Anonymous wrote:See, here is what I'm missing about DCI, and maybe someone can point it out to me (I'm not at a feeder school but another popular charter). It seems that in this area, the push to immersion and language pendulum has swung so far to the detriment of all other things (the above poster as an example). Maybe as the child of non-Americans, I see it more clearly, speaking other language is great and important, however DCI has not pushed any plans for instruction on other aspects of the school.

My child will learn language, it's a given, MORE important to me, is learning basic math, science technology, reading to be on par with the rest of world (not the US, but the world).

If the PP is correct about Deals old principal the academics of the school will be great. She will take on the view point of the non immersion side.

See, here is what I'm missing about DCI, and maybe someone can point it out to me (I'm not at a feeder school but another popular charter). It seems that in this area, the push to immersion and language pendulum has swung so far to the detriment of all other things (the above poster as an example). Maybe as the child of non-Americans, I see it more clearly, speaking other language is great and important, however DCI has not pushed any plans for instruction on other aspects of the school.

My child will learn language, it's a given, MORE important to me, is learning basic math, science technology, reading to be on par with the rest of world (not the US, but the world).

I'm a new parent to a feeder and I too am THRILLED!!! This venture will be hard to pull off, but with a positive attitude and hard work, it can rise to the caliber of the schools that will feed into it. Of course, dedicated parents are crucial to this. I, for one, am thinking longterm for my DC. Also, for parents who've been shut out, one way to battle the attrition issue and to open up the program for other kids is for parents to start using their own resources to get their kids exposed to one of the three target languages. There are language programs out there. Alliance Francais, the Beauvoir language institute, etc... I had my DS in a program for two years until I got into an immersion charter. He's doing excellent and is on par with the kids who have two more years in the school then he did. Sometimes you have to take things into your own hands, especially if you want great things to happen.

I hear that Melissa Kim (former principal of Deal) is helping to support DCI. That makes me feel like this unicorn school is becoming a reality. She was able to build Deal to what it is today. I am thrilled that she is now helping this school get started!

I've watched several programs dwindle as parents decide to pull kids out for "better" things. There is no school that has 100% retention. In addition to families who move far away, families decided on private schools (for many valid reasons - smaller class size, specialized programs), by high school, students will chose their preferred programs, and I'm sure DCI students will apply to and get in to specialized application only schools -- Walls, McKinley Tech, Ellington, etc. -- offer things DCI can't. And who knows, maybe the anonymous parents on DCUM will change their minds. A lottery system, you get who you get, every year.

NP, we didn't know a thing about DCI when we applied to our feeder school, but we were totally committed to our kid going through 5th or 6th grade so her language proficiency is excellent. Now we are THRILLED at the plans for DCI, and when we see what some of the feeder schools have accomplished so far at their individual schools, I'm quite confident DCI will be an amazing middle and high school. If it's not, I still won't regret my child's time in her great current school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You realize DCI become a reality just last fall. The only people who knew that DCI was a possibility for middle and high school were the people applying to the feeders for this fall. Not all of us are parents of 3/4 yrs olds here and had alternative plans for middle and HS prior to DCI. Many/most parents may decide to stick it out. DCI certainly has potential. But others like us, plan on leaving DC by then and return to our hometown which does not mean we are "bailing."

That's what is annoying to most of us. See, for those of us FROM DC, who are working hard to make commitment to these schools (and I'm not in a DCI feeder school) you are just filler. You are taking space for someone who actually could make a long term difference. Just go back to Kansas now so we do t waste our time on you.

Like it or not DC is a transient town and yeah, we're here for work like everyone else who moves here not b/c we LOVE it or have any connection whatsoever aside from making a living. We chose to live in DC and send our kid to a public charter school even though most everyone we knew back in NYC was mortified, DC public schools are famous all over the country...

I'm sorry you feel that way but know that we'll be glad to leave too.

We'll be staying at our charter til 5th which is what we signed up for when we applied. We love it btw.

Well hopefully the charter board will make a way for test in or have a prerequisite which means you have to have come from a dual language school before entering who knows.

Anonymous wrote:You realize DCI become a reality just last fall. The only people who knew that DCI was a possibility for middle and high school were the people applying to the feeders for this fall. Not all of us are parents of 3/4 yrs olds here and had alternative plans for middle and HS prior to DCI. Many/most parents may decide to stick it out. DCI certainly has potential. But others like us, plan on leaving DC by then and return to our hometown which does not mean we are "bailing."

That's what is annoying to most of us. See, for those of us FROM DC, who are working hard to make commitment to these schools (and I'm not in a DCI feeder school) you are just filler. You are taking space for someone who actually could make a long term difference. Just go back to Kansas now so we do t waste our time on you.

You realize DCI become a reality just last fall. The only people who knew that DCI was a possibility for middle and high school were the people applying to the feeders for this fall. Not all of us are parents of 3/4 yrs olds here and had alternative plans for middle and HS prior to DCI. Many/most parents may decide to stick it out. DCI certainly has potential. But others like us, plan on leaving DC by then and return to our hometown which does not mean we are "bailing."

I've lived in DC a long time. I don't think all the people who have committed to DCI will still be here when their kids are in 9th grade. Time will tell.

Well that's a bummer! We just started PK at a DCI feeder and now I find out from DCUM that the DCI is going to be doomed by white flight. I'll pass the on the word to our fellow parents.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't take what you read on DCUM as gospel....

Good point. However, every year kids leave my kid's charter and they are advertising empty spots in the upper grades now. The year my daughter got in I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and I got her a spot without dealing with the lottery (right time = now, September after school has started.) So people do leave...and I'd be inclined to think that parents who are more engaged in their children's education are the types to read forums about DC schools. It's unfortunate that quite a few are posting that they wont even give DCI a chance.

I wouldn't take what you read on DCUM as gospel....

...if you are just planning to pull your kids out in middle or high school? On several of these threads, people comment that their kids are in one of these schools, but that the DCI is "untested" and that they aren't going to keep their kids there. Wouldn't this leave a bunch of holes in the upper classes that won't be easily filled by "outside" kids who don't speak French or Mandarin? It seems like if this is the trend, the DCI will end up being only Spanish/English immersion in the upper grades since that's where the greater demand is. Too bad "white flight" mentality is dooming the school before it's even up and running...