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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I would suggest that what's needed is:

A strong principal
A visionary and specialized program (IB, or an expanded version of SH's museum partnerships, or an MS-level immersion opportunity such as art taught strictly in Spanish/Chinese/French, - something to capture the attention of the inbounds families who are leaving for greener pastures)
A strong catchment area (more than one decent elementary feeder, so some combination of Brent, Watkins, and/or Maury)
A magnet offering to draw some good and under-challenged students from other Wards (such as Honors Math classes and a Robotics class) to create a destination appeal for the school

Is size good?  Yes, probably here it is.  But size in and of itself is becoming the talking point and frankly that sets the bar too low.[/quote]

As a Brent parent I would be over the moon if we could create a single middle school that Watkins, Maury and Brent fed into.  We'd have a strong cohort from day one.  And we would also have a major league group of parents with the ability (and juice) to make it great.

Plus, we have a strong hand in our negotiations with DCPS about setting up a program like you describe above.  If it happened before the studies are completed and the consultants ink their reports we could actually shape the outcome.[/quote]

Sure, that would be great, if DCPS would make it happen.  That's a big "if."  Does DCPS have the political will or the cojones to make it so?  We didn't get a good option from Rhee, despite tons of effort; I doubt we'll get that from the current gang in place.  Pragmatically speaking, then, it's worth looking at other options.  Deal and Latin only have so many seats.  CHDS is expensive, as are all the other privates.  That leaves those of us in "the other 99%" to look to charters.  Promoting school choice and encouraging good charters to set up in DC might be our best chance, in practical terms, to give kids across Capitol Hill and DC a fighting chance to get a credible education while the clowns in charge of the city continue to focus on more important things, like getting nice vehicles for themselves.   [/quote]

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