So is the Walls cut-off this year a 4.0?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if they’re weeding out kids with special needs, regardless of whether they’re high-performing, then they’re discriminating.

Signed mom of a highly-gifted, academically-motivated kid with ASD who’s at the top of her current class, yet who may not get into Walls due to the interview. Same child would definitely get accepted into a test-in program.

Then you should have moved to Maryland or Virginia where she could apply to a test-in program. Stop shouting into the wind. This is on YOU!

You realize that it isn't just possible for people to MOVE TO MD or VA?!! (shouting because you did)

-moving itself is expensive
-many people live with elderly parents or in a family home in DC and can't give this up for rent in VA/MD
-people don't have cars in DC but would need one in MD or VA (another cost)
-people have multiple kids who are in multiple DC schools--including kids in daycare, PK, etc.

I work as a caseworker and I'd say 95% of kids/families I work with can't just "move to VA or MD". That is such a elitist bubble thing to suggest.
It actually angers me that you say it so flippantly.

These kids deserve a decent option for high achievers in DC.

ALL students deserve good educational options, but we both know that life isn’t fair. Poor(er) people have never/will never have the same options as wealthier people in this country. Welcome to a capitalist economy.

Unfortunately, if you can’t move or afford private for a better education, then your options are limited. Walls cannot accept every deserving student.

There were 180 kids who got 5s in 7th grade math last year. A handful more probably were taking algebra and getting a 4 or 5, but not a lot. Many of them are not applying to SWW because they want to go to JR or they're happy at BASIS. So, I don't know, maybe start with those kids.

Probably another 30-40 who received 5's in Algebra.
My kid was in this group and is leaving for private and we know quite a few from this cohort who are. It's amazing how many top performers DCPS just let's leave after 8th. It's a real brain drain and they could care less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if they’re weeding out kids with special needs, regardless of whether they’re high-performing, then they’re discriminating.

Signed mom of a highly-gifted, academically-motivated kid with ASD who’s at the top of her current class, yet who may not get into Walls due to the interview. Same child would definitely get accepted into a test-in program.

Then you should have moved to Maryland or Virginia where she could apply to a test-in program. Stop shouting into the wind. This is on YOU!

You realize that it isn't just possible for people to MOVE TO MD or VA?!! (shouting because you did)

-moving itself is expensive
-many people live with elderly parents or in a family home in DC and can't give this up for rent in VA/MD
-people don't have cars in DC but would need one in MD or VA (another cost)
-people have multiple kids who are in multiple DC schools--including kids in daycare, PK, etc.

I work as a caseworker and I'd say 95% of kids/families I work with can't just "move to VA or MD". That is such a elitist bubble thing to suggest.
It actually angers me that you say it so flippantly.

These kids deserve a decent option for high achievers in DC.

ALL students deserve good educational options, but we both know that life isn’t fair. Poor(er) people have never/will never have the same options as wealthier people in this country. Welcome to a capitalist economy.

Unfortunately, if you can’t move or afford private for a better education, then your options are limited. Walls cannot accept every deserving student.

There were 180 kids who got 5s in 7th grade math last year. A handful more probably were taking algebra and getting a 4 or 5, but not a lot. Many of them are not applying to SWW because they want to go to JR or they're happy at BASIS. So, I don't know, maybe start with those kids.

In all of DC? Whoa - that seems low??

All of DC. Half at Deal or BASIS. It was 233 in 2018-2019, so a bit higher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand the anger and anxiety, but I don’t actually know of any high-potential kid who applied to Walls, Banneker, and MT and struck out. My own 99th percentile kid was below the GPA cutoff at Walls but accepted at Banneker. (Of course Banneker didn’t have the test scores but I assume it came across in the teacher recommendations.) And I know there’s a parent on here whose kid wanted Banneker and didn’t get an interview, but was accepted at Walls. And I think in the end each of us thinks our kid wound up in the right place, even though of course as parents we all wish our wonderful kids were wanted everywhere by everyone.

