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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My child is finishing 5th grade at a Title I school, and I’ve been grateful for the experience—it has challenged many assumptions and biases I may have held going into PK. Like at many Title I elementary schools, the PK class was a very different demographic mix than 5th grade. Between families leaving for the suburbs during COVID, others opting out of upper elementary, and many leaving after 4th grade for charters, it was honestly upsetting at times to see how the community thinned out.

But in the end, my child is doing well both academically and socially, and they’ve had the benefit of a real sense of community throughout their elementary years.

At first, I was surprised by how much segregation existed within the school itself—that was a learning moment for me, and something I’ve worked intentionally to try to bridge. As more White and upper-middle-class families left, my child deepened their relationships with the classmates who remained. Some of those relationships have become close friendships; others are more casual. And yes, there are kids my child says are disruptive or fight too much—but I’ve seen my child develop empathy and learn how to navigate those dynamics, skills I know will serve them well in life.

I also worry about raising an entitled child, given our family’s income and the opportunities we can provide. I believe that being part of a Title I school community has helped instill a real sense of gratitude and perspective in my child—something I value deeply.

[b]For me (and this may not be a popular opinion on DCUM), I also believe it’s important to push back against the constant pursuit of “the best” school, especially when there is a good-enough option right in your own neighborhood. When we always chase what seems "better," we risk teaching our kids that their individual success matters more than contributing to the community around them. Choosing your local school, even when it isn’t perfect, sends a powerful message: that community matters, that showing up matters, and that sometimes the right choice is one that asks us to be a little more selfless—for the good of all kids, not just our own.[/b][/quote]

Eh, you what else matters? Not being so judgey. School stuff is hard in DC. There aren't a lot of great options. Everyone is trying to make the best possible decision for their children. You went to your local school? Fantastic. But other people weigh things differently, and that's fine. Also, white people sending their kids to black schools is not a form of charity. [/quote]

Agree.

The comment you are quoting ("when we always chase what is better...") is just... so white. Somehow wanting good schools for our kids is something we need to be ashamed of? And that being a white person at a majority minority school makes you more virtuous somehow?

Please talked to your middle class and UMC black neighbors and see what they think about that. (Spoiler alert -- every single one I know wants to send their kids to the best school they can.) Or think about integration (real integration, in mid 20th century) when Black parents were willing to send their kids into pretty hostile situations in order to get them the best possible education. That was a fight to get their kids the kind of excellence that white kids had access to.

In this weird reverse integration movement, so many things are getting confused -- white parents see their presence as making the school better and forget to focus on the actual resources and teaching. [/quote]

But school choice creates the dynamic where many families wants to send kids to a majority white environment. UMC black families are honest about why they prefer this, while white parents have to code this desire as something else to avoid being perceived as racist. At the end of the day we have a feeding frenzy of a lottery and endless anxiety. Not sure what the solution is. If we force parity in ES with all schools having to take the same percentage of Title 1 kids many parents will leave.  [/quote]

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