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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'd ask for various things SWS, Cap Hill Montessori and Maury and Brent offer but LT doesn't.  My somewhat over-the-top list would include...

*better big kids playground without trash piling up in and around it
*crack-downs on PG County Address cheaters filing no DC taxes (the Maury principal has famously charged some tuition/tossed them out)
*far more support for advanced learners, including pullout groups from K and looping up a year for math for grades 3+
*concerted push to raise parent contributions and donations to the school (including fund raising gala on a par with Brent's bringing in tens of thousands of dollars) 
*more and better organized field trips to Smithsonian museums with more chaperones
*more diverse, better educated, and less PC teaching staff
*decent school garden and environmental studies program
*better art room; better music room and full-time music teacher; full-time librarian; better PE program
*quality stage sound system to support school performances (anybody else see Annie at Brent this year?)
*Tier 1 Scripts Spelling Bee and National Geographic Geography Bee competitions for grades 3+
*higher-octane after school like chess club, robotics, and Harry Potter club
*more serious Spanish instruction
*the Hills first-ever club to prepare students for Johns Hopkins CTY summer camps from 2nd grade, including PRAXIS test prep
*science competitions club (usually only found in DC private schools)

Please add your own wish list here if you won't mind taking flak for it.  [/quote]

09:39 again -- although I object in principle, I also have comments on some of your suggestions:

*better big kids playground without trash piling up in and around it = I don't think anyone would object to this

*crack-downs on PG County Address cheaters filing no DC taxes (the Maury principal has famously charged some tuition/tossed them out) = I don't get why people get so up in arms about cheaters, it seems to me like a way to "ethnically cleanse" a schools, but whatever.

*far more support for advanced learners, including pullout groups from K and looping up a year for math for grades 3+

My daughter just finished K and got great support. I can't speak to the upper grades, but the K teachers do an excellent job of differentiation, and the 1st & 2nd grade parents I've spoken with seem satisfied as well.

*concerted push to raise parent contributions and donations to the school (including fund raising gala on a par with Brent's bringing in tens of thousands of dollars)

That would be nice, but remember the school does still serve a majority FARMs population. I think it's important to plan events with an eye not only on fundraising but also on being inclusive of the greater school community.

*more and better organized field trips to Smithsonian museums with more chaperones

Overall, I've been really pleased with the number and variety of field trips at LT -- especially the ones that get the kids outside & out of the city. (I think that's probably a higher priority for me than the Smithsonian museums, which -- with the exception of Udvar-Hazy -- are easy enough for any DC family to get to outside of school time.) Still, IME they hit the various museums every year or two. Chaperones is a challenge, b/c they have to be fingerprinted per DCPS regulations and also because there's limited bus space (& more busses cost more money).

*more diverse, better educated, and less PC teaching staff

IME the teaching staff is a strong point at LT. Your "less PC" comment sounds like you think they are hiring duds for the sake of diversity, which hasn't been my experience at all. (Frankly, it sounds like you're looking for a polite way of saying you want more teachers who aren't black, but maybe I'm misinterpreting?)

*decent school garden and environmental studies program

No argument there.

*better art room; better music room and full-time music teacher; full-time librarian; better PE program

The school was JUST renovated with new rooms! They also have a librarian and they make good use of the library (though I don't know how Mr. C. splits his time). The reading festival/auction each year is a great event as well. No argument about PE.

*quality stage sound system to support school performances (anybody else see Annie at Brent this year?)

Yeah, I'm on board with this. Maybe something for the PTA to champion?

*Tier 1 Scripts Spelling Bee and National Geographic Geography Bee competitions for grades 3+

You may not be aware LT's team were the Intermediate GeoPlunge champions in the fall 2013 tournament.

*higher-octane after school like chess club, robotics, and Harry Potter club

Harry Potter is higher octane? Otherwise, sure.

*more serious Spanish instruction

LT has a great start on a French program with a dynamic teacher; I would hate to see them switch focus to Spanish at this point.

*the Hills first-ever club to prepare students for Johns Hopkins CTY summer camps from 2nd grade, including PRAXIS test prep
*science competitions club (usually only found in DC private schools)

No argument with these.
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