Ross Elementary?

[Anonymous]

Hi, does anyone's child attend Ross Elementary on 17th & R, i believe near Dupont Circle? I'm starting to research pre-schools, & a co-workers wife works for them, & has great things to say about Ross. I'd like to hear from some parents, too.

[Anonymous]

I posted this very question a few weeks ago...and there were no responses.
Would love to know what people think!

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to bump this up b/c I too would love some comments on Ross...although given lack of response maybe no one has experience with the school? There was a posting on the pre-school forum a couple of months back discussing DC public schools and one person replied that Ross was improving b/c teachers were more involved, but still not great yet. Not sure if that comment was from a parent w/kids there however. Question for OP - you mentioned Ross's pre-school - if you have more info (like what age it accepts children at, application process, hours, free/paid) I would love to hear about it. Ross is pretty close to our home and I'd love it if it was a viable option for at least pre-school and early grades. From the outside it looks quite nice - brand new playground equipment and the building looks like it's in decent shape.

[Anonymous]

i have heard it is okay academically but people won't send there b/c of the other types of people attending...they feel it isn't completely safe and teachers spend a lot of time dealing with discipline issues with other children. just what i heard. kind of a rough crowd.

[Anonymous]

types of people attending --- read - not all middle-class, white children. I have heard these kids referred to as "the general population." Not very nice, is it? Live in an urban setting, and want all the kids to look like ours and come frome backgrounds like ours....

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who used to work there and he sends his daughter there. Sorry I don't have more info, but he wouldn't send his (obviously very beloved) daughter there if he didn't feel she would do well there.

[Anonymous]

This school is in my neighborhood, and would be my child's default school. I hear OK things about it--particularly the parents and how committed they are to the school. They did rank 14th out of 17 in the district, though, so if you care about something like this it might not be for you.

(A large number of students are ESL, I think, which might influence test results. But the playground is awesome!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:types of people attending --- read - not all middle-class, white children. I have heard these kids referred to as "the general population." Not very nice, is it? Live in an urban setting, and want all the kids to look like ours and come frome backgrounds like ours....

I love this. And so relevant to the thread complaining about how MD and VA families are taking up all the private school spots that should be reserved for DC residents because "public just isn't an option". It is incredible to me that some DC residents act smug b/c they live in a city, yet wouldn't dream of actually engaging in their neighborhood in a meaningful way - ie by sending their children to their neighborhood school. Such hypocrisy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i have heard it is okay academically but people won't send there b/c of the other types of people attending...they feel it isn't completely safe and teachers spend a lot of time dealing with discipline issues with other children. just what i heard. kind of a rough crowd.

The "rough crowd"-ESL-"other" kids are actually my wild twins. Sorry everyone! Oh wait...that's just on the playground during weekends. Never mind.

Seriously, interesting to hear thoughts about this school. Looks like it's gone through lots of changes. Had we not moved from Dupont, it would definitely be on my list.

Any more feedback? I know it's too late for out-of-boundary, but more insights are always welcome.

(The playground/soccer field really is great for little ones and soooo close to Hank's Oyster Bar.)

[Anonymous]

What about Thomson Elementary at 12th & L? It looks fantastic after the renovation. Anyone?

[Anonymous]

Scores at Thomson are not great but parents are committed and the Chinese program rocks.

[Anonymous]

I pass Thomson on my way to work each morning and am definitely notice the parental involvement as well as the diversity of the students. Looks like a mix of neighborhood children as well as kids of those who work in DC and do the drop off before work. The building is beautiful. I read about the Chinese program in a WP article within the past two years and it mentioned the strong community of parents as well as the principal. Thanks for the info. Maybe it will be better when we need to use it in three years. It certainly would be convenient.