Academics at EW Stokes

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

My husband and I are trying to choose between Stokes and Appletree (PK4). We got into Stokes EE recently and we loved the school when we toured. The commute will be considerable for us, but we are willing to do it if it's worth it. I realize that the immersion aspect is excellent and we like that component, but I'm not entirely sure on the academics. The PARCC scores aren't great. Does anyone have any honest feedback about how they view the academics? We understand that the Appletree only goes up to PK4 and we would have to lottery again if we don 't choose Stokes. I also understand that Appletree is extremely academic--we're not looking for Stokes to be that way. But, we do want our child to thrive academically.

Interested in hearing your thoughts! Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

This is literally not a choice. Pick Stokes all the way.

[Anonymous]

Stokes for sure. Academics schmacademics, it's preschool. Sounds like you will be leaving when you can due to the commute anyway, so upper grade scores should not matter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi all,

My husband and I are trying to choose between Stokes and Appletree (PK4). We got into Stokes EE recently and we loved the school when we toured. The commute will be considerable for us, but we are willing to do it if it's worth it. I realize that the immersion aspect is excellent and we like that component, but I'm not entirely sure on the academics. The PARCC scores aren't great. Does anyone have any honest feedback about how they view the academics? We understand that the Appletree only goes up to PK4 and we would have to lottery again if we don 't choose Stokes. I also understand that Appletree is extremely academic--we're not looking for Stokes to be that way. But, we do want our child to thrive academically.

Interested in hearing your thoughts! Thanks in advance!

Stokes' PARCC scores are on par, or higher, for students in its demographics. The school is majority low-income 52% are economically disadvantaged, 13% at risk, and 12% ELLs.

You have to compare their test scores with other schools of similar demographics (eg DC Bilingual), not to the charters filled with wealthy students like YY or LAMB or WOTP DCPS schools.

Appletree is fine too, but since they end at PK4 you can't compare based on the 'testing' can't really be compared to Stokes'.

IMO you are looking for a quantitative reason to not go to Stokes because of the commute -- which is fine. I think you should give up your slot to someone who wants to be part of a school serving disadvantaged kids well, and who is passionate about their child learning a second language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi all,

My husband and I are trying to choose between Stokes and Appletree (PK4). We got into Stokes EE recently and we loved the school when we toured. The commute will be considerable for us, but we are willing to do it if it's worth it. I realize that the immersion aspect is excellent and we like that component, but I'm not entirely sure on the academics. The PARCC scores aren't great. Does anyone have any honest feedback about how they view the academics? We understand that the Appletree only goes up to PK4 and we would have to lottery again if we don 't choose Stokes. I also understand that Appletree is extremely academic--we're not looking for Stokes to be that way. But, we do want our child to thrive academically.

Interested in hearing your thoughts! Thanks in advance!

Stokes' PARCC scores are on par, or higher, for students in its demographics. The school is majority low-income 52% are economically disadvantaged, 13% at risk, and 12% ELLs.

You have to compare their test scores with other schools of similar demographics (eg DC Bilingual), not to the charters filled with wealthy students like YY or LAMB or WOTP DCPS schools.

Appletree is fine too, but since they end at PK4 you can't compare based on the 'testing' can't really be compared to Stokes'.

IMO you are looking for a quantitative reason to not go to Stokes because of the commute -- which is fine. I think you should give up your slot to someone who wants to be part of a school serving disadvantaged kids well, and who is passionate about their child learning a second language.

I'm actually not. You're assumed something about me that simply isn't the case. I loved the school but I'm trying to make the best choice for my child. Though I get what you are saying re the "demographics", I attended public school in Detroit with those same "demographics" during my entire education and the majority of kids in those demographics at those schools exceeded expectations. It's just that I have high expectations for every student and want others to have high expectations for my children. I know what is necessary to succeed and I don't want to be satisfied with lower expectations because they are of a certain "demographic."

[Anonymous]

You've*

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stokes for sure. Academics schmacademics, it's preschool. Sounds like you will be leaving when you can due to the commute anyway, so upper grade scores should not matter

Actually, we were considering moving closer if it worked. We don't want to keep switching. We are desperately trying to find the right fit so we can become part of the community and grow with the school. I don't care that much about PK, but I do care about the upper grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stokes for sure. Academics schmacademics, it's preschool. Sounds like you will be leaving when you can due to the commute anyway, so upper grade scores should not matter

Actually, we were considering moving closer if it worked. We don't want to keep switching. We are desperately trying to find the right fit so we can become part of the community and grow with the school. I don't care that much about PK, but I do care about the upper grades.

I am sure it will be fine. Stokes Brookland is a stellar school and everyone I know there is happy with it. A new campus will mean a few lumps and bumps of course, but the team can handle it.

Be aware of the middle school location-- closer to EE means farther from DCI.

[Anonymous]

The curricula are pretty different (Creative at Stokes vs. Every Child Ready at Appletree). I'm not an expert, but I think Creative is student-led, and Every Child Ready is more teacher-led. I'd seriously consider which model you prefer when making a choice. It may be tough to know which will be the better fit for a 4-year-old, but maybe you experienced one or the other for PK3?

For what it's worth, I've consistently heard great things about Stokes and not-great things about the Appletree model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The curricula are pretty different (Creative at Stokes vs. Every Child Ready at Appletree). I'm not an expert, but I think Creative is student-led, and Every Child Ready is more teacher-led. I'd seriously consider which model you prefer when making a choice. It may be tough to know which will be the better fit for a 4-year-old, but maybe you experienced one or the other for PK3?

For what it's worth, I've consistently heard great things about Stokes and not-great things about the Appletree model.

Thanks. I appreciate this feedback. It felt right when I went. I was extremely impressed by the Director, but when my husband and I got back home, we started to have second thoughts. I may just go with my gut on this one.

[Anonymous]

OP I’m from a similar background so I get your question....I think you’ll be looking elsewhere (possibly private school) by the upper grades, but I would still choose Stokes for those first few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I’m from a similar background so I get your question....I think you’ll be looking elsewhere (possibly private school) by the upper grades, but I would still choose Stokes for those first few years.

Thanks! Got it.

[Anonymous]

I personally would prefer the Stokes model over Appletree which is a bit old fashioned/top down from my exposure. Friends who had kids at Appletree Lincoln Park shared their experience compared to Inspired Teaching and Brent, leaving much to be desired.