Ideas for Gentle, Positive Middle Schools- Cap City? Inspired Learning?
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kbogarts
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I’ve been having trouble finding recent thoughts on Capital City PCS or Inspired Learning for middle school when I’ve searched DCUM and thought I'd pick your brains.
This is for a middle school child attending in-person school for the very first time in their life (long story), so I’d be particularly interested in peer culture, special education resources (particularly for academics), teaching quality, etc. We’re really looking for a public or charter middle school in DC (it does have to be in DC) that is going to be an exceptionally gentle, warm introduction to in-person school. Low-chaos, or I guess as low-chaos as it's possible to find in a middle school 
I’d love to hear any input on either of the schools I mentioned, or if anyone has suggestions for other public or charter schools we might not have considered! Thanks! |
Anonymous
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Try searching for "Inspired Teaching" or "ITDS" instead.
You might also look into Sojourner Truth school. |
Anonymous
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Because of how the building is laid out - Cap City has the middle school on their own floor.
So even though the building has PreK - 12th, they put structures in to separate out the different grades. One thing you need to be aware of is that last spring there was a lot of stress at the school due to some of the current administrative actions. I would imagine that stress will continue with the school community for the foreseeable future. The day to day experience for a student in the middle school can be very positive. I know of families with their neighborhood middle school as Deal who selected Cap City for some of the reasons you are thinking about. |
Anonymous
| What grade is your child of age for? If you could consider Breakthrough or Lee Montessori, that might be your best option for a small and flexible vibe. But then you'd have to graduate and find a new school for 7th. |
Anonymous
| Is this to stay indefinitely, or are you working towards a nonpublic placement? |
Anonymous
| Is this for the upcoming school year? |
Anonymous
| Is it for the upcoming school year and are you already enrolled (earlier lottery spot)? |
Anonymous
| My child had a lot of trouble with bullying at Inspired Teaching middle school last year. The administration was aware but did nothing to correct the situation which was surprising and unfortunate for my kid who was happy there for elementary. |
Anonymous
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I don't think ITDS has worse behavior than other middle schools, in general, but it certainly isn't great. The administration sometimes intervenes effectively, other times is really ineffective or denies that there is a problem, and I don't have a good grasp on why.
I don't think what OP is looking for exists in the public system. It's too expensive. |
Anonymous
| I have professional experience with both schools you mentioned and ITDS is miles closer to what you are looking for. |
Anonymous
| I would actually opt for a mainstream DCPS where the special ed staff is likely to be better and the quality of teaching staff higher. There’s not really any way to get around how difficult a transition this could be. |
Anonymous
Yet still probably not close enough. Being crammed in with 24 other kids and plenty of behavior is hard for anyone let alone someone who hasn't done in-person school recently. Academically it's pretty ok though. |
Anonymous
+1. DCPS pays its teachers better and the Sped staff is more qualified. Some of the smaller middle schools might be a better fit. Maybe try the lottery for Latin, but that’s a long shot. |
Anonymous
| +1 a smaller dcps might work |
Anonymous
| Cosign on Truth. Lots of independent work opportunities and genuinely caring adults |