This is just very suspect to me. Experienced the same thing and know my kid had great recommendations (accepted to privates also). Nothing is guaranteed but to not even get an interview is just strange. Walls gets all the scrutiny but I really believe Banneker's process is the one that should be examined.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if they’re weeding out kids with special needs, regardless of whether they’re high-performing, then they’re discriminating.

Signed mom of a highly-gifted, academically-motivated kid with ASD who’s at the top of her current class, yet who may not get into Walls due to the interview. Same child would definitely get accepted into a test-in program.

Then you should have moved to Maryland or Virginia where she could apply to a test-in program. Stop shouting into the wind. This is on YOU!

You realize that it isn't just possible for people to MOVE TO MD or VA?!! (shouting because you did)

-moving itself is expensive
-many people live with elderly parents or in a family home in DC and can't give this up for rent in VA/MD
-people don't have cars in DC but would need one in MD or VA (another cost)
-people have multiple kids who are in multiple DC schools--including kids in daycare, PK, etc.

I work as a caseworker and I'd say 95% of kids/families I work with can't just "move to VA or MD". That is such a elitist bubble thing to suggest.
It actually angers me that you say it so flippantly.

These kids deserve a decent option for high achievers in DC.

ALL students deserve good educational options, but we both know that life isn’t fair. Poor(er) people have never/will never have the same options as wealthier people in this country. Welcome to a capitalist economy.

Unfortunately, if you can’t move or afford private for a better education, then your options are limited. Walls cannot accept every deserving student.

There were 180 kids who got 5s in 7th grade math last year. A handful more probably were taking algebra and getting a 4 or 5, but not a lot. Many of them are not applying to SWW because they want to go to JR or they're happy at BASIS. So, I don't know, maybe start with those kids.

Probably another 30-40 who received 5's in Algebra.
My kid was in this group and is leaving for private and we know quite a few from this cohort who are. It's amazing how many top performers DCPS just let's leave after 8th. It's a real brain drain and they could care less.

There were only 53 kids total getting 5s in algebra total. I'd guess most of those are 8th graders, just because you can see the number of kids taking the geometry test in middle school is really low. Definitely bad to lose them but not info SWW would have at the point of admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if they’re weeding out kids with special needs, regardless of whether they’re high-performing, then they’re discriminating.

Signed mom of a highly-gifted, academically-motivated kid with ASD who’s at the top of her current class, yet who may not get into Walls due to the interview. Same child would definitely get accepted into a test-in program.

Then you should have moved to Maryland or Virginia where she could apply to a test-in program. Stop shouting into the wind. This is on YOU!

You realize that it isn't just possible for people to MOVE TO MD or VA?!! (shouting because you did)

-moving itself is expensive
-many people live with elderly parents or in a family home in DC and can't give this up for rent in VA/MD
-people don't have cars in DC but would need one in MD or VA (another cost)
-people have multiple kids who are in multiple DC schools--including kids in daycare, PK, etc.

I work as a caseworker and I'd say 95% of kids/families I work with can't just "move to VA or MD". That is such a elitist bubble thing to suggest.
It actually angers me that you say it so flippantly.

These kids deserve a decent option for high achievers in DC.

ALL students deserve good educational options, but we both know that life isn’t fair. Poor(er) people have never/will never have the same options as wealthier people in this country. Welcome to a capitalist economy.

Unfortunately, if you can’t move or afford private for a better education, then your options are limited. Walls cannot accept every deserving student.

There were 180 kids who got 5s in 7th grade math last year. A handful more probably were taking algebra and getting a 4 or 5, but not a lot. Many of them are not applying to SWW because they want to go to JR or they're happy at BASIS. So, I don't know, maybe start with those kids.

Probably another 30-40 who received 5's in Algebra.
My kid was in this group and is leaving for private and we know quite a few from this cohort who are. It's amazing how many top performers DCPS just let's leave after 8th. It's a real brain drain and they could care less.

