Reply to Current pre school (3) parents at EL Haynes, MV, IT, and Bancroft

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Reply to "Current pre school (3) parents at EL Haynes, MV, IT, and Bancroft - pls give your thoughts"

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[quote=Anonymous]Bancroft parent here. In our second year (preS, then preK this year). Sixteen kids, one teacher, and one instructional aide in the preschool classes. We really like the school, the teachers we've had, the sense of community, the pleasure of being able to walk two blocks to school. This year Bancroft adopted Tools of the Mind in preschool classrooms, which is sort of like Montessori with an emphasis on self-regulation. We're happy with it.

PP is correct that Bancroft still loses a lot of kids after the early years. (Of course "most kids leave" is code for "most middle class kids leave.") However, the principal is only in her third year and has been making a lot of changes to try to improve test scores and meet the needs of more advanced kids. We have a new assistant principal (formerly at DC Bilingual) and a huge influx of middle class neighborhood families in preS this year. To my mind the new playground has made an enormous difference. We now have a wonderful, safe space for our kids to play and where parents of toddlers who are considering Bancroft can get to know each other.

It's true Bancroft faces plenty of challenges. It's also true that when I've visited the charters or talked to parents there, I've sensed a lot more energy, probably more innovative things going on in the classroom. But to me there's a lot to be said for a diverse, nearby, bilingual school where my child has made friends who live just a few blocks away.

One thing I would add. Please don't take a preschool spot at Bancroft if you have absolutely no intention of staying for K and beyond. It's not good for the school, and it's not good for the poor Hispanic kid whose spot you've taken and whose family can't afford to pay for preschool (but needs it much more than our kids do). 
 [/quote]

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