What’s going on at DCI?

Anonymous
The MS principal seems to have resigned suddenly. There was an incident a few weeks ago where a MS student apparently tried to commit suicide on campus. Another teacher resigned abruptly. Bullying. Surly attitudes, and dangerous behavior are prevalent. I thought this was supposed to be the best MS in DC? If this is the best the City has to offer, we are in trouble! I know MS is tough but something seems really off. Anyone have better insight? I’m concerned.
Anonymous
Not sure but this kind of instability is making me concerned as we consider DCI for the lottery. DCI is our safe school option if my kid doesn’t get into one of her top choice privates. *hugs to you OP & the DCI Community*
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:The MS principal seems to have resigned suddenly. There was an incident a few weeks ago where a MS student apparently tried to commit suicide on campus. Another teacher resigned abruptly. Bullying. Surly attitudes, and dangerous behavior are prevalent. I thought this was supposed to be the best MS in DC? If this is the best the City has to offer, we are in trouble! I know MS is tough but something seems really off. Anyone have better insight? I’m concerned.


Mostly needy low SES kids in the schol. No real honors MS classes. No requirement that students who stay through HS do International Bacclaureate Diploma work.

What did you expect, DCI is a lottery admissions school in the District serving mostly low SES kids (unlike Wash Latin or BASIS).
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:The MS principal seems to have resigned suddenly. There was an incident a few weeks ago where a MS student apparently tried to commit suicide on campus. Another teacher resigned abruptly. Bullying. Surly attitudes, and dangerous behavior are prevalent. I thought this was supposed to be the best MS in DC? If this is the best the City has to offer, we are in trouble! I know MS is tough but something seems really off. Anyone have better insight? I’m concerned.


The school has sadly been a mess from Day 1.
Anonymous
OP who told you DCI was the 'best middle school" in DC?

I've always heard people say it has a lot of promise, but also some real challenges (really rapid growth; 50% economically disadvantaged students; inexperienced teachers).



Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:The MS principal seems to have resigned suddenly. There was an incident a few weeks ago where a MS student apparently tried to commit suicide on campus. Another teacher resigned abruptly. Bullying. Surly attitudes, and dangerous behavior are prevalent. I thought this was supposed to be the best MS in DC? If this is the best the City has to offer, we are in trouble! I know MS is tough but something seems really off. Anyone have better insight? I’m concerned.


Who told you that it was the best middle school in FC?!? They lied.

Better MS:

Deal
Adams
Basis
Latin
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Not sure but this kind of instability is making me concerned as we consider DCI for the lottery. DCI is our safe school option if my kid doesn’t get into one of her top choice privates. *hugs to you OP & the DCI Community*


Are you in a DCI feeder? Otherwise, how is a school with a waitlist of 477 for 6th grade a "safe school option"?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Who told you that it was the best middle school in FC?!? They lied.

Better MS:

Deal
Adams
Basis
Latin


Also Hsrdy.
Anonymous
Do they have a replacement?
Anonymous
I would think SWW-FS too.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I would think SWW-FS too.


Not a middle school. A pk-8. Different beast.
Anonymous
My issue is that I can't seem to reach anyone at the school to schedule a tour. Messages and emails not responded to. My kid is in 5th, in a feeder school. I am nervous.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:My issue is that I can't seem to reach anyone at the school to schedule a tour. Messages and emails not responded to. My kid is in 5th, in a feeder school. I am nervous.


They probably won't let you do a tour unless something has really changed this year. They do evening open houses for parents, and visit days for all the feeder kids (e.g. a LAMB day, a Stokes day, a MV day) in the spring.
Anonymous
Thanks. PP. Yes, I know my kid will do a visit day soon but it would be really helpful for me to actually take a tour of the school, like I was able to do at Latin a few weeks ago. I plan to attend the info session/open house. I just find it a bit odd to get no response at all from anyone at the school as a feeder parent asking for what seems pretty normal to me.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Thanks. PP. Yes, I know my kid will do a visit day soon but it would be really helpful for me to actually take a tour of the school, like I was able to do at Latin a few weeks ago. I plan to attend the info session/open house. I just find it a bit odd to get no response at all from anyone at the school as a feeder parent asking for what seems pretty normal to me.


I had the same experience a couple years ago. They did not seem to care about making feeder parents feel comfortable with or selling the school. I got a definite this is how we do things vibe. If your kid wants to attend great. If not, we've got a lengthy waitlist.

We didn't send our DC, but most of our friends have been happy with the school, FWIW.

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