OK, so not everