feedback on stokes

[Anonymous]

looking for both teacher and parent perspectives. what have your experiences been in either the spanish or the french programs?

[Anonymous]

NP here but I am also curious. Do they have two waitlist, one for english dominant versus spanish/or french dominant? we are in a dual language preschool now that just started the two waitlist process this year without warning to incoming families. How does it work at Stokes for a kid who is english dominant trying to get into the spanish track?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here but I am also curious. Do they have two waitlist, one for english dominant versus spanish/or french dominant? we are in a dual language preschool now that just started the two waitlist process this year without warning to incoming families. How does it work at Stokes for a kid who is english dominant trying to get into the spanish track?

yes two waitlists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here but I am also curious. Do they have two waitlist, one for english dominant versus spanish/or french dominant? we are in a dual language preschool now that just started the two waitlist process this year without warning to incoming families. How does it work at Stokes for a kid who is english dominant trying to get into the spanish track?

yes two waitlists.

Bad answer. They have two waitlists (not dominant English on either), just waitlists for: Stokes French or Stokes Spanish. You can choose each, butit will take two slots on your MSDC list.

[Anonymous]

We are interested in Spanish track only. So they don't try for a 50/50 balance for incoming students? That's unusual for other Spanish immersion schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in Spanish track only. So they don't try for a 50/50 balance for incoming students? That's unusual for other Spanish immersion schools.

Charters are prohibited by federal law from selecting children by anything other than lottery. They are not permitted to consider skills etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in Spanish track only. So they don't try for a 50/50 balance for incoming students? That's unusual for other Spanish immersion schools.

No charters are allowed to have language preference. Are you new to DC?

[Anonymous]

does anyone have any feedback from having sent a kid there or from working there?

[Anonymous]

I have a child in an upper grade at stokes (french) We have had a great experience and the school community is very welcoming. If you have specific questions, I'm happy to answer them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child in an upper grade at stokes (french) We have had a great experience and the school community is very welcoming. If you have specific questions, I'm happy to answer them.

. Can you comment on teacher morale and retention? Also parent community involvement and participation in stewardship of the school.

[Anonymous]

Teacher morale might be tough for me to comment on since I'm a parent but I do think the school may struggle a bit to pay their teachers as much as they'd like to. There has been some turnover but it has happened (in the last 4 years) over summer break so it hasn't really affected my child. There is a good mix of older and younger teachers and my daughter has liked every one she has had.

I feel like parent invovlvement has increased over the past year or so. Fundraisers but also breakfasts once/month, etc. Field trips happen regularly, class potlucks.

I also have good things to say about the music program. My child has learned how to read music, play basic songs on the keyboard, sing in choir and is now learning how to play the guitar. It's fantastic!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child in an upper grade at stokes (french) We have had a great experience and the school community is very welcoming. If you have specific questions, I'm happy to answer them.

How much is your PTA able to raise annually, or what is their goal at least?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child in an upper grade at stokes (french) We have had a great experience and the school community is very welcoming. If you have specific questions, I'm happy to answer them.

. Can you comment on the school administration. Does Stokes have a solid leadership team?

[Anonymous]

I have 3 kids at Stokes. I have been very pleased with the school and can't really imagine sending my kids anywhere else. The things that I like in particular:

- the music program and aftercare
- everyone in the school knows everyone - it has a family/community atmosphere
- My kid is reading at a grade level 2 grades above their own
- The school is very open-minded to different lifestyles, cultures, etc
- I have liked all of my kids teachers in all of the grades they have been in
- The cafeteria food - so good and nutritious that I would eat it every day if I were there
- The PTA has raised a lot of money the past couple years with fundraisers, etc. Not sure the exact amount but I can find out
- My kids seem like they are learning, without feeling pressured. This is particularly important to me.

I am not a fan of the parking situation, which is not ideal. Also, the school starts a bit early for me. Otherwise, I've been very pleased

[Anonymous]

The leadership team has been responsive when I brought up an issue my child was having. They are actively seeking parent engagement not just through the PTA but through committees, surveys, etc.