Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child currently attend a DC private school. We are contemplating moving to a better school district. We're looking at homes in the Carderock, Seven Locks areas. I'm concerned that my child will be the only African American (or minority) child in the class (I viewed the Carderock website and saw no children of color on the PTA webpage), and that he'll as a result be adversely affected. For those familiar with these schools, I'd appreciate any insight you can offer regarding this issue.

I say to suck it up.

We have good friends (high-powered black couple) with two kids in private schools. Both children are clearly minorities, but b/c their parents don't make a big deal of it, the kids are fine. One is in my daughter's class (elementary); the other is at a private girls' school (middle).

Both are receiving an excellent education. There comes a time when you need to choose. And when you're given a strong foundation, you're more likely to succeed. Furthermore, YOU'RE the main teacher for your children. So when difficulties arise, they'll be fine if you're there to help them.

best of luck in your decision

Are you black? Because if you're not, you may not fully appreciate the difficulties involved. Pointing out one family is hardly comforting.

OP, I posted a thread a few months ago that may be of interest to you - there are some posts that discuss the experiences of black students in mostly while public and private schools. http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/219457.page#2199333

Again, it's not about race; it's about income level.

I hate when people say this. It is sometimes about income level, and sometimes about race. And sometimes it is about both. I think too many White folks (and I'm White) just cannot admit that race is still an issue in our society. I'm not saying it's everything, but pretending it doesn't matter and telling people to "suck it up" is just insensitive.

And as a white person, you can be too PC, which gets us nowhere.

I am by no means racially insensitive. I am honest. I am educator (secondary) working in a school where I'm in the minority. Each year I am given some very sad cases. These students (mostly juniors and seniors) can barely read at a 6th grade level, yet they are expected to perform at level in order to graduate. Most have serious attendance issues, are often neglected, are sometimes teen mothers, have language barriers and have been expelled for serious drug issues. Even so, I focus on strengthening their weak areas to make the most of my time with them.

On the flip side, my husband works with high achievers who are part of a special program in a low-performing school. They are as diverse as can be, but there are two main factors that allow them to be successful - fewer FARMs students (free and reduced meals) and involved parents.

At my daughter's private school, minority parents could care less that their children are perhaps a third of the school. Their focus is on a rigorous program with few to no disruptions.

That's the truth. It is what it is.

In this area, we have a high concentration of immigrant families from all over who face all sorts of obstacles. We also have an underachieving population of African American and Latino students - mostly males - who are tempted to join gangs as a form of protection. Their children deserve an excellent education, too, but unfortunately, given the crunch, class sizes are huge, resources are low, and hard working teachers are burning out. And despite proactive measures, such as identifying weaknesses before placing students, some students are so low that it's impossible to catch them up w/in a year or two.

Unless we speak the truth, we'll get nowhere. So if I've offended some of you, so be it. But if you had the choice, which school would you pick? mine or a private institution where the playing field is level?

Anonymous wrote:My child currently attend a DC private school. We are contemplating moving to a better school district. We're looking at homes in the Carderock, Seven Locks areas. I'm concerned that my child will be the only African American (or minority) child in the class (I viewed the Carderock website and saw no children of color on the PTA webpage), and that he'll as a result be adversely affected. For those familiar with these schools, I'd appreciate any insight you can offer regarding this issue.

I'm African American and had a similar experience growing up when we moved from NW DC to MoCo and I attended an MCPS elementary school where only 7 other students (including two sets of siblings) were also black. There were more black students in middle school, and even more by high school; however, I was often the only black student in my classes. Looking back on the experience, I don't recall ever feeling that I was harmed educationally or socially by it. For the most part, the down-size of being a "super-minority" is also the up-size: EVERYBODY knows who you are -- but "standing out" was mostly a positive experience for me.

Fast-forward several years: I live in a moderately-diverse area (and certainly more diverse than the one I grew up in) of MoCo and my children are the only black kids at their birthday parties . . .

Fast-forward a few more years: I move to a more diverse area of MoCo and my children attend MCPS magnet programs where they may be the only black kid in their classes (in fact, during one semester, there wasn't another black student in any of my kid's classes) . . .

So, if I were in your position, I wouldn't be too concerned about my child being an "only" -- MoCo is already diverse and it seems that a lack of diversity at school can be countered by diversity at home .

Anonymous wrote:I hate when people say this. It is sometimes about income level, and sometimes about race. And sometimes it is about both. I think too many White folks (and I'm White) just cannot admit that race is still an issue in our society. I'm not saying it's everything, but pretending it doesn't matter and telling people to "suck it up" is just insensitive.

I think you're just upset with the phrase "suck it up." Instead of "Suck it up," why don't you just pretend she wrote "Be an adult and deal with the situation"? It's the same sentiment, just more succinct.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the attraction of diversity? The same people who wouldn't think about moving into a diverse neighborhood are all about pushing their children into diverse schools.

Seems hypocritical.

I don't really understand how you can attend a diverse school but not live in a diverse neighborhood. Don't the children that attend the school also live in the neighborhood? What am I not getting?

Yeah, the first post didn't make sense to me either.

Anonymous wrote:What is the attraction of diversity? The same people who wouldn't think about moving into a diverse neighborhood are all about pushing their children into diverse schools.

Seems hypocritical.

I don't really understand how you can attend a diverse school but not live in a diverse neighborhood. Don't the children that attend the school also live in the neighborhood? What am I not getting?

Anonymous wrote:One of my kids goes to a school where the division is about 25% each white, AA, Asian and Latino. Works well.

Sounds good. Which school?

One of my kids goes to a school where the division is about 25% each white, AA, Asian and Latino. Works well.

