DCPS schools that offer creative PreK education

[Anonymous]

Hi,
My daughter currently attends preschool at a "second tier" DCPS elementary school on Capitol Hill. I'm getting worried about what lies ahead in years to come, maybe even as early as PreK: a daily dose of preparing for standardized test-taking, with an occasional field trip, weekly visit to the school's outdoor gardens, and maybe a quarterly muscial or vocal performance. My question: does anyone know of a DCPS school, especially at the early ed. level when creative play is so important, that really practices (or even preaches) creativity in the classroom? You know, a place where Expeditionary learning (or at least some degree of it) has some support ? I know much of it depends on the teachers and their execution, but at my daughter's current school, such a teacher would not have the backing of the Administration, (or would have a very short leash) given that the Principal is worshipping at Rhee's altar of improving test scores.

And no, I'm not inbounds for Peabody. We live in Ward 5.

Any ideas? It really is frustrating to hear so much coming out of DCPS central about student and teacher assessment, and really nothing about what our kids are learning and how it prepares them for a life of critical thinking. Here's hoping we do well in the charter school lotteries, cuz I really don't want to move the 'burbs.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Since we're no longer in the 70s, I don't think you're going to find creative play at any pre-K in any public school anymore. If you want that, you'd better go private. Amazing Life Games, for example.

[Anonymous]

From my understanding, expeditionary learning is somewhat similar to the IB program in the early years. So, drum roll please, check out HD Cooke! And Shepherd and Thomson and I think there's one more. The Expeditionary learning model is what Cap City, Two Rivers, and one other charter school use.

Ignore previous poster (except for recommendation for private schools). Creative play is not impossible to find. You are not looking for the 70s. But, in DCPS - or any larger public school anyplace - a lot of learning is about being quiet in the hallways, walking in lines, and other structured activities. There isn't enough time or space for field trips, performances, etc, even at the charter schools. Dunno about privates, but with lower ratios (more teachers per student) you must get a lot more freedom and creative time.

[Anonymous]

My children were at Shepherd for preK, in spite of the IB program, the teachers were very old school and not at all like what the OP describes.

IB at Shepherd is a slow cultural shift. Many historical teachers are not willing or excited about change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since we're no longer in the 70s, I don't think you're going to find creative play at any pre-K in any public school anymore. If you want that, you'd better go private. Amazing Life Games, for example.

i wonder how this poster would explain the wild popularity of the Reggio approach, including programs in some honest-to-goodness DCPS schools!

[Anonymous]

OK, OK, I was a little harsh [70s comment poster here]. I thought about Reggio and some of the other programs, but I interpreted the poster as asking about honest to goodness PLAY. You know, what we did in preschool and even in Kindergarten? Finger-painting, paste-eating, recess, nap, blocks, trucks, dolls, half-day whatever. Anyway, pre-K is now just another place to begin learning to read and you'd better be reading by the end of Kindergarten or you are behind. So if you want your child to really PLAY for most of the day, then I don't think most/any DCPS schools are what you are looking for. Quality academic programming (phonics, math, colors, shapes, songs, etc.) for four-year-olds? Very likely. But not play.

[Anonymous]

I would also recommend Reggio.

[Anonymous]

OP here,
Thanks to past posters. I find the IB comparison interesting. And as to the 70s comment, no, I'm really not looking for unbridled play at all, but something along the lines of what Two Rivers practices, and according to hearsay, what is taught at Maury (where it is called the Creative Curriculum). My understanding is that learning happens around a certain theme, which would bleed into all lessons: reading, colors, numbers, art, and music. I'm wondering which schools subscribe to a teaching methodology along those lines. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here,
Thanks to past posters. I find the IB comparison interesting. And as to the 70s comment, no, I'm really not looking for unbridled play at all, but something along the lines of what Two Rivers practices, and according to hearsay, what is taught at Maury (where it is called the Creative Curriculum). My understanding is that learning happens around a certain theme, which would bleed into all lessons: reading, colors, numbers, art, and music. I'm wondering which schools subscribe to a teaching methodology along those lines. Thanks.

Hi OP,

It's not just called Creative Curriculum. This is an actual curriculum. If you'd like to see it in use to full advantage, you should visit Bridges Public Charter School. This is an early childhood program offering small class sizes and lead teachers with Master's degrees in either early childhood or special education. The program philosophy is a combination of project-based/play-based with a direct instruction component as well. You will be hard-pressed to find a more welcoming, child-centric education environment. Bridges has been awarded and listed as "one of the best small charities in Greater Washington region" by the Catalogue for Philanthropy since 2007. Bridges is free to DC residents.

Good luck in your search.

[Anonymous]

DCPS uses Creative Curriculum in some schools too.

[Anonymous]

There was a lot of play in my son's pre_k (@ Murch). Like using cut-up veggies as paint brushes etc. and they did have a nap.

[Anonymous]

There isn't enough time or space for field trips, performances, etc, even at the charter schools.

This isn't true at Lafayette preK, where they have field trips and performances.

-Lafayette preK parent

[Anonymous]

PP, I meant more than what the OP had said. My child has had 4 field trips at the PreK year already (though one was canceled with the snow. There was a winter festival evening singing performance, and there will be another in the spring. There are frequent walks, but by that I mean weekly, which isn't what the original poster thought was enough. It depends on your perspective, really. I think that schedule, along with the center based play learning, is creative play. Someone else might not. Especially if you were interested in Waldorf, for example! By Waldorf standards (one of my friends is a huge proponent) I have my kid in something just shy of a miserable situation. Read the examples the OP suggested that she wanted.

[Anonymous]

Different Bridges parent here-absolutely agree with the previous Bridges parent. On the issue of field trips, my DC has been on so many this year that I've lost count. Almost every other week with smaller ones weekly depending on the project they are working on (trip to the post office, trip to the shoe repair store, trip to Yes Organic Market, etc.)

[Anonymous]

I agree that the play-based curriculum at Bridges is wonderful. Unfortunately, Bridges is only a preschool/pre-K program --- before you know it, you are back in the lottery, except that you are in a worse position because now you need to get your child a Kindergarten placement in a school that is moving up an entire class of Preschoolers. Many parents that were happy at Bridges are pulling them out a year early (in Pre-K) in order to avoid being shut out of good schools for Kindergarten.