Anonymous wrote:There was on some prior thread, I swear a family that had experience at both. But I know too well these threads are hard to search. GL!

xxxxxxx has experience at both

I think the PP has a point about people peeling off for middle school possibilities. You see the same thing happening at a lot of well-regarded non-Deal-feeding DCPS and charter schools. But bear in mind these are the "leading edge" classes of IT we're talking about at this point.

My guess is that by the time the little kids who have two classes per grade at IT (PS-1st now) get to middle school age, there will be fewer of them leaving. Of course, it all depends on how the middle school at IT pans out. But I don't think 5 years from now the Latin/BASIS/Deal options will necessarily be on the table for a lot of kids due to increased demand. Didn't Latin have some insane number of applicants this year? It's also impossible to know if your now 2-3 year old will thrive in a big middle school like Deal or do better in a smaller one like IT's will be.

So, OP, what grade is this for?

There is a family at Hearst who started at IT, let's see if she responds. I know that they love Hearst but I don't know why they left IT.

I am a Hearst parent but I have friends at IT. I feel like they are both great schools and most people, if choosing between the two, would base their decision mostly on commute and how certain they feel about the middle/high school path.

bump

There was on some prior thread, I swear a family that had experience at both. But I know too well these threads are hard to search. GL!

OP here. Thanks for these thoughtful responses. Can anyone here talk about the strengths and weaknesses of Hearst? And is there anyone with experience with both schools (I realize that may be only a handful of people...)

How many of the IT parents will stay past 4th grade when programs like BASIS, Latin, and later Deal will be available to them? Big boosters may say they will stay but the majority are looking for something different by the time middle school starts.

Well, the Deal/Wilson pathway is huge. But (and I say this as a charter school parent) I think that as your child gets into the older elementry school age (3rd and 4th) that is where the benefit and stability of the DCPS wins over charter schools. You see many of the "newer" parents in the city tend to swarm to the YY, MV and CM because of the exciting programs that these schools bring.

However, the long term parents who have lived in this city are staying the the OOB Ward 3 schools, Cap City or other school programs with long track records and history of performance.

I'm not saying IT isn't (or won't be) a great school. E.L. Haynes and Stokes were the shiny new toys just a few years ago.

OP here. 14:41, could you tell me why Hearst, aside from the Deal/Wilson pathway?

IT Hands down.

Hearst!!!!!! Duh.

Isn't IT going till 8th grade? If the whole city goes lottery for High School then it doesn't matter where you were previously. Having said that, I think Hearst is a gem of a school and would be reluctant to give up the spot. But, people like IT too ....... Visit both and talk to parents.

You'd likely be grandfathered in to a good feeder pattern. Especially if your home is near Hearst, I would pick that. Plus all the other great things about that school!

No long term deals are on the table right now. Keep that in mind.

Hearst gives you a long-term plan with Deal and Wilson. I would take it in a heartbeat over IT.

Does any parent on this forum have experience with both schools and can tell me pros and cons?