools podcast. I commend it to you (and others here):

https://integratedschools.org/podcast/ep-6-the-hidden-gem/

Here is a summary of the episode:

There are lots of great schools without many white kids, however, when white parents start to integrate a global majority school because they think they’ve found a hidden gem, it can lead in some troubling directions. Anna from LA (you may remember her from Ep 1) joins us to discuss the problems that arise when we come to integration just looking for a hidden gem. We touch on the narrative around what makes a “good” school, and we discuss how the Hidden Gem story encourages resource hoarding and can pave the way for colonizing.

I thought the earlier poster was exaggerating, but I guess not. So, I'm out. Clearly nothing I do will ever be right.

No idea how old he is but Jeff is sounding like a particularly unenlightened boomer.

It doesn't make you enlightened to be mean. Were you always super knowledgeable? Ever need to learn something? Ever on the wrong side of an issue?

Try to be a little more understanding. We're all learning.

There's scant evidence on the other thread about the Brookings report that DCUM is "learning" anything at all. All I see if defensiveness and denial. Very little introspection.

disagreement isn’t an option? interesting way you have of approaching public policy issues. the only legitimate response is to “reflect.”

Disagreement is an option, sure. But it's not "learning."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well this thread really got off the rails.

I nominate Bard College Early High School. Top notch teachers who have PhDs, students get a Slac experience in high school and an associates degree. Plus the Bard brand. I don’t know why literally no one ever talks about it on here, except it is very very new, and EOTR: https://www.myschooldc.org/schools/profile/415

Also everyone moons over Oyster-Adams, but I think more people should consider Columbia Heights Educational Campus. A bilingual dual immersion school, lots of APs offered, partnership with the Kennedy center, great location.

I’ve heard good things about CHEC but do you have to come from a bilingual feeder?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well this thread really got off the rails.

I nominate Bard College Early High School. Top notch teachers who have PhDs, students get a Slac experience in high school and an associates degree. Plus the Bard brand. I don’t know why literally no one ever talks about it on here, except it is very very new, and EOTR: https://www.myschooldc.org/schools/profile/415

Also everyone moons over Oyster-Adams, but I think more people should consider Columbia Heights Educational Campus. A bilingual dual immersion school, lots of APs offered, partnership with the Kennedy center, great location.

the Bard faculty is extremely impressive. wow!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well this thread really got off the rails.

I nominate Bard College Early High School. Top notch teachers who have PhDs, students get a Slac experience in high school and an associates degree. Plus the Bard brand. I don’t know why literally no one ever talks about it on here, except it is very very new, and EOTR: https://www.myschooldc.org/schools/profile/415

Also everyone moons over Oyster-Adams, but I think more people should consider Columbia Heights Educational Campus. A bilingual dual immersion school, lots of APs offered, partnership with the Kennedy center, great location.

Probably because it isn't actually early college level work. It will be on grade level at best, and who wants to drive far for that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, the concept of "hidden gems" is the topic of an entire episode of the Integrated Schools podcast. I commend it to you (and others here):

https://integratedschools.org/podcast/ep-6-the-hidden-gem/

Here is a summary of the episode:

There are lots of great schools without many white kids, however, when white parents start to integrate a global majority school because they think they’ve found a hidden gem, it can lead in some troubling directions. Anna from LA (you may remember her from Ep 1) joins us to discuss the problems that arise when we come to integration just looking for a hidden gem. We touch on the narrative around what makes a “good” school, and we discuss how the Hidden Gem story encourages resource hoarding and can pave the way for colonizing.

I thought the earlier poster was exaggerating, but I guess not. So, I'm out. Clearly nothing I do will ever be right.

No idea how old he is but Jeff is sounding like a particularly unenlightened boomer.

It doesn't make you enlightened to be mean. Were you always super knowledgeable? Ever need to learn something? Ever on the wrong side of an issue?

Try to be a little more understanding. We're all learning.

There's scant evidence on the other thread about the Brookings report that DCUM is "learning" anything at all. All I see if defensiveness and denial. Very little introspection.

disagreement isn’t an option? interesting way you have of approaching public policy issues. the only legitimate response is to “reflect.”

Disagreement is an option, sure. But it's not "learning."

maybe you have something to learn from people who disagree with you? as much as you want it to be true that you know everything and everyone else must learn from you, that’s not how it works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well this thread really got off the rails.

I nominate Bard College Early High School. Top notch teachers who have PhDs, students get a Slac experience in high school and an associates degree. Plus the Bard brand. I don’t know why literally no one ever talks about it on here, except it is very very new, and EOTR: https://www.myschooldc.org/schools/profile/415

Also everyone moons over Oyster-Adams, but I think more people should consider Columbia Heights Educational Campus. A bilingual dual immersion school, lots of APs offered, partnership with the Kennedy center, great location.

Probably because it isn't actually early college level work. It will be on grade level at best, and who wants to drive far for that?

did you see the list of faculty?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well this thread really got off the rails.

