13:53: LOL! so true!!!

14:39 - what is your problem? Do you have ANYTHING constructive to add, or are you one of those people who tell your kid their collar wasn't straight after they win the spelling bee?

16:43 are you willing to say what school you are at now? Thanks.

OP here! All this is great feedback. I am most def. going to visit the school soon. I truly appreciate the input.

We also left Barnard after a year of PS3, also because of the Jr. High issue. We, too, moved to a well-regarded charter that covers the Jr. High years. In our case, though, I often regret the decision. Barnard did such a good job of providing a warm environment and working on many aspects of the kids' development--academic (of course), social, emotional, civic. My child got much better differentiated instruction at Barnard than now--lots of one-on-one teacher/aide time to help him in areas of significant weakness AND time to nurture his strengths.

My daughter went to Barnard last year for PS-3. We loved it, the teachers, the principal, all of the staff. Is it perfect? No, there are some aggravations that are bound to come from being part of the DCPS system.

SHe got into a well-regarded charter (that goes through 12th grade) and we chose to leave mostly because we had concerns about where she would go after 4th grade. We considered staying until then, but weren't so sure she would have as much luck in the lottery if we waited until then.

And yes, the aftercare did use tv sometimes, although I have to say it was usually on cold days when the special needs kids were using the gymnasium, and I can see how it's hard to have a bunch of kids cooped up in a classroom. Were we happy about it? No not really. But that was our only real complaint about the school. And you get what you pay for, which was nothing (that was weird too, we could never get an answer on how to pay for after-care, but we probably didn't try as hard as we should have).

eraser gate schools are schools that had unusually high rates of erasures from incorrect answers to correct answers on the DC CAS.

OP here again:

what is a "eraser-gate schools"?

I know two parents who are at Barnard and say they really like it but, again, they applied for the charters and would be willing to leave if they got a better place. I am not sure why. It doesn't mean the school is bad, or not promising, but it may mean that it's not their first choice, or they want dual language, or closer to home...

Also I hear that the feeder school for Barnard is not that great.

The use of TV is in after care or during school?

Anonymous wrote:We are there for PS this year and may be there for PK unless something happens with the lotteries. We have been happy with DD's progress - she is learning to read in PS! The facility is very clean, the staff is kind and interested in our family. Her teacher is enthusiastic and warm. The uniforms are fantastic and easy to maintain - no more arguing in the morning! Not in love with the use of TV in the classroom. The structure and consistency has been very good for DD. Take a tour and ask all those questions, it's worth the time.

So you've been there for the year and have lots of good things to say but also seem to make it clear that you'd jump in a second if you got another option via the lottery? Doesn't seem terribly promising to me...

Is there TV use during the school day? Or is an aftercare problem.

We are there for PS this year and may be there for PK unless something happens with the lotteries. We have been happy with DD's progress - she is learning to read in PS! The facility is very clean, the staff is kind and interested in our family. Her teacher is enthusiastic and warm. The uniforms are fantastic and easy to maintain - no more arguing in the morning! Not in love with the use of TV in the classroom. The structure and consistency has been very good for DD. Take a tour and ask all those questions, it's worth the time.

isn't that one of the eraser-gate schools?

OP here! Sorry, new to the board and saw DCUM (moms) and thought it was only women. I am going to do the tour, for sure. I am just waiting to hear from other school's results. I appreciate the feedback!

Hi. Its not all women on this board - there are men too, like me, who care about their kids. Mine are in Barnard. Great school - beautiful facility, on-the-ball principal, motivated teachers. Now do yourself/your child a favor, take off work & visit the school. Talk with the principal, walk the halls, speak with teachers. This is your child's future after all.

Anyone in here who got it or is considering sending their kids there for PK? Or anyone who has gone to the tour and has any impressions? I know I should take the tour but it's been really hard to take off work and I was wondering if I could get an opinion from someone here. thanks ladies!