I am a poster who said I am happy with My EOTP school. My DC is in a grade above 2nd so I’m not a PK 3 parent who is enthralled and will eventually bail. The teachers and admin are great and we have to just deal with some of the kids. School is much better than the HRC we left.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at Powell in an older grade and I really appreciate the poster’s detailed response. The teachers, admin, and special ed teams are great. There are fewer “gentrifiers” in the upper grades and we aren’t happy with the language and attitudes DC is exposed to coming from the other kids. I’ve observed the teachers dealing with behavior issues and bad attitudes in respectful, effective ways. Setting up play dates has been a challenge with the couple of kids that DC likes. However, we were at a different school with a fabulous school community and play dates and birthdays galore, but the teachers were inexperienced for the most part, admin was lacking and the special ed team was a joke. We have decided that a good education with experienced teachers in a well run school with resources is more important as DC approaches middle school and we supplement the social aspects with relationships formed from outside school activities. It is sad that we can’t have it all in one school. WOTP schools are better but lack diversity.

It still amazes me how many parents voluntarily settle for average schools in their pursuit of diversity. I would choose rigor and good discipline over diversity but we really value education. Fascinating.

I'm an Ivy grad, I have a Ph.D from a top ten school in a quantitative field and I send my kid to an EOTP school . I really value education. I've also, however, read the research, and the school to which you send your child matters a lot less than what goes on in the home in determining a child's educational outcomes. The main determinant is the mother's educational level.

Test scores are also poorly correlated with success.

+1. Also EOTP, with a Ph.D. from a top program in my research field. Many more families like us at our EOTP neighborhood school.

Apart from subtle (or not so subtle) racism, I really think that some of the posters who regard EOTP schools with such disdain are caught up in a 'keeping up with the Joneses' mentality. They can't imagine telling their family and friends that they're sending their kids to a predominantly low SES, majority black or Latino elementary school, even if there is little evidence to support any negative consequences for their own children.

Personally, as long as I feel my own child is thriving, there are at least some peers performing similarly to my child (this has more to do with social aspects of school, rather than academic), the teachers are strong, and we can provide enrichment outside of school, I would be comfortable staying with our EOTP school.

Thank you for saying this and I agree with what you’ve said. Can I ask you an honest question without snark? How old is your kid? I have met many people with your attitude and it tends to change around 9 years old. I’m EOTP as well.

We lived at 13th and Irving where our IB would have been Tubman. I Moved out of there because of 2 shootings in the same week right near our rowhouse. Saw the aftermath from windows. I hope you understand why I moved out.
I am poor(never made over $40k) and don't keep up with the Joneses. I bought the cheapest livable place I could find. It was zoned for Stoddert. I didn't even consider this when I bought it.
Several people did ask whose address was I using, and ofcourse it was insulting since I had great credit and had saved up the downpayment.
DC loves his school and I love it because I can be as involved as I want to. Last years I've just sent in the money because I work nights and weekends when most activities are happening.
DC has done well at school. 5s in all Parccs taken, teachers are also happy with him.
I don't have Ph.D and it's not coming either, but I do value education. Specially k-12. The rest is up to DC. Hopefully he will find his calling.
Stoddert has many apartment buildings in it's boundary. We are not all rich. After living in Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights in my youth, I prefer to live here.

EOTP = east of the park, meaning Rock Creek Park.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at Powell in an older grade and I really appreciate the poster’s detailed response. The teachers, admin, and special ed teams are great. There are fewer “gentrifiers” in the upper grades and we aren’t happy with the language and attitudes DC is exposed to coming from the other kids. I’ve observed the teachers dealing with behavior issues and bad attitudes in respectful, effective ways. Setting up play dates has been a challenge with the couple of kids that DC likes. However, we were at a different school with a fabulous school community and play dates and birthdays galore, but the teachers were inexperienced for the most part, admin was lacking and the special ed team was a joke. We have decided that a good education with experienced teachers in a well run school with resources is more important as DC approaches middle school and we supplement the social aspects with relationships formed from outside school activities. It is sad that we can’t have it all in one school. WOTP schools are better but lack diversity.

It still amazes me how many parents voluntarily settle for average schools in their pursuit of diversity. I would choose rigor and good discipline over diversity but we really value education. Fascinating.

I'm an Ivy grad, I have a Ph.D from a top ten school in a quantitative field and I send my kid to an EOTP school . I really value education. I've also, however, read the research, and the school to which you send your child matters a lot less than what goes on in the home in determining a child's educational outcomes. The main determinant is the mother's educational level.

Test scores are also poorly correlated with success.

+1. Also EOTP, with a Ph.D. from a top program in my research field. Many more families like us at our EOTP neighborhood school.

Apart from subtle (or not so subtle) racism, I really think that some of the posters who regard EOTP schools with such disdain are caught up in a 'keeping up with the Joneses' mentality. They can't imagine telling their family and friends that they're sending their kids to a predominantly low SES, majority black or Latino elementary school, even if there is little evidence to support any negative consequences for their own children.

