JKLM to Shepherd

[Anonymous]

We are considering this move and would appreciate hearing from those who have been there and done that. Is it unusual for a kid to move to Shepherd after kindergarten? Is it difficult for newcomers to get integrated socially? Has the IB curriculum been markedly different from the standard DCPS curriculum? Are they using Eureka Math? Shepherd parents, are you happy with your cadre of teachers and admins? Is there much turnover? Are families supplementing with tutors or Kumon? Notwithstanding the fact that individual experiences may vary, has Shepherd been a welcoming environment where children are invited over for birthday parties and playdates? Are there things that newcomers can do to get integrated socially like signing up for a certain soccer, basketball, or baseball team made up of kids from the school? TIA

[Anonymous]

Those are a lot of questions, OP. Perhaps you’d like to ask at a tour?

I know a few people who made the move from a JKLM neighborhood, but it’s been before kids were school-age. Also know people who were considering a JKLM neighborhood, but ended up buying IB for Shepherd aftering investigating schools.

Are there a couple of questions in particular that you’d like addressed here?

[Anonymous]

Why? Educationally, it's like going from filet mignon to Hamburger Helper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why? Educationally, it's like going from filet mignon to Hamburger Helper.

I’m curious what data points you’re basing this assessment on?

[Anonymous]

We attended both. You should keep in mind that all of DCPS has the same curriculum. But at a JKLM school, it’s the positive attitude of staff and the bells and whistles that seems to be enjoyed the most (happy teachers who get extra aides, playground extras, great aftercare. chickens!!!). Shepherd has very little in the way of these extras because in my view very little is asked of the parents, it’s not neighborhood school like the JKLMs are, and many teachers have job security that in my view shouldn’t be there. Ultimately we left due to the lack of effective teaching and the misbehavior of kids AND teachers that changed our child. We are not alone - Its been a mostly out of bounds school for many many years, save the prek. Which stinks because it would be great to have a school that serves our neighborhood. I know many families who are trying to change the narrative. More power to them! To me, it seems intractable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We attended both. You should keep in mind that all of DCPS has the same curriculum. But at a JKLM school, it’s the positive attitude of staff and the bells and whistles that seems to be enjoyed the most (happy teachers who get extra aides, playground extras, great aftercare. chickens!!!). Shepherd has very little in the way of these extras because in my view very little is asked of the parents, it’s not neighborhood school like the JKLMs are, and many teachers have job security that in my view shouldn’t be there. Ultimately we left due to the lack of effective teaching and the misbehavior of kids AND teachers that changed our child. We are not alone - Its been a mostly out of bounds school for many many years, save the prek. Which stinks because it would be great to have a school that serves our neighborhood. I know many families who are trying to change the narrative. More power to them! To me, it seems intractable.

When did you attend Shepherd? What grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We attended both. You should keep in mind that all of DCPS has the same curriculum. But at a JKLM school, it’s the positive attitude of staff and the bells and whistles that seems to be enjoyed the most (happy teachers who get extra aides, playground extras, great aftercare. chickens!!!). Shepherd has very little in the way of these extras because in my view very little is asked of the parents, it’s not neighborhood school like the JKLMs are, and many teachers have job security that in my view shouldn’t be there. Ultimately we left due to the lack of effective teaching and the misbehavior of kids AND teachers that changed our child. We are not alone - Its been a mostly out of bounds school for many many years, save the prek. Which stinks because it would be great to have a school that serves our neighborhood. I know many families who are trying to change the narrative. More power to them! To me, it seems intractable.

I don't doubt the veracity of your claims as applied to whenever your child attended. However, a lot has changed very quickly in the last few years. The school was about almost 40% IB last year (lower grades are almost entirely IB). It's not perfect, and there are certainly some things that can be improved, but it's a solid option.

I know a few neighbors who drive across town to WOTP schools, but I wouldn't for my early elementary child. We like the International Bacc. curriculum, French or Spanish 2-3x/week, and the benefits of having a neighborhood school. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We attended both. You should keep in mind that all of DCPS has the same curriculum. But at a JKLM school, it’s the positive attitude of staff and the bells and whistles that seems to be enjoyed the most (happy teachers who get extra aides, playground extras, great aftercare. chickens!!!). Shepherd has very little in the way of these extras because in my view very little is asked of the parents, it’s not neighborhood school like the JKLMs are, and many teachers have job security that in my view shouldn’t be there. Ultimately we left due to the lack of effective teaching and the misbehavior of kids AND teachers that changed our child. We are not alone - Its been a mostly out of bounds school for many many years, save the prek. Which stinks because it would be great to have a school that serves our neighborhood. I know many families who are trying to change the narrative. More power to them! To me, it seems intractable.

