OP, I personally would not place my child in a school that is 99% FARMS. The social atmosphere will be different. Usually kids from these types of backgrounds come to school with lots of social, cognitive,emotional, and behavoirial problems. I'm not saying that all FARM students fit this profile. However, in DC it's most likely that these children come from dysfunctional homes where there is child abuse, substance abuse issues, and a list of other problems. It could be a cultural shock listening to a four year verbalizing profanity and misogynistic words, but can't even recite the alphabet. It will be a cultural shock to witness how angry, maladjusted, and unstable these students are. Most of these students never been read to, never been told the words, "I love you", or their emotional needs were never met from the time they were infants. Teachers spend a great deal of time trying to diffuse negative social behavior that teaching sometimes take a backseat. Which means your child's needs aren't going to get met because the priorities of the FARM students are so much more important. The needs of the FARM students are a priority. The entire educational setting will be focus on assisting those students with the various issues that they bring to school. The fact of the matter is that many poor inner-city children in DC are born to parents who don't give a damn. So, when unstable parents bring children into the world, it is up to the schools to provide some form of stability, love, attention, and other unmet needs to these children. I think there are some phenomenal teachers and specialists out there who do an amazing job with these students. However, it's a difficult task. It's the reason why so many DCPS are problematic. We have a culture of children who are born from generations of poverty, child abuse, and other issues. Teachers are forced to take on the role of a parent in these classrooms.

Also, it will be extremely difficult for you to establish friendships with the parents. There is a provincial attitude and a strong level of resistance with some DC residents (especially those from the lower class black communities) against integration and diversity. So, you may encounter some negative attitudes and behaviors from the parents as well.

You have to ask yourself do you want to take a risk and make your child the sacrificial lamb?

Anonymous wrote:We're at Powell. First off, the earliest grades don't seem to reflect 99% FARMS, so I think those stats are bound to change.

On your primary question, there is a language and cultural cleavage between parents who speak English and don't but it is not an unfriendly environment in the slightest. Being friendly and getting to know people can overcome pretty much any of that. Even if your Spanish is terrible.

If you're one of those people who waves at older neighbors and tries to learn parents' names in class you'll be fine. If you're one of those urbanites who walks past the same people every day with iPhone earbuds in, you'll have to make a greater level of effort.

Again as has been said, if you are comfortable in your own neighborhood you'll probably be just fine at your neighborhood school.

Every child eats free at Powell. No one fills out a form. So how would you know what that percentage would be?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I volunteer once a week at a school on Capitol Hill that is listed as 99% FARMS. I don't think that it is actually a full 99% low income, but that designation indicates that a very high percentage of the student population is low-income.

The behavior that I have personally witnessed is much more than "boy banter/playful aggression." I have seen serious fighting (in which children get hurt) and heard horrible language. Many of the children are outright defiant to teachers. They seem to have no respect for adults and either run around the room or wander the halls. Sadly, the classes in which I've seen this behavior have been very young children -- 1st and 2nd graders.

FARMS rate related to behavior???

Yes. Absolutely. It is called poverty.

The school in my neighborhood is listed as 99% FARMs but the info is actually outdated and DcPS hasn't updated yet.

The preschool is excellent but I would probably leave before K.

And KIPP and DC Prep are high FARMS as well ......

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I volunteer once a week at a school on Capitol Hill that is listed as 99% FARMS. I don't think that it is actually a full 99% low income, but that designation indicates that a very high percentage of the student population is low-income.

The behavior that I have personally witnessed is much more than "boy banter/playful aggression." I have seen serious fighting (in which children get hurt) and heard horrible language. Many of the children are outright defiant to teachers. They seem to have no respect for adults and either run around the room or wander the halls. Sadly, the classes in which I've seen this behavior have been very young children -- 1st and 2nd graders.

FARMS rate related to behavior???

