CMI is nothing like WIS. WIS is IB and has immersion in Spanish and French K-12. CMI is IPC, like the British school and has Spanish and Chinese two times a week. The school does not yet have a middle school but plans to go through 8th grade. My only concern with any public is how the common core curriculum will be implemented and how new tests will affect instruction.

Bump

OP: if staying at private comes at a cost of saving for your DC college funds, then private may not be worth it especially when you have an excellent alternative option.

Anonymous wrote:No. I would give up the spot at CMI so that someone who is wait listed and can't afford private could possibly get the spot.

Why would you assume WLed people are all poors in need of your charity? They might have deeper pockets than you and chose the public route.

Anonymous wrote:Peer groups definitely influence environment. They will be different, but this is not a bad thing. CMI's students are more reflective of DC than private schools. Your DC will interact with students from all over who may have some baggage, but that's OK. CMI is similar to WIS but with demographics more reflective of DC.

What kind of baggage? Behavior issues?

Anonymous wrote:CMI is adding a middle school which is awesome! Personally, I think CMI is a much better experience than the local privates. (As a proud public school graduate, I refuse to use the shorthand for the "top" school.) There are kids from all walks of life who want to be at the school and love learning. The learning isn't forced. People aren't status hungry like some of the WOTP schools or private schools.

I'm getting the distinct sense you have no experience on which to base this opinion.

flip it around: I believe DD's independent schools is a better experience than every single charter school in Washington DC. You immediately understand I can't possibly have the information to make a rational conclusion.

But, middle schools that aren't Deal are always welcome in DC, for sure.

Peer groups definitely influence environment. They will be different, but this is not a bad thing. CMI's students are more reflective of DC than private schools. Your DC will interact with students from all over who may have some baggage, but that's OK. CMI is similar to WIS but with demographics more reflective of DC.

How would CMI compare to WIS?

Do the different peer groups influence the school environment at all?

Yes I meant language fluency. Honestly I don't think the academic programs are that different. Just different peer groups which is not said meanly.

PP, just to clarify, what do you mean if fluency is the goal - do you mean language fluency?

15:09 - thanks for your perspective. This is exactly what we are weighing. We could not afford the private school without FA, and I am worried what FA we will be offered if we decide to send DC#2 there as well. I am also worried about switching DC - DC LOVES his current school.

These choices are so good to have, but also so hard! Thanks

14:58 I did not like how the independent school did FA especially given how expensive the school was. Families struggled to pay the tuition. While it was progressive, I think there was a bit of stigma to being FA. If fluency is your goal, CMI is the clear choice.

I don't know anything about Creative Minds (is it a language immersion school?), but as private school parent whose children get some financial aid and are in the middle and later grades, I would jump on this opportunity if I were you, assuming that you think the charter school is very good.

It gets harder to leave any school as your child gets older. And if there's a second child in the mix for you later, it's even harder since you risk losing your financial aid if you pull one child out for public/charter but don't have a spot for the other. (Which is as it should be, but also makes it difficult for you to ever get back on solid financial footing.)

I don't know how long your child has been in private school, but there is also no guarantee that your financial aid level will stay the same. We've had a couple of really unpleasant surprises, so despite loving the education my children are getting at the current school, we're looking for a way out.

Good luck deciding. Tough one.

I previously worked there. I have also worked at a local independent. The programs were the same. CMI stressed lingual literacy more. The independent just had more resources because of a wealthier student population.

Thanks PP. Are you a CMI parent?