Seaton vs. ITS

[Anonymous]

We are at Seaton and our child is happy, challenged and thriving. We lotteried for kicks for Kindergarten and just matched as ITS. I am agonizing. Weighing so many factors:

-- which school will challenge him more? So far his teachers give him lots of individualized attention and the challenge comes there. He's a bright kid and they are meeting him where he is. But I know there is a difference in kind in the k-5 curriculum vs his prek experience. iTS' curriculum and ability to work at kids at their level is a mystery to me --- anyone have any insight? Will I end up regretting leaving the DCPS curriculum?

-- we are somewhat active members of our school community and it feels great to be a part of making this community stronger. I would feel immense guilt about leaving.

- will he have friends? He is happy right now, but i know many kids who are leaving for K for various reasons. A couple of friends are planning on staying. Will we end up feeling regretful in a few years if we stay?

--- middle school. We would not attend Cardozo and don't feel too confident about DCPS giving us a good middle school, so we always thought we would try for a charter middle or move to Deal/Hardy/whatever else is good then. So I think this is a point towards ITS, though it stills far enough out.

I am of course going to be meeting with lots of people IRL who have insights and connections into both schools. But I thought I would throw this out to DCUM...

[Anonymous]

We have a child in an older grade at Seaton. So far, we have felt that our child was appropriately challenged- with teachers being very good about offering differentiation as needed. We love the parent community and the teachers/staff. Our child has a number of friends- some at the same/similar academic level, and some not. The community is diverse, friendly, non-competitive. They just feel like “our” people.

That being said, Middle School remains a big challenge. Cardozo- as it currently stands- isn’t an option. It could change, in that location or another, but I am not counting on that. I don’t know what we will do- but I am not panicking yet.

[Anonymous]

I think the question is what middle school do you actually want for your child. If the ITS model of a small middle school (meaning that the number of high-performing kids won't be that high and there won't be the same level of variety and activities that you would get at a larger school) is appealing to you, then go for it. But if you're not so sure, or if the fact that a lot of ITS families go elsewhere for middle school is concerning, then I'd sit tight at Seaton and wait for one of your true preferred middle schools. There's no point in moving your DC for a school you wouldn't stay at, especially as lower elementary at Seaton is strong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the question is what middle school do you actually want for your child. If the ITS model of a small middle school (meaning that the number of high-performing kids won't be that high and there won't be the same level of variety and activities that you would get at a larger school) is appealing to you, then go for it. But if you're not so sure, or if the fact that a lot of ITS families go elsewhere for middle school is concerning, then I'd sit tight at Seaton and wait for one of your true preferred middle schools. There's no point in moving your DC for a school you wouldn't stay at, especially as lower elementary at Seaton is strong.

Their withdraw rate is like 2%, which is lower than DC city wide. Are kids moving because they want to feed into a certain high school? Want more sports or different extras? Or do they truly not like the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the question is what middle school do you actually want for your child. If the ITS model of a small middle school (meaning that the number of high-performing kids won't be that high and there won't be the same level of variety and activities that you would get at a larger school) is appealing to you, then go for it. But if you're not so sure, or if the fact that a lot of ITS families go elsewhere for middle school is concerning, then I'd sit tight at Seaton and wait for one of your true preferred middle schools. There's no point in moving your DC for a school you wouldn't stay at, especially as lower elementary at Seaton is strong.

Their withdraw rate is like 2%, which is lower than DC city wide. Are kids moving because they want to feed into a certain high school? Want more sports or different extras? Or do they truly not like the school?

I dunno. They may be IB for Deal and have planned this all along, or they got their 9th grader into somewhere like Latin so they moved their younger sibling over as well. But looking at the data they offered 12 seats for 5th grade last year and 10 for 6th grade, so that would indicate that people are leaving. There are only like 50 kids in each grade so to offer 10 seats in the lottery indicates there is real attrition, no? Current parents just seem a little iffy on it but it's hard to get them to tell you specifically why. I think it's probably a combination of not having big-school options, and concerns about cohort performance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the question is what middle school do you actually want for your child. If the ITS model of a small middle school (meaning that the number of high-performing kids won't be that high and there won't be the same level of variety and activities that you would get at a larger school) is appealing to you, then go for it. But if you're not so sure, or if the fact that a lot of ITS families go elsewhere for middle school is concerning, then I'd sit tight at Seaton and wait for one of your true preferred middle schools. There's no point in moving your DC for a school you wouldn't stay at, especially as lower elementary at Seaton is strong.

Their withdraw rate is like 2%, which is lower than DC city wide. Are kids moving because they want to feed into a certain high school? Want more sports or different extras? Or do they truly not like the school?