There were only 53 kids total getting 5s in algebra total. I'd guess most of those are 8th graders, just because you can see the number of kids taking the geometry test in middle school is really low. Definitely bad to lose them but not info SWW would have at the point of admissions.

If there’s exactly 53, that’s—
17 7th graders at Deal
13 7th graders at Hardy
11 8th graders at Deal
6 9th graders at Basis
3 8th graders at SWW@FS
2 8th graders at Oyster
1 8th grader at ITS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if they’re weeding out kids with special needs, regardless of whether they’re high-performing, then they’re discriminating.

Signed mom of a highly-gifted, academically-motivated kid with ASD who’s at the top of her current class, yet who may not get into Walls due to the interview. Same child would definitely get accepted into a test-in program.

Then you should have moved to Maryland or Virginia where she could apply to a test-in program. Stop shouting into the wind. This is on YOU!

You realize that it isn't just possible for people to MOVE TO MD or VA?!! (shouting because you did)

-moving itself is expensive
-many people live with elderly parents or in a family home in DC and can't give this up for rent in VA/MD
-people don't have cars in DC but would need one in MD or VA (another cost)
-people have multiple kids who are in multiple DC schools--including kids in daycare, PK, etc.

I work as a caseworker and I'd say 95% of kids/families I work with can't just "move to VA or MD". That is such a elitist bubble thing to suggest.
It actually angers me that you say it so flippantly.

These kids deserve a decent option for high achievers in DC.

ALL students deserve good educational options, but we both know that life isn’t fair. Poor(er) people have never/will never have the same options as wealthier people in this country. Welcome to a capitalist economy.

Unfortunately, if you can’t move or afford private for a better education, then your options are limited. Walls cannot accept every deserving student.

There were 180 kids who got 5s in 7th grade math last year. A handful more probably were taking algebra and getting a 4 or 5, but not a lot. Many of them are not applying to SWW because they want to go to JR or they're happy at BASIS. So, I don't know, maybe start with those kids.

Why should we “start with those kids”? They’re not inherently more deserving than straight A students who earned 5s in 7th grade English (but 4s in 7th grade math). Get a grip! Your child (and his/her issues) isn’t the center of the universe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if they’re weeding out kids with special needs, regardless of whether they’re high-performing, then they’re discriminating.

Signed mom of a highly-gifted, academically-motivated kid with ASD who’s at the top of her current class, yet who may not get into Walls due to the interview. Same child would definitely get accepted into a test-in program.

Then you should have moved to Maryland or Virginia where she could apply to a test-in program. Stop shouting into the wind. This is on YOU!

You realize that it isn't just possible for people to MOVE TO MD or VA?!! (shouting because you did)

-moving itself is expensive
-many people live with elderly parents or in a family home in DC and can't give this up for rent in VA/MD
-people don't have cars in DC but would need one in MD or VA (another cost)
-people have multiple kids who are in multiple DC schools--including kids in daycare, PK, etc.

I work as a caseworker and I'd say 95% of kids/families I work with can't just "move to VA or MD". That is such a elitist bubble thing to suggest.
It actually angers me that you say it so flippantly.

These kids deserve a decent option for high achievers in DC.

ALL students deserve good educational options, but we both know that life isn’t fair. Poor(er) people have never/will never have the same options as wealthier people in this country. Welcome to a capitalist economy.

Unfortunately, if you can’t move or afford private for a better education, then your options are limited. Walls cannot accept every deserving student.

There were 180 kids who got 5s in 7th grade math last year. A handful more probably were taking algebra and getting a 4 or 5, but not a lot. Many of them are not applying to SWW because they want to go to JR or they're happy at BASIS. So, I don't know, maybe start with those kids.

Why should we “start with those kids”? They’re not inherently more deserving than straight A students who earned 5s in 7th grade English (but 4s in 7th grade math). Get a grip! Your child (and his/her issues) isn’t the center of the universe.