How many white people would send their kid to school where they would be the only white kid in their class? What if <10% were white? The rest of the school could be mixed, all Asian, all AA, all Hispanic and it could be one of the best schools in the district. Would you do it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child currently attend a DC private school. We are contemplating moving to a better school district. We're looking at homes in the Carderock, Seven Locks areas. I'm concerned that my child will be the only African American (or minority) child in the class (I viewed the Carderock website and saw no children of color on the PTA webpage), and that he'll as a result be adversely affected. For those familiar with these schools, I'd appreciate any insight you can offer regarding this issue.

I say to suck it up.

We have good friends (high-powered black couple) with two kids in private schools. Both children are clearly minorities, but b/c their parents don't make a big deal of it, the kids are fine. One is in my daughter's class (elementary); the other is at a private girls' school (middle).

Both are receiving an excellent education. There comes a time when you need to choose. And when you're given a strong foundation, you're more likely to succeed. Furthermore, YOU'RE the main teacher for your children. So when difficulties arise, they'll be fine if you're there to help them.

best of luck in your decision

Are you black? Because if you're not, you may not fully appreciate the difficulties involved. Pointing out one family is hardly comforting.

OP, I posted a thread a few months ago that may be of interest to you - there are some posts that discuss the experiences of black students in mostly while public and private schools. http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/219457.page#2199333

Again, it's not about race; it's about income level.

I hate when people say this. It is sometimes about income level, and sometimes about race. And sometimes it is about both. I think too many White folks (and I'm White) just cannot admit that race is still an issue in our society. I'm not saying it's everything, but pretending it doesn't matter and telling people to "suck it up" is just insensitive.

Anonymous wrote:If it's purely a question of income, there are plenty of families in million dollar houses in Bethesda and Chevy Chase who send their kids to the great public schools there. In fact, $800K or so is pretty much the entry price for houses in these districts, and plenty of families pay this for the schools.

Or are you saying that the "best" schools are the ones with families that can afford a million dollar house AND private school?

PP here, and this was addressed to 12:25 and the argument, which I don't buy, that a school district of million dollar homes can't compete with private schools.

If it's purely a question of income, there are plenty of families in million dollar houses in Bethesda and Chevy Chase who send their kids to the great public schools there. In fact, $800K or so is pretty much the entry price for houses in these districts, and plenty of families pay this for the schools.

Or are you saying that the "best" schools are the ones with families that can afford a million dollar house AND private school?

Anonymous wrote:

Are you black? Because if you're not, you may not fully appreciate the difficulties involved. Pointing out one family is hardly comforting.

OP, I posted a thread a few months ago that may be of interest to you - there are some posts that discuss the experiences of black students in mostly while public and private schools. http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/219457.page#2199333

I am Black. I appreciate the difficulties of being a minority in a school. But, what do you suggest we do if Blacks account for less than 13% of the population? Move to Africa where Blacks are the majority of the population? I await your suggestions.

I think the answer is different for every family, and there are plenty of good schools in this area where your children will not be the only black child in the class, which was the OP's original concern. But it annoys me when people who have not experienced life as a black person say things like "suck it up." And frankly, no matter how well that pp knows those black families, unless the pp is also black or a minority, they may not be getting the full story of what it's like to be a minority student in those schools. So mostly, I was responding to the "suck it up" comment.

Are you black? Because if you're not, you may not fully appreciate the difficulties involved. Pointing out one family is hardly comforting.

OP, I posted a thread a few months ago that may be of interest to you - there are some posts that discuss the experiences of black students in mostly while public and private schools. http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/219457.page#2199333

I am Black. I appreciate the difficulties of being a minority in a school. But, what do you suggest we do if Blacks account for less than 13% of the population? Move to Africa where Blacks are the majority of the population? I await your suggestions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child currently attend a DC private school. We are contemplating moving to a better school district. We're looking at homes in the Carderock, Seven Locks areas. I'm concerned that my child will be the only African American (or minority) child in the class (I viewed the Carderock website and saw no children of color on the PTA webpage), and that he'll as a result be adversely affected. For those familiar with these schools, I'd appreciate any insight you can offer regarding this issue.

I say to suck it up.

We have good friends (high-powered black couple) with two kids in private schools. Both children are clearly minorities, but b/c their parents don't make a big deal of it, the kids are fine. One is in my daughter's class (elementary); the other is at a private girls' school (middle).

Both are receiving an excellent education. There comes a time when you need to choose. And when you're given a strong foundation, you're more likely to succeed. Furthermore, YOU'RE the main teacher for your children. So when difficulties arise, they'll be fine if you're there to help them.

best of luck in your decision

Are you black? Because if you're not, you may not fully appreciate the difficulties involved. Pointing out one family is hardly comforting.

OP, I posted a thread a few months ago that may be of interest to you - there are some posts that discuss the experiences of black students in mostly while public and private schools. http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/219457.page#2199333

I can name several families in similar situations - not just one. I just happen to know this family very well.

There is a subdivision down the street from ours filled with high powered minority families living in million dollar homes. Many send their kids to private school.

Again, it's not about race; it's about income level.

Anonymous wrote:The big problem with this whole discussion is the concept that kids can't get an excellent education in a diverse school. THis is inherently a racist point of view.

Sure, you want to avoid the issues of a high rate of poverty. But there are lots of MCPS schools with a better balance re diversity and you get the SAME curriculum.

So "suck it up" why, exactly? What adbantage are you getting?

You're going to get a better education in a private school.

That's the truth.

I've been on both ends, and b/c there are no distractions in private, it's all about learning.

You can call me a racist all you want, but it's not about skin color. It's about a school being able to work with kids who have strong family support. So ultimately it becomes a money issue - NOT a race issue, as there are clearly black parents (and Hispanic and Asian parents) with money.