PG specialty schools like Dora Kennedy and Cesar Chavez -- why choose them?

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[Post New]09/15/2025 21:12
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Anonymous
I think that could be because high schools aren't in the habit of putting 9th graders with juniors and seniors, so even if their level is higher than French 2 ( which it would be for most because they do the European framework tests earlier on and to test into DKFI, a child needs to be able to pass A2 for example for 5th grade. So by the time they get to middle school they are probably able to work towards B1 even though they might still be at A2 when they finish because B1 is already quite difficult. In any case, I don't think high schools would put them ahead by 3 years, though I know some like college park academy give the option of doing online courses at their level for languages.
[Post New]09/16/2025 07:43
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Anonymous
I posted earlier- had two kids go through DKFI. One tested into French 2 for 9th grade (private HS), the other into AP French (ERHS). Both had other DKFI students in their classes. I had always heard that immersion students become fluent speakers, but their reading and writing skills are not necessarily as advanced, which is why they don't always test at the highest level on placement tests. Not sure how true it is.
[Post New]09/16/2025 08:40
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Anonymous
For awareness, unless things have changed, those kids do not get any high school credit for their language immersion in middle school. So, unless they do two years of a third language in middle school, they will need to complete 2 years of language in high school. Not a huge deal for some kids but if they are going into a specialty program like Science and Tech or VPA there isn't much room in the schedule for electives.
I think if they are in IB, the requirement is 4 years.
[Post New]09/16/2025 21:45
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:For awareness, unless things have changed, those kids do not get any high school credit for their language immersion in middle school. So, unless they do two years of a third language in middle school, they will need to complete 2 years of language in high school. Not a huge deal for some kids but if they are going into a specialty program like Science and Tech or VPA there isn't much room in the schedule for electives.
I think if they are in IB, the requirement is 4 years.


My kid from DKFI got high school credit for two years of French and two years of Russian. Some of his classmates chose not to take any foreign language in HS, since they already met the graduation requirement.
[Post New]09/16/2025 22:29
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I posted earlier- had two kids go through DKFI. One tested into French 2 for 9th grade (private HS), the other into AP French (ERHS). Both had other DKFI students in their classes. I had always heard that immersion students become fluent speakers, but their reading and writing skills are not necessarily as advanced, which is why they don't always test at the highest level on placement tests. Not sure how true it is.



That was my experience teaching some graduates from DKFI. Great speakers but the grammar wasn't as good as I'd expected it to be. However it was impressive to me that they could get such fluency in 9 years of immersion and also a pretty great work ethic. All were very brilliant students and have ended up in Georgetown for one, the USNA for another and one who didn't end up going to our school got a full ride boarding at a northeast private school. If they test into AP for high school then that's honestly pretty great. They definitely wouldn't get better in a private or public regular middle school language class. And the cultural element they brought too was very good. You could tell the teachers and school had made a point to teach them about various francophone countries. They spoke highly of the school. This was a few years ago. Hopefully it's still as good as they made it sound !
[Post New]01/17/2026 22:20
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toddrazor
Member Offline
I would like to send my kid to a specialty elementary school with a high academic standard but I don't really care for them to learn French. I'd prefer Spanish or Chinese if anything. The Spanish immersion school does not seem to be nearly as high achieving academically. Wondering what the better alternatives are? I don't want to wait until 2nd grade for my kid to go to TAG school. Wish it started sooner :/ My local school is abysmal sadly.
[Post New]01/18/2026 08:51
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Yes, the major requirement is testing above the 80th percentile on an IQ test. There a couple of other paths but that the gist of it. If your kid doesn't pass initially, you can wait until they are retested again in 3rd and 5th grade or you can get your kid tested privately.
If you are in University Park, your TAG elementary magnet is Glenarden Woods. In previous years they had open 2nd grade slots in July so everyone who applied and was eligible got in. It doesn't look like GWES is on the list again this year but the trend is that the vast majority of kids who apply, get in at elementary level.
The county expanded the TAG program significantly in the past decade so although a spot isn't guaranteed, it is highly likely.



Just an FYI, there are no seats at Glenarden Woods. Their waitlist has been lengthy every year post-COVID. My daughter was number 155 on the waitlist two years ago for second grade, and that was after they accepted more students than they usually accept.
[Post New]01/18/2026 21:06
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Yes, the major requirement is testing above the 80th percentile on an IQ test. There a couple of other paths but that the gist of it. If your kid doesn't pass initially, you can wait until they are retested again in 3rd and 5th grade or you can get your kid tested privately.
If you are in University Park, your TAG elementary magnet is Glenarden Woods. In previous years they had open 2nd grade slots in July so everyone who applied and was eligible got in. It doesn't look like GWES is on the list again this year but the trend is that the vast majority of kids who apply, get in at elementary level.
The county expanded the TAG program significantly in the past decade so although a spot isn't guaranteed, it is highly likely.



Just an FYI, there are no seats at Glenarden Woods. Their waitlist has been lengthy every year post-COVID. My daughter was number 155 on the waitlist two years ago for second grade, and that was after they accepted more students than they usually accept.



155 is absurd. I wonder if PGCPS is planning to do anything about this.
[Post New]01/19/2026 08:31
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Yes, the major requirement is testing above the 80th percentile on an IQ test. There a couple of other paths but that the gist of it. If your kid doesn't pass initially, you can wait until they are retested again in 3rd and 5th grade or you can get your kid tested privately.
If you are in University Park, your TAG elementary magnet is Glenarden Woods. In previous years they had open 2nd grade slots in July so everyone who applied and was eligible got in. It doesn't look like GWES is on the list again this year but the trend is that the vast majority of kids who apply, get in at elementary level.
The county expanded the TAG program significantly in the past decade so although a spot isn't guaranteed, it is highly likely.



Just an FYI, there are no seats at Glenarden Woods. Their waitlist has been lengthy every year post-COVID. My daughter was number 155 on the waitlist two years ago for second grade, and that was after they accepted more students than they usually accept.



155 is absurd. I wonder if PGCPS is planning to do anything about this.


That is crazy. Parent should lobby for PGCPS to open a new TAG program if there is that much demand. Parents did that ~10 years ago and got the TAG program at Tasker opened.
[Post New]01/20/2026 09:41
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Yes, the major requirement is testing above the 80th percentile on an IQ test. There a couple of other paths but that the gist of it. If your kid doesn't pass initially, you can wait until they are retested again in 3rd and 5th grade or you can get your kid tested privately.
If you are in University Park, your TAG elementary magnet is Glenarden Woods. In previous years they had open 2nd grade slots in July so everyone who applied and was eligible got in. It doesn't look like GWES is on the list again this year but the trend is that the vast majority of kids who apply, get in at elementary level.
The county expanded the TAG program significantly in the past decade so although a spot isn't guaranteed, it is highly likely.



Just an FYI, there are no seats at Glenarden Woods. Their waitlist has been lengthy every year post-COVID. My daughter was number 155 on the waitlist two years ago for second grade, and that was after they accepted more students than they usually accept.



155 is absurd. I wonder if PGCPS is planning to do anything about this.


PGCPS won't do anything unless parents push for it.
PTSAs at the feed schools should come up with a plan and ask that it be considered. XX number of kids applied and weren't admitted which means there is a clear demand. ABC elementary school (Kingsford/ Northview/Rockledge Elementary) is under enrolled and could accommodate a TAG center. Parents zoned for Kenmoor did this and the TAG center at Tasker was opened adding 120 seats per grade.
https://www.pgcps.org/offices/pupil-accounting/school-boundaries/enrollment-report


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