Reply to Does anyone ever turn down YY, MV, CMI, or ITS

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Turned down ITS to stay at private. Very unimpressed with upper grades (3+) on the tour. Like the "free" option but didn't feel we could make the leap. [/quote]

I'm single-digit on the WL for PK3 at ITS, and while I'm hoping we get in I have similar feelings about the upper grades.  Maybe they'll improve in the next few years, but I wouldn't be trying too hard to send a third grader there now.   [/quote]

When you say improve what do you mean? Test scores? [/quote]

Not test grades necessarily.  This is just my opinion (and please bear in mind that I am a freak about structure), but the upper grades didn't feel as organized or academic as I would have liked.  I love the unstructured, free-play model in ECE, but I'm not sold on its validity as a child gets older.  I am also a product of Catholic schools, so judge accordingly  :lol: [/quote]

NP here (and 3rd grade parent). It's funny because our family (my DH and I) was somewhat divided on this as well (traditional structure vs. inquiry based). Also funny because many parents at ITS claim that the older grades are too structured and they tend to lose the unstructured, inquiry base that they wanted to last through 8th grade (not practical in my opinion). I have to tell you, they do a great job with the balance of both. The students feel empowered and in charge of their educational experience while learning the basics as well. The subject matter that they cover is something I would never imagine a 3rd grader to even think about yet alone research and report on. There is a lot of group work so your interaction was very likely during a group task.

Because ITS is so small in upper grades (3-6) with average 22-24 per grade, we experience a lot of change from year to year. Some students leave to situate for other middle schools and some move away. We have a handful of new students that come each year. My DH was concerned that the philosophy of the school wouldn't translate academically for testing purposes. We are thrilled that after only 3 years, the students are testing so well. Subgroup analysis (white students), ITS is doing better than established schools like LAMB, Stokes, Haynes YY and about even with Two Rivers. The concern regarding testing to me is that the AA students are not doing as well. I remind myself that a large majority of new students to ITS each year (almost all) are coming from very poor performing charters or DCPS. I am hopeful that these students will continue to grow each year as they continue their education with ITS. I am also hopeful that the AA students that started with ITS in earlier grades will prove to perform better (like our family).

I hope you get accepted to ITS so you can really see what we see each day and how fantastic our upper grades are. Yes, the ECE is great but there are some rock starts upstairs too 
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