Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is in/near a really slummy part of the county. Drive a few blocks to piney branch and university and see for your self. It is one of the worst areas in the DC metro region and those kids go to Eastern. They have to go somewhere and they are not all bad but people need to ask if the crazy commute and exposure for their kids is worth it for the privilege of propping up the test score of a very seedy area. I dare a perspective magnet parent to drive though Knob Hill, Long Branch Garland or Quebec terrace at night and ask your self if that peer group is worth a fancy text book in middle school. There is a reason they put carrot programs that attract high flyers in schools like eastern or Blair which is near by on the same road as well.

If you do I suspect you will find your answer

What a silly take. I have a 7th grade son there. When kids leave, and it’s not often, it’s because it’s very challenging and some of the teachers are not at all forgiving. Not because there are some kids in their gym class who live in section 8 housing.

There are a lot of reasons kids leave. #1 reason I think is location and long bus ride. The “challenging” curriculum was oversold to me given the middle school we are zoned to.
I didn’t write that post, but honestly I wish someone would have told me this. If you are proud of this area, then share why you like it instead of being so defensive. Again, it could have been phrased nicer, but that poster isn’t wrong.

Ok - I'm the PP who lives a few blocks from Eastern MS. The people who live here are very community-centered, welcoming and supportive. They're also diverse, but not just in the "oh, look at all the brown people!" sense -- they're diverse in terms of incomes, backgrounds, religious beliefs, etc. People here are focused on their kids, but no one is cutting throats to get to the best, most exclusive PSAT tutor. They have a bit more perspective. The kids have the same problems all kids have, but they're not swimming in disposable income, so that kind of pressure doesn't exist. Generally speaking, I've found my neighbors to value community service and involvement, and they instill that in their kids. It's the kind of area where people are out walking in the evening, stopping to chat with neighbors, comparing gardening tips, etc.

However, if you feel that strongly about our area, by all means stay away. We don't need you, thx.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is in/near a really slummy part of the county. Drive a few blocks to piney branch and university and see for your self. It is one of the worst areas in the DC metro region and those kids go to Eastern. They have to go somewhere and they are not all bad but people need to ask if the crazy commute and exposure for their kids is worth it for the privilege of propping up the test score of a very seedy area. I dare a perspective magnet parent to drive though Knob Hill, Long Branch Garland or Quebec terrace at night and ask your self if that peer group is worth a fancy text book in middle school. There is a reason they put carrot programs that attract high flyers in schools like eastern or Blair which is near by on the same road as well.

If you do I suspect you will find your answer

What is it like to feel like you're being "real" and "fair" and not know you sound like a complete asshole?

Sounding like and A-hole and being wrong are two different things. I know the truth triggers many people and acknowledging the truth doesn't mean I am endorsing the injustice of it all. Also few people who go back to their home will be honest with the % that reality played into their decision. I suspect most people who claim commute or local friends are really thinking a portion of this.

This person was blunt but they’re not wrong. It pulls from a terrible area and the admin isn’t great. I didn’t pull my child out but I sure wish I would have. My kid did virtual while at Eastern and it was a shitshow.

No, the person is racist not blunt and she is wrong.

No, they are correct. There was more teenage pregnancy in that middle school than in my kids high school. The language was also worse than my kids were exposed to in high school. The admin was overwhelmed with getting food to poorer families instead of teaching when they first went virtual.
Not everything is racist. Those problems are more consistent with low income.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is in/near a really slummy part of the county. Drive a few blocks to piney branch and university and see for your self. It is one of the worst areas in the DC metro region and those kids go to Eastern. They have to go somewhere and they are not all bad but people need to ask if the crazy commute and exposure for their kids is worth it for the privilege of propping up the test score of a very seedy area. I dare a perspective magnet parent to drive though Knob Hill, Long Branch Garland or Quebec terrace at night and ask your self if that peer group is worth a fancy text book in middle school. There is a reason they put carrot programs that attract high flyers in schools like eastern or Blair which is near by on the same road as well.

If you do I suspect you will find your answer

What a silly take. I have a 7th grade son there. When kids leave, and it’s not often, it’s because it’s very challenging and some of the teachers are not at all forgiving. Not because there are some kids in their gym class who live in section 8 housing.

