HD Cooke

[Anonymous]

There was a lot of hype about the new HD Cooke, but now that school has actually started the word is much less encouraging. I went to visit and noticed that none of pre-kindergarteners looked like my child, who is caucasian. Am I so wrong to want her to be in an environment where she's not such an obvious minority? Did none of the neighborhood families actually enrol their children?

Also, I'm not too impressed with the teaching credentials there. Where are the experienced teachers? Where are the masters degrees?

Looks like we'll be staying at Appletree for Pre-K and hoping to get lucky at another charter or OOB after pre-school runs its course.

[Anonymous]

I don't think you are wrong for wanting your child not to be the "only one". I too am curious about Cooke. School could be such an assett to the neighborhood, but personally I think it needs to develop some sort of flagship program to make residents really want to jump in and take a chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was a lot of hype about the new HD Cooke, but now that school has actually started the word is much less encouraging. I went to visit and noticed that none of pre-kindergarteners looked like my child, who is caucasian. Am I so wrong to want her to be in an environment where she's not such an obvious minority? Did none of the neighborhood families actually enrol their children?

Also, I'm not too impressed with the teaching credentials there. Where are the experienced teachers? Where are the masters degrees?

Looks like we'll be staying at Appletree for Pre-K and hoping to get lucky at another charter or OOB after pre-school runs its course.

You'll find plenty of young teachers without masters degrees in Ward 3 schools, too. I do hope Cooke can attract a broader range of neighborhood families in the future-- for the health of the school and to retain (and eventually attract) affluent families in the community.

[Anonymous]

Is there something wrong with Appletree that is making you want to switch over to Cooke? Or were you hoping to attend Cooke long term as your neighborhood school?

I believe, but am not positive, that Cooke has an IB program in the works.

[Anonymous]

Appletree is wonderful, but unfortunately it is only a pre-school. It would be nice to have a longer term option if we don't get lucky in the charter school lotteries. But I really don't think being a one and only minority is psychologically healthy for anyone, especially a young child.

[Anonymous]

Wow, OP. Why don't you just come out and say "There are too many black people at this school! Where are all the white people?"

[Anonymous]

Gee, I must have been at a different Appletree campus. Not too many pigment-challenged kids in my child's class.

Here's a question, if every child at Cooke were Asian, would you be comfortable sending your (I'm just guessing here) white kid there.

[Anonymous]

I moved my son out of a different DCPS school into charter, in part because there were not many at all caucasian kids. I the parent had the most difficulty, I think, with other parents who clearly wanted the school to be for "children of color." But, I anticipated problems (perhaps incorrectly) as DS got older.

A major criterion for my next school choice was somewhere where there was a balance of ethnicities, which I have only seen at charters that are highly desired with more lottery candidates than slots. The random nature of lotteries mixes things up.

[Anonymous]

op, i see two separate issues in your post. you say that the "word" on Cooke is not encouraging. but then you go right to the race/minority issue. i am wondering--what exactly is the "word" that you are referring to? what about Cooke has been less than encouraging for you? and is that tied into your concerns about your daughter being the minority or is that a separate concern?

i'm not going to tell you how to feel about your daugher's racial minority status in her school, even though i have an opinion about it. i will say that if you are white and a resident of DC, then you are in already in the minority. personally, i would try not to focus on this. it's possible that she wouldn't hardly notice it herself....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, OP. Why don't you just come out and say "There are too many black people at this school! Where are all the white people?"

Do you really think this insightful? Do you really think anyone wants to be the ONLY member of their racial/ethnic background in a classroom full of children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, OP. Why don't you just come out and say "There are too many black people at this school! Where are all the white people?"

Such a high horse you're on. Obviously you haven't been to the school, you're just jumping in with an ill-informed opinion and assumption of racism. Nice.

Listen, there is more than one pre-K class and the Principal couldn't give any assurance that my child wouldn't be the ONLY caucasian girl. We're not talking about 15% or even 5%. Maybe that's not a big deal to you, but I'm curious to know how many situations you've signed your children up for to be the ONLY member of their racial/ethnic background. All day. Every day.

I'm guessing none. But feel free to criticise me for wanting my child to blend in a little more.

[Anonymous]

i've been to the school. my best guess is that for their pre-s and pre-k population combined, there are about 5% to 7% white students. that is roughly one per class.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure that neighborhood is a little more than 5% - 7% caucasian. So where are the local kids going to school?

[Anonymous]

i don't think most of the white people have children, though, honestly.

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP who called the OP a racist and I stand by it. Look, maybe you've never thought about it, but black people (including my kids) are frequently the ONLY minority in many situations. I'm a well-educated professional, and so are most of my friends, and if you asked ANY of them, they could give you plenty of examples where they were the only minority in a given situation. And we're expected to deal with it. But of course, you've never had to think about that, because you're used to being in the majority. Not so comfortable when the situation is reversed, is it? Look, I'm sure you'll do whatever you perceive is best for your child, but don't fool yourself -- your biases speak loud and clear. Especially the juxtaposition of the quality of the school with the skin color of the students.