Anonymous wrote:Only on DCUM is Latin in the same league as, say, Eton, Harrow, Boston Latin, Stuyvesant, Thomas Jefferson, Andover, Dalton, Trinity, Ethics and Culture, Collegiate....

Did you attend or send a child to Thomas Jefferson or Ethics and Culture? I ask because neither one of these is a well-kmown national or international institution when compared to the others you list.

In just six years, Latin has developed extraordinary good will across Washington by being decent and honest in a town not known for such things.

I also worry that the city is not moving boldly in the direction of adding middle-class friendly middle school spots at the rate they are going to need them. Even DC International School will not fill the gap.

Latin tries to substitute unusually small classes and good teaching for middle school tracking. This works to a certain extent, but is not an optimal solution. What you get are kids who are lazy, v. poorly prepared, and just not v. academic in the same small classes as disciplined advanced kids (at least more of this type than the others).

Most of the parents are so grateful for a better school than lackluster IB options, mainly Hardy, Hobson and Eliot-Hine, that they are not complaining.

Latin seems to work for most who use it, which isn't to say that it's half as wonderful as the boosters claim. They do make it sound as stellar as a private school, or test-in magnet. I feel fortunate to have a spot waiting for 5th with a year by year approach to staying. The new facility looks adequate for middle school.

I hope that parents pushing for a comparable neighborhood alternative for Maury, Brent, probably SWS, won't give up.

Anonymous wrote:Only on DCUM is Latin in the same league as, say, Eton, Harrow, Boston Latin, Stuyvesant, Thomas Jefferson, Andover, Dalton, Trinity, Ethics and Culture, Collegiate....

OK, this is a lame statement (straw man argument). I mean, really - most DCUMers didn't go to the above-named schools. What we want (those of us who went to unranked, perfectly nice (sub)urban school with multiple AP course and multiple admits to ivies (and state equivalents) and tech (MIT) schools is something equivalent for our kids. Latin doesn't need to be an Exeter, or whatever. Really! Didn't need that back in the day to get it to college.

Only on DCUM is Latin in the same league as, say, Eton, Harrow, Boston Latin, Stuyvesant, Thomas Jefferson, Andover, Dalton, Trinity, Ethics and Culture, Collegiate....

Anonymous wrote:PP 13:00, what basis do you have for the opinion that Latin will be inadequate in helping your child get into a good college? Since you reference pulling your child out for MoCo middle school, that makes me think that you don't have first hand experience with Latin's HS, its curriculum or its college counselors and are merely speculating. Latin has had only two (2) graduating classes.

You really want to know? Right.

I know all about Latin's curriculum, and I know the hard-working guidance counselors by name, and some students. I respect all involved to some degree, other than the DC Public Charter Board for refusing to consider test-in admissions. I also know that the school is geared toward educating low-SES minority kids, with others along for the ride, rather than educating the best adolescent talent in the city.

Latin is a fine public MS FOR DC. But it's not so hot when compared with stellar suburban programs, which are selective. Sure, DC could get into a "good" college from Latin, but probably not my alma mater (in the UK). Standards at Latin are not, and cannot be, nearly as high as in first-rate suburban programs. Boosters pretend otherwise, and call those of us with concerns snobs without changing this reality.

I'd like to see Latin continue to serve those who reject test-in admissions, and a public program with higher standards, and better facilities, emerge for those who do not.

Anonymous wrote:^ We live near the Capitol South Metro station. Heading to St. Anselm's for middle and high school. Amen.

LOL. Well the neighborhood of St Anselm is about as diverse as the neighborhood for the new Latin. And the HHI are roughly the same.

PP 13:00, what basis do you have for the opinion that Latin will be inadequate in helping your child get into a good college? Since you reference pulling your child out for MoCo middle school, that makes me think that you don't have first hand experience with Latin's HS, its curriculum or its college counselors and are merely speculating. Latin has had only two (2) graduating classes.

Now that it's summer, how can a child prepare for the Walls entrance exam without paying for a tutor?
What does it cover? Especially the math?
TIA

What was "just right" for my high-octane Latin student was not paying 50K+ for a second or third-tier liberal arts college eventually, which means not returning in the fall.

Low-SES kids get substantial fi aid when they break into any competitive admissions college. Not true for most of the high-SES kids coming up in the high school. Suburban middle school honors classes for us so we can shoot for the stars by senior year in high school (ur, for private colleges definitely worth paying $200,000 for, and going into more debt for).

Latin's social promotion issues need to be addressed, and not just by low pressure trips to summer school for a few kids who are lazy, slow or both.

I have a son who's been at Latin since 5th grade and he's really excited about 8th. The new building is great. I did the tour and took a lot of pictures. The room sizes are much bigger than what the students have now and there are dedicated rooms for Math and English, etc. Teachers don't have to share and offices are no longer in tiny spaces. I don't know how Latin did so much with the facilities they had before.

The new building will have modern as well as historical features. In addition to the other features that have been mentioned, there's going to be a computer lab and a central elevator for accessibility. The architects working on the project have thought a lot about the classical nature of Latin and you'll see that in the design. I can't believe how much more room the kids will have and the outdoor space is awesome.

The building is closer to where I live, so will be easy to get to. The surrounding neighborhood seems fine, and the school and parents are doing a good job of reaching out to the community. I suspect that since the school has a permanent location now, it'll be even harder to get in. 5th grade is the best time to apply, but you can also get in again in 9th (their last entry level).

The teachers are great. The kids love learning. There's going to be lots of outdoor time and fresh air for the kids. We're looking forward to 8th grade there and high school. Their college planning program is top notch: the counselors don't just try to get kids into all ivy league (popular) schools, but try and match each student with a college education experience that's just right for the student. Then the counselor continues the relationship with the student through college. Awesome!

You can probably go on a tour in August once construction is complete, and definitely during one of the upcoming open houses.

^ We live near the Capitol South Metro station. Heading to St. Anselm's for middle and high school. Amen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i just read that Latin is moving to 5200 Second Street next year. That is quite a trek from Glover Park where I live. What do folks think about the new location.

Pleasant, middle-class, single-family homes in the new neighborhood blah blah. It probably is safe. But it's not diverse, it's not pretty, it's not desirable and it's not for us.

OK so what pretty, safe, more diverse (or I suspect not diverse but you mean in a different way) neighborhood are you sending your kid to? What is your middle and high school plan? And how much house can you buy there for under $400K?

We had a murder two blocks from Lincoln Park last fall. And numerous assaults. It is not ok, not in the least. But it happens everywhere.

there are murders in upper caucasia every so often and it shakes up the neighborhood there, too.