“I’d settle for Basis, one of the Latins or even Inspired Teaching.” Those schools all have some pluses/minuses. Lots of current 4th grade families got into none of those schools in the lottery this year. To the OP, reputations change slowly, but EH is arguably somewhat different than it used to be. In addition to the renovation, it has a stable administration, IB program, and buy-in from some of its feeder school families is up significantly.

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to have the problem of St. Anselm's not being exactly the right place for my boy if I could afford tuition there. Instead, I'd settle for BASIS, one of the Latins or even Inspired Teaching. All DCPS MS options still seem iffy without any definite above grade-level offerings or honors classes for math or science, and the general chaos the system exudes.

AFAIK all DCPS middle schools liberally allow kids to jump ahead in math in 7th. Not in 6th at ours, but I bet that will change.

I'd love to have the problem of St. Anselm's not being exactly the right place for my boy if I could afford tuition there. Instead, I'd settle for BASIS, one of the Latins or even Inspired Teaching. All DCPS MS options still seem iffy without any definite above grade-level offerings or honors classes for math or science, and the general chaos the system exudes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have a boy, look into St. Anselm's. That's really all I have to add. NOT Two Rivers, not CHML.

Sure, St. Anselm's IF your kid is admitted (tough entrance exam) and IF you have 30K a year to throw at the problem.

St. Anselm's is such a niche place. I think it's great for certain boys, but even if you son gets admitted and you have $30k to spare, it's NOT the right place for a lot of boys.

Anonymous wrote:Look I’m not going to tell you that EH is what you’re looking for. I can tell you that we are sincerely very pleased with most aspects of the school. Not sure where the idea comes from that it’s full of disruptive kids - it is very well run and behavioral issues are dealt with MUCH better than elementary.

(Also pleased with extracurriculars by the way. My kid has done clubs in subjects I never would have guessed he would like. And apparently kids can walk onto most sports teams.)

Look I’m not going to tell you that EH is what you’re looking for. I can tell you that we are sincerely very pleased with most aspects of the school. Not sure where the idea comes from that it’s full of disruptive kids - it is very well run and behavioral issues are dealt with MUCH better than elementary.

Anonymous wrote:It’s true many families are taking the leap and sending their kids to EH that five years ago probably wouldn’t have done.
However, what are the odds that Hill families actually start sending their kids to Eastern HS?

As a longtime hill resident this time of year I see a lot of private HS grad signs in front yards. Eastern seems noticeably absent.

I wouldn't judge EH by that.

Anonymous wrote:If you have a boy, look into St. Anselm's. That's really all I have to add. NOT Two Rivers, not CHML.

Sure, St. Anselm's IF your kid is admitted (tough entrance exam) and IF you have 30K a year to throw at the problem.

It’s true many families are taking the leap and sending their kids to EH that five years ago probably wouldn’t have done.
However, what are the odds that Hill families actually start sending their kids to Eastern HS?

As a longtime hill resident this time of year I see a lot of private HS grad signs in front yards. Eastern seems noticeably absent.

Yes it’s a lovely building.
However fancy new building does not equal a great school.

Anonymous wrote:Inbounds to Eliot Hine and we don’t want to face that reality in a few years. What viable options have people found ideal, we don’t want a bunch of disruptive students and want a challenging environment with extracurricular options.

Just wondering, but have you been to visit Eliot Hine? Like in the building?

If you have a boy, look into St. Anselm's. That's really all I have to add. NOT Two Rivers, not CHML.

Search this site. Roughly speaking, you will find the following options:

1. Move to the burbs. Unless, maybe, you go to Maury, you are already committing educational child abuse. EH is a nonstarter.

2. EH is wonderful and perfect and you’re probably racist if you think otherwise.

3. EH is definitely just as good as SH dammit.

4. SH is the only viable MS on Capitol Hill. It’s that, BASIS or Latins or trying to lottery for a Deal or Hardy or DCI feeder and committing to a horrendous commute.

4b. Same as above but plus ITDS.

4c. Same as above, but SH sucks too.

5. BASIS or die.

6. Latin is the only public MS in DC worth attending. Go there or go private or move.

7. Lottery for everything all the time. Don’t worry about it unless you actually get in somewhere. If you don’t, try EH. It definitely works for some kids. If it doesn’t work for yours, move or private for HS.

Mmmmm popcorn

Inbounds to Eliot Hine and we don’t want to face that reality in a few years. What viable options have people found ideal, we don’t want a bunch of disruptive students and want a challenging environment with extracurricular options.