I dunno. They may be IB for Deal and have planned this all along, or they got their 9th grader into somewhere like Latin so they moved their younger sibling over as well. But looking at the data they offered 12 seats for 5th grade last year and 10 for 6th grade, so that would indicate that people are leaving. There are only like 50 kids in each grade so to offer 10 seats in the lottery indicates there is real attrition, no? Current parents just seem a little iffy on it but it's hard to get them to tell you specifically why. I think it's probably a combination of not having big-school options, and concerns about cohort performance.

ITS parent here. The families we know who have/are planning on moving are doing so because they live in the Deal feeder pattern, they want a defined path to HS, or they or their kids want a different size school or a different setting like Basis or Latin which seem to be of interest city wide so I don't think it's an indicator that MS at ITS isn't working. No one has said anything to me about concerns about cohort performance, and I have none. the current 4th graders were among the highest performing on PARCC in the city last year. But continuing to make sure the school leadership knows that parents of kids of color are watching how they address the achievement gap which continues to cause concern. Not sure what that looks like at Latin, Basis, or Deal but maybe those environments look promising for kids of color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the question is what middle school do you actually want for your child. If the ITS model of a small middle school (meaning that the number of high-performing kids won't be that high and there won't be the same level of variety and activities that you would get at a larger school) is appealing to you, then go for it. But if you're not so sure, or if the fact that a lot of ITS families go elsewhere for middle school is concerning, then I'd sit tight at Seaton and wait for one of your true preferred middle schools. There's no point in moving your DC for a school you wouldn't stay at, especially as lower elementary at Seaton is strong.

Their withdraw rate is like 2%, which is lower than DC city wide. Are kids moving because they want to feed into a certain high school? Want more sports or different extras? Or do they truly not like the school?

I dunno. They may be IB for Deal and have planned this all along, or they got their 9th grader into somewhere like Latin so they moved their younger sibling over as well. But looking at the data they offered 12 seats for 5th grade last year and 10 for 6th grade, so that would indicate that people are leaving. There are only like 50 kids in each grade so to offer 10 seats in the lottery indicates there is real attrition, no? Current parents just seem a little iffy on it but it's hard to get them to tell you specifically why. I think it's probably a combination of not having big-school options, and concerns about cohort performance.

ITS parent here. The families we know who have/are planning on moving are doing so because they live in the Deal feeder pattern, they want a defined path to HS, or they or their kids want a different size school or a different setting like Basis or Latin which seem to be of interest city wide so I don't think it's an indicator that MS at ITS isn't working. No one has said anything to me about concerns about cohort performance, and I have none. the current 4th graders were among the highest performing on PARCC in the city last year. But continuing to make sure the school leadership knows that parents of kids of color are watching how they address the achievement gap which continues to cause concern. Not sure what that looks like at Latin, Basis, or Deal but maybe those environments look promising for kids of color.

Hi, this is the OP. thank you so much for chiming in! Can you tell me more about the bolded? Are you happy with the academics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the question is what middle school do you actually want for your child. If the ITS model of a small middle school (meaning that the number of high-performing kids won't be that high and there won't be the same level of variety and activities that you would get at a larger school) is appealing to you, then go for it. But if you're not so sure, or if the fact that a lot of ITS families go elsewhere for middle school is concerning, then I'd sit tight at Seaton and wait for one of your true preferred middle schools. There's no point in moving your DC for a school you wouldn't stay at, especially as lower elementary at Seaton is strong.

Their withdraw rate is like 2%, which is lower than DC city wide. Are kids moving because they want to feed into a certain high school? Want more sports or different extras? Or do they truly not like the school?

I dunno. They may be IB for Deal and have planned this all along, or they got their 9th grader into somewhere like Latin so they moved their younger sibling over as well. But looking at the data they offered 12 seats for 5th grade last year and 10 for 6th grade, so that would indicate that people are leaving. There are only like 50 kids in each grade so to offer 10 seats in the lottery indicates there is real attrition, no? Current parents just seem a little iffy on it but it's hard to get them to tell you specifically why. I think it's probably a combination of not having big-school options, and concerns about cohort performance.

ITS parent here. The families we know who have/are planning on moving are doing so because they live in the Deal feeder pattern, they want a defined path to HS, or they or their kids want a different size school or a different setting like Basis or Latin which seem to be of interest city wide so I don't think it's an indicator that MS at ITS isn't working. No one has said anything to me about concerns about cohort performance, and I have none. the current 4th graders were among the highest performing on PARCC in the city last year. But continuing to make sure the school leadership knows that parents of kids of color are watching how they address the achievement gap which continues to cause concern. Not sure what that looks like at Latin, Basis, or Deal but maybe those environments look promising for kids of color.