In general I agree with you, but kids scoring 5s in 7th grade algebra are, in fact, inherently much more likely to take and pass multivariable calculus in high school, a course DCPS only offers at Walls. It just seems irrational to offer that course at only one school and then exclude the kids most likely to pass it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if they’re weeding out kids with special needs, regardless of whether they’re high-performing, then they’re discriminating.

Signed mom of a highly-gifted, academically-motivated kid with ASD who’s at the top of her current class, yet who may not get into Walls due to the interview. Same child would definitely get accepted into a test-in program.

Then you should have moved to Maryland or Virginia where she could apply to a test-in program. Stop shouting into the wind. This is on YOU!

You realize that it isn't just possible for people to MOVE TO MD or VA?!! (shouting because you did)

-moving itself is expensive
-many people live with elderly parents or in a family home in DC and can't give this up for rent in VA/MD
-people don't have cars in DC but would need one in MD or VA (another cost)
-people have multiple kids who are in multiple DC schools--including kids in daycare, PK, etc.

I work as a caseworker and I'd say 95% of kids/families I work with can't just "move to VA or MD". That is such a elitist bubble thing to suggest.
It actually angers me that you say it so flippantly.

These kids deserve a decent option for high achievers in DC.

ALL students deserve good educational options, but we both know that life isn’t fair. Poor(er) people have never/will never have the same options as wealthier people in this country. Welcome to a capitalist economy.

Unfortunately, if you can’t move or afford private for a better education, then your options are limited. Walls cannot accept every deserving student.

There were 180 kids who got 5s in 7th grade math last year. A handful more probably were taking algebra and getting a 4 or 5, but not a lot. Many of them are not applying to SWW because they want to go to JR or they're happy at BASIS. So, I don't know, maybe start with those kids.

Probably another 30-40 who received 5's in Algebra.
My kid was in this group and is leaving for private and we know quite a few from this cohort who are. It's amazing how many top performers DCPS just let's leave after 8th. It's a real brain drain and they could care less.

There were only 53 kids total getting 5s in algebra total. I'd guess most of those are 8th graders, just because you can see the number of kids taking the geometry test in middle school is really low. Definitely bad to lose them but not info SWW would have at the point of admissions.

If there’s exactly 53, that’s—
17 7th graders at Deal
13 7th graders at Hardy
11 8th graders at Deal
6 9th graders at Basis
3 8th graders at SWW@FS
2 8th graders at Oyster
1 8th grader at ITS

Are these real numbers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if they’re weeding out kids with special needs, regardless of whether they’re high-performing, then they’re discriminating.

Signed mom of a highly-gifted, academically-motivated kid with ASD who’s at the top of her current class, yet who may not get into Walls due to the interview. Same child would definitely get accepted into a test-in program.

Then you should have moved to Maryland or Virginia where she could apply to a test-in program. Stop shouting into the wind. This is on YOU!

You realize that it isn't just possible for people to MOVE TO MD or VA?!! (shouting because you did)

-moving itself is expensive
-many people live with elderly parents or in a family home in DC and can't give this up for rent in VA/MD
-people don't have cars in DC but would need one in MD or VA (another cost)
-people have multiple kids who are in multiple DC schools--including kids in daycare, PK, etc.

I work as a caseworker and I'd say 95% of kids/families I work with can't just "move to VA or MD". That is such a elitist bubble thing to suggest.
It actually angers me that you say it so flippantly.

These kids deserve a decent option for high achievers in DC.

ALL students deserve good educational options, but we both know that life isn’t fair. Poor(er) people have never/will never have the same options as wealthier people in this country. Welcome to a capitalist economy.

Unfortunately, if you can’t move or afford private for a better education, then your options are limited. Walls cannot accept every deserving student.

There were 180 kids who got 5s in 7th grade math last year. A handful more probably were taking algebra and getting a 4 or 5, but not a lot. Many of them are not applying to SWW because they want to go to JR or they're happy at BASIS. So, I don't know, maybe start with those kids.

