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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The CSX tunnel project is by no means a done deal.  The pols are still debating its merits.

Even Kaya Henderson can see that there's no point in re-opening Van Ness as another DCPS school withering on the vine in the face of charter competition.  They've got Amidon for that locally.

As long as enough funds to renovate come through, the school culture is dominated by professional parents,[b] good admins and teachers screened by parent hiring panels come in, support for advanced learners is built into the curriculum, and the PTA can afford to pay for inputs the school will need to keep up with others where at least two-thirds of the kids test proficient or advanced[/b] (the Waterfront developers will help there), Van Ness will serve the Navy Yard neighborhood well.

Elementary school management isn't rocket science.  [/quote]

Of course not.  [b]But, my dear, it sounds like you're new[/b].  It sounds like you think no-one has been down this road before.  Believe it or not, other parents have pushed for the same things.  For decades.  In the million dollar homes that are on the Hill.  You haven't just discovered fire or invented the wheel.

I'm not saying don't dream, but I am saying you need to start managing your expectations right away, so that you're not bitter within two years, before your next child is even born.  You simply [i][u]will[/u] [u]not[/u][/i] get something that DCPS has been [i]deliberately[/i] denying other schools - schools with generous parent bases, that have worked for it, earned it, can afford it, and have been told they MAY NOT HAVE IT.

DCPS is NOT interested in creating heavily middle class schools.  It doesn't matter what the developers intend, they make no decisions.  DCPS is trying to distribute higher SES families through the system like sprinkles of salt.  Hopefully enough (30% here, 25% there, 40% here, 20% there) to affect the culture of the low-performing schools.  You're not expected to elevate the schools to high-performing.  But hopefully you'll get them to the level of [url=http://www.greatschools.org/washington-dc/washington/36-Watkins-Elementary-School/]Watkins[/url] or [url=http://www.greatschools.org/washington-dc/washington/113-Jefferson/]Jefferson MS[/url].  At least you can be used to buck up [url=http://www.greatschools.org/washington-dc/washington/61-Eastern-High-School/]Eastern HS[/url].

Just don't spend so much that you can't put away enough for private school once your DC hits 1st grade.[/quote]

Oh, I'm hardly new.  I remember when Maury was slated to be shut, and Brent was 0% in-boundary.  I don't beleve that it doesn't matter what the Navy Yard developers intend.  Deep pockets get a say in a reinvented SW and DCPS can't prevent parents from buying in-boundary for one of the city's strongest elementary schools.  Hint: we're in-boundary for Brent, and you're just grumpy.   Van Ness starts with a clean slate, meaning that every last staff member can be highly competent and enthusiastic.  That's raw material with potential, given the location.  [/quote]

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