Uh...yeah....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I volunteer once a week at a school on Capitol Hill that is listed as 99% FARMS. I don't think that it is actually a full 99% low income, but that designation indicates that a very high percentage of the student population is low-income.

The behavior that I have personally witnessed is much more than "boy banter/playful aggression." I have seen serious fighting (in which children get hurt) and heard horrible language. Many of the children are outright defiant to teachers. They seem to have no respect for adults and either run around the room or wander the halls. Sadly, the classes in which I've seen this behavior have been very young children -- 1st and 2nd graders.

FARMS rate related to behavior???

Just my observation. I have been in many many schools over the years as a parent, volunteer, and admin staff. This is my first 99% FARMS school and the first time I have ever witnessed such behavior or dysfunction in a school.

Maybe it's not the FARMS rate. It could be something else.

Anonymous wrote:I volunteer once a week at a school on Capitol Hill that is listed as 99% FARMS. I don't think that it is actually a full 99% low income, but that designation indicates that a very high percentage of the student population is low-income.

The behavior that I have personally witnessed is much more than "boy banter/playful aggression." I have seen serious fighting (in which children get hurt) and heard horrible language. Many of the children are outright defiant to teachers. They seem to have no respect for adults and either run around the room or wander the halls. Sadly, the classes in which I've seen this behavior have been very young children -- 1st and 2nd graders.

FARMS rate related to behavior???

I volunteer once a week at a school on Capitol Hill that is listed as 99% FARMS. I don't think that it is actually a full 99% low income, but that designation indicates that a very high percentage of the student population is low-income.

The behavior that I have personally witnessed is much more than "boy banter/playful aggression." I have seen serious fighting (in which children get hurt) and heard horrible language. Many of the children are outright defiant to teachers. They seem to have no respect for adults and either run around the room or wander the halls. Sadly, the classes in which I've seen this behavior have been very young children -- 1st and 2nd graders.

Those schools are not actually all 99% FARMS. Some may be, but likely they are high, not that high.

From DCPS:

Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
For school year 2013-14, 75 schools have been certified for the Community Eligibility Option (CEO), allowing all children at those schools to receive lunch meals at no charge. Households in which all students attend CEO schools are not required to submit a FARM application for 2013-14. Refer to the list below for schools that are certified by the Community Eligibility Option.

The list of those 75 schools is available here:
http://www.dc.gov/DCPS/Beyond+the+Classroom/Food+Services/Application+for+Free+and+Reduced+Meals

I am a teacher at a school with the population you describe. It really depends on the personality of the kids who are the 1% as to whether or not they seem to like the school and fit in. It seems like it works well for: athletic boys who enjoy "boys banter/teasing/playful aggression" and girls who are easy going and don't get their feelings hurt easily. Some of the 1% start pre-k and then leave.

We're at Powell. First off, the earliest grades don't seem to reflect 99% FARMS, so I think those stats are bound to change.

On your primary question, there is a language and cultural cleavage between parents who speak English and don't but it is not an unfriendly environment in the slightest. Being friendly and getting to know people can overcome pretty much any of that. Even if your Spanish is terrible.

If you're one of those people who waves at older neighbors and tries to learn parents' names in class you'll be fine. If you're one of those urbanites who walks past the same people every day with iPhone earbuds in, you'll have to make a greater level of effort.

Again as has been said, if you are comfortable in your own neighborhood you'll probably be just fine at your neighborhood school.

Time to move OP. By late elementary & middle school there is a huge difference. 99% falling behind, getting girls pregnant, etc.

1 percent for race? Which school? Are you asian?

Has anyone been in the 1% at a 99% FARM school or similar situation? Several of the schools near us are at or very close to that level. I've only been able to visit one of them so far and the pre-school seemed acceptable, not markedly different from some more diverse ones we've seen (public and private). People I've talked to who are not familiar with the school think I'm crazy to even consider being in the 1% on both race and income. I know it's a difficult topic, but I hope it can stay civil since I'm curious to hear if anyone on this site has been in that boat and what the experience was like.