Probably another 30-40 who received 5's in Algebra.
My kid was in this group and is leaving for private and we know quite a few from this cohort who are. It's amazing how many top performers DCPS just let's leave after 8th. It's a real brain drain and they could care less.

There were only 53 kids total getting 5s in algebra total. I'd guess most of those are 8th graders, just because you can see the number of kids taking the geometry test in middle school is really low. Definitely bad to lose them but not info SWW would have at the point of admissions.

If there’s exactly 53, that’s—
17 7th graders at Deal
13 7th graders at Hardy
11 8th graders at Deal
6 9th graders at Basis
3 8th graders at SWW@FS
2 8th graders at Oyster
1 8th grader at ITS

Are these real numbers?

Yeah. They’re from the OSSE spreadsheets. Some of them are direct from the proficiency level spreadsheet and some are [number proficient] minus [number scoring 4], and for two of them I still had small ranges because I hadn’t thought to check against the citywide total for all grades. But if the citywide total is 53, that’s the list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if they’re weeding out kids with special needs, regardless of whether they’re high-performing, then they’re discriminating.

Signed mom of a highly-gifted, academically-motivated kid with ASD who’s at the top of her current class, yet who may not get into Walls due to the interview. Same child would definitely get accepted into a test-in program.

Then you should have moved to Maryland or Virginia where she could apply to a test-in program. Stop shouting into the wind. This is on YOU!

You realize that it isn't just possible for people to MOVE TO MD or VA?!! (shouting because you did)

-moving itself is expensive
-many people live with elderly parents or in a family home in DC and can't give this up for rent in VA/MD
-people don't have cars in DC but would need one in MD or VA (another cost)
-people have multiple kids who are in multiple DC schools--including kids in daycare, PK, etc.

I work as a caseworker and I'd say 95% of kids/families I work with can't just "move to VA or MD". That is such a elitist bubble thing to suggest.
It actually angers me that you say it so flippantly.

These kids deserve a decent option for high achievers in DC.

ALL students deserve good educational options, but we both know that life isn’t fair. Poor(er) people have never/will never have the same options as wealthier people in this country. Welcome to a capitalist economy.

Unfortunately, if you can’t move or afford private for a better education, then your options are limited. Walls cannot accept every deserving student.

There were 180 kids who got 5s in 7th grade math last year. A handful more probably were taking algebra and getting a 4 or 5, but not a lot. Many of them are not applying to SWW because they want to go to JR or they're happy at BASIS. So, I don't know, maybe start with those kids.

Why should we “start with those kids”? They’re not inherently more deserving than straight A students who earned 5s in 7th grade English (but 4s in 7th grade math). Get a grip! Your child (and his/her issues) isn’t the center of the universe.

These are the kids who are going to be the least-served by their neighborhood DCPS. Obviously. Especially if they are not zoned for JR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if they’re weeding out kids with special needs, regardless of whether they’re high-performing, then they’re discriminating.

Signed mom of a highly-gifted, academically-motivated kid with ASD who’s at the top of her current class, yet who may not get into Walls due to the interview. Same child would definitely get accepted into a test-in program.

Then you should have moved to Maryland or Virginia where she could apply to a test-in program. Stop shouting into the wind. This is on YOU!

You realize that it isn't just possible for people to MOVE TO MD or VA?!! (shouting because you did)

-moving itself is expensive
-many people live with elderly parents or in a family home in DC and can't give this up for rent in VA/MD
-people don't have cars in DC but would need one in MD or VA (another cost)
-people have multiple kids who are in multiple DC schools--including kids in daycare, PK, etc.

I work as a caseworker and I'd say 95% of kids/families I work with can't just "move to VA or MD". That is such a elitist bubble thing to suggest.
It actually angers me that you say it so flippantly.

These kids deserve a decent option for high achievers in DC.

ALL students deserve good educational options, but we both know that life isn’t fair. Poor(er) people have never/will never have the same options as wealthier people in this country. Welcome to a capitalist economy.

