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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Morning DCUM fam,

I've been doing my due diligence in looking at schools for the upcoming lottery selections (so early! I know, but work is boring sometimes and I like to imagine DD having fun at school). I read a lot of posts that say "these test scores need to be taken with a grain of salt" or "there are a lot of low SES, but if you are are smart kid you'll get a good education" or "montessori doesn't teach to the test" or "this school is only good because they teach to the test".

It makes sorting through schools difficult! So, maybe people who have experiences at schools with "high" test scores or "low" test scores can chime in on the quality of the education, and why the DC School Report Card is superficial (or maybe its not!)

FWIW, I'm in ward 4, Whittier IB. [/quote]

I'm a West (soon to be Lewis elementary) stan. The community, the teachers, the progress they're making YoY, the new beautiful campus. They don't have the best test scores of elementary schools in the district, but they're making measurable progress, and for a title 1 school they're doing wonderful.

Truly wish I had a crystal ball to see if all of these engaged and enthusiastic parents would stay, would happily send my kids on to the other feeders in the chain. [/quote]

I'd say this about a lot of the Ward 1 and 4 DCPS elementaries. Mixed SES, so overall lower test scores compared to charters with much lower at-risk populations, but strong teachers and differentiation. It may feel strange that your high SES kid isn't in the highest group for every subject, but that means the school is actually challenging your child and they're working to their potential. It's uncomfortable, but better than being lumped into a broader small group and everyone getting less differentiation. OP, you REALLY need to talk to actual upper elementary parents (preferably 3rd grade or higher), and a variety of upper elementary parents. If your student is a solid B-C student, you'll probably be happy at most schools. If your child struggles to reach grade level, or is above grade level easily and can coast, then what you need out of a school is very different. And unfortunately none of us have a crystal ball, so it's important to take it year by year and not feel like where you end up in pre-k (even if you "win" the lottery), is where you have to stay forever. [/quote]

This.  Great advice all around.[/quote]

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