Wasnt HRCS a joke? I think it’s not a real thing.

Anonymous wrote:ECE is fantastic at CMI. DC and we loved it. So many fun learning themes. Great field trips. I would highly recommend it.

We left after ECE because we really wanted language immersion so can’t speak for the higher grades. But so, so loved ECE.

PK4 is not 4th grade.

ECE is fantastic at CMI. DC and we loved it. So many fun learning themes. Great field trips. I would highly recommend it.

We left after ECE because we really wanted language immersion so can’t speak for the higher grades. But so, so loved ECE.

We’ve been there for a few years. I feel like the school has been moving in a positive direction since leadership changed. More families have been sticking around into later grades. Its better than our local DCPS. I’m guessing that if a family is looking for up grades they feel the same about their DCPS. The families we’ve known that have left have done so for schools west of the park (if staying in DC) or the suburbs for a stronger middle and high school path (plus less crime, etc). I don’t think that is unique to CMI. There just aren’t a lot of good options long term.

If you're near CMI and want a nearby alternative that isn't Barnard, try ELHaynes or West.

Anonymous wrote:Wasn't Creative Minds one of the original HRCS? I almost pulled my kids from our in-bound ES about 6 years ago because it was supposed to be so much better. And then the school moved to the space with the fabulous outdoor area and it seems like things started going down hill then.

Yes. Nearby DCPS have improved considerably, and other HRCS have developed, so CMI no longer has the market share it once did.

Wasn't Creative Minds one of the original HRCS? I almost pulled my kids from our in-bound ES about 6 years ago because it was supposed to be so much better. And then the school moved to the space with the fabulous outdoor area and it seems like things started going down hill then.

The hard part with CMI is where do you go instead that is not far away?

We had two kids and pulled them. The school is more concerned with optics than they are with substance. Our child was placed in a very dangerous situation and not only did the school fail to follow the legal requirements, they didn't demonstrate any empathy to our child or our family. I think their license should be pulled. I am appalled they are allowed to continue operating.

Google is your friend.

If your inbound school is anywhere nearby it probably has better test scores than CMI, with a student body that faces more challenges.

i have many friends there and they love the PK and lower grades. All are wary about upper grades, academic challenge and none have stayed for middle school.

Seems like a lot of people switch away from Creative Minds in upper elementary. I would approach with caution and really do your research. The test scores are underwhelming relative to demographics.

There is a lot of input about people's experiences at CMI on this board, most of it is not great. I only have second hand experience myself, but have friends who leave and are shocked at how far behind their kids seem to be (but this of course is anecdata). I think it depends what other school you are comparing it to--what is your other option??

We got an offer in the upper elementary grades. Please share your experience with this school.
Thanks