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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Is anyone concerned about the sheer size of these classes at mv 8th? It seems like they are basically tripling each class size from their current pk3 sizes at p street. Isn’t that like just creating 3 whole new schools the same size they are currently running? Any information on this and how they plan on maintaining quality with such a huge expansion? [/quote]

We went to the tour and this was discussed. The classes are the same size as P St.  3 instructors in EC for 24-25 students.  I don’t know where people are getting the idea that they are tripling the class size.  Take the number iof offered spots for prek3 and PreK 4 total and divide that by 25 and you will know how many blended class (MV puts preK 3 and 4 kids together in class) there will be. Each class will have 3 instructors.  K is not blended but again will be 24-25 students per class.[/quote]

They are tripling (or maybe doubling) the cohort size, not the size of the individual classrooms. Cohort size is important to the school's culture, consistency across classrooms, number of teachers they need to hire, etc.[/quote]

If you do the numbers, there will be 7 blended preK classes and 4 K.  That breaks down to a little over 3 classes for each prek.  So I’m assuming it might be 2 times more. Like many new schools started in the city, EC will be the easiest to start since not much academic content in addition to MV already having an established curriculum. They are also moving established teachers from P St and partnering with new teachers so probably 1/2 teachers have already been teaching at the school.  So yes size is bigger but curriculum same, teachers in classrooms who have taught at MV.  New principal has been the lower school lead.  If you have specific detailed questions, I would suggest you attend the open house and tours.  [/quote]

I went to both the open house and the tour, and they said they were moving a "couple" teachers from P Street but primarily hiring new so as not to take away from P Street. I don't think we can count on having remotely close to 1/2 teachers who have taught at MV. They say they'll handle this lack of experience with the model by holding a 3.5 week training before the start of the school year. Next year will definitely be a learning year for the teachers, and that's one of my main concerns. [/quote]

Noted above.  So it might be a few teachers, a handful of teachers, 1/3rd teachers, 1/2 teachers.  Current MV parent posting that the school is taking away their teachers, principal at tour is saying they are working on pairing established teachers with new teachers, and now another tour saying it’s a “couple” teachers. There is definately going to be new teachers and training in regards to curriculum.  ECE is play based and learning core academic content in many schools is not the priority. I think the priority at MV is more foreign language exposure and immersion.  But yes there is going to be a learning curve for the new teachers.  Only you can decide if you are comfortable with that and being in a new school. [/quote]

We already anticipated a larger cohort of new teachers since it’s a new school vs the rate of new teachers for an established school when we put MV 8th down.  We also knew that we were OK being part of a new school.

Probably unlike most here, we actually ranked 8th St above P St. because we like the Brookland location better than the area and neighborhood around P St.  The location is not perfect and we don’t live in Brookland but it’s a great neighborhood for families who want to stay close to downtown. Families similar to us.  We plan on being actively involved at the new school and supporting the staff and leadership. Hopefully many in the cohort of new parents will also be.

We realize there will be bumps along the way, it won’t be perfect.  But we like the principal a lot and think she has the potential to be a good if not great leader.  We are optimists and see the glass as half full and the possible potential there.  It’s kind of like being in a start up although you are not starting from scratch since you have a model.  So everyone (leadership, teachers, parents) will all be in the same boat and family with the goal of getting the school started off great and supporting everyone in the team.

With ECE we just want our child to be immersed in Spanish and pick up as much as he can (we are not Spanish speaking).  We know he will be fine with learning basic things like shapes, letters, colors, sight words because of our socioeconomic and education status, and the things we do at home everyday like talking and reading to our child, etc..

So any parents out there who will be joining MV at 8th St, give us a shout out.  We can’t wait to meet you and start this journey.  We hope many will be as committed to not only making the school work and be a success but also committed as active parents to support and engage leadership on this journey.[/quote]

+1 Well said.[/quote]

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