Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those with offers, are you taking them? Thoughts on this school, since there is no real track record and sounds like a gamble.

We are accepting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have no fear, people, Breakthrough will become HRCS and an upper middle class enclave in no time.

I don't think the prospect of "upper middle class enclave" is good, I actually find this post quite appalling... If you are so worried about low income families (which Lee for instance has quite a lot), then you are very welcome to go ahead and find some posh private school that they cannot afford, and I really do hope you will do so

Being ironic. Look at the HRCS and what they've become (in terms of demographics) vs. how they sold themselves to the charter board.

Parents will sort and self-select their way into schools where they'll be peers with other parents. That's just how the system works (and the cynical among would say how it's designed to work).

And it tends to be schools that get a lot of attention on DCUM that go through this trend. Sure there are start up troubles, but once word gets out to all the middle class families looking for some -- any -- escape from their own awful neighborhood DCPS, then it becomes the next hot school with exclusive waitlists...and shortly after that a HRCS.

I think geographic location and outreach matter a LOT. I'd like to see the DC charter board start requiring geographic AND programmatic diversity in new charters. Why should Ward 7 and 8 only have "no excuses" charters, and the progressive charters be located in places with little public transportation? I'd also like to see the DC charter board take an active role in assessing outreach to all DC neighborhoods and populations.

That said, I do think that the charters provide more of an opportunity for high quality schools and diversity than do neighborhood schools at this point, unless DCPS gets it together to start improving middle school options in places where elementary schools are more integrated.

Every new charter already has to outline its plans for marketing and outreach in their proposal -- and there is monitoring of their efforts.

Part of the rationale behind MySchoolDC, the Common Lottery is to improve information about all schools to all audiences.

I think I recall hearing there was a new expeditionary learning charter going through the approval process that wants to locate in Ward 7 or 8. Can't find its name now though.

Is that the one Lee's head is on the board of? Lee is invested in progrssive education for all - there is no cynical attempt to create an enclave of high SES at Lee. You can see where their heart lies when you see the principal and head of school interact with the kids. They believe in their charter mission. I think 20-30% is pretty sustainable for the school - we won't end up in the 4% like other hrch. And our racial diverity is pretty amazing. And I woudkl say we are at least 40% mses (middle ses) rather that hses though that is harder to track.

Wtf are you talking about?! Lee has the highest % of white students than ANY charter. How do you arbitrarily assess middle vs high income? And if you're at Lee you don't know about any other school's middle/high.

[Anonymous]

Hmmmm.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have no fear, people, Breakthrough will become HRCS and an upper middle class enclave in no time.

I don't think the prospect of "upper middle class enclave" is good, I actually find this post quite appalling... If you are so worried about low income families (which Lee for instance has quite a lot), then you are very welcome to go ahead and find some posh private school that they cannot afford, and I really do hope you will do so

Being ironic. Look at the HRCS and what they've become (in terms of demographics) vs. how they sold themselves to the charter board.

Parents will sort and self-select their way into schools where they'll be peers with other parents. That's just how the system works (and the cynical among would say how it's designed to work).

And it tends to be schools that get a lot of attention on DCUM that go through this trend. Sure there are start up troubles, but once word gets out to all the middle class families looking for some -- any -- escape from their own awful neighborhood DCPS, then it becomes the next hot school with exclusive waitlists...and shortly after that a HRCS.

I think geographic location and outreach matter a LOT. I'd like to see the DC charter board start requiring geographic AND programmatic diversity in new charters. Why should Ward 7 and 8 only have "no excuses" charters, and the progressive charters be located in places with little public transportation? I'd also like to see the DC charter board take an active role in assessing outreach to all DC neighborhoods and populations.

That said, I do think that the charters provide more of an opportunity for high quality schools and diversity than do neighborhood schools at this point, unless DCPS gets it together to start improving middle school options in places where elementary schools are more integrated.

Every new charter already has to outline its plans for marketing and outreach in their proposal -- and there is monitoring of their efforts.

Part of the rationale behind MySchoolDC, the Common Lottery is to improve information about all schools to all audiences.

I think I recall hearing there was a new expeditionary learning charter going through the approval process that wants to locate in Ward 7 or 8. Can't find its name now though.

Is that the one Lee's head is on the board of? Lee is invested in progrssive education for all - there is no cynical attempt to create an enclave of high SES at Lee. You can see where their heart lies when you see the principal and head of school interact with the kids. They believe in their charter mission. I think 20-30% is pretty sustainable for the school - we won't end up in the 4% like other hrch. And our racial diverity is pretty amazing. And I woudkl say we are at least 40% mses (middle ses) rather that hses though that is harder to track.

Wtf are you talking about?! Lee has the highest % of white students than ANY charter. How do you arbitrarily assess middle vs high income? And if you're at Lee you don't know about any other school's middle/high.

Totally agree that PP was talking out of her ass about middle vs. high income. Surprised by your assertion that Lee has the highest % of white students. A quick look shows me that conversely the % of black students is higher at Lee than many other schools regularly talked about here, notably CMI, MV, Yu Ying etc. So that claim, even if true, doesn't tell the whole story. The school is diverse, racially at least, probably economically too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember when our charter school was new. DCUM ripped it apart too.

Must be a good sign

Yes, our HRCS had a very rocky first year plus crap facilities-- a little fenced in pen for kids with tires to play on. We stuck it out, it turned out great and we helped make the school what it is now for all you current entitled complainers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember when our charter school was new. DCUM ripped it apart too.

Must be a good sign

Yes, our HRCS had a very rocky first year plus crap facilities-- a little fenced in pen for kids with tires to play on. We stuck it out, it turned out great and we helped make the school what it is now for all you current entitled complainers.

