Reply to Deal is tremendously overcrowded

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Reply to "Deal is tremendously overcrowded - something is to give"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]If they made New North a STEM test-in, and then used the Takoma Park model of checking the educational records of all fifth-graders city-wide to identify students who were performing above grade level and then notified these parents that—unless they opted out—their children would undergo testing for the program, they would identify enough students for a STEM magnet. [/quote]
This is an actual innovative approach! I love it.

I'm in agreement that ending OOB feeder rights is a better approach than re-zoning - or at least leave a long grandfathering period if re-zoning (see: Crestwood). A re-zone can have huge effects on the neighborhood. It's no secret that a big part of the reason for the "youngification" of Shepherd Park has been the guaranteed path to Deal/Wilson vs. the unpredictability of the lottery. That's certainly why we moved there after striking out in the lottery 3 years in a row with 2 different kids.[/quote]

I think the youngification of Shepard Park has more to do with the revitalization of Ohev Shalom, and JPDS's decision to expand to middle school. A huge percentage of OS (and actually, the conservative synagogue across the street) families are at JPDS/other private Jewish schools. That's not to say that Shepherd Park's elevated home prices don't take into account the path to Wilson/Deal, but that is true of other schools in other neighborhoods that get re-zoned for a particular school. Real estate values go up and down for a variety of reasons outside the control of the buyer.

Studies show that all students learn better in diverse environments, and racial diversity is one component of diversity. We probably need to do a three-prong approach: 1) create magnet test-in middle schools to be located EOTP (start with STEM, then add communications/media); 2) Limit OOB to a set aside number of students for Wards 7 and 8 (where bulk of city's students live/more likely to be students of color/poor); 3) rezone, e.g., Shepherd and other middle class EOTP schools to New North non-magnet with option to test-in. [/quote]

Another Shepherd poster here.  I also like the approach described above in Takoma Park.  However, there are some logistical hurdles--does MoCo provide buses to transport students to magnets?  Since we don't have buses in DC, some lower SES kids may qualify, but it's possible their families can't/won't transport them--so the access problem remains for these families.  Not shooting it down; just pointing out a potential sticking point with this approach, despite liking it overall.

Having lived in the neighborhood for a few years, I don't think the youngification of the neighborhood is primarily coming from OS/Tifereth families--this is based on my anecdotal experience, of course.  I'd guess that of the young families I know who've moved in within the last 10 years, perhaps 20% attend either of these synagogues.  Another 60-70% moved here for Deal access; some also wanted a diverse neighborhood (self included on both points--Deal access and diversity).  The other 10-20% are families at DCI feeders, who are likely hedging their bets by moving to a Deal neighborhood.[/quote]

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