Why are Cap City rising 5th graders leaving in large amounts

[Anonymous]

Cap City has 55 spots open for 5th grade next year. They are only keeping 1/3 of their current students...

What's that about?

[Anonymous]

I believe that it's because there are schools that start in 5th that parents view as better alternatives for middle school: Latin and BASIS and DCI, to name three.

All of those start in 5th grade and have better test scores. Cap City's MS may be improving, but its initial years were been pretty rocky and uneven.

[Anonymous]

Probably some got in to Latin or Basis; others got into DCPS schools that feed Deal or Hardy and their parents wanted that security. Some may be leaving the district altogether.

Brent, Ross, and CHM@L also lose most of their rising 5th graders, and there are a lot of schools that lose 30-50%. The kids to fill BASIS and Latin all come from somewhere.

Also, does Cap City expand for 5th?

[Anonymous]

Like Latin and BASIS, 5th grade is the first year of middle school at Cap City, and it's an expansion year.

They have ~30 students enrolled each year at 4th. 5th, by design, has 80-85 students, depending on year.

The last 3 years they've offered between 50-58 5th grade seats in the lottery.

[Anonymous]

They also expand by another 50-55 seats at 9th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Like Latin and BASIS, 5th grade is the first year of middle school at Cap City, and it's an expansion year.

They have ~30 students enrolled each year at 4th. 5th, by design, has 80-85 students, depending on year.

The last 3 years they've offered between 50-58 5th grade seats in the lottery.

Cap City 4th grade is 52 students. It expands to 80-85 for 5th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Like Latin and BASIS, 5th grade is the first year of middle school at Cap City, and it's an expansion year.

They have ~30 students enrolled each year at 4th. 5th, by design, has 80-85 students, depending on year.

The last 3 years they've offered between 50-58 5th grade seats in the lottery.

Cap City 4th grade is 52 students. It expands to 80-85 for 5th grade.

My guess is that the High School is under enrolled and the school is hoping is they expand middle school, they will have higher enrollment in the high school. It is a shame that they are doing it for the upcoming grade as it is not an easy class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Like Latin and BASIS, 5th grade is the first year of middle school at Cap City, and it's an expansion year.

They have ~30 students enrolled each year at 4th. 5th, by design, has 80-85 students, depending on year.

The last 3 years they've offered between 50-58 5th grade seats in the lottery.

Cap City 4th grade is 52 students. It expands to 80-85 for 5th grade.

My guess is that the High School is under enrolled and the school is hoping is they expand middle school, they will have higher enrollment in the high school. It is a shame that they are doing it for the upcoming grade as it is not an easy class.

This is their model.

50 kids for 1-4th.
Planned growth at 5th.
More planned growth at 9th.

It makes for a more traditional school experience and provides resources for extracurriculars. But it does make 5th and 9th grades challenging with some kids being totally new to the expeditionary learning model separate and apart from any social issues.


100 kids

[Anonymous]

DCI starts at 6th, not 5th.

[Anonymous]

They can't lose any kids from 4th to 5th going to Hardy because Hardy doesn't start until 6th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe that it's because there are schools that start in 5th that parents view as better alternatives for middle school: Latin and BASIS and DCI, to name three.

All of those start in 5th grade and have better test scores. Cap City's MS may be improving, but its initial years were been pretty rocky and uneven.

DCI test scores aren't better

[Anonymous]

I think OP's premise is wrong - there isn't massive attrition..

But as children transition to middle school, some families are less interested in an expeditionary learning model and seek something that seems more traditional or rigorous.

[Anonymous]

Options..

[Anonymous]

More competition. EL Haynes used to have a lot more competition too a few years ago. Still lacking real diversity in upper grades and most high SES families don't want to deal with perceived behavioral issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More competition. EL Haynes used to have a lot more competition too a few years ago. Still lacking real diversity in upper grades and most high SES families don't want to deal with perceived behavioral issues.

there are real behavioral issues