There are a lot of reasons kids leave. #1 reason I think is location and long bus ride. The “challenging” curriculum was oversold to me given the middle school we are zoned to.
I didn’t write that post, but honestly I wish someone would have told me this. If you are proud of this area, then share why you like it instead of being so defensive. Again, it could have been phrased nicer, but that poster isn’t wrong.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is in/near a really slummy part of the county. Drive a few blocks to piney branch and university and see for your self. It is one of the worst areas in the DC metro region and those kids go to Eastern. They have to go somewhere and they are not all bad but people need to ask if the crazy commute and exposure for their kids is worth it for the privilege of propping up the test score of a very seedy area. I dare a perspective magnet parent to drive though Knob Hill, Long Branch Garland or Quebec terrace at night and ask your self if that peer group is worth a fancy text book in middle school. There is a reason they put carrot programs that attract high flyers in schools like eastern or Blair which is near by on the same road as well.

If you do I suspect you will find your answer

What is it like to feel like you're being "real" and "fair" and not know you sound like a complete asshole?

Sounding like and A-hole and being wrong are two different things. I know the truth triggers many people and acknowledging the truth doesn't mean I am endorsing the injustice of it all. Also few people who go back to their home will be honest with the % that reality played into their decision. I suspect most people who claim commute or local friends are really thinking a portion of this.

This person was blunt but they’re not wrong. It pulls from a terrible area and the admin isn’t great. I didn’t pull my child out but I sure wish I would have. My kid did virtual while at Eastern and it was a shitshow.

No, the person is racist not blunt and she is wrong.

Anonymous wrote:the school is in/near a really slummy part of the county. Drive a few blocks to piney branch and university and see for your self. It is one of the worst areas in the DC metro region and those kids go to Eastern. They have to go somewhere and they are not all bad but people need to ask if the crazy commute and exposure for their kids is worth it for the privilege of propping up the test score of a very seedy area. I dare a perspective magnet parent to drive though Knob Hill, Long Branch Garland or Quebec terrace at night and ask your self if that peer group is worth a fancy text book in middle school. There is a reason they put carrot programs that attract high flyers in schools like eastern or Blair which is near by on the same road as well.

If you do I suspect you will find your answer

Let me guess: Your kid is on the waiting list, right?
Trying to scare others to free up some spaces.

Anonymous wrote:the school is in/near a really slummy part of the county. Drive a few blocks to piney branch and university and see for your self. It is one of the worst areas in the DC metro region and those kids go to Eastern. They have to go somewhere and they are not all bad but people need to ask if the crazy commute and exposure for their kids is worth it for the privilege of propping up the test score of a very seedy area. I dare a perspective magnet parent to drive though Knob Hill, Long Branch Garland or Quebec terrace at night and ask your self if that peer group is worth a fancy text book in middle school. There is a reason they put carrot programs that attract high flyers in schools like eastern or Blair which is near by on the same road as well.

If you do I suspect you will find your answer

What a silly take. I have a 7th grade son there. When kids leave, and it’s not often, it’s because it’s very challenging and some of the teachers are not at all forgiving. Not because there are some kids in their gym class who live in section 8 housing.

Anonymous wrote:the school is in/near a really slummy part of the county. Drive a few blocks to piney branch and university and see for your self. It is one of the worst areas in the DC metro region and those kids go to Eastern. They have to go somewhere and they are not all bad but people need to ask if the crazy commute and exposure for their kids is worth it for the privilege of propping up the test score of a very seedy area. I dare a perspective magnet parent to drive though Knob Hill, Long Branch Garland or Quebec terrace at night and ask your self if that peer group is worth a fancy text book in middle school. There is a reason they put carrot programs that attract high flyers in schools like eastern or Blair which is near by on the same road as well.

If you do I suspect you will find your answer

Oh heavens yes! I live a few blocks from Eastern MS and it's simply terrible! Not a Bergdorf's in sight, and the whole area is absolutely full of the poors!

Anonymous wrote:the school is in/near a really slummy part of the county. Drive a few blocks to piney branch and university and see for your self. It is one of the worst areas in the DC metro region and those kids go to Eastern. They have to go somewhere and they are not all bad but people need to ask if the crazy commute and exposure for their kids is worth it for the privilege of propping up the test score of a very seedy area. I dare a perspective magnet parent to drive though Knob Hill, Long Branch Garland or Quebec terrace at night and ask your self if that peer group is worth a fancy text book in middle school. There is a reason they put carrot programs that attract high flyers in schools like eastern or Blair which is near by on the same road as well.

