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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]FWIW Latin’s accelerated math track is the same as St Anselm’s accelerated math track. Now if you had your kid do an algebra or geometry over the summer to accelerate further, they might handle it differently, but both would be very unhappy with you for doing it. And as far as I can tell, “only” doing geometry in 8th grade isn’t going to mean your kid can’t do STEM in college or for a career.[/quote]

We looked at St. Anselms and passed, did not apply. We were not impressed and did not think it was worth the 40k plus for 7 years when that money could go towards college.

Our kid is at DCI and so far it’s been a good experience. We did get into a well known private talked more about on this board that we liked and applied to but no financial aid so passed.

We will see how middle school goes to assess staying for high school at DCI.  Private for high school is on the table if needed.

No interest in Hardy, Deal, or high schools WOTP.[/quote]

DCI is a good 6th-12th grade program but there are hidden problems to look out for. Problem #1: behavioral problems in the MS mainly because there aren't honors classes outside language and math. MS science, English and social studies are far too easy for the strongest students.

Problem #2: their guidance counselors aren't experts on the IB Diploma so families aiming high for college often seek outside IB advice, if just on Redfin and Quora. HS students aren't necessarily told of the options they have as IBD candidates, e.g. how they can take 2 sciences rather than 1 science and 1 arts course (2-yr courses). Students aren't necessarily advised to double up on AP exams that correspond with IB exams or to pursue language immersion experiences to bone up for tough language exams.

The more ambitious DCI parents share IBD prep info. They order IB exam prep materials off Ebay and Amazon that the school doesn't know or care about, enroll their kids in IB test prep summer programs in the UK and Europe, hire outside tutors to prep for language exams etc.

DCI's IB program is OK but not on a par with the best of the burbs. [/quote]

You want to be realistic, OP. No DC public middle school is all thatgoing to be all that great. Lack of MS challenge for top performers at DCI is hardly restricted to DCI.  Even BASIS humanities aren't first-rate. We know a number of families who bailed on Deal or Hardy after 1 or 2 years because their kids weren't pushed and they got fed up with the lack of transparency (especially few grades assignments being sent home). If you want a fine MS, the burbs or private, period.[/quote]

DCI parent here and no public or charter middle school in this town is going to track in all subjects.  None.  If you want that, then it’s the burbs.

But what I will say is that DCI tracks the most.  Officially they track math and language.  But unofficially they also track English and Social studies.  So these 4 subjects, you don’t have kids 3 or 4 grade levels apart.

In fact, shortly after school starts in 6th, all the kids take the MAP test and based on those results, the school will actively shift kids to appropriate math and english class if they are not in the right one.  All families get an email about this and how some kids will be changing classes.

Social studies is tracked by language so higher performing kids will take it in the language.

Kids also take science MAP and school has that data.  I suspect kids are placed in classes together with similar ability but cannot confirm that.

Above is why DCI does well with the higher performers and has such a high retention rate.  A number of kids who get into Walls decline the spot.

The school is not perfect.  No school is but if you want a school in the city that does try to place kids in the appropriate class, DCI is one if the best ones.

Lastly OP, since you have a mathy kid, the only school EOTP who has the most advance math offerings that I would recommend are DCI and Basis.  So I wish you well and hope you get Basis in the lottery.[/quote]

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