Personally, as long as I feel my own child is thriving, there are at least some peers performing similarly to my child (this has more to do with social aspects of school, rather than academic), the teachers are strong, and we can provide enrichment outside of school, I would be comfortable staying with our EOTP

school.

Please excuse my ignorance but what is "EOTP"? I'm new to living in DC from MD. I'm almost afraid to know. With so much racism on this forum I hope it isn't another way to make the so called "elite" feel more superior in some way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at Powell in an older grade and I really appreciate the poster’s detailed response. The teachers, admin, and special ed teams are great. There are fewer “gentrifiers” in the upper grades and we aren’t happy with the language and attitudes DC is exposed to coming from the other kids. I’ve observed the teachers dealing with behavior issues and bad attitudes in respectful, effective ways. Setting up play dates has been a challenge with the couple of kids that DC likes. However, we were at a different school with a fabulous school community and play dates and birthdays galore, but the teachers were inexperienced for the most part, admin was lacking and the special ed team was a joke. We have decided that a good education with experienced teachers in a well run school with resources is more important as DC approaches middle school and we supplement the social aspects with relationships formed from outside school activities. It is sad that we can’t have it all in one school. WOTP schools are better but lack diversity.

It still amazes me how many parents voluntarily settle for average schools in their pursuit of diversity. I would choose rigor and good discipline over diversity but we really value education. Fascinating.

I'm an Ivy grad, I have a Ph.D from a top ten school in a quantitative field and I send my kid to an EOTP school . I really value education. I've also, however, read the research, and the school to which you send your child matters a lot less than what goes on in the home in determining a child's educational outcomes. The main determinant is the mother's educational level.

Test scores are also poorly correlated with success.

+1. Also EOTP, with a Ph.D. from a top program in my research field. Many more families like us at our EOTP neighborhood school.

Apart from subtle (or not so subtle) racism, I really think that some of the posters who regard EOTP schools with such disdain are caught up in a 'keeping up with the Joneses' mentality. They can't imagine telling their family and friends that they're sending their kids to a predominantly low SES, majority black or Latino elementary school, even if there is little evidence to support any negative consequences for their own children.

Personally, as long as I feel my own child is thriving, there are at least some peers performing similarly to my child (this has more to do with social aspects of school, rather than academic), the teachers are strong, and we can provide enrichment outside of school, I would be comfortable staying with our EOTP school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at Powell in an older grade and I really appreciate the poster’s detailed response. The teachers, admin, and special ed teams are great. There are fewer “gentrifiers” in the upper grades and we aren’t happy with the language and attitudes DC is exposed to coming from the other kids. I’ve observed the teachers dealing with behavior issues and bad attitudes in respectful, effective ways. Setting up play dates has been a challenge with the couple of kids that DC likes. However, we were at a different school with a fabulous school community and play dates and birthdays galore, but the teachers were inexperienced for the most part, admin was lacking and the special ed team was a joke. We have decided that a good education with experienced teachers in a well run school with resources is more important as DC approaches middle school and we supplement the social aspects with relationships formed from outside school activities. It is sad that we can’t have it all in one school. WOTP schools are better but lack diversity.

It still amazes me how many parents voluntarily settle for average schools in their pursuit of diversity. I would choose rigor and good discipline over diversity but we really value education. Fascinating.

I'm an Ivy grad, I have a Ph.D from a top ten school in a quantitative field and I send my kid to an EOTP school . I really value education. I've also, however, read the research, and the school to which you send your child matters a lot less than what goes on in the home in determining a child's educational outcomes. The main determinant is the mother's educational level.

Test scores are also poorly correlated with success.

Anonymous wrote:Not fascinating. Surprisingly, you can send your kids to average schools and still value education. You mean that if my kid was at Stoddert he’d read in K instead of first grade or being surrounded by children of good breeding at Key something great would run off on my kid by 10 that he doesn’t get at home? What are you valuing if you can’t articulate it?

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at Powell in an older grade and I really appreciate the poster’s detailed response. The teachers, admin, and special ed teams are great. There are fewer “gentrifiers” in the upper grades and we aren’t happy with the language and attitudes DC is exposed to coming from the other kids. I’ve observed the teachers dealing with behavior issues and bad attitudes in respectful, effective ways. Setting up play dates has been a challenge with the couple of kids that DC likes. However, we were at a different school with a fabulous school community and play dates and birthdays galore, but the teachers were inexperienced for the most part, admin was lacking and the special ed team was a joke. We have decided that a good education with experienced teachers in a well run school with resources is more important as DC approaches middle school and we supplement the social aspects with relationships formed from outside school activities. It is sad that we can’t have it all in one school. WOTP schools are better but lack diversity.

It still amazes me how many parents voluntarily settle for average schools in their pursuit of diversity. I would choose rigor and good discipline over diversity but we really value education. Fascinating.

Or maybe their kid has SN and the Powell team is better?

