Moving to dc....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are those big apartment buildings with more than one dog? I wouldn't even mention the cat, I think. I love DC's huge prewar buildings. They are on the radar, if the space and location match.

Hearst has an advanced program? SAIL? Any other schools have this?

Lots of great pre-war buildings near Eaton and Hearst

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Capitol Hill as a recommendation is that there's great variation depending on the where. Things can really be very different from one block to the next.

I'd say an easier, more predictable bet is Dupont Circle for Ross. You may also find simpatico for Brooklyn in the U Street, Logan and Columbia Heights neighborhoods. Not many here talk about the schools in those places, but there are a lot of families settling in and I found the test scores for Tubman Elementary (Columbia Heights) to be very impressive. Must be something good going on there. They certainly have an active parent organization.

Mt. Pleasant is something of an ideal if you're coming from Brooklyn, but Bancroft school is fair to middling. Still, I know quite a few who keep their kids there through 5th and feel that it's just fine.

Petworth is also a good bet in terms of lifestyle. Lots of green space, yet also a lot of walkable amenities and more coming all the time. Easy to live without a car and yes, there are A LOT of parents in Petworth with kids of all ages. More kids in the 5 and under set, but I see older kids at the
Farmer's Market - they must be living somewhere. Powell Elementary is definitely the up-and-comer and I saw a music room full of newly-donated violins when I toured there recently. Big plus to Petworth is that if you don't like Powell, there are SO MANY charters convenient to this neighborhood.

I have heard that it is hard to be Caucasian at Tubman, especially in the upper grades, and I have heard the opposite of the PTA. We did not apply even though it is right near us. Here is a Post article that mentions it: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/for-many-young-dc-parents-city-schools-remain-a-sticking-point/2013/10/21/85e02670-380e-11e3-ae46-e4248e75c8ea_story.html

To be clear--I should have said I have heard the opposite that you have for the PTA--not very involved. Also that it's hard to be Caucasian on the PTA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Capitol Hill as a recommendation is that there's great variation depending on the where. Things can really be very different from one block to the next.

I'd say an easier, more predictable bet is Dupont Circle for Ross. You may also find simpatico for Brooklyn in the U Street, Logan and Columbia Heights neighborhoods. Not many here talk about the schools in those places, but there are a lot of families settling in and I found the test scores for Tubman Elementary (Columbia Heights) to be very impressive. Must be something good going on there. They certainly have an active parent organization.

Mt. Pleasant is something of an ideal if you're coming from Brooklyn, but Bancroft school is fair to middling. Still, I know quite a few who keep their kids there through 5th and feel that it's just fine.

Petworth is also a good bet in terms of lifestyle. Lots of green space, yet also a lot of walkable amenities and more coming all the time. Easy to live without a car and yes, there are A LOT of parents in Petworth with kids of all ages. More kids in the 5 and under set, but I see older kids at the
Farmer's Market - they must be living somewhere. Powell Elementary is definitely the up-and-comer and I saw a music room full of newly-donated violins when I toured there recently. Big plus to Petworth is that if you don't like Powell, there are SO MANY charters convenient to this neighborhood.

I have heard that it is hard to be Caucasian at Tubman, especially in the upper grades, and I have heard the opposite of the PTA. We did not apply even though it is right near us. Here is a Post article that mentions it: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/for-many-young-dc-parents-city-schools-remain-a-sticking-point/2013/10/21/85e02670-380e-11e3-ae46-e4248e75c8ea_story.html

I'm the PP and don't know much about Tubman except that their parent organization was pretty visible on the Petworth Parents email group. The OP said it's not bad if their child is an only (plus, I'm not making any assumptions about the race or background), and the neighborhood is just fantastic for someone coming from Brooklyn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Capitol Hill as a recommendation is that there's great variation depending on the where. Things can really be very different from one block to the next.

I'd say an easier, more predictable bet is Dupont Circle for Ross. You may also find simpatico for Brooklyn in the U Street, Logan and Columbia Heights neighborhoods. Not many here talk about the schools in those places, but there are a lot of families settling in and I found the test scores for Tubman Elementary (Columbia Heights) to be very impressive. Must be something good going on there. They certainly have an active parent organization.

Mt. Pleasant is something of an ideal if you're coming from Brooklyn, but Bancroft school is fair to middling. Still, I know quite a few who keep their kids there through 5th and feel that it's just fine.

