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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My kid is in a lower grade at CMI. I just toured a private school k-12 program and focused specifically on their middle school to get an idea of what would be available to me at this private that I like vs the planned CMI middle. I was pleasantly surprised to find that CMI has EVERYTHING this private had and more, with the Chinese language instruction and sensory stuff.  All CMI needs to add for middle school is a science lab but nothing fancy as it is only middle school and an arts room to do ceramics and clay modeling. They have the space so this will be easy. As for the competition sports this is lacking but. Can be developed. I went to a k-8 school and it was fine. I also appreciated the diversity At CMI that you can't get at any area private. The fact is that CMI model has never been done in DC in a K-8 public model so really there is nothing upon which to base predictions. There are no schools that are public,for instance, which small class sizes like CMI so people are comparing apples to oranges. [/quote]

What continues to be hopelessly naive here, is the notion that you can transplant the model of a successful private without significant retooling for a public.  Privates have multiple barriers to entry (mainly in the form of high-WISC scores and of course $$).  That means they can sort out anyone they don't want, for any reason: academic readiness, behavior and demeanor, attitude, and of course financial wherewithal, which generally means highly motivated parents and families.  They can also ask students to leave at any time.  Trouble learning?  Leave.  Problem in class?  Leave.  Etc.

CM will not have that option.  It will have to take all comers, and barring anything criminal, will have to keep them.  Disrupt the class?  Too bad class, we have to accommodate the misbehavior.  Slow learner?  Too bad class, we have to slow down the level of instruction.  Student needs extra resources?  Too bad class, we have to take away potential money from your potential science lab to spend it on specialized resources for specialized needs.

It will have to open the floodgates, and the students who pour in will not be coming from the same academic background.  It will not have the economies of scale to be all schools to all people.  I'm no fan of Deal myself, but it certainly has that going for it.[/quote]

You do realize CMI is already armed with the extra teachers to do this.  It is an INCLUSION school.  Which means it takes all-comers and is prepared to deal with any behavioral, emotional, or academic issues the children bring.  There is a full-time behavioral therapist at the school. Inclusions specialists in the class rooms. The classes are small intentionally so that real learning can take place.  Golnar is being really thoughtful in her plans for the middle school. There is no naivety here...[/quote]

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