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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My child currently attend a DC private school. We are contemplating moving to a better school district. We're looking at homes in the Carderock, Seven Locks areas.  I'm concerned that my child will be the only African American (or minority) child in the class (I viewed the Carderock website and saw no children of color on the PTA webpage), and that he'll as a result be adversely affected.  For those familiar with these schools, I'd appreciate any insight you can offer regarding this issue.  [/quote]

[b]I say to suck it up.

We have good friends (high-powered black couple) with two kids in private schools.  Both children are clearly minorities, but b/c their parents don't make a big deal of it, the kids are fine. One is in my daughter's class (elementary); the other is at a private girls' school (middle).

Both are receiving an excellent education.  There comes a time when you need to choose.  And when you're given a strong foundation, you're more likely to succeed. Furthermore, YOU'RE the main teacher for your children.  So when difficulties arise, they'll be fine if you're there to help them.

best of luck in your decision[/b][/quote]

Are you black?  Because if you're not, you may not fully appreciate the difficulties involved.  Pointing out one family is hardly comforting.

OP, I posted a thread a few months ago that may be of interest to you - there are some posts that discuss the experiences of black students in mostly while public and private schools.  http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/219457.page#2199333 [/quote]

[b]Again, it's not about race; it's about income level.[/b]

[/quote]

I hate when people say this. It is sometimes about income level, and sometimes about race. And sometimes it is about both. I think too many White folks (and I'm White) just cannot admit that race is still an issue in our society. I'm not saying it's everything, but pretending it doesn't matter and telling people to "suck it up" is just insensitive.[/quote]

And as a white person, you can be too PC, which gets us nowhere.

I am by no means racially insensitive.  I am honest.  I am educator (secondary) working in a school where I'm in the minority.  Each year I am given some very sad cases.  These students (mostly juniors and seniors) can barely read at a 6th grade level, yet they are expected to perform at level in order to graduate.  Most have serious attendance issues, are often neglected, are sometimes teen mothers, have language barriers and have been expelled for serious drug issues.  Even so, I focus on strengthening their weak areas to make the most of my time with them.

On the flip side, my husband works with high achievers who are part of a special program in a low-performing school.  They are as diverse as can be, but there are two main factors that allow them to be successful - fewer FARMs students (free and reduced meals) and involved parents.

At my daughter's private school, minority parents could care less that their children are perhaps a third of the school.  Their focus is on a rigorous program with few to no disruptions.

That's the truth.  It is what it is.

In this area, we have a high concentration of immigrant families from all over who face all sorts of obstacles. We also have an underachieving population of African American and Latino students - mostly males - who are tempted to join gangs as a form of protection.   Their children deserve an excellent education, too, but unfortunately, given the crunch, class sizes are huge, resources are low, and hard working teachers are burning out.  And despite proactive measures, such as identifying weaknesses before placing students, some students are so low that it's impossible to catch them up w/in a year or two.

Unless we speak the truth, we'll get nowhere.  So if I've offended some of you, so be it.  But if you had the choice, which school would you pick?  mine or a private institution where the playing field is level?

[/quote]

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