Anonymous
Post 10/28/2011 17:26     Subject: Brent or EL Haynes?
I read this thread differently. I hear Brent/Hill parents say pick Haynes because it has middle school.

I don't hear any Haynes parents say come we have a great middle school

In fact, all the families I know at Haynes have left in 4th - 5th grade, never made it as far as middle school.
Anonymous
Post 10/28/2011 17:10     Subject: Re:Brent or EL Haynes?
esevdali wrote:I'm in-bounds for Brent and think that both of the schools are both fine, but since Haynes offers a viable middle school feed that many a middle-class family is comfortable with and Brent doesn't, it's a no brainer. I see no viable neighborhood middle school option emerging on the Hill in the forseeable future. In the absence of lottery luck at Latin, Brent in-bounds parents almost always leave DCPS for middle school. As you may know, Brent feeds into two middle schools that middle class families won't touch for now (Jefferson in SW and EH on the Hill), and probably won't touch in great numbers for a decade or longer. Talk to in-bounds Brent parents of 3rd-5th graders and you will be hard pressed to find a single one planning to enroll their kid(s) in either of these schools. Furthermore, no city-wide middle school academic magnets/exam schools are planned for the time being and the existing charter middle schools have no admission standards beyond lottery luck. So, if you enroll your kid at Brent for first grade, and your kid is ahead of the curve academically by 5th grade by DCPS standards, you run a high risk of being pushed to the burbs later, or left scrambling to find the funds for parochial or independent school tuition. It's a shame that Brent PTA parents have, to some extent, allowed this situation to develop by letting Rhee and Tommy Wells divide and conquer on the middle school feeder issue. As you may know, the Brent PTA tried to get DCPS to sanction a Brent-only middle school a couple years ago but the movement fell apart. Accusations of racism were hurled all too freely and many parents threw their hands in the air as a result. I'd go with Haynes if you want to continue to live in the District past 5th grade. Alternatively, get creative: if you live near a Red Line stop, stay where you are, save to buy a condo in Tacoma Park, pay taxes there and send your kid to wonderful Tacoma Park Middle School and Blair High School in Mo Co.




I think it's prettty funny that EL Haynes parents are already patting themselves on the backs for their middle school option which is completely up-in-the-air as well, and scoffing at Hill parents because they have no middle-school option. I guess we'll see when we see.
Anonymous
Post 10/28/2011 16:05     Subject: Brent or EL Haynes?
To the Brent parents, do you consider Stuart Hobson via OOB lottery a viable option?
esevdali
Post 10/28/2011 15:45     Subject: Re:Brent or EL Haynes?
I'm in-bounds for Brent and think that both of the schools are both fine, but since Haynes offers a viable middle school feed that many a middle-class family is comfortable with and Brent doesn't, it's a no brainer. I see no viable neighborhood middle school option emerging on the Hill in the forseeable future. In the absence of lottery luck at Latin, Brent in-bounds parents almost always leave DCPS for middle school. As you may know, Brent feeds into two middle schools that middle class families won't touch for now (Jefferson in SW and EH on the Hill), and probably won't touch in great numbers for a decade or longer. Talk to in-bounds Brent parents of 3rd-5th graders and you will be hard pressed to find a single one planning to enroll their kid(s) in either of these schools. Furthermore, no city-wide middle school academic magnets/exam schools are planned for the time being and the existing charter middle schools have no admission standards beyond lottery luck. So, if you enroll your kid at Brent for first grade, and your kid is ahead of the curve academically by 5th grade by DCPS standards, you run a high risk of being pushed to the burbs later, or left scrambling to find the funds for parochial or independent school tuition. It's a shame that Brent PTA parents have, to some extent, allowed this situation to develop by letting Rhee and Tommy Wells divide and conquer on the middle school feeder issue. As you may know, the Brent PTA tried to get DCPS to sanction a Brent-only middle school a couple years ago but the movement fell apart. Accusations of racism were hurled all too freely and many parents threw their hands in the air as a result. I'd go with Haynes if you want to continue to live in the District past 5th grade. Alternatively, get creative: if you live near a Red Line stop, stay where you are, save to buy a condo in Tacoma Park, pay taxes there and send your kid to wonderful Tacoma Park Middle School and Blair High School in Mo Co.


Anonymous
Post 10/28/2011 15:31     Subject: Brent or EL Haynes?
Brent parent here. Personally, I wouldn't choose on the middle school situation alone. That could look very different in a few years. If you live in the Brent neighborhood and aren't drawn to the specific curriculum focus of Haynes, then I would choose Brent for the small, community feel and ease of reaching school events. If middle school is still a problem when you are facing it, you could go charter then and face the distance from home when your child is older and more independent.
Anonymous
Post 10/28/2011 15:08     Subject: Brent or EL Haynes?
Haynes. Brent parent and we are in a quandary about middle school (current 4th grader) and can't imagine Eastern in our future. Will play the lottery again next year.
Anonymous
Post 10/28/2011 13:28     Subject: Brent or EL Haynes?
Brent parent here - enroll a first grader and you'll get four good years. The school has good academics and the climate and culture is respectful. Hopefully the middle school situation will straighten itself out when your oldest is ready for 6th grade, and you can continue on to Eastern High.
Anonymous
Post 10/28/2011 13:21     Subject: Brent or EL Haynes?
It's not you, OP, it's the pissy people on this board.
Anonymous
Post 10/28/2011 13:16     Subject: Brent or EL Haynes?
Sorry my english is not great so it is hard to use correct words sometimes.
Anonymous
Post 10/28/2011 13:15     Subject: Brent or EL Haynes?
Confused about the overall experience. If you had to do it again would you choose the same school (Brent/ Haynes) for your DC? How was the student body?
Anonymous
Post 10/27/2011 20:47     Subject: Brent or EL Haynes?
Confused about what? Have you visited the schools yet?
Anonymous
Post 10/27/2011 20:25     Subject: Brent or EL Haynes?
I have researched both schools and I am still confused. Opinions needed!
Anonymous
Post 10/27/2011 15:30     Subject: Re:Brent or EL Haynes?
Haynes goes through High School so that's nice if you're planning on staying in the area and don't want to switch at middle and high school levels.
Anonymous
Post 10/27/2011 14:40     Subject: Brent or EL Haynes?
There has been quite a lot written about both of these schools. A quick search of the archives should give you dozens, if not hundreds, of opinions.
Anonymous
Post 10/27/2011 14:36     Subject: Brent or EL Haynes?
If you had to choose between the two, which one would you go for? For a 1st grader. Thanks.