Hi, this is the OP. thank you so much for chiming in! Can you tell me more about the bolded? Are you happy with the academics?

It's great that they're high-performing now. But the issue is, some will leave and others will replace them and will it still be a high-performing cohort?

[Anonymous]

This is such a tough decision! We are in similar boat and will be sad to see kids go. My sense is it won’t make much difference for next 2-3 years but ITS provides more stability after that due to viable MS option. Is that future stability worth the inconveniences and change in short term? We don’t know the answers yet either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is such a tough decision! We are in similar boat and will be sad to see kids go. My sense is it won’t make much difference for next 2-3 years but ITS provides more stability after that due to viable MS option. Is that future stability worth the inconveniences and change in short term? We don’t know the answers yet either.

I think it's not clear that it's viable. Right now some people think it is, some people think it isn't. So how does it compare to other middle schools that you might get into?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the question is what middle school do you actually want for your child. If the ITS model of a small middle school (meaning that the number of high-performing kids won't be that high and there won't be the same level of variety and activities that you would get at a larger school) is appealing to you, then go for it. But if you're not so sure, or if the fact that a lot of ITS families go elsewhere for middle school is concerning, then I'd sit tight at Seaton and wait for one of your true preferred middle schools. There's no point in moving your DC for a school you wouldn't stay at, especially as lower elementary at Seaton is strong.

Their withdraw rate is like 2%, which is lower than DC city wide. Are kids moving because they want to feed into a certain high school? Want more sports or different extras? Or do they truly not like the school?

I dunno. They may be IB for Deal and have planned this all along, or they got their 9th grader into somewhere like Latin so they moved their younger sibling over as well. But looking at the data they offered 12 seats for 5th grade last year and 10 for 6th grade, so that would indicate that people are leaving. There are only like 50 kids in each grade so to offer 10 seats in the lottery indicates there is real attrition, no? Current parents just seem a little iffy on it but it's hard to get them to tell you specifically why. I think it's probably a combination of not having big-school options, and concerns about cohort performance.

ITS parent here. The families we know who have/are planning on moving are doing so because they live in the Deal feeder pattern, they want a defined path to HS, or they or their kids want a different size school or a different setting like Basis or Latin which seem to be of interest city wide so I don't think it's an indicator that MS at ITS isn't working. No one has said anything to me about concerns about cohort performance, and I have none. the current 4th graders were among the highest performing on PARCC in the city last year. But continuing to make sure the school leadership knows that parents of kids of color are watching how they address the achievement gap which continues to cause concern. Not sure what that looks like at Latin, Basis, or Deal but maybe those environments look promising for kids of color.

Hi, this is the OP. thank you so much for chiming in! Can you tell me more about the bolded? Are you happy with the academics?

It's great that they're high-performing now. But the issue is, some will leave and others will replace them and will it still be a high-performing cohort?

Some new kids in 5th will probably be “high performing” and some won’t. ITS middle school is still a better option for my kid than Shaw/Cardozo. Also opted not to lottery for Basis/Latin and have no regrets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is such a tough decision! We are in similar boat and will be sad to see kids go. My sense is it won’t make much difference for next 2-3 years but ITS provides more stability after that due to viable MS option. Is that future stability worth the inconveniences and change in short term? We don’t know the answers yet either.

I think it's not clear that it's viable. Right now some people think it is, some people think it isn't. So how does it compare to other middle schools that you might get into?

Interesting perspective. Certainly more viable than Cardozo! So I guess it is hedging bets against lotteries six years down the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is such a tough decision! We are in similar boat and will be sad to see kids go. My sense is it won’t make much difference for next 2-3 years but ITS provides more stability after that due to viable MS option. Is that future stability worth the inconveniences and change in short term? We don’t know the answers yet either.

I think it's not clear that it's viable. Right now some people think it is, some people think it isn't. So how does it compare to other middle schools that you might get into?

Interesting perspective. Certainly more viable than Cardozo! So I guess it is hedging bets against lotteries six years down the road.

It is definitely better than Cardozo, but how many times do you want to move your kid? I just feel like Seaton's pretty solid for lower elementary, so if what you really want is a DCI feeder or Two Rivers or a Wilson feeder, maybe best to pass up ITS.

[Anonymous]

Op: kids in elementary at ITS use Eureka math. Mine seems to like it and is learning a lot. Not sure of the name of
ELA curriculum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op: kids in elementary at ITS use Eureka math. Mine seems to like it and is learning a lot. Not sure of the name of
ELA curriculum

It's Writer's Workshop I believe. And Lucy Calkins (which I like).

I can't say I feel my kid is being especially challenged in math, but I like the Eureka Math curriculum.