Reply to Eaton versus Hearst (moving to DC from abroad)

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We ranked Hearst over Eaton. Hearst is smaller (class sizes of 20, at Eaton for K+ it was 25; only 2 classes/grade at Hearst, more at Eaton). [b]Eaton was also in bad shape in terms of the actual building relative to Hearst[/b] (which is brand new, with construction finishing up this August). If you break out test scores by demographics, they're pretty similar, so that didn't concern us at all--it seems like kids do well at both schools. In the end, I thought that my child would do fine at either school, but that I thought the smaller school experience at Hearst was better.[/quote]

OH, good heavens, this is a bit of an overstatement. They are both lovely old schools in old, established neighborhoods. Neither has  the country club suburban feel, but so what? Eaton's building is fine OP and certainly not in "bad shape" as compared to Hearst.[/quote]

For a long time I think Eaton was considered the stronger school.  Hearst for many years seemed to be "lost" -- it had little neighborhood following (even today fewer than n20% of the students live in the designated boundary area).  It was proposed to be used as swing space, then considered for possible closure or sale, but it attracted a following among families out of the boundary area who were looking for a better school in a safe area, versus what they would otherwise have.  In the past 5 years, Hearst has really come up, with more neighborhood families choosing it and a renovated school.

Eaton also improved, and historically it was more tethered it its Cleveland Park neighborhood than Hearst is to its, even though neighborhood kids haven't been a majority of its students since the 1960s.  For many years it had a lackluster, time-clock puncher of a principal, but he  was replaced about 9 years ago and Eaton has steadily gotten better since.  Regrettably, however, Easton may be plateauing.  DCPS' reassignment of Eaton, from top performing Deal middle school, where Eaton has fed  for decades, to lesser-performing Hardy, is discouraging to a number of Eaton families.  Those who live in boundary for Eaton may consider other options, such as charter schools or private schools, to avoid Hardy, which may mean leaving before the end of 5th grade.  There is much frustration that Eaton forever seems to be slipping in the renovation queue.  It's facilities haven't been renovated in over 40 years.  Hearst, however, managed to maintain its Deal feeder rights, which is a further boost.[/quote]

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