Anonymous wrote:If you had the choice of DCI or Deal, what did you choose and why? Thx

This is no brainer. Go DCI and if you don’t like it, you can always go to Deal. Not true the other way around.

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP: I wouldn't say your kid needs to be a "go-getter." But they do need to care enough about their studies to ask for help when they need, not be afraid to ask for clarification if they don't understand an assessment etc., and they would need to show up for the activities and non-class offerings.

Above is true of any medium to large school is that kids need to be able to take initiative. Deal is definitely no different.

I'm the PP: I wouldn't say your kid needs to be a "go-getter." But they do need to care enough about their studies to ask for help when they need, not be afraid to ask for clarification if they don't understand an assessment etc., and they would need to show up for the activities and non-class offerings.

If they work hard and can self-advocate, DCI really has great opportunities (and I am a parent that was not sold at all at the outset and was worried about Chromebook use and still do have worries, etc). There truly are a lot of different classes, clubs, activities for students who are even a little bit self-motivated and focused. There are also some quite inspirational teachers. There are also turnover issues and duds, as with other schools.

The IB diploma numbers are increasing year by year, and this year's college decisions are on that same upward trajectory. And the Career Program option noted above is looking stronger year by year too.

One of my kids is super bothered by disruptive kids, another one is not. So YMMY in that respect too.

Anonymous wrote:A few questions for the DCI parents:
1. I've heard everything is done on chromebook and that books, hand written assignments, etc. are rare. Is that true? (I've heard similar for Deal so am wondering if DCI is any better.)
Yes, EVERYTHING is on Chromebook
2. What about the kids that aren't high achievers? I have two bright kids that are average students. We do all we can to support them but math is still middling, punctuation/spelling terrible, etc. They won't be the kids that are automatically put in the grade above math. (Probably higher level Spanish but just because they speak and read well. Writting still average.) I'm a little worried the school works best for go-getters.

I have a bright student who does the bare minimum and gets away with it, so can only speak for that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A few questions for the DCI parents:
1. I've heard everything is done on chromebook and that books, hand written assignments, etc. are rare. Is that true? (I've heard similar for Deal so am wondering if DCI is any better.)
2. What about the kids that aren't high achievers? I have two bright kids that are average students. We do all we can to support them but math is still middling, punctuation/spelling terrible, etc. They won't be the kids that are automatically put in the grade above math. (Probably higher level Spanish but just because they speak and read well. Writting still average.) I'm a little worried the school works best for go-getters.

We have similar kids and are not doing DCI for those exact reasons. Kids can excel, but coasting is very normalized and the standards are low. My kids would never push themselves to anywhere near their potential, and I don’t want them to be applauded for putting in mediocre effort. It seems like a continuation of the feeder experience, but all on screens. If you are happy academically with your feeder or have a highly self motivated kid, and don’t mind them being 100% electronic, then give it a go.

I asked the question and probably wasn't clear. I think my kids have strengths and are aware, curious, etc. so used the word bright. But it doesn't come easy to them. They DO work hard, study, try .. they are still just middle of their class. So, my question, I guess is how are those classes for the kids that aren't necessarily going to make bilingual IB?

I think your kids will be fine. DCI middle does track in language and math.

So your kids could be in the highest language track and lower math track. BTW if your kid is in the highest language track, they will also “track” in other subjects taught in the language so DCI actually tracks more than most middle school

As to high school, DCI has a few pathways. The highest performing kids do the IB pathway. Their IB scores are good, esp considering they don’t self select and much better than Banneker. And contrary to what was said above, some kids do score high and have gotten into Ivy and top scores.

Kids get to choose which track so your kids don’t have to do the IB diploma track. They can do the career program track. The IT track looks good if your kid is into computers and programming

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A few questions for the DCI parents:
1. I've heard everything is done on chromebook and that books, hand written assignments, etc. are rare. Is that true? (I've heard similar for Deal so am wondering if DCI is any better.)
2. What about the kids that aren't high achievers? I have two bright kids that are average students. We do all we can to support them but math is still middling, punctuation/spelling terrible, etc. They won't be the kids that are automatically put in the grade above math. (Probably higher level Spanish but just because they speak and read well. Writting still average.) I'm a little worried the school works best for go-getters.

