I think some people definitely prefer a more established school with a proven track record of academics and and some institutional memory.

^ Valid. But why the hard sell to prospective parents?

Anonymous wrote:^ Getting the same thing at Inspired Teachings, it's like "oh the school is fantastic" but then, all of these parents are crossing their fingers in the lottery... Huh?

I can think of a few reasons why someone might be generally happy but still apply for other schools in the lottery:

1) location
2) the immersion thing
3) a school with a longer track record & more students for higher grades (middle & high school)

^ Getting the same thing at Inspired Teachings, it's like "oh the school is fantastic" but then, all of these parents are crossing their fingers in the lottery... Huh?

OP here. Just wanted to hear people's honest opinions. People I have spoken to are comfortable to discuss all the positives but seem uncomfortable talking about the school's aspects that they have reservations about. I thought on an anonymous board I might be able to get to the bottom of why some responses have been, "we will do the lottery again, we like the school, but there are some things we are unhappy about".

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]And yet they do imply a couple of things that people might be disappointed in when they look more closely: International Baccalaureate, which many people seek, is NOT offered, and language immersion is NOT offered. Big difference.
"The goal of Creative Minds International Public Charter School is to offer students a rigorous education plan that provides them with the skills required for successful participation in a global society. To accomplish our mission, we have designed a highly engaging program based on an international, project –and arts-based curriculum that includes foreign language instruction as well as standards-based literacy and mathematics."
[/quote]

They never claim to offer the IB ([url=http://www.ibo.org/]International Baccalaureate[/url]), they offer the IPC ([url=http://www.greatlearning.com/ipc/]International Primary Curriculum[/url]). Those are two different things.

They never claim to offer language [i]immersion[/i], they offer foreign language [i]instruction[/i]. Those are two different things.

It seems anyone who has a complaint with that, could start addressing their own dissatisfaction by learning to read.

[/quote]
I love those links, especially IPC! Thanks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And yet they do imply a couple of things that people might be disappointed in when they look more closely: International Baccalaureate, which many people seek, is NOT offered, and language immersion is NOT offered. Big difference.
"The goal of Creative Minds International Public Charter School is to offer students a rigorous education plan that provides them with the skills required for successful participation in a global society. To accomplish our mission, we have designed a highly engaging program based on an international, project –and arts-based curriculum that includes foreign language instruction as well as standards-based literacy and mathematics."

They never claim to offer the IB (International Baccalaureate), they offer the IPC (International Primary Curriculum). Those are two different things.

They never claim to offer language immersion, they offer foreign language instruction. Those are two different things.

It seems anyone who has a complaint with that, could start addressing their own dissatisfaction by learning to read.

easy, there CM booster....
no one was saying they did, just that people assume from quickly reading their material that they do offer the IB and Language Immersion, and then are disappointed to find out they don't. Both of these items have been sources of confusion on this listserv and in community discussions.

Anonymous wrote:International Baccalaureate? That's only for high school. Creative Minds is what? PS3 - 4th grade.

I can't believe someone is complaining that a non-immersion school is a non-immersion school...

Shepherd Elementary is IB

Anonymous wrote:And yet they do imply a couple of things that people might be disappointed in when they look more closely: International Baccalaureate, which many people seek, is NOT offered, and language immersion is NOT offered. Big difference.
"The goal of Creative Minds International Public Charter School is to offer students a rigorous education plan that provides them with the skills required for successful participation in a global society. To accomplish our mission, we have designed a highly engaging program based on an international, project –and arts-based curriculum that includes foreign language instruction as well as standards-based literacy and mathematics."

They never claim to offer the IB (International Baccalaureate), they offer the IPC (International Primary Curriculum). Those are two different things.

They never claim to offer language immersion, they offer foreign language instruction. Those are two different things.

It seems anyone who has a complaint with that, could start addressing their own dissatisfaction by learning to read.

The curriculum was selected thoughtfully. If you need more answers than the website offers, ask. I did. They will be happy to explain what it is and why they choose to follow it over other options.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:International Baccalaureate? That's only for high school. Creative Minds is what? PS3 - 4th grade.

I can't believe someone is complaining that a non-immersion school is a non-immersion school...

There actually is an IB program that begins in elementary. http://www.ibo.org/pyp/

A few DCPS are pursuing it http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/College+and+Careers/High+School+Planning/International+Baccalaureate+%28IB%29

Anyway, yes. Immersion/non-immersion is only a negative is in the eye of the beholder.

Yeah, the primary years program is offered at Yu Ying which is an immersion school.

DCI will offer an IB degree for high school.

Like I said, I can't believe pp is complaining that a non-immersion school is a non-immersion school...

Anonymous wrote:International Baccalaureate? That's only for high school. Creative Minds is what? PS3 - 4th grade.

I can't believe someone is complaining that a non-immersion school is a non-immersion school...

There actually is an IB program that begins in elementary. http://www.ibo.org/pyp/

A few DCPS are pursuing it http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/College+and+Careers/High+School+Planning/International+Baccalaureate+%28IB%29

Anyway, yes. Immersion/non-immersion is only a negative is in the eye of the beholder.

International Baccalaureate? That's only for high school. Creative Minds is what? PS3 - 4th grade.

I can't believe someone is complaining that a non-immersion school is a non-immersion school...

And yet they do imply a couple of things that people might be disappointed in when they look more closely: International Baccalaureate, which many people seek, is NOT offered, and language immersion is NOT offered. Big difference.
"The goal of Creative Minds International Public Charter School is to offer students a rigorous education plan that provides them with the skills required for successful participation in a global society. To accomplish our mission, we have designed a highly engaging program based on an international, project –and arts-based curriculum that includes foreign language instruction as well as standards-based literacy and mathematics."

Anonymous wrote:Why would they offer language immersion? It's not an immersion school.

This. There appears to be a high demand for immersion schools, but CM never advertised itself as such and there's no mention of anything of the kind in their mission statement.



Creative Minds International Public Charter School is a tuition-free school for children in Washington, D.C.

We are the only public school in the District of Columbia that offers the International Primary Curriculum, a highly engaging, diverse curriculum with project- and arts-based activities that foster creativity, self motivation, social and emotional development, and academic excellence. Our goal is to provide students with the foundational skills required for successful participation in a global society.