Reply to Hardy Middle School -- 5th grade in feeder school -- who's considering Hardy for 6th?

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Reply to "Hardy Middle School -- 5th grade in feeder school -- who's considering Hardy for 6th?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]People should go into the school selection process with information, not hearsay (and by this I mean, PLEASE do not rely on DCUM gossip, including my own opinion). Go see for yourself, ask questions, and keep an open mind.  There are upcoming open houses at the school.

Hardy is an urban school in an ethnically diverse city - this is both a blessing and a challenge.  If you don't feel comfortable with people from different backgrounds and perspectives, it may not be the school for you.  It has an obligation to be a school for everybody, not just your child.  If you want special attention given to your child, it might not be for you.  It is undergoing a lot of transformation, and if you are uncomfortable leading change, rather than benefiting from it, go elsewhere.  It has strong and emerging academics, but [b]it is certainly not a magnate school[/b], and if you have a child who is exceptionally gifted, they will likely do better in a more consistently challenging environment.

As the previous poster noted, language about school enrollment is focused on feeder school enrollment, not in boundary.  And this is good, because what we want for a public school is an emphasis on academics, and adequate preparation for rigor during the transition from elementary to middle school, right? Because given the demographics, if you care more about in boundary rather than feeder school patterns, the focus shifts to class and race, rather than education.  If you want a school with rich, white kids, this is not the school for you.

I choose to live in DC because the diversity is so dynamic and interesting, and with this come some obvious challenges.  Why would I want to deprive my children of being able to benefit from all the richness (culturally) that surrounds them? They need to learn to handle themselves around others that are richer, poorer, Blacker, whiter, more or less American, smarter, and less smart than they are.  I think they will benefit from developing their own academic interests and challenges, rather than having it fed to them from the school, so having the time and independence to explore an interest on their own will develop a passion more readily than having 4 hours of homework a night.

I posit this: is it really the best for your child to go to the "best school"? What is the outcome we seek for our children? [/quote]

This is a reasonable post. I have long been on record (anonymously, of course) here as saying the big changes coming to Hardy arrive beginning next year. Nonetheless, don't take it from me.

Mann's DCPS school night was last night. I was there. This year, there are 44 5th graders. Last year, there were 19. Within the next three years, there will be a third 5th grade class. Times are changing. They are changing rapidly. (I acknowledge, this may not be rapid enough for some parents.)

I've long-thought Stoddert would lead the transition at Hardy. I still think they'll play the key role, but I think Mann will be right at their heels for demanding and being the change feeder parents want to see.

Within the next five years, I don't think you'll be able to make your bold-faced statement above. (Yes, yes, I'm having a little fun at your expense. I know you meant magnet not magnate.)[/quote]

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