We have similar kids and are not doing DCI for those exact reasons. Kids can excel, but coasting is very normalized and the standards are low. My kids would never push themselves to anywhere near their potential, and I don’t want them to be applauded for putting in mediocre effort. It seems like a continuation of the feeder experience, but all on screens. If you are happy academically with your feeder or have a highly self motivated kid, and don’t mind them being 100% electronic, then give it a go.

I asked the question and probably wasn't clear. I think my kids have strengths and are aware, curious, etc. so used the word bright. But it doesn't come easy to them. They DO work hard, study, try .. they are still just middle of their class. So, my question, I guess is how are those classes for the kids that aren't necessarily going to make bilingual IB?

Many times on this board I’ve heard people say that they want a good school that is not high stress and too demanding. Based on above DCI seems to fit that mold.

Anonymous wrote:A few questions for the DCI parents:
1. I've heard everything is done on chromebook and that books, hand written assignments, etc. are rare. Is that true? (I've heard similar for Deal so am wondering if DCI is any better.)
2. What about the kids that aren't high achievers? I have two bright kids that are average students. We do all we can to support them but math is still middling, punctuation/spelling terrible, etc. They won't be the kids that are automatically put in the grade above math. (Probably higher level Spanish but just because they speak and read well. Writting still average.) I'm a little worried the school works best for go-getters.

We have similar kids and are not doing DCI for those exact reasons. Kids can excel, but coasting is very normalized and the standards are low. My kids would never push themselves to anywhere near their potential, and I don’t want them to be applauded for putting in mediocre effort. It seems like a continuation of the feeder experience, but all on screens. If you are happy academically with your feeder or have a highly self motivated kid, and don’t mind them being 100% electronic, then give it a go.

A few questions for the DCI parents:
1. I've heard everything is done on chromebook and that books, hand written assignments, etc. are rare. Is that true? (I've heard similar for Deal so am wondering if DCI is any better.)
2. What about the kids that aren't high achievers? I have two bright kids that are average students. We do all we can to support them but math is still middling, punctuation/spelling terrible, etc. They won't be the kids that are automatically put in the grade above math. (Probably higher level Spanish but just because they speak and read well. Writting still average.) I'm a little worried the school works best for go-getters.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at their college acceptances, IB offerings (AP tests are not as prestigious as IB diplomas) and diversity. DCI wins by a mile!

Deal has an abysmal record of getting its students into colleges. As far as I can tell, not a single student has ever been accepted from Deal into any college. These students usually require another four years of education at some other school before colleges will even consider them. Outrageous!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at their college acceptances, IB offerings (AP tests are not as prestigious as IB diplomas) and diversity. DCI wins by a mile!

Deal has an abysmal record of getting its students into colleges. As far as I can tell, not a single student has ever been accepted from Deal into any college. These students usually require another four years of education at some other school before colleges will even consider them. Outrageous!

We know what PP means in regards to committing to Deal and then JR.

PP is also correct that doing well in IB diploma makes an applicant stand out.

Kids taking a ton of AP are now a dime a dozen at the competitive colleges

Except few DCI kids even get the IB diploma. DCI students also don’t score very well on the IB exams. This is not a selling point for DCI.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at their college acceptances, IB offerings (AP tests are not as prestigious as IB diplomas) and diversity. DCI wins by a mile!

Deal has an abysmal record of getting its students into colleges. As far as I can tell, not a single student has ever been accepted from Deal into any college. These students usually require another four years of education at some other school before colleges will even consider them. Outrageous!

We know what PP means in regards to committing to Deal and then JR.

PP is also correct that doing well in IB diploma makes an applicant stand out.

Kids taking a ton of AP are now a dime a dozen at the competitive colleges

Anonymous wrote:Look at their college acceptances, IB offerings (AP tests are not as prestigious as IB diplomas) and diversity. DCI wins by a mile!

Deal has an abysmal record of getting its students into colleges. As far as I can tell, not a single student has ever been accepted from Deal into any college. These students usually require another four years of education at some other school before colleges will even consider them. Outrageous!

Look at their college acceptances, IB offerings (AP tests are not as prestigious as IB diplomas) and diversity. DCI wins by a mile!