MV s/o: impact of flat budget on other schools

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[Post New]05/14/2015 16:02
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would have to agree that it was a poorly guided tour and the school rep was HORRIBLE. She was asked questions that were answered in the handbook (that parents obviously didn't read) and she did not give good responses...


I was on the tour yesterday and thought it was GREAT -- parents who were serious about MV and had learned the basics about the school before applying (and before getting off the wait list, and before showing up for a tour...) got their questions answered and got to see the entire school as well as the new PK building. The rep talked about the sudden addition of 2 PK classes, was honest about the school's funding vision, and left me feeling confident that the leadership team has the innovation for long-term success.

Good luck to all, wherever you end up…


Wow -- I think you are the only one. I was beyond underwhelmed.


Same here. I think the tour guide was well-meaning, but what school that actually wants people to enroll doesn't put the principal in front of prospective parents. Or even more than prospective - we were parents there to enroll, and the whole experience has us rethinking our enthusiasm.


+1
[Post New]05/14/2015 16:02
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would have to agree that it was a poorly guided tour and the school rep was HORRIBLE. She was asked questions that were answered in the handbook (that parents obviously didn't read) and she did not give good responses...


I was on the tour yesterday and thought it was GREAT -- parents who were serious about MV and had learned the basics about the school before applying (and before getting off the wait list, and before showing up for a tour...) got their questions answered and got to see the entire school as well as the new PK building. The rep talked about the sudden addition of 2 PK classes, was honest about the school's funding vision, and left me feeling confident that the leadership team has the innovation for long-term success.

Good luck to all, wherever you end up…


Wow -- I think you are the only one. I was beyond underwhelmed.


I was underwhelmed too.


Some families do not have another choice...
[Post New]05/14/2015 16:09
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Anonymous
Wow I am surprised at all the negativity! Did those who were underwhelmed by the recent tour not visit the school prior to submitting the lottery application? I'm pretty sure the director is there for those open houses. Perhaps the school assumes that people who ranked the school high enough to get on the waitlist were already somewhat familiar with the school. I'm not saying the school is for everyone or that there is not room for improvement. If using community playgrounds, the location etc are not ok for your family then there are other options. We are a first year family and so far happy with the school in terms of the community, responsiveness of the administration to problems and concerns that arise, and especially with how our child is doing. They are learning a lot and happy so we are thrilled to be there.
[Post New]05/15/2015 09:38
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Anonymous
I also attended the open house, and came in with good background about the school. The Q&A session was a bit underwhelming. I wanted details about curriculum, coaching, and biliteracy, and the person leading didn't have thorough answers. The principal or ED would have been in a better position to answer these types of questions, especially under such a tight deadline (most of us have to make a decision today). So for those of us who have done our homework (and talked to current MV families), this hasn't been an easy decision particularly because we wanted to learn more about the school front the folks who best represent it. The school is otherwise lovely, and I don't mean to throw any flames -- just want to round out the discussion about the open house.
[Post New]05/15/2015 09:48
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Anonymous
For those who had a deadline today--what did you decide?
[Post New]05/15/2015 11:19
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Anonymous
We chose to enroll our son at MV for PK4, but with some misgivings. It was a really tough choice to give up Maury (which has been fantastic this year). In the end, we chose MV for the Spanish immersion, which is very important to us.

I'm nervous about losing the tight-knit community at Maury. Are there a lot of Hill families at MV?
[Post New]05/15/2015 11:20
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Anonymous
Yes, and even quite a few from Maury! Welcome -- it's a great school.
[Post New]05/15/2015 11:26
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Anonymous
That's great to know! Do you know if there is a parent group for Hill parents?
[Post New]05/15/2015 11:31
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Anonymous
Just left the open house and really loved the space and what the school has to offer. I do feel the classrooms are a little tight as someone mentioned upthread.


Really loved the diversity of the student body and it really feels like a free private school.

We are going to stick with Powell for K. The commute is just not worth it.
[Post New]05/15/2015 11:33
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dcmom
Member Offline
Anonymous wrote:Just left the open house and really loved the space and what the school has to offer. I do feel the classrooms are a little tight as someone mentioned upthread.


Really loved the diversity of the student body and it really feels like a free private school.

We are going to stick with Powell for K. The commute is just not worth it.


Yeah, that's a rough commute if you are near Powell, which is already a very strong school.
[Post New]05/15/2015 11:41
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:For those who had a deadline today--what did you decide?

I decided to go with MV... if it doesn't work we will play the lottery next year or try for private options. My IB school is horrible (but easily accessible)
[Post New]05/15/2015 11:44
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Anonymous
There are about a dozen Hill families there now, and about five new families enrolled so far! Looking forward to joining the school.

(Anecdotally there are at least three kindergarten boys, one girl; one boy and girl for pk4; and several 1st and 2nd graders. Inbounds for Maury, Brent, VanNess and Tyler)
[Post New]05/15/2015 11:45
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Just left the open house and really loved the space and what the school has to offer. I do feel the classrooms are a little tight as someone mentioned upthread.


Really loved the diversity of the student body and it really feels like a free private school.

We are going to stick with Powell for K. The commute is just not worth it.


What does a private school feel like... upper middle class families?
[Post New]05/15/2015 12:40
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Just left the open house and really loved the space and what the school has to offer. I do feel the classrooms are a little tight as someone mentioned upthread.


Really loved the diversity of the student body and it really feels like a free private school.

We are going to stick with Powell for K. The commute is just not worth it.


I disagree. When I toured MV, it very much felt "free." Unlike good private schools that I've seen, MV doesn't have a library and it has tons of inexperienced teachers. And we all know about the playground situation. Plus, the neighborhood is rough. I wouldn't pay for a private Mundo Verde, so it's a good thing it's free. Let's face it, if MV wasn't an immersion school, it would get far less attention on DCUM. It's an ok school, and if you're happy with it, that's great!
[Post New]05/15/2015 17:09
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Just left the open house and really loved the space and what the school has to offer. I do feel the classrooms are a little tight as someone mentioned upthread.


Really loved the diversity of the student body and it really feels like a free private school.

We are going to stick with Powell for K. The commute is just not worth it.


What does a private school feel like... upper middle class families?


I've heard this comment made about CMI as well. Icky.
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