Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Greatschools is basically just a rehash of test scores. It doesn't tell you anything about lower grades. We are having a great experience for PK3 and PK4.

No doubt you are having a good experience bc that's not really "school" it's just care taking with some academic stuff thrown in. It's not hard to have a fabulous experience in preschool.

Parents who leave low rates schools for higher rates schools almost always say the same - they thought their low rates school was great bc they didn't know anything else. Once in a higher rates school, they then understood and saw the difference.

If bu "academic stuff" you mean reading at the 1st grade level by the end of PK3, then sure. I do want to move her into a better middle school feeder, but PK3 exceeded my expectations and was far better than the reputation of the school overall.

NP. Who wants that for their kid? Not age appropriate. That's actually the main problem I have with my kid doing PK at a school serving lots of disadvantaged kids - academics being pushed too much too early. It's not going to put your kid ahead of those who went to a play-based preschool by the time it counts.

It was Tools of the Mind. I did not seek it out, but that is what happened. DD loves her school and never felt pushed. Plenty of other kids that we are friends with, do not read. I am just saying, they made sure she got taught at her level and she thrived.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, kids are doing great. Although it was a 6, now an 7 on great schools.

The absolute test scores aren't the biggest deal to me. The school environment is good and the student growth in scores is pretty good. There's also a lot of differentiation especially after kindergarten so the kids are challenged appropriately.

I'm sure I don't get a lot of jealous looks on the playground because it's not WOTP or a HRCS but I don't care.

Which school are you at? We may be looking to move next year.

West EC

West has never been considered a 'crappy' school.

This

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Greatschools is basically just a rehash of test scores. It doesn't tell you anything about lower grades. We are having a great experience for PK3 and PK4.

No doubt you are having a good experience bc that's not really "school" it's just care taking with some academic stuff thrown in. It's not hard to have a fabulous experience in preschool.

Parents who leave low rates schools for higher rates schools almost always say the same - they thought their low rates school was great bc they didn't know anything else. Once in a higher rates school, they then understood and saw the difference.

If bu "academic stuff" you mean reading at the 1st grade level by the end of PK3, then sure. I do want to move her into a better middle school feeder, but PK3 exceeded my expectations and was far better than the reputation of the school overall.

NP. Who wants that for their kid? Not age appropriate. That's actually the main problem I have with my kid doing PK at a school serving lots of disadvantaged kids - academics being pushed too much too early. It's not going to put your kid ahead of those who went to a play-based preschool by the time it counts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, kids are doing great. Although it was a 6, now an 7 on great schools.

The absolute test scores aren't the biggest deal to me. The school environment is good and the student growth in scores is pretty good. There's also a lot of differentiation especially after kindergarten so the kids are challenged appropriately.

I'm sure I don't get a lot of jealous looks on the playground because it's not WOTP or a HRCS but I don't care.

Which school are you at? We may be looking to move next year.

West EC

West has never been considered a 'crappy' school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, kids are doing great. Although it was a 6, now an 7 on great schools.

The absolute test scores aren't the biggest deal to me. The school environment is good and the student growth in scores is pretty good. There's also a lot of differentiation especially after kindergarten so the kids are challenged appropriately.

I'm sure I don't get a lot of jealous looks on the playground because it's not WOTP or a HRCS but I don't care.

Which school are you at? We may be looking to move next year.

West EC

Anonymous wrote:Yes, kids are doing great. Although it was a 6, now an 7 on great schools.

The absolute test scores aren't the biggest deal to me. The school environment is good and the student growth in scores is pretty good. There's also a lot of differentiation especially after kindergarten so the kids are challenged appropriately.

I'm sure I don't get a lot of jealous looks on the playground because it's not WOTP or a HRCS but I don't care.

Which school are you at? We may be looking to move next year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Greatschools is basically just a rehash of test scores. It doesn't tell you anything about lower grades. We are having a great experience for PK3 and PK4.

No doubt you are having a good experience bc that's not really "school" it's just care taking with some academic stuff thrown in. It's not hard to have a fabulous experience in preschool.

Parents who leave low rates schools for higher rates schools almost always say the same - they thought their low rates school was great bc they didn't know anything else. Once in a higher rates school, they then understood and saw the difference.

If bu "academic stuff" you mean reading at the 1st grade level by the end of PK3, then sure. I do want to move her into a better middle school feeder, but PK3 exceeded my expectations and was far better than the reputation of the school overall.

DS's school is a GS4. I was a bit freaked out when I found out--we moved to a place with a small rental market, and didn't really have a choice of schools.

He's in his second year now, and we love his school! The teachers and administrators are amazing, and he's learning so much. Don't know what's up with that score.

Yes, kids are doing great. Although it was a 6, now an 7 on great schools.

The absolute test scores aren't the biggest deal to me. The school environment is good and the student growth in scores is pretty good. There's also a lot of differentiation especially after kindergarten so the kids are challenged appropriately.

I'm sure I don't get a lot of jealous looks on the playground because it's not WOTP or a HRCS but I don't care.

Anonymous wrote:Greatschools is basically just a rehash of test scores. It doesn't tell you anything about lower grades. We are having a great experience for PK3 and PK4.

No doubt you are having a good experience bc that's not really "school" it's just care taking with some academic stuff thrown in. It's not hard to have a fabulous experience in preschool.

Parents who leave low rates schools for higher rates schools almost always say the same - they thought their low rates school was great bc they didn't know anything else. Once in a higher rates school, they then understood and saw the difference.

Greatschools is basically just a rehash of test scores. It doesn't tell you anything about lower grades. We are having a great experience for PK3 and PK4.

Yep! I ignore great schools ratings now based on experience and anecdotes from friends.

Yes we are having a great year so far at our "bad" school.

Great schools has no bearing in DC.

Our school is a 3 on great schools. 3 years ago we played the lottery and tried to move but ended up "having" to send our DD to the in bounds schools for K. We assumed we would get her transferred by Christmas or move. We ended up loving the teacher and really being pretty pleased all around. We "rolled the dice" with first grade and had a similar experience. Our teacher was great and I got more involved in the school and was really pretty happy there. 2nd grade was a little more "meh" on the teacher but we felt comfortable with the kids and the school and the principal and it was still a great year. Going into 3rd and expected a decent year again. We have a rising Ker too and expect her to have a good year. I don't think our school is miss rated as much as I think its just still pretty good. Its safe and seems to have loving teachers and parents. Anyone else with a similar experience?