Petworth is also a good bet in terms of lifestyle. Lots of green space, yet also a lot of walkable amenities and more coming all the time. Easy to live without a car and yes, there are A LOT of parents in Petworth with kids of all ages. More kids in the 5 and under set, but I see older kids at the
Farmer's Market - they must be living somewhere. Powell Elementary is definitely the up-and-comer and I saw a music room full of newly-donated violins when I toured there recently. Big plus to Petworth is that if you don't like Powell, there are SO MANY charters convenient to this neighborhood.

I have heard that it is hard to be Caucasian at Tubman, especially in the upper grades, and I have heard the opposite of the PTA. We did not apply even though it is right near us. Here is a Post article that mentions it: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/for-many-young-dc-parents-city-schools-remain-a-sticking-point/2013/10/21/85e02670-380e-11e3-ae46-e4248e75c8ea_story.html

Some of the best parts and $$$ parts of Dupont aren't even zoned for Ross (ie west of Circle) but for Marie Reed. This area is not as familiy oriented and there's limited outdoor/play space (though plenty of dog runs). It's not a big urban family magnet, certainly far less than CH, Tenleytown, or Chevy Chase

[Anonymous]

m the PP and don't know much about Tubman except that their parent organization was pretty visible on the Petworth Parents email group. The OP said it's not bad if their child is an only (plus, I'm not making any assumptions about the race or background), and the neighborhood is just fantastic for someone coming from Brooklyn.

This is Dupont Circle? Or Petworth?

West says they have a g&T program. I guess now I have to ask, I thought DC schools didn't have any academic tracking--do they? How is this done?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Capitol Hill as a recommendation is that there's great variation depending on the where. Things can really be very different from one block to the next.

I'd say an easier, more predictable bet is Dupont Circle for Ross. You may also find simpatico for Brooklyn in the U Street, Logan and Columbia Heights neighborhoods. Not many here talk about the schools in those places, but there are a lot of families settling in and I found the test scores for Tubman Elementary (Columbia Heights) to be very impressive. Must be something good going on there. They certainly have an active parent organization.

Mt. Pleasant is something of an ideal if you're coming from Brooklyn, but Bancroft school is fair to middling. Still, I know quite a few who keep their kids there through 5th and feel that it's just fine.

Petworth is also a good bet in terms of lifestyle. Lots of green space, yet also a lot of walkable amenities and more coming all the time. Easy to live without a car and yes, there are A LOT of parents in Petworth with kids of all ages. More kids in the 5 and under set, but I see older kids at the
Farmer's Market - they must be living somewhere. Powell Elementary is definitely the up-and-comer and I saw a music room full of newly-donated violins when I toured there recently. Big plus to Petworth is that if you don't like Powell, there are SO MANY charters convenient to this neighborhood.

I have heard that it is hard to be Caucasian at Tubman, especially in the upper grades, and I have heard the opposite of the PTA. We did not apply even though it is right near us. Here is a Post article that mentions it: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/for-many-young-dc-parents-city-schools-remain-a-sticking-point/2013/10/21/85e02670-380e-11e3-ae46-e4248e75c8ea_story.html

I'm the PP and don't know much about Tubman except that their parent organization was pretty visible on the Petworth Parents email group. The OP said it's not bad if their child is an only (plus, I'm not making any assumptions about the race or background), and the neighborhood is just fantastic for someone coming from Brooklyn.

To me it sounds like this story has two sides, and father in question may not have been sensitive to the perspectives of other parents. I would recommend the OP see for herself instead of taking all of her info from three paragraphs of a Post article. Also, OP, if you have experience in a school similar to Tubman you might approach the PTA and other things with a different attitude than the guy in the article.

[Anonymous]

^^^^
To me it sounds like this story has two sides, and father in question may not have been sensitive to the perspectives of other parents. I would recommend the OP see for herself instead of taking all of her info from three paragraphs of a Post article. Also, OP, if you have experience in a school similar to Tubman you might approach the PTA and other things with a different attitude than the guy in the article.

[Anonymous]

Tubman is in Columbia Heights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

m the PP and don't know much about Tubman except that their parent organization was pretty visible on the Petworth Parents email group. The OP said it's not bad if their child is an only (plus, I'm not making any assumptions about the race or background), and the neighborhood is just fantastic for someone coming from Brooklyn.

This is Dupont Circle? Or Petworth?

West says they have a g&T program. I guess now I have to ask, I thought DC schools didn't have any academic tracking--do they? How is this done?

West has Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM) which comes out of the University of Connecticut's center for gifted and talented education. It's not tracking though. It's at a half dozen or so other schools in DCPS (mostly middle schools.) It's also supposed to be expanding to Murch and Eaton and some other schools in the coming school year. You can find out more information about SEM on the DCPS webpage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Capitol Hill as a recommendation is that there's great variation depending on the where. Things can really be very different from one block to the next.

