Reply to So, what is wrong with Hardy?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]For those who think that the IB parent population shuns Hardy because there are too many OOB (code for AA) kids---I think the reality is more complicated.  Hardy appears to me--a high SES EOTP parent with kids at a charter---to have an OOB population of AA kids from middle class homes who clearly cared enough about their children's education to seek out the next best middle school in DC.  It has also been my observation that the largest demographic group at the highly regarded charters such as Latin and Basis are also middle class AA kids.  Yet white IB families who shun Hardy will happily send their kids to Basis or Latin-------so it would seem that IB families are not shunning Hardy solely because of racial discomfort.  My guess is that those parents believe that the administration and faculty culture at Basis and Latin are more receptive to parental input and less DCPS bureaucratic than Hardy, which is a regular DCPS school.

But that is just my guess. [/quote]

My experience with Ward 3 parents is that they don't "happily" send their kids to Basis, Latin, or even Hardy -- kids go to those schools because it's the best their parents can do, considering the options.  With respect to Latin, and even moreso Basis, the most common complaint is that those schools have too much homework, but the kids can't get in anywhere else with a kinder curriculum.  These are parents that compare their options with the 'burbs and they take what they can get -- Basis, Latin, or even (ugh!) Hardy - because for one reason or another they are invested in D.C.

What every Ward 3 parent wants, who can't get into Deal, is Deal.  Deal for All is what they want -- surprised?  And, those who are in Deal, want better than Deal, too, but they mortgages don't let them pay for private.  You shouldn't be surprised that Deal parents want better than Deal, either.  These are the most self-impressed parents in the United States.  At some point, we all gotta settle for what we can get.  "What?  Toby only went to Duke and not Williams?!  He better be happy you settled for HIM!"

I think what is so intriguing about Hardy is that many IB parents see Hardy as potentially being so much better than it currently is.  So they gripe.  Back to the Hardy thread![/quote]

I was not convinced that a large fee could buy me a better education that my kid is having at Hardy. It's not that I cannot afford GDS or WIS, which we did like and could have afforded. We were not convinced that it was going to be a good investment, that our kid was going to have a better social and academic experience at those schools than at Hardy. And we did not think that a $35,000/year investment to have the kid stay in a SES environment similar to her ES and to our status was a good one. If you have a frank and cozy conversation with parents from NW private schools you will hear that each school has its own issues.... The difference is that it is easier for me to be frank to myself and to others about areas for improvement at Hardy than is for other parents from my block who are paying $3,000/month for private education! I have no problem admitting that, while the 6th grade team was outstanding with non  exceptions, I do not like one of the 7th grade teachers (poor communication; outdated teaching). Not a very big deal given that I am very happy with, for instance, math and English (the very politicized teacher mentioned above, yes, reading list focused on emargination and social issues but she works hard and makes them work hard) but there's definetly an area in 7th grade where we are demanding improvement and change.

We did not believe that our kid would be dragged down by the relatively larger number of students from lower performing ES. She is actually thriving and attends honors classes in the most important subjects, which are physically separated classes (not just more advanced homework as a troll was stating). Classes and team assignments are stimulating her creativity and teamwork capabilities, both crucial skills to succeed in the modern world...  She has a nice relationship with most girls of her age, though I see that for hangouts and team projects she mainly picks mates from our same neighborhood... She tells us that there's troublemakers in the school, "you just don't care, we are not friends and they don't bother us" . But she has never felt intimidated.  And by the way, talking about intimidation, if you have close friends at National Cathedral , try ask them about girl bullying...

So I am afraid money cannot buy me or you a smart kid, and the decision set and factors are much more complex than the mere $$$ argument you were presenting.

OP here, thanks for taking the time to share your Hardy experience and your thoughts around it. Very useful!

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