Unfortunately, if you can’t move or afford private for a better education, then your options are limited. Walls cannot accept every deserving student.

There were 180 kids who got 5s in 7th grade math last year. A handful more probably were taking algebra and getting a 4 or 5, but not a lot. Many of them are not applying to SWW because they want to go to JR or they're happy at BASIS. So, I don't know, maybe start with those kids.

Probably another 30-40 who received 5's in Algebra.
My kid was in this group and is leaving for private and we know quite a few from this cohort who are. It's amazing how many top performers DCPS just let's leave after 8th. It's a real brain drain and they could care less.

There were only 53 kids total getting 5s in algebra total. I'd guess most of those are 8th graders, just because you can see the number of kids taking the geometry test in middle school is really low. Definitely bad to lose them but not info SWW would have at the point of admissions.

If there’s exactly 53, that’s—
17 7th graders at Deal
13 7th graders at Hardy
11 8th graders at Deal
6 9th graders at Basis
3 8th graders at SWW@FS
2 8th graders at Oyster
1 8th grader at ITS

Are these real numbers?

Yeah. They’re from the OSSE spreadsheets. Some of them are direct from the proficiency level spreadsheet and some are [number proficient] minus [number scoring 4], and for two of them I still had small ranges because I hadn’t thought to check against the citywide total for all grades. But if the citywide total is 53, that’s the list.

This is not what I'm seeing. I see 28 from Deal, 6 at Hardy, and 6 at BASIS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if they’re weeding out kids with special needs, regardless of whether they’re high-performing, then they’re discriminating.

Signed mom of a highly-gifted, academically-motivated kid with ASD who’s at the top of her current class, yet who may not get into Walls due to the interview. Same child would definitely get accepted into a test-in program.

Then you should have moved to Maryland or Virginia where she could apply to a test-in program. Stop shouting into the wind. This is on YOU!

You realize that it isn't just possible for people to MOVE TO MD or VA?!! (shouting because you did)

-moving itself is expensive
-many people live with elderly parents or in a family home in DC and can't give this up for rent in VA/MD
-people don't have cars in DC but would need one in MD or VA (another cost)
-people have multiple kids who are in multiple DC schools--including kids in daycare, PK, etc.

I work as a caseworker and I'd say 95% of kids/families I work with can't just "move to VA or MD". That is such a elitist bubble thing to suggest.
It actually angers me that you say it so flippantly.

These kids deserve a decent option for high achievers in DC.

ALL students deserve good educational options, but we both know that life isn’t fair. Poor(er) people have never/will never have the same options as wealthier people in this country. Welcome to a capitalist economy.

Unfortunately, if you can’t move or afford private for a better education, then your options are limited. Walls cannot accept every deserving student.

There were 180 kids who got 5s in 7th grade math last year. A handful more probably were taking algebra and getting a 4 or 5, but not a lot. Many of them are not applying to SWW because they want to go to JR or they're happy at BASIS. So, I don't know, maybe start with those kids.

Probably another 30-40 who received 5's in Algebra.
My kid was in this group and is leaving for private and we know quite a few from this cohort who are. It's amazing how many top performers DCPS just let's leave after 8th. It's a real brain drain and they could care less.

There were only 53 kids total getting 5s in algebra total. I'd guess most of those are 8th graders, just because you can see the number of kids taking the geometry test in middle school is really low. Definitely bad to lose them but not info SWW would have at the point of admissions.

If there’s exactly 53, that’s—
17 7th graders at Deal
13 7th graders at Hardy
11 8th graders at Deal
6 9th graders at Basis
3 8th graders at SWW@FS
2 8th graders at Oyster
1 8th grader at ITS

Are these real numbers?

Yeah. They’re from the OSSE spreadsheets. Some of them are direct from the proficiency level spreadsheet and some are [number proficient] minus [number scoring 4], and for two of them I still had small ranges because I hadn’t thought to check against the citywide total for all grades. But if the citywide total is 53, that’s the list.

