Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't realize West has a new principal. I visited West 2 years ago when we were applying for our older son in the lottery and they mentioned their ROAR Matrix - it was something like (I may not have it exactly right):
- Responsibility
- Obedience
- Accountability
- Respect

I was just inwardly shuddering when they talked about it - pretty much brought back every bad memory of school growing up. I never ever got in trouble and was almost a straight A student - yet I felt like I was in a police state.

Then in visiting schools I learned about the Four Is at Inspired Teaching:
- Intellect
- Inquiry
- Imagination
- Integrity

That pretty much sealed the deal for me that ITS was the right school for us. I think in some ways you can pretty much divide schools in DC between ROAR-like models and something else meant to stimulate students, not to merely control them.

You botched the acronym (organized, not obedient), and it's use. There's a lot more focus on rewarding positive behavior than punishing bad behavior. There's an awesome school culture team. Did you meet the school counselor? She's awesome.

You're welcome to make your own choice about schools, but it's kind of a jerk move to crap on someone else's choice just to advertise your own kool-aid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't realize West has a new principal. I visited West 2 years ago when we were applying for our older son in the lottery and they mentioned their ROAR Matrix - it was something like (I may not have it exactly right):
- Responsibility
- Obedience
- Accountability
- Respect

I was just inwardly shuddering when they talked about it - pretty much brought back every bad memory of school growing up. I never ever got in trouble and was almost a straight A student - yet I felt like I was in a police state.

Then in visiting schools I learned about the Four Is at Inspired Teaching:
- Intellect
- Inquiry
- Imagination
- Integrity

That pretty much sealed the deal for me that ITS was the right school for us. I think in some ways you can pretty much divide schools in DC between ROAR-like models and something else meant to stimulate students, not to merely control them.

You botched the acronym (organized, not obedient), and it's use. There's a lot more focus on rewarding positive behavior than punishing bad behavior. There's an awesome school culture team. Did you meet the school counselor? She's awesome.

You're welcome to make your own choice about schools, but it's kind of a jerk move to crap on someone else's choice just to advertise your own kool-aid.

Anonymous wrote:I didn't realize West has a new principal. I visited West 2 years ago when we were applying for our older son in the lottery and they mentioned their ROAR Matrix - it was something like (I may not have it exactly right):
- Responsibility
- Obedience
- Accountability
- Respect

I was just inwardly shuddering when they talked about it - pretty much brought back every bad memory of school growing up. I never ever got in trouble and was almost a straight A student - yet I felt like I was in a police state.

Then in visiting schools I learned about the Four Is at Inspired Teaching:
- Intellect
- Inquiry
- Imagination
- Integrity

That pretty much sealed the deal for me that ITS was the right school for us. I think in some ways you can pretty much divide schools in DC between ROAR-like models and something else meant to stimulate students, not to merely control them.

Anonymous wrote:I didn't realize West has a new principal. I visited West 2 years ago when we were applying for our older son in the lottery and they mentioned their ROAR Matrix - it was something like (I may not have it exactly right):
- Responsibility
- Obedience
- Accountability
- Respect

I was just inwardly shuddering when they talked about it - pretty much brought back every bad memory of school growing up. I never ever got in trouble and was almost a straight A student - yet I felt like I was in a police state.

Then in visiting schools I learned about the Four Is at Inspired Teaching:
- Intellect
- Inquiry
- Imagination
- Integrity

That pretty much sealed the deal for me that ITS was the right school for us. I think in some ways you can pretty much divide schools in DC between ROAR-like models and something else meant to stimulate students, not to merely control them.

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the PK teachers at West are phenomenal. I recommend staying at West at least through PK4 but try to potter for other schools for K and up since West is in flux with the upcoming renovations and staff turnover.