Seaton vs. ITS
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Anonymous
Hi there, ITS was #2, Ross is #1. We are excited to stay at Seaton for K. |
Anonymous
White people gonna white people. |
Anonymous
Look, I am happy for Bunker Hill that it did well! That is an impressive showing, especially for a school that lacks a desirable middle school. But for people living IB for Seaton, which is to say I live on 8th NW, Bunker Hill just isn't a commute I'm going to take on for a school that doesn't have foreign language or an appealing middle school. I would be surprised if the lower elementary cohort performance is that different between Seaton and Bunker Hill, and I am willing to wait and see how Seaton changes academically. I like that Seaton is a little bigger, and I love that we walking to Seaton. So I wish you and Bunker Hill well, but really, I don't see that it would be an upgrade for a lower elementary child to justify the commute. |
Anonymous
I think the point isn’t that you should consider Bunker Hill, but that nobody in their right mind (according to DCUM conventional wisdom) would choose BH over ITS. It is frequently pointed out that the only apparent reason some parents choose some supposedly mediocre schools is their high percentage of white students. I’m not sure if that’s fair in this case because I think BH May score well in stars but not in raw scores. ? |
Anonymous
But someone would chose ITS if they preferred ITS middle over Brookland Middle/taking their chances. And the way ITS has a student teacher in each classroom all the way up, so the student-teacher ratio is much better, that's just worlds apart. And the educational philosophy is much different (I'm not saying it's better but it really is different). And the commute to ITS from the Seaton area is much better than to BH. |
Anonymous
OP here. The ratio thing was a compelling consideration in ITS' favor. But I've learned that Seaton does a number of things to bring the ratio down -- they have four math/literacy coaches who will be doing pull outs next year, and the ELL teachers pull out the English language learners pretty often, leaving the core teachers to concentrate on the native English speakers. |
Anonymous
| OP here again. ITS is a great school. But when we started considering what we would have to give up to go there -- a very short and always interesting commute, the many many field trips that Seaton kids take using public transit, the warm Seaton community, the school garden, the diversity -- it didn't feel worth it. I also gathered a ton of more specific information about the teachers and curriculum at both schools, and feel really excited about what Seaton has to offer. On top of all that, we love being a part of our neighborhood school. This is not a knock on ITS. It's a very very compelling school, and everyone we spoke to seems to love being there. It's just a personal, very fraught and complicated decision. |
Anonymous
| Good for you, OP, for looking past the hype. Hope you have a great experience at Seaton in K and beyond, and may the odds be ever in your favor. |
Anonymous
| That is great that Seaton is able to bring down the ratios and add small group teaching for match and reading. I think if DCPS would fund and help more elementary schools set up simalar programs the flight to other schools might be delayed. I don't think it will be eliminated until there are better middle school options across the city. For example if we knew we could move into a smaller, safer, more academic middle school after 5th we would be more likely to stay at our IB title 1 school. (Or if we could afford private but DC privates or we could to move for better options but both our out of our reach currently.) Said as a family of color that is sad to leave our IB but can't afford to walk away from our lottery spot either. |
Anonymous
Sorry. I want to be clear. I was referring to families that pass BH and choose to lottery for Seaton because it’s the next “hot” thing even though every measure shows it’s a mediocre school. If it’s your IB school, more power to you. |
Anonymous
Thanks PP.. What is it that you like so much about Bunker Hill, aside from the scores? Because the scores don't count things like facility, outdoor space, special programming, overall feel, etc. Tbh I think Seaton's enviable bus and metro proximity is a huge part of the appeal. That and the ability (for now) to get in as an OOB PK3. |
Anonymous
There are people that live across the street from BH and still lottery for 3 star schools so metro access isn’t a draw. Same for Burroughs that scores WAY higher than Seaton. But I get it, black kids are scary. |
Anonymous
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See you around OP! We are also staying at Seaton for K. We had an offer at a different charter and are passing it up. I'm looking forward to another great year! And to getting more involved in the school going forward.
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Anonymous
Do you have anything positive to say about Bunker Hill other than the test scores, PP? If not, I think you have your answer. |
Anonymous
Yay, that is very exciting!! Yup, my husband and I were just saying the same thing -- there is so much good energy in our rising K cohort. |