I nominate Bard College Early High School. Top notch teachers who have PhDs, students get a Slac experience in high school and an associates degree. Plus the Bard brand. I don’t know why literally no one ever talks about it on here, except it is very very new, and EOTR: https://www.myschooldc.org/schools/profile/415

Also everyone moons over Oyster-Adams, but I think more people should consider Columbia Heights Educational Campus. A bilingual dual immersion school, lots of APs offered, partnership with the Kennedy center, great location.

Probably because it isn't actually early college level work. It will be on grade level at best, and who wants to drive far for that?

did you see the list of faculty?

I did, and I still think they will need to teach to the level of their students, which will likely be grade level. At least at first. Because there are just not enough students truly ready for early college to fill that school. Even bright high school students who test well are usually not doing *college* work. They're doing high school work well. It's a developmental difference.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:While I think the Brookings report that was based on DCUM posts is utter trash that was only saved from being used to line our cats' litter box by the fact that is it digital and not physical, several posters have asked me to reflect on what DCUM could do better. With the understanding that we all can always do better, I agree that DCUM could do more. I propose with this thread that posters nominate "hidden gem" schools. These should be schools that don't get much attention on DCUM, but are worth posters' attention. To keep the list to "hidden" schools, let's eliminate from nomination any of the schools mentioned in the Brookings report as "high-attention". On page 10 of the report:

https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Discussions_DC_public_school_options_online_forum_Brookings-Report.pdf

There are clusters of schools categorized by the amount of attention they get on DCUM. Please do not nominate schools from the 145 Charter Cluster, the 145 Traditional Cluster, the High-Attention ES Cluster, the High-Attention MS/HS Cluster, or the Ward 6 Cluster. Any schools outside those lists are fair game.

Here is my nomination: McKinley Technology High School.

McKinley Technology High School has a Five Star rating, but only 3% of its students are white. Personally, I think the biggest challenge with the school is its location which might not work for everyone. While a STEM focus might not be for everyone, for those who are interested it seems like an excellent choice. I think McKinley is deserving of more attention on DCUM.

I work with a former grad. She is super smart and just an all round fabulous human being. Based on our discussions about McKinley, it is now on my 7th grade daughter’s radar. I totally agree with you about McKinley! People who slam it here I don’t think are very familiar with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:While I think the Brookings report that was based on DCUM posts is utter trash that was only saved from being used to line our cats' litter box by the fact that is it digital and not physical, several posters have asked me to reflect on what DCUM could do better. With the understanding that we all can always do better, I agree that DCUM could do more. I propose with this thread that posters nominate "hidden gem" schools. These should be schools that don't get much attention on DCUM, but are worth posters' attention. To keep the list to "hidden" schools, let's eliminate from nomination any of the schools mentioned in the Brookings report as "high-attention". On page 10 of the report:

https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Discussions_DC_public_school_options_online_forum_Brookings-Report.pdf

There are clusters of schools categorized by the amount of attention they get on DCUM. Please do not nominate schools from the 145 Charter Cluster, the 145 Traditional Cluster, the High-Attention ES Cluster, the High-Attention MS/HS Cluster, or the Ward 6 Cluster. Any schools outside those lists are fair game.

Here is my nomination: McKinley Technology High School.

McKinley Technology High School has a Five Star rating, but only 3% of its students are white. Personally, I think the biggest challenge with the school is its location which might not work for everyone. While a STEM focus might not be for everyone, for those who are interested it seems like an excellent choice. I think McKinley is deserving of more attention on DCUM.

I work with a former grad. She is super smart and just an all round fabulous human being. Based on our discussions about McKinley, it is now on my 7th grade daughter’s radar. I totally agree with you about McKinley! People who slam it here I don’t think are very familiar with it.

I'm all for it, but why are the test scores so low? Because they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well this thread really got off the rails.

I nominate Bard College Early High School. Top notch teachers who have PhDs, students get a Slac experience in high school and an associates degree. Plus the Bard brand. I don’t know why literally no one ever talks about it on here, except it is very very new, and EOTR: https://www.myschooldc.org/schools/profile/415

Also everyone moons over Oyster-Adams, but I think more people should consider Columbia Heights Educational Campus. A bilingual dual immersion school, lots of APs offered, partnership with the Kennedy center, great location.

Probably because it isn't actually early college level work. It will be on grade level at best, and who wants to drive far for that?

did you see the list of faculty?

I did, and I still think they will need to teach to the level of their students, which will likely be grade level. At least at first. Because there are just not enough students truly ready for early college to fill that school. Even bright high school students who test well are usually not doing *college* work. They're doing high school work well. It's a developmental difference.

well, if you’re looking for that level of instruction, I guess so. I see it differently - by HS the kids advance independently by doing higher level independent work. learning can happen for everyone even on “grade level.” This is why we have grades A - F.