Yep, the post about bel Pre yielded no responses from actual patents.

The answer "it depends" is in part a reply to OP. also the social side may nt be as important to some families if they happen to have other social outlets for their kids.

Anonymous wrote:Obvs, PP. But maybe the OP isn't in a specific school yet? Maybe she's considering buying a home in a neighborhood or two with title I schools? Maybe she's trying to decide if she should even consider a neighborhood with a title I. Maybe she's already searched dcum and hasn't seen a thread that mentions her school? How many parents from Weller Road elem read DCUM? Or Georgian Forest? Or Bel Pre?

There have been recent threads about Georgian Forest and Bel Pre. I don't know about Weller Road.

And if I had a question about a specific school, and I had searched DCUM and not seen a thread that mentioned that school, what I would do is start a thread asking about that school.

Anonymous wrote:Of course you can, Sweetie...but you should really start a new thread with your question instead of hijacking this one. That's DCUM etiquette 101.

Why would I need a new thread when my question is related to the topic at hand .
By the way, DCUM Etiquette -- that's an oxymoron .

My DD (who's now in high school) went to a Title 1 school for K-2. The school was East Silver Spring (which is now K-5 and, due to demographic shifts in the neighborhood, is no longer a Title 1 school, I believe).

For us it was a great experience. The staff was warm and caring, the small class size and low student-teacher ratio was unheard of for a public school, and the annual International Night rocked. It was just a very happy place and my kid had a perfectly fine social life. Frankly, I think putting kids in situations where they have to form friendships with kids that don't look like them is a net positive.

BUT, I'm also glad we left when we did, because by 2nd grade an academic divide was becoming evident. My kid was in a reading group of two, which was a bit isolating. Moving on to Piney Branch ES, where there were tons of advanced kids, was a good thing for her.

So I think I agree with the PP who said it can be great experience for the early grades, maybe not so much for the later ones.

Of course you can, Sweetie...but you should really start a new thread with your question instead of hijacking this one. That's DCUM etiquette 101.

Anonymous wrote:Ooooooh...great comeback, PP!

I meant, who really cares why the OP asked the question...even if she did it to stir the pot?

This is DCUM...in case you hadn't noticed, you can post whatever you want...that's what makes this anonymous forum awesome. Understand?

Which is why I am allowed to ask my question

Ooooooh...great comeback, PP!

I meant, who really cares why the OP asked the question...even if she did it to stir the pot?

This is DCUM...in case you hadn't noticed, you can post whatever you want...that's what makes this anonymous forum awesome. Understand?

Anonymous wrote:Who really cares, PP?

U evidently

Who really cares, PP?

Anonymous wrote:Obvs, PP. But maybe the OP isn't in a specific school yet? Maybe she's considering buying a home in a neighborhood or two with title I schools? Maybe she's trying to decide if she should even consider a neighborhood with a title I. Maybe she's already searched dcum and hasn't seen a thread that mentions her school? How many parents from Weller Road elem read DCUM? Or Georgian Forest? Or Bel Pre?

Then ask about the neighborhoods and schools she is considering.
Schools are very specific and so are experiences. I could ask if anyone shops at grocery stores but that doesn't really help me if what I really want to know is what is it like to shop at Wegman's.
Usually, I find when people ask these types of questions they are trying to stir the pot.

Obvs, PP. But maybe the OP isn't in a specific school yet? Maybe she's considering buying a home in a neighborhood or two with title I schools? Maybe she's trying to decide if she should even consider a neighborhood with a title I. Maybe she's already searched dcum and hasn't seen a thread that mentions her school? How many parents from Weller Road elem read DCUM? Or Georgian Forest? Or Bel Pre?

Anonymous wrote:People probably ask these questions because they are zoned for a title I school and are struggling with the decision to send them there, go private, or move. They are likely looking to hear comments from folks who were in the same boat to hear why they opted for or against the title I school. Got it?

No, I don't "got it". If I have specific questions about a specific school then that's what I ask.
Asking a general question does not Specific answers.
A title one school in area B maybe a totally different experience in school then a title I school in area C.
Different teachers different administrators different community.

My child went to a Title 1 school for a little while. Bottom line- it was okay, but for the older grades, I would have to give it more thought.
We participated in the free summer school program. My child good free breakfast in the classroom which they give everyone. There were fifteen kids in the class, which was nice. There were no after school activities, and parental involvement was extremely low. The PTA was very weak. My child had a great time. It was me that struggled more because I missed the parental involvement and extra curriculars. There was a language barrier between me and the parents of my child's friends. My child was top of the class and didn't have much of a peer group to learn with. We moved because I could see that in the older grades it was more important to have a group of peers more on the same level. I volunteered in the school to get more of a glimpse of what it was like- in the lunchroom, recess, media center, etc. Staff was trying really hard, but the attitude of disrespect and lack of desire to learn in of some of the students in the older elementary grades was really disheartening and scary. Most of the staff was great. The extra money seemed to go to good causes with extra technologies and extra staff.

Agreed with the fine job educating. But the social aspects are very real...that may or may not bother you. Do you want a school where parents volunteer every week? Do you want your kid to have play dates every week? Do you want to carpool to school and to sports after school? Parties? Etc.

Read the Bel Pre thread which isn't specific to any school but includes comments from btdt parents and is endorsed by a title I school teacher...that thread highlighted the social aspect nicely.