I was writing as a parent of a student who is THERE. Clearly you have misinformation. DCI is IB for ALL. IB is not optional at DCI. Why don't you shut your pie-hole and move to MCPS? BTW, DCI has a lot of kids from Oyster there in its opening year.....that should tell you something.....

Anonymous wrote:DCI is a gem. Language immersion, fantastic teachers, great kids. Not sure what the odds are for the lottery though....

Don't agree. We aren't interested in DCI, though our little kids are fluent in one of the target languages. Charter language immersion in DC isn't strong overall, at least not compared to the burbs. There are too few native speakers (particularly at Yu Ying), too many teachers who don't know what they're doing, many low-performing kids and little academic tracking. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at DCI's high school will be optional, which doesn't bode well for the school. I predict an IB Diploma pass rate higher than Banneker's (around 15%) but nowhere near Richard Montgomery's in Bethesda (90+%, among the highest of the world's 4,000 IB World schools) or Washington-Lee's in Arlington (85%).

As long as DCPS and DCPC do not team up to attract the strongest language immersion students to DCI, the school can only be so good. The best public language immersion students in the city are from Oyster, the only true dual immersion language school in DC, and far and away the best. As constituted, DCI is destined for mediocrity in a big way, like its feeders, though I'm sure some graduates will do very well nonetheless.

OP, if your DC is going into 5th or 6th and is strong in math/science then I would highly recommend Basis.

To 11:21 your point is....?

We used EV Downey, of Downey School Consulting, for help with middle school, and we were happy with her services.

Happy Holidays, PPs!! Love how you're using technology on Xmas eve to bitch about too much technology!!!!

Anonymous wrote:I believe they are responsive. But do they let a few parents make policy? No.

I don't see any harm with DCI administration revisiting their policies half way through year #1. What may have seemed great in theory may not be best in a real life situation, with real people. In software development this is referred to as Agile. Product launch is only the first step. After release we constantly seek user testing to improve on the product. We don't discount those few, yet vocal users. If they have a problem, we listen and try to address.

PP, what does "they are responsive but.." On previous thread, many parents had concerns about the heavy use of technology. I hope the school is listening to both current and prospective parents!

+1

I believe they are responsive. But do they let a few parents make policy? No.

Will DCI be responsive to parent input on the technology?

Agreed.

DCI is a gem. Language immersion, fantastic teachers, great kids. Not sure what the odds are for the lottery though....

JEefferson's getting a big renovation the school year after next, I think. It does have promising scores now but I'm not sure if there will be problematic relocation due to the reno?

I don't need to find something immediately, but if that helps their chances, I am willing to enroll mid-year. Thank you for all your suggestions. I am really looking at 3rd party ways of researching these school and I think a consultant might be the way. Is there a list of consultants somewhere? -- OP