Reply to Feedback on Washington Latin?

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Reply to "Feedback on Washington Latin?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The PPs disregarded my argument.

Yes, I think it is somewhat suspicious that Washington Latin has around 7-8% FARMS.  But much of that can probably be explained away by the fact that they are in upper northwest, far away from a metro station.  The low rate of FARMS in itself is not my beef with the school or its boosters. HOWEVER, [b]because [/b]the school is 90% upper-middle class, which is not the case with any other public middle school in the city, you cannot compare its test scores with other schools.  [/quote]

PP, respectfully, your comments must be based upon a lack of acquaintance with the school.  It is located on Upper 16th street, not convenient to a lot of "Upper NW" due to the location of the park.  Latin is actually quite convenient to anyone with access to Columbia Heights Metro Station, 16th street corridor.  That's not most of UPPER NW (Red Line).  The rest of us rely on and are greatly helped by the hub buses that the school provides for.  
Secondly, the school is not 90% UPPER middle class.  The majority of families of all races are smack-dab lower and middle class - book-ended by some FARMS and some "UPPER Middle Class" families.  Latin's MS is over 50% black and our HS is closer to 90% black (current freshman class more diverse).  I'm not denying there are many well-heeled black professional families in DC, but by your math the entire black population in Latin would have to pull from DC's black glitterati to reach this 90% UPPER class claim.  And the white and Latino families as well.  In fact, with your math--everyone except the 10% FARMS are UPPER Middle Class.  Really?  All diving head -first into a seven year old charter that until 3 years ago operated in a church basement?
That being said, no one is going to apologize for having UPPER Middle Class families, and I think the families we do have probably have some common characteristics (besides wealth) that drew them to the school.  Latin welcomes all.  That's the badge of pride.

Here's a video that could help you to get to know the school a little better.  I kind of get your intent, but I sincerely think that you just need to get better acquainted before drawing conclusions about a complicated, and special, school.  Please get to know us and please feel free to be a part of our community.   Care to tutor or volunteer?  The irony here is that Latin is not nearly as well-connected a national brand as a KIPP (bless them, they worked hard for the status they enjoy).  Hopefully we'll get there one day with your help and goodwill.

http://www.edline.net/pages/Washington_Latin_PCS/About_Us[/quote]

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