A Ward 3 charter school?

Around DC, rich, white folks are suddenly very interested in SSMA.

I'm a former SSMA parent who lives east of the park. Neither location would have worked well for our family, but out of the two options (10 year lease on Wisconsin Ave. vs 2 year colocation with Sela), I would have strongly preferred this one. There is outdoor space and a lot of neighborhood amenities in the new neighborhood, which was not in any way true of the Sela space. For me, this commute wouldn't have been on my way to work, but I would have been more enthusiastic about it, given the other things the neighborhood has to offer.

I will be very sad if the school loses its diversity and its multicultural focus completely.

Anonymous wrote:It is a shame that is where they wound up. That area is not easily accessible via public transportation.

SELA would have been a much better choice.

+1 on that and the ses diversity worry.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure some Ward 3 familes are happy.

Really? Shining Stars had a mission to educate lower SES children - not exactly the typical Ward 3 demographic profile.

I'm sure lower SES children (parents) will pass on that commute.

Former SSMA family here. I expect that the school will get whiter and richer in the upcoming years. It's a shame because currently SSMA is an incredibly diverse school, and I think that was one of their great strengths.

^^THIS^^. I was thinking about the exact same thing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure some Ward 3 familes are happy.

Really? Shining Stars had a mission to educate lower SES children - not exactly the typical Ward 3 demographic profile.

I'm sure lower SES children (parents) will pass on that commute.

Former SSMA family here. I expect that the school will get whiter and richer in the upcoming years. It's a shame because currently SSMA is an incredibly diverse school, and I think that was one of their great strengths.

Anonymous wrote:Wow, first charter school in Ward 3!

Also how are they going transform that office building into a school in a few weeks?

It can be done as many Charters have gone through this same process.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure some Ward 3 familes are happy.

Really? Shining Stars had a mission to educate lower SES children - not exactly the typical Ward 3 demographic profile.

I'm sure lower SES children (parents) will pass on that commute.

Wow, first charter school in Ward 3!

Also how are they going transform that office building into a school in a few weeks?

It is a shame that is where they wound up. That area is not easily accessible via public transportation.

SELA would have been a much better choice.

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure some Ward 3 familes are happy.

Really? Shining Stars had a mission to educate lower SES children - not exactly the typical Ward 3 demographic profile.

I'm sure some Ward 3 familes are happy.

It wouldn't have worked for my family, but it looks like a good deal for the school. Lease is for 10+ years and there is outdoor space. If we were still at the school, I would be a little bit concerned about parking/drop off, but I'm sure that the school will work out how to deal with that, since they will be there long term.

I am not a SSMA parent but know of some EOTP families who are going there. That will be one hell of a commute :-/. Don't they have early school hours too? Yikes :-/.

Here it is.

http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/18773271/2461-Wisconsin-Ave-NW-Washington-DC/

Shining Stars has announced their new location, in upper Georgetown, next to the Guy Mason Rec center. The address is 2461 Wisconsin Avenue. What do parents think?