This is not what I'm seeing. I see 28 from Deal, 6 at Hardy, and 6 at BASIS.

Well we agree on 28 at Deal (17 + 11 = 28) and 6 at Basis.

For Hardy, I have 45 7th graders taking alg 1, with a pass rate over 90%, which means at least 41 passed. And 28 scored 4s. So that leaves at least 13 5s. But maybe I have a transcription error somewhere. Hardy 7th was one of those last two groups I had the most trouble backing out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if they’re weeding out kids with special needs, regardless of whether they’re high-performing, then they’re discriminating.

Signed mom of a highly-gifted, academically-motivated kid with ASD who’s at the top of her current class, yet who may not get into Walls due to the interview. Same child would definitely get accepted into a test-in program.

Then you should have moved to Maryland or Virginia where she could apply to a test-in program. Stop shouting into the wind. This is on YOU!

You realize that it isn't just possible for people to MOVE TO MD or VA?!! (shouting because you did)

-moving itself is expensive
-many people live with elderly parents or in a family home in DC and can't give this up for rent in VA/MD
-people don't have cars in DC but would need one in MD or VA (another cost)
-people have multiple kids who are in multiple DC schools--including kids in daycare, PK, etc.

I work as a caseworker and I'd say 95% of kids/families I work with can't just "move to VA or MD". That is such a elitist bubble thing to suggest.
It actually angers me that you say it so flippantly.

These kids deserve a decent option for high achievers in DC.

ALL students deserve good educational options, but we both know that life isn’t fair. Poor(er) people have never/will never have the same options as wealthier people in this country. Welcome to a capitalist economy.

Unfortunately, if you can’t move or afford private for a better education, then your options are limited. Walls cannot accept every deserving student.

There were 180 kids who got 5s in 7th grade math last year. A handful more probably were taking algebra and getting a 4 or 5, but not a lot. Many of them are not applying to SWW because they want to go to JR or they're happy at BASIS. So, I don't know, maybe start with those kids.

Probably another 30-40 who received 5's in Algebra.
My kid was in this group and is leaving for private and we know quite a few from this cohort who are. It's amazing how many top performers DCPS just let's leave after 8th. It's a real brain drain and they could care less.

There were only 53 kids total getting 5s in algebra total. I'd guess most of those are 8th graders, just because you can see the number of kids taking the geometry test in middle school is really low. Definitely bad to lose them but not info SWW would have at the point of admissions.

If there’s exactly 53, that’s—
17 7th graders at Deal
13 7th graders at Hardy
11 8th graders at Deal
6 9th graders at Basis
3 8th graders at SWW@FS
2 8th graders at Oyster
1 8th grader at ITS

Are these real numbers?

Yeah. They’re from the OSSE spreadsheets. Some of them are direct from the proficiency level spreadsheet and some are [number proficient] minus [number scoring 4], and for two of them I still had small ranges because I hadn’t thought to check against the citywide total for all grades. But if the citywide total is 53, that’s the list.

This is not what I'm seeing. I see 28 from Deal, 6 at Hardy, and 6 at BASIS.

Well we agree on 28 at Deal (17 + 11 = 28) and 6 at Basis.

For Hardy, I have 45 7th graders taking alg 1, with a pass rate over 90%, which means at least 41 passed. And 28 scored 4s. So that leaves at least 13 5s. But maybe I have a transcription error somewhere. Hardy 7th was one of those last two groups I had the most trouble backing out.

How are you even telling how many 7th graders are taking algebra vs. 8th graders? It doesn't give you that. And Hardy only has 55 kids taking the algebra test total. 45 of them are 7th graders? That would be really weird. Plus, 177 kids took the 7th grade English PARCC and 169 took the 7th grade math PARCC. So you're looking at more like 8 kids taking algebra in 7th grade. (The number might not exactly add up, but they're close.)

