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[quote=Anonymous]Hi OP,

I have an 11th grader at Ellington.  My child has a profile somewhat like yours.

I think Ellington could be a good fit for your child.  The academics are fine, in my opinion.  Each kid carries ten classes, six academic courses (three a day) and four arts courses (two a day).  It's a long day, from 8 am to 5 pm, plus more rehearsals, but if you child has interest in an art I'd say go for it.  Not every kid is Dave Chappelle or Denyse Graves or Samira Wiley, but they can go on to a professional arts career or not, as they choose.  There are higher level courses (honors, APs) as well and kids have gone on to all kinds of careers in STEM fields.  Ellington's graduation rate is one of the highest in DC (97% or something like that) and almost all the kids go on to college or a conservatory.  College acceptances are high-- these kids show through their tough schedules that they can handle a lot of work and can adapt.

One thing that I really like about Ellington is that 504s and IEPs are supported.  They know a lot of quirky artsy kids might have some need for support and just work with it.   Kids are always traveling or going to performances, master classes, etc., so they can make up work.  The kids are responsible for keeping track of assignments and making it up, but at least there's the opportunity-- at some other high schools that's not so much the case.  It's also a safe haven for kids that might not fit in elsewhere (LGBTQ, a boy who dances or likes opera, etc.).

The PARCC math score was dismal but I have to wonder if something didn't go wrong with which kids took it, etc.  Just knowing the kids in my child's grade I would think they would be able to do better than that.  My own did well on it.  There are a bunch of talented kids in the class, arts and academics, so I don't know what went wrong.  The English score was more reasonable.  I personally wouldn't put a lot of stock on the PARCC scores... new test, flawed roll-out by DCPS in my opinion, and I don't care too much about them.  The kids in my child's classes are smart and funny and motivated.  They are a great cohort of kids.

Hope this helps.  Go to the open house on Oct 18, 3 pm at the Garnet Patterson building.  [/quote]

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