Could you please explain what you did to achieve that? If I get in Breakthrough, I would like to know what others did that apparently worked

[Anonymous]

NP but a similar story.

Mostly you have to have faith in teh school's leadership and ask where they need help.

Things like facilities improve when the school is larger and gets more $ via the per pupil allocation. So a tiny school with just PK3 and PK4 is going to be more challenged than one with a fully subscribed Pk3-5.

Teachers get more experienced (or there's turnover) and systems and processes mature. Year one or two most everything is new from a parent newsletter, to how parents will signup for parent teacher conferences, to events like Back to School night and little plays or concerts. Will the school offer things like 'intro to montessori' to help parents understand what's happening in the classroom.

Starting a parent organization - PTO is the usual choice for charters - is also important. But you have to write (or find/adopt others) bylaws, decide whether it will raise money independently or simply encourage donations to the school. These decisions should be made in concert with a majority of parents and the school's administration.

[Anonymous]

Why do Lee parents have to take over every thread?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It may seem frivolous to you, but as I stated, "it might work for some, but not us". I grew up in a city where every school had a playground. The conditions might be different but they had one. I understand that every city is different in regards to space but it's a personal choice. You don't have to like OUR decision but don't say it's frivolous because you don't agree. It was a legit concern for us when we don't have to move our child into a school without a playground. Now if our child was older than a toddler (pretty much) we more than likely wouldn't have any concerns but at this young age it is a concern for us. I didn't bash the school or anyone for still choosing Breakthrough. Just stated that we didn't and I hope we made someone happy that may not have another option.

+1. We didn't decline a spot, but we ranked Breakthough very low on our list for this reason, so we got in somewhere else. I just don't like the idea of 3yo crossing Georgia Ave on a daily basis.

I wonder if those that have a concern about crossing GA avenue would've had same concern with being at CMI or MV when they were crossing 16th street to a small, dirty park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It may seem frivolous to you, but as I stated, "it might work for some, but not us". I grew up in a city where every school had a playground. The conditions might be different but they had one. I understand that every city is different in regards to space but it's a personal choice. You don't have to like OUR decision but don't say it's frivolous because you don't agree. It was a legit concern for us when we don't have to move our child into a school without a playground. Now if our child was older than a toddler (pretty much) we more than likely wouldn't have any concerns but at this young age it is a concern for us. I didn't bash the school or anyone for still choosing Breakthrough. Just stated that we didn't and I hope we made someone happy that may not have another option.

+1. We didn't decline a spot, but we ranked Breakthough very low on our list for this reason, so we got in somewhere else. I just don't like the idea of 3yo crossing Georgia Ave on a daily basis.

I wonder if those that have a concern about crossing GA avenue would've had same concern with being at CMI or MV when they were crossing 16th street to a small, dirty park.

'

CMI didn't take their PK3 or PK4ers to the park-- they played in the "courtyard"

[Anonymous]

FYI. I was at the parent meeting yesterday and the park situation hasn't been officially decided.

Breakthrough submitted paperwork to use either Upshur Park or Petworth Park. They haven't heard from DC Parks and Rec yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It may seem frivolous to you, but as I stated, "it might work for some, but not us". I grew up in a city where every school had a playground. The conditions might be different but they had one. I understand that every city is different in regards to space but it's a personal choice. You don't have to like OUR decision but don't say it's frivolous because you don't agree. It was a legit concern for us when we don't have to move our child into a school without a playground. Now if our child was older than a toddler (pretty much) we more than likely wouldn't have any concerns but at this young age it is a concern for us. I didn't bash the school or anyone for still choosing Breakthrough. Just stated that we didn't and I hope we made someone happy that may not have another option.

+1. We didn't decline a spot, but we ranked Breakthough very low on our list for this reason, so we got in somewhere else. I just don't like the idea of 3yo crossing Georgia Ave on a daily basis.

I wonder if those that have a concern about crossing GA avenue would've had same concern with being at CMI or MV when they were crossing 16th street to a small, dirty park.

I'm the +1 PP above, and my answer is yes. I personally would avoid schools without an on-campus outdoor space if I can. I commend you for being more relaxed about that, but I'm not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It may seem frivolous to you, but as I stated, "it might work for some, but not us". I grew up in a city where every school had a playground. The conditions might be different but they had one. I understand that every city is different in regards to space but it's a personal choice. You don't have to like OUR decision but don't say it's frivolous because you don't agree. It was a legit concern for us when we don't have to move our child into a school without a playground. Now if our child was older than a toddler (pretty much) we more than likely wouldn't have any concerns but at this young age it is a concern for us. I didn't bash the school or anyone for still choosing Breakthrough. Just stated that we didn't and I hope we made someone happy that may not have another option.

+1. We didn't decline a spot, but we ranked Breakthough very low on our list for this reason, so we got in somewhere else. I just don't like the idea of 3yo crossing Georgia Ave on a daily basis.

I wonder if those that have a concern about crossing GA avenue would've had same concern with being at CMI or MV when they were crossing 16th street to a small, dirty park.

I'm the +1 PP above, and my answer is yes. I personally would avoid schools without an on-campus outdoor space if I can. I commend you for being more relaxed about that, but I'm not.

PP again, I want to add, it's as much about the kids being off-campus on a daily basis as it is about crossing a busy street. I'd just be too worried that one wanders off or that protocol slips and one is forgotten (like at Franklin).

[Anonymous]

For those of us on the WL, can someone who attended the orientation let us know how things look for this school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those of us on the WL, can someone who attended the orientation let us know how things look for this school?

It was a good presentation. They showed examples of Montessori learning and reviewed part of the handbook. They explained drop-off and the possible locations for recess. Revolution Foods will be the lunch provider. They have 10 spots left to fill but were not clear on whether that was pre-K-3 or pre-K3.