THUS

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at Powell in an older grade and I really appreciate the poster’s detailed response. The teachers, admin, and special ed teams are great. There are fewer “gentrifiers” in the upper grades and we aren’t happy with the language and attitudes DC is exposed to coming from the other kids. I’ve observed the teachers dealing with behavior issues and bad attitudes in respectful, effective ways. Setting up play dates has been a challenge with the couple of kids that DC likes. However, we were at a different school with a fabulous school community and play dates and birthdays galore, but the teachers were inexperienced for the most part, admin was lacking and the special ed team was a joke. We have decided that a good education with experienced teachers in a well run school with resources is more important as DC approaches middle school and we supplement the social aspects with relationships formed from outside school activities. It is sad that we can’t have it all in one school. WOTP schools are better but lack diversity.

It still amazes me how many parents voluntarily settle for average schools in their pursuit of diversity. I would choose rigor and good discipline over diversity but we really value education. Fascinating.

What high school are you going to send your kid to?

Not fascinating. Surprisingly, you can send your kids to average schools and still value education. You mean that if my kid was at Stoddert he’d read in K instead of first grade or being surrounded by children of good breeding at Key something great would run off on my kid by 10 that he doesn’t get at home? What are you valuing if you can’t articulate it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at Powell in an older grade and I really appreciate the poster’s detailed response. The teachers, admin, and special ed teams are great. There are fewer “gentrifiers” in the upper grades and we aren’t happy with the language and attitudes DC is exposed to coming from the other kids. I’ve observed the teachers dealing with behavior issues and bad attitudes in respectful, effective ways. Setting up play dates has been a challenge with the couple of kids that DC likes. However, we were at a different school with a fabulous school community and play dates and birthdays galore, but the teachers were inexperienced for the most part, admin was lacking and the special ed team was a joke. We have decided that a good education with experienced teachers in a well run school with resources is more important as DC approaches middle school and we supplement the social aspects with relationships formed from outside school activities. It is sad that we can’t have it all in one school. WOTP schools are better but lack diversity.

It still amazes me how many parents voluntarily settle for average schools in their pursuit of diversity. I would choose rigor and good discipline over diversity but we really value education. Fascinating.

Or maybe their kid has SN and the Powell team is better?

Anonymous wrote:We are at Powell in an older grade and I really appreciate the poster’s detailed response. The teachers, admin, and special ed teams are great. There are fewer “gentrifiers” in the upper grades and we aren’t happy with the language and attitudes DC is exposed to coming from the other kids. I’ve observed the teachers dealing with behavior issues and bad attitudes in respectful, effective ways. Setting up play dates has been a challenge with the couple of kids that DC likes. However, we were at a different school with a fabulous school community and play dates and birthdays galore, but the teachers were inexperienced for the most part, admin was lacking and the special ed team was a joke. We have decided that a good education with experienced teachers in a well run school with resources is more important as DC approaches middle school and we supplement the social aspects with relationships formed from outside school activities. It is sad that we can’t have it all in one school. WOTP schools are better but lack diversity.

It still amazes me how many parents voluntarily settle for average schools in their pursuit of diversity. I would choose rigor and good discipline over diversity but we really value education. Fascinating.

We are at Powell in an older grade and I really appreciate the poster’s detailed response. The teachers, admin, and special ed teams are great. There are fewer “gentrifiers” in the upper grades and we aren’t happy with the language and attitudes DC is exposed to coming from the other kids. I’ve observed the teachers dealing with behavior issues and bad attitudes in respectful, effective ways. Setting up play dates has been a challenge with the couple of kids that DC likes. However, we were at a different school with a fabulous school community and play dates and birthdays galore, but the teachers were inexperienced for the most part, admin was lacking and the special ed team was a joke. We have decided that a good education with experienced teachers in a well run school with resources is more important as DC approaches middle school and we supplement the social aspects with relationships formed from outside school activities. It is sad that we can’t have it all in one school. WOTP schools are better but lack diversity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't want to turn this into a Powell thread, but all that's being said is true from my perspective as well.

We're a bi-racial family (not black and white) who has been at the school for 5 years. We've had first hand experience of the various changes taken place at the school.

This year my oldest finally had a playdate with whom she's called her BFF for 2 years. She was estatic as well as I.

Really? Did you try asking her parents before this? Did they say no? I don't understand how a young child can't have a playdate with a schoolmate in 2 years. It might take more effort than usual but?

NP whose kids were at a different school with many 1st generation Latino families. This was ABSOLUTELY our experience. We asked, repeatedly. It's a cultural difference -- weekends for my child's classmates seemed to be dominated by extended family time and obligations. More parents may work more irregular schedules.

It's can be hard to transfer school friendships to relationships out of school.

This is our experience as well. I can't communicate with the other moms when I see them at drop off. I have asked the teacher for help in sending an email but that got no response. The organized playdate when the parents don;t know each other is really not part of latino culture. Also, the parents may work mutliple jobs at varying hours (construction, restaurants etc), so weekends really are just for family. Maybe it gets better by 4th grade or so when the kids can organize or email by themselves but its sad for my kid now.