I don't doubt the veracity of your claims as applied to whenever your child attended. However, a lot has changed very quickly in the last few years. The school was about almost 40% IB last year (lower grades are almost entirely IB). It's not perfect, and there are certainly some things that can be improved, but it's a solid option.

I know a few neighbors who drive across town to WOTP schools, but I wouldn't for my early elementary child. We like the International Bacc. curriculum, French or Spanish 2-3x/week, and the benefits of having a neighborhood school. YMMV.

P.S. I mean to add that I wouldn't say that little is asked of parents currently. Many parents are very actively involved in the school. Also, my kid's classes have had at least two room parents every year, with active participation from class families.

If interested, check out Shepherd's Twitter feed. Some nice pics of International Day festivities were recently featured. Parents definitely come out to support this and other events.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We attended both. You should keep in mind that all of DCPS has the same curriculum. But at a JKLM school, it’s the positive attitude of staff and the bells and whistles that seems to be enjoyed the most (happy teachers who get extra aides, playground extras, great aftercare. chickens!!!). Shepherd has very little in the way of these extras because in my view very little is asked of the parents, it’s not neighborhood school like the JKLMs are, and many teachers have job security that in my view shouldn’t be there. Ultimately we left due to the lack of effective teaching and the misbehavior of kids AND teachers that changed our child. We are not alone - Its been a mostly out of bounds school for many many years, save the prek. Which stinks because it would be great to have a school that serves our neighborhood. I know many families who are trying to change the narrative. More power to them! To me, it seems intractable.

I don't doubt the veracity of your claims as applied to whenever your child attended. However, a lot has changed very quickly in the last few years. The school was about almost 40% IB last year (lower grades are almost entirely IB). It's not perfect, and there are certainly some things that can be improved, but it's a solid option.

I know a few neighbors who drive across town to WOTP schools, but I wouldn't for my early elementary child. We like the International Bacc. curriculum, French or Spanish 2-3x/week, and the benefits of having a neighborhood school. YMMV.

P.S. I mean to add that I wouldn't say that little is asked of parents currently. Many parents are very actively involved in the school. Also, my kid's classes have had at least two room parents every year, with active participation from class families.

If interested, check out Shepherd's Twitter feed. Some nice pics of International Day festivities were recently featured. Parents definitely come out to support this and other events.

I think the PP you are responding to is referring to money when she says little is asked of Shepherd parents. Keep in mind at Mann, Lafayette, Janney the expectation / pressure is for all parents to give at least $1000 per year, if not more, to fund additional teachers aides and other initiatives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We attended both. You should keep in mind that all of DCPS has the same curriculum. But at a JKLM school, it’s the positive attitude of staff and the bells and whistles that seems to be enjoyed the most (happy teachers who get extra aides, playground extras, great aftercare. chickens!!!). Shepherd has very little in the way of these extras because in my view very little is asked of the parents, it’s not neighborhood school like the JKLMs are, and many teachers have job security that in my view shouldn’t be there. Ultimately we left due to the lack of effective teaching and the misbehavior of kids AND teachers that changed our child. We are not alone - Its been a mostly out of bounds school for many many years, save the prek. Which stinks because it would be great to have a school that serves our neighborhood. I know many families who are trying to change the narrative. More power to them! To me, it seems intractable.

I don't doubt the veracity of your claims as applied to whenever your child attended. However, a lot has changed very quickly in the last few years. The school was about almost 40% IB last year (lower grades are almost entirely IB). It's not perfect, and there are certainly some things that can be improved, but it's a solid option.

I know a few neighbors who drive across town to WOTP schools, but I wouldn't for my early elementary child. We like the International Bacc. curriculum, French or Spanish 2-3x/week, and the benefits of having a neighborhood school. YMMV.

P.S. I mean to add that I wouldn't say that little is asked of parents currently. Many parents are very actively involved in the school. Also, my kid's classes have had at least two room parents every year, with active participation from class families.

If interested, check out Shepherd's Twitter feed. Some nice pics of International Day festivities were recently featured. Parents definitely come out to support this and other events.

I think the PP you are responding to is referring to money when she says little is asked of Shepherd parents. Keep in mind at Mann, Lafayette, Janney the expectation / pressure is for all parents to give at least $1000 per year, if not more, to fund additional teachers aides and other initiatives.

PP here. Yes, much less is asked of Shepherd families financially. However, this is still a school where 29% of kids is economically disadvantaged. Shepherd is not going to raise as much as a Janney or Lafayette, schools that are much wealthier and twice as large. I think more will be raised as the school continues to become more IB.

However, part of what makes the school special, IMO, is its diversity, which includes SES diversity. I think it will be much more socioeconomically diverse than most other Deal/Wilson feeders for years to come. Fundraising won't rival JKLMs anytime soon, but there are other ways that parents of all SES levels participate in the community.

[Anonymous]

Shepherd parent here.