If you do I suspect you will find your answer

I suspect you’ve never seen actual slums. We who live in the “slummy” parts of the county are happy our kids will not have to be exposed to yours.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is in/near a really slummy part of the county. Drive a few blocks to piney branch and university and see for your self. It is one of the worst areas in the DC metro region and those kids go to Eastern. They have to go somewhere and they are not all bad but people need to ask if the crazy commute and exposure for their kids is worth it for the privilege of propping up the test score of a very seedy area. I dare a perspective magnet parent to drive though Knob Hill, Long Branch Garland or Quebec terrace at night and ask your self if that peer group is worth a fancy text book in middle school. There is a reason they put carrot programs that attract high flyers in schools like eastern or Blair which is near by on the same road as well.

If you do I suspect you will find your answer

What is it like to feel like you're being "real" and "fair" and not know you sound like a complete asshole?

Sounding like and A-hole and being wrong are two different things. I know the truth triggers many people and acknowledging the truth doesn't mean I am endorsing the injustice of it all. Also few people who go back to their home will be honest with the % that reality played into their decision. I suspect most people who claim commute or local friends are really thinking a portion of this.

This person was blunt but they’re not wrong. It pulls from a terrible area and the admin isn’t great. I didn’t pull my child out but I sure wish I would have. My kid did virtual while at Eastern and it was a shitshow.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is in/near a really slummy part of the county. Drive a few blocks to piney branch and university and see for your self. It is one of the worst areas in the DC metro region and those kids go to Eastern. They have to go somewhere and they are not all bad but people need to ask if the crazy commute and exposure for their kids is worth it for the privilege of propping up the test score of a very seedy area. I dare a perspective magnet parent to drive though Knob Hill, Long Branch Garland or Quebec terrace at night and ask your self if that peer group is worth a fancy text book in middle school. There is a reason they put carrot programs that attract high flyers in schools like eastern or Blair which is near by on the same road as well.

If you do I suspect you will find your answer

What is it like to feel like you're being "real" and "fair" and not know you sound like a complete asshole?

Sounding like and A-hole and being wrong are two different things. I know the truth triggers many people and acknowledging the truth doesn't mean I am endorsing the injustice of it all. Also few people who go back to their home will be honest with the % that reality played into their decision. I suspect most people who claim commute or local friends are really thinking a portion of this.

Anonymous wrote:the school is in/near a really slummy part of the county. Drive a few blocks to piney branch and university and see for your self. It is one of the worst areas in the DC metro region and those kids go to Eastern. They have to go somewhere and they are not all bad but people need to ask if the crazy commute and exposure for their kids is worth it for the privilege of propping up the test score of a very seedy area. I dare a perspective magnet parent to drive though Knob Hill, Long Branch Garland or Quebec terrace at night and ask your self if that peer group is worth a fancy text book in middle school. There is a reason they put carrot programs that attract high flyers in schools like eastern or Blair which is near by on the same road as well.

If you do I suspect you will find your answer

What is it like to feel like you're being "real" and "fair" and not know you sound like a complete asshole?

the school is in/near a really slummy part of the county. Drive a few blocks to piney branch and university and see for your self. It is one of the worst areas in the DC metro region and those kids go to Eastern. They have to go somewhere and they are not all bad but people need to ask if the crazy commute and exposure for their kids is worth it for the privilege of propping up the test score of a very seedy area. I dare a perspective magnet parent to drive though Knob Hill, Long Branch Garland or Quebec terrace at night and ask your self if that peer group is worth a fancy text book in middle school. There is a reason they put carrot programs that attract high flyers in schools like eastern or Blair which is near by on the same road as well.

If you do I suspect you will find your answer

DC has a friend who left after 7th. They are in our local HS with DC right now and the friend seems very happy and no regrets.

Friend is a strong student and thought the program was okay but it was an issue of only having 24 hours in a day and not wanting to spend 2 hours of it driving to and from school on top of lots of activities. The parents told us they agreed because it would also help their kid get back in touch with old friends in preparation for high school.

A fair number of students leave the first semester each year. The ones I know who left had really different reasons.

One student did not like the commute or social environment and wanted to be with friends back at the regular school. At least two really hated the sink or swim environment and the treatment of some of the teachers. One of those was doing fine in the classes but just did not want the stress.

Any parents out there who sent their kid to the magnet and then decided to pull out and go back to their home school? Could you share the factors that led to that decision and if the switch was a challenge? Any regrets?