I'd say an easier, more predictable bet is Dupont Circle for Ross. You may also find simpatico for Brooklyn in the U Street, Logan and Columbia Heights neighborhoods. Not many here talk about the schools in those places, but there are a lot of families settling in and I found the test scores for Tubman Elementary (Columbia Heights) to be very impressive. Must be something good going on there. They certainly have an active parent organization.

Mt. Pleasant is something of an ideal if you're coming from Brooklyn, but Bancroft school is fair to middling. Still, I know quite a few who keep their kids there through 5th and feel that it's just fine.

Petworth is also a good bet in terms of lifestyle. Lots of green space, yet also a lot of walkable amenities and more coming all the time. Easy to live without a car and yes, there are A LOT of parents in Petworth with kids of all ages. More kids in the 5 and under set, but I see older kids at the
Farmer's Market - they must be living somewhere. Powell Elementary is definitely the up-and-comer and I saw a music room full of newly-donated violins when I toured there recently. Big plus to Petworth is that if you don't like Powell, there are SO MANY charters convenient to this neighborhood.

I don't think PP and I share the same definition of Capitol Hill. If you stick to the attendance zones for Brent and Maury such as the Eastern Market/Lincoln Park neighborhood, there will be no great discrepancies from block to block. Limited mixed income housing and nearly all low income families were long ago priced out of homes and cashed in by selling and moving to PG County in suburban Maryland. It may be a different story for some areas near H Street (Near Northeast/Atlas District) or the neighborhoods known as Hill East and Kingman Park (generally between 13th Street and the Anacostia River) which are IB for schools like Miner and Payne. There are also issues with some areas near the Potomac Gardens residences by 12th and Pennsylvania Avenues, SE, which are IB for Tyler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

m the PP and don't know much about Tubman except that their parent organization was pretty visible on the Petworth Parents email group. The OP said it's not bad if their child is an only (plus, I'm not making any assumptions about the race or background), and the neighborhood is just fantastic for someone coming from Brooklyn.

This is Dupont Circle? Or Petworth?

West says they have a g&T program. I guess now I have to ask, I thought DC schools didn't have any academic tracking--do they? How is this done?

West has Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM) which comes out of the University of Connecticut's center for gifted and talented education. It's not tracking though. It's at a half dozen or so other schools in DCPS (mostly middle schools.) It's also supposed to be expanding to Murch and Eaton and some other schools in the coming school year. You can find out more information about SEM on the DCPS webpage.

Ross is starting an enrichment program as well. We actually find Dupont great for families, especially since we are so close to everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

m the PP and don't know much about Tubman except that their parent organization was pretty visible on the Petworth Parents email group. The OP said it's not bad if their child is an only (plus, I'm not making any assumptions about the race or background), and the neighborhood is just fantastic for someone coming from Brooklyn.

This is Dupont Circle? Or Petworth?

West says they have a g&T program. I guess now I have to ask, I thought DC schools didn't have any academic tracking--do they? How is this done?

West has Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM) which comes out of the University of Connecticut's center for gifted and talented education. It's not tracking though. It's at a half dozen or so other schools in DCPS (mostly middle schools.) It's also supposed to be expanding to Murch and Eaton and some other schools in the coming school year. You can find out more information about SEM on the DCPS webpage.

Ross is starting an enrichment program as well. We actually find Dupont great for families, especially since we are so close to everything.

But is Ross a good school to come into at 3rd grade? I thought many families left by 3rd or 4th grade since there is not a good MS feeder option?

[Anonymous]

The same could be said of Brent or Maury after 4th, but that tide will turn as the WLs @ Basis and Latin multiply. Just a few have left before 4th for St. Peters, CHDS or WotP schools like Hearst or Eaton.

[Anonymous]

To me it sounds like this story has two sides, and father in question may not have been sensitive to the perspectives of other parents. I would recommend the OP see for herself instead of taking all of her info from three paragraphs of a Post article. Also, OP, if you have experience in a school similar to Tubman you might approach the PTA and other things with a different attitude than the guy in the article.

Yes, definitely. We have been through this at PS 11 in Brooklyn too... and I'm pretty laid back about it. Everyone's take on things is a bit different--which is something that goes beyond race--but there are commonalities. Important to focus on those. Differences don't have to be bad.

[Anonymous]

Ross families are currently in-bounds for SWWFS, which is becoming a more promising middle school option. We may be cut out with the boundary changes, but I am hoping that we will still have the option to go there somehow.