We agree on that, then, about the great kids. The whole school system needs to better serve these young people IMO.

Anonymous wrote:another Kennedy parent here. I typically didn't go into the building, but once I had to find my way to a certain room for a meeting. I didn't know where I was going, so asked a small group of students for a steer.

Those students were sooo sweet and helpful. Whenever I read things about 'high FARMs' schools or underperforming MCPS schools, I think of those kids who were genuinely just nice, respectful, pleasant. I want those kids to have the same chances to succeed as the kids at other schools. It's frustrating to see the ankle-monitor PP focusing only on that and implying that someone should write off the entire school, even its IB program. The fact is that MCPS high schools all have their behavioral/safety issues and no school has been immune.

Also, to the immediate PP, I am disturbed that you wrote "the criminality and significant FARMS student population exists at all DCC schools" as if criminality was, by definition, a factor of the FARMS population. This is certainly not true, as being a FARMS student doesn't mean you're likely to be a criminal. That's unfair. We need to understand that communities where kids are engaging in criminal behavior are communities where other longstanding unresolved and still unaddressed social issues are present.

Hi PP here, I meant no harm. I suppose I should have said "perceived criminality" to be fair. But my point is that crime, which is often correlated with poverty, family instability, etc., which our system pretty much uses FARMS status as a KPI. I agree that being from a lower SES doesn't mean you WILL be involved in crime. But you also cannot deny the correlation between SES/FARMS rates and higher incidences of crime or disciplinary behavior. That's why schools that have higher FARMS rate get more support and special designations, because those issues tend to correlate with those statuses. Again, it's a correlation, not a causation thing.

Like you, I have been SO impressed by the Kennedy kids that I've had the pleasure to meet and speak with. The school's reputation does them no justice. So my intent was not to disparage the school in any way.

Thank you for all the comments! Yes, we need to consider commuting too...we live in DTSS so Blair is more convenient. We will go to the information sessions next week and have further discussion.

another Kennedy parent here. I typically didn't go into the building, but once I had to find my way to a certain room for a meeting. I didn't know where I was going, so asked a small group of students for a steer.

Those students were sooo sweet and helpful. Whenever I read things about 'high FARMs' schools or underperforming MCPS schools, I think of those kids who were genuinely just nice, respectful, pleasant. I want those kids to have the same chances to succeed as the kids at other schools. It's frustrating to see the ankle-monitor PP focusing only on that and implying that someone should write off the entire school, even its IB program. The fact is that MCPS high schools all have their behavioral/safety issues and no school has been immune.

Also, to the immediate PP, I am disturbed that you wrote "the criminality and significant FARMS student population exists at all DCC schools" as if criminality was, by definition, a factor of the FARMS population. This is certainly not true, as being a FARMS student doesn't mean you're likely to be a criminal. That's unfair. We need to understand that communities where kids are engaging in criminal behavior are communities where other longstanding unresolved and still unaddressed social issues are present.

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor's kid was in the Kennedy Leadership program. She told me that there were several kids in the school who were wearing monitoring anklets (for criminal offenses). Her kid has since left.

Kennedy parent who previously posted here, I know you're passing on second-hand info but a few things:

1) Kennedy does have a skipping problem. Lots of kids skip. If you skip so much to the point that you get referred to Maryland's Truancy Reduction Program, which does include ankle monitoring. I know of at least one student at Kennedy who is in that situation. So I wouldn't assume ankle monitor = criminal offense.

2) Kennedy is a HIGH FARMS school. It's 80%. It's also a Title I school. So the majority of the kids who go there need aid and support in some way. But the IB program is a bubble within the school. Those kids are mostly middle-class and upper-middle class and they take classes together so it's sort of a cohort within the bigger school system. The LTI program is less exclusive than the IB program, but still, there's a minimum GPA and you generally only get in and stay if you get good grades, do your service hours, show up for meetings, etc. Mr. Frempong is the lead of this program and he has a great impact on the kids and they really admire and respect him.

3) Even if all the kids your neighbor's kid saw were in fact criminals and not just truants, the criminality and significant FARMS student population exists at all the DCC schools (Blair, Wheaton, Einstein and Northwood). So the only way to get around that would be to go to the one of the W schools.

Another Kennedy parent here. Sounds like your DD would do well at either CAP or the JFK programs. I don't know CAP in detail. But whether one vs the other would offer her more benefits, I would consider a couple of things...
1. Does she like the whole IB concept? it's very ingrained at JFK's IB program (my DC really got on board, is committed to the IB concept). I don't know CAP so can't compare it vs the IB, but the IB curriculum is pretty distinct.

2. How are the commutes from your home to JFK &/or to Blair CAP? Don't underestimate the impact that will have on your DD's experience...a very, very early bus ride in the am, a long ride home in the afternoon, possibly not being able to stay after school for her music activities or whatever, etc. Or could you drive or carpool?

3. Are there clubs/groups in the area she is interested in? My DC has felt JFK's club offerings, drama program, were very lacking (was not the leader-type to start their own, maybe your DD is). PTA doesn't sponsor a lot of events either.

I would agree that Ms. Radebe is a good resource. I would disagree with the other PP who feels that kids w/monitoring anklets are a prominent part of the experience. There are many good kids at JFK, in and beyond the IB and LTI programs.

Also at JFK, kids can do other 'academy' programs (eg, business). Their application-based IB program is pretty new; so by this point the current 11th/12 graders kids are likely to include some who are growing into real leaders and role models.

Good luck and congrats to the admitted students!

My neighbor's kid was in the Kennedy Leadership program. She told me that there were several kids in the school who were wearing monitoring anklets (for criminal offenses). Her kid has since left.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC is in a similar situation (without Leadership option). The smaller school that Kennedy has is certainly appealing! Does anyone know anything about the arts program there? Specifically Dance and/or Theater? My kid is really interested that they seem to have IB level classes in those areas. Good teachers?

Kennedy parent here. While I think the IB program is good at JFK, the arts program is not. So if that’s a priority for your kid, I would look elsewhere.

Einstein has both!

Anonymous wrote:My DC is in a similar situation (without Leadership option). The smaller school that Kennedy has is certainly appealing! Does anyone know anything about the arts program there? Specifically Dance and/or Theater? My kid is really interested that they seem to have IB level classes in those areas. Good teachers?

Kennedy parent here. While I think the IB program is good at JFK, the arts program is not. So if that’s a priority for your kid, I would look elsewhere.

My DC is in a similar situation (without Leadership option). The smaller school that Kennedy has is certainly appealing! Does anyone know anything about the arts program there? Specifically Dance and/or Theater? My kid is really interested that they seem to have IB level classes in those areas. Good teachers?

My DS goes to JFK and is in IB and the Leadership Training Institute (LTI). I can’t speak to how it compares to Blair, but Ms. Radebe who is the coordinator for the MYP portion of the IB program at Kennedy is fantastic. Happy to answer any other questions.

I'd go Kennedy IB or Leadership. Smaller school with good programs and she's not just a number like at Blair.

I'm sure this will be an unpopular opinion.

Hi, my kid got invited to Blair CAP, JFK IB and JFK leadership program. She loves creative writing and reading books but also is interested in international affairs. She has a very strong and unique personality. I am inclined to CAP but my kid is not sure. Any thoughts would be appreciated!