Addressing your questions individually:

-Is it unusual for a kid to move to Shepherd after kindergarten?
Not unusual at all. Probably a few kids per year.

Is it difficult for newcomers to get integrated socially?
A little bit - but that's on you to engage. I think that generally parents get to meet other parents the most in PK and K when there are a lot of class events, field trips, etc that parents attend. So there's that. The biggest barrier is probably for out-of-bounds vs. inbounds.

Has the IB curriculum been markedly different from the standard DCPS curriculum?
Can't talk to this in great detail, not knowing others. I think it's more of a layering on top of the standard DCPS curriculum.

Are they using Eureka Math?
Yes

Shepherd parents, are you happy with your cadre of teachers and admins? Is there much turnover?
Hit or miss - though probably the case most places. There isn't a lot of turnover. We were thrilled to see the retirement of a long-standing PK4 teacher who nobody liked.

Are families supplementing with tutors or Kumon?
I think in the older grades, some are. The school has a program for tutoring after school as well.

Shepherd been a welcoming environment where children are invited over for birthday parties and playdates?
In our PK and K classes, the entire class has been invited to most kids birthdays. We do playdates with other families.

Are there things that newcomers can do to get integrated socially like signing up for a certain soccer, basketball, or baseball team made up of kids from the school? TIA
Our classes have organized some - like a classwide Stoddart soccer team. There are some afterschool activities sponsored by the school that they can do for sports.

Hopefully that helps. I think if you're going to live in the neighborhood and make an effort to reach out, you can certainly be integrated and welcomed. Attrition in the upper grades means a trickling in of a few students a year - so it's not that unusual at all. Plus as older neighbors die and houses get turned over (we still have a lot of octogenarians), almost all are being bought by young families. It's a small neighborhood - so reach out and say hello!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We attended both. You should keep in mind that all of DCPS has the same curriculum. But at a JKLM school, it’s the positive attitude of staff and the bells and whistles that seems to be enjoyed the most (happy teachers who get extra aides, playground extras, great aftercare. chickens!!!). Shepherd has very little in the way of these extras because in my view very little is asked of the parents, it’s not neighborhood school like the JKLMs are, and many teachers have job security that in my view shouldn’t be there. Ultimately we left due to the lack of effective teaching and the misbehavior of kids AND teachers that changed our child. We are not alone - Its been a mostly out of bounds school for many many years, save the prek. Which stinks because it would be great to have a school that serves our neighborhood. I know many families who are trying to change the narrative. More power to them! To me, it seems intractable.

I don't doubt the veracity of your claims as applied to whenever your child attended. However, a lot has changed very quickly in the last few years. The school was about almost 40% IB last year (lower grades are almost entirely IB). It's not perfect, and there are certainly some things that can be improved, but it's a solid option.

I know a few neighbors who drive across town to WOTP schools, but I wouldn't for my early elementary child. We like the International Bacc. curriculum, French or Spanish 2-3x/week, and the benefits of having a neighborhood school. YMMV.

P.S. I mean to add that I wouldn't say that little is asked of parents currently. Many parents are very actively involved in the school. Also, my kid's classes have had at least two room parents every year, with active participation from class families.

If interested, check out Shepherd's Twitter feed. Some nice pics of International Day festivities were recently featured. Parents definitely come out to support this and other events.

I think the PP you are responding to is referring to money when she says little is asked of Shepherd parents. Keep in mind at Mann, Lafayette, Janney the expectation / pressure is for all parents to give at least $1000 per year, if not more, to fund additional teachers aides and other initiatives.

PP here. Yes, much less is asked of Shepherd families financially. However, this is still a school where 29% of kids is economically disadvantaged. Shepherd is not going to raise as much as a Janney or Lafayette, schools that are much wealthier and twice as large. I think more will be raised as the school continues to become more IB.

However, part of what makes the school special, IMO, is its diversity, which includes SES diversity. I think it will be much more socioeconomically diverse than most other Deal/Wilson feeders for years to come. Fundraising won't rival JKLMs anytime soon, but there are other ways that parents of all SES levels participate in the community.

What's very weird about this is that the inbound families are *not* diverse from an SES perspective - they're all squarely upper middle class. The school does not make a big push at all for them to give funding - but certainly could. I would love to see a higher pressure PTA push to say "this is how much we need and this is what you're going to get for it." Right now, they ask for like $180 a year but there's no metric tracking provided, no tangible benefits to what we'll see in return.

I think a lot of parents, especially the multigenerational ones are of a "we get what we get from the city" and used to fighting politically to get resources. I'd be a big fan of a push to use parent resources to get more. But I know from my spouse's perspective - there has to be a stated return (ie: 3 new aides, a new cafeteria, etc). Our PTA mostly seems to putter along and fund the couple events that we do over the course of the year - which are great, but there's no big goals.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you so much for these helpful responses!