But also, as a note: the 53 can include kids not connected to any school. Homeschool kids can and sometimes do take PARCC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if they’re weeding out kids with special needs, regardless of whether they’re high-performing, then they’re discriminating.

Signed mom of a highly-gifted, academically-motivated kid with ASD who’s at the top of her current class, yet who may not get into Walls due to the interview. Same child would definitely get accepted into a test-in program.

Then you should have moved to Maryland or Virginia where she could apply to a test-in program. Stop shouting into the wind. This is on YOU!

You realize that it isn't just possible for people to MOVE TO MD or VA?!! (shouting because you did)

-moving itself is expensive
-many people live with elderly parents or in a family home in DC and can't give this up for rent in VA/MD
-people don't have cars in DC but would need one in MD or VA (another cost)
-people have multiple kids who are in multiple DC schools--including kids in daycare, PK, etc.

I work as a caseworker and I'd say 95% of kids/families I work with can't just "move to VA or MD". That is such a elitist bubble thing to suggest.
It actually angers me that you say it so flippantly.

These kids deserve a decent option for high achievers in DC.

ALL students deserve good educational options, but we both know that life isn’t fair. Poor(er) people have never/will never have the same options as wealthier people in this country. Welcome to a capitalist economy.

Unfortunately, if you can’t move or afford private for a better education, then your options are limited. Walls cannot accept every deserving student.

There were 180 kids who got 5s in 7th grade math last year. A handful more probably were taking algebra and getting a 4 or 5, but not a lot. Many of them are not applying to SWW because they want to go to JR or they're happy at BASIS. So, I don't know, maybe start with those kids.

Why should we “start with those kids”? They’re not inherently more deserving than straight A students who earned 5s in 7th grade English (but 4s in 7th grade math). Get al grip! Your child (and his/her issues) isn’t the center of the universe.

These are the kids who are going to be the least-served by their neighborhood DCPS. Obviously. Especially if they are not zoned for JR.

Because they got 5s in math instead of English, Stop it! They’re not in greater academic peril than the English students. Just stop!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if they’re weeding out kids with special needs, regardless of whether they’re high-performing, then they’re discriminating.

Signed mom of a highly-gifted, academically-motivated kid with ASD who’s at the top of her current class, yet who may not get into Walls due to the interview. Same child would definitely get accepted into a test-in program.

Then you should have moved to Maryland or Virginia where she could apply to a test-in program. Stop shouting into the wind. This is on YOU!

You realize that it isn't just possible for people to MOVE TO MD or VA?!! (shouting because you did)

-moving itself is expensive
-many people live with elderly parents or in a family home in DC and can't give this up for rent in VA/MD
-people don't have cars in DC but would need one in MD or VA (another cost)
-people have multiple kids who are in multiple DC schools--including kids in daycare, PK, etc.

I work as a caseworker and I'd say 95% of kids/families I work with can't just "move to VA or MD". That is such a elitist bubble thing to suggest.
It actually angers me that you say it so flippantly.

These kids deserve a decent option for high achievers in DC.

ALL students deserve good educational options, but we both know that life isn’t fair. Poor(er) people have never/will never have the same options as wealthier people in this country. Welcome to a capitalist economy.

Unfortunately, if you can’t move or afford private for a better education, then your options are limited. Walls cannot accept every deserving student.

There were 180 kids who got 5s in 7th grade math last year. A handful more probably were taking algebra and getting a 4 or 5, but not a lot. Many of them are not applying to SWW because they want to go to JR or they're happy at BASIS. So, I don't know, maybe start with those kids.

Why should we “start with those kids”? They’re not inherently more deserving than straight A students who earned 5s in 7th grade English (but 4s in 7th grade math). Get al grip! Your child (and his/her issues) isn’t the center of the universe.

These are the kids who are going to be the least-served by their neighborhood DCPS. Obviously. Especially if they are not zoned for JR.

Because they got 5s in math instead of English, Stop it! They’re not in greater academic peril than the English students. Just stop!

I think they should start with kids who got 5s in both English and math.....