I can't speak to MV because my kiddo is still daycare aged but to answer the OP's original question, Bloomingdale is a fantastic neighborhood to live in. It's maybe slightly rougher around the edges than a place like Dupont or the Hill but these days, not by much. There's a super engaged community of parents and lots of amenities, and I feel close to everything in the city. Not having a metro nearby is the only downside but the walk through LeDroit Park to the Shaw metro is actually really pleasant and lovely, I've come to appreciate it 2x a day!

If we get into MV someday I will never leave Bloomingdale.

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone move from MV to DCB? If so, how do they compare?

I know one family who switched from MV to DCB - they report it is more disciplined in the classroom and there is more homework. It sounds more traditional.

Did anyone move from MV to DCB? If so, how do they compare?

Thanks for sharing, PPs. I have no directly knowledge of what goes on at MV, but I know how valuable the school is to Cap Hill in particular. Really wish admins were more on top of things.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you value your child's safety, steer clear of mundo verde. The administration and staff are told to coddle the bullies and disruptive kids. The victims are made to believe they are making things up.

Further, the Spanish instruction is weak, the principal Dahlia is barely visible, and traffic near the school is always congested.

Spoken from years of experience with MV.

Not a big fan of MV for other reasons but this seems unduly harsh to me. Are your “years of experience” as a teacher? Staff? Parent?

Yes, years of being a parent with kids at MV who has also discussed these issues at length with administration. At least 50% of parents I know are disillusioned with the school after a few years. Yes, you may choose to go there believing it to be the best of your meager choices ......but don’t believe the hype .....what you will learn is that the school answers to no one (the charter school board is a shill) so they don’t care what you think or what happens to your child......and they know due to the dc baby boom that there is way more demand than supply for seats

Where did your kids end up? Did you lottery for another school? If so, are they (were they) happier at their new school?

While I agree that the sentiments expressed are harsh, they ring true. We left MV at the advice of our pediatrician and after determining our child needed a more conducive environment for learning. Happily thriving at new Spanish immersion school.

There are some great teachers at MV- but unfortunately the school's administration is not equipped nor inclined to create the classroom safety needed school wide. Communication with families is weak too.

Just recently we joined a sports team and reconnected with a family who we had met at MV ... and they confessed to entering the lottery ... they love their teacher, friends at the school- but feel that all the children are being impacted negatively due to current classroom controls and disruptive students. If a space was to open up between now and hte end of the school year- they would jump at the opportunity to move despite years of investment at MV.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you value your child's safety, steer clear of mundo verde. The administration and staff are told to coddle the bullies and disruptive kids. The victims are made to believe they are making things up.

Further, the Spanish instruction is weak, the principal Dahlia is barely visible, and traffic near the school is always congested.

Spoken from years of experience with MV.

Not a big fan of MV for other reasons but this seems unduly harsh to me. Are your “years of experience” as a teacher? Staff? Parent?

Yes, years of being a parent with kids at MV who has also discussed these issues at length with administration. At least 50% of parents I know are disillusioned with the school after a few years. Yes, you may choose to go there believing it to be the best of your meager choices ......but don’t believe the hype .....what you will learn is that the school answers to no one (the charter school board is a shill) so they don’t care what you think or what happens to your child......and they know due to the dc baby boom that there is way more demand than supply for seats

Where did your kids end up? Did you lottery for another school? If so, are they (were they) happier at their new school?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you value your child's safety, steer clear of mundo verde. The administration and staff are told to coddle the bullies and disruptive kids. The victims are made to believe they are making things up.

Further, the Spanish instruction is weak, the principal Dahlia is barely visible, and traffic near the school is always congested.

Spoken from years of experience with MV.

Not a big fan of MV for other reasons but this seems unduly harsh to me. Are your “years of experience” as a teacher? Staff? Parent?

Yes, years of being a parent with kids at MV who has also discussed these issues at length with administration. At least 50% of parents I know are disillusioned with the school after a few years. Yes, you may choose to go there believing it to be the best of your meager choices ......but don’t believe the hype .....what you will learn is that the school answers to no one (the charter school board is a shill) so they don’t care what you think or what happens to your child......and they know due to the dc baby boom that there is way more demand than supply for seats

Anonymous wrote:If you value your child's safety, steer clear of mundo verde. The administration and staff are told to coddle the bullies and disruptive kids. The victims are made to believe they are making things up.

Further, the Spanish instruction is weak, the principal Dahlia is barely visible, and traffic near the school is always congested.

Spoken from years of experience with MV.

Not a big fan of MV for other reasons but this seems unduly harsh to me. Are your “years of experience” as a teacher? Staff? Parent?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was told some kids had pocket knives at school.

Oh that’s such bullshit.

Sorry to disturb your aura! You should take some of that energy to the administration if your kid/kids are there.

Anonymous wrote:If you value your child's safety, steer clear of mundo verde. The administration and staff are told to coddle the bullies and disruptive kids. The victims are made to believe they are making things up.

Further, the Spanish instruction is weak, the principal Dahlia is barely visible, and traffic near the school is always congested.

Spoken from years of experience with MV.

Did you pull your child(ren) out of MV because it was so bad? We have been offered a spot at MV for K but from what I’ve been hearing, it worries me and I feel like we should stay put.

Anonymous wrote:I was told some kids had pocket knives at school.

Oh that’s such bullshit.

I live in Shaw/truxton/bloomingdale (between those three) area and there are a ton of families (skew younger) in the neighborhood - it is very family-friendly. If I were you I'd try to rent north of MV in Bloomingdale or West of NJ ave in Shaw. I see a lot of MV kids on their way to school walking/biking with parents but I do think they come from all over.

I was told some kids had pocket knives at school.

If you value your child's safety, steer clear of mundo verde. The administration and staff are told to coddle the bullies and disruptive kids. The victims are made to believe they are making things up.

Further, the Spanish instruction is weak, the principal Dahlia is barely visible, and traffic near the school is always congested.

Spoken from years of experience with MV.

Anonymous wrote:

We entered the lottery this year and actually got in to Eaton and and #2 at Oyster, so very helpful to hear PP about Oyster v MV.

And can you provide any insight about why you decided to enter into the lottery this year, rather than staying at MV?

The behavior problems at MV have been disruptive, and lack of faith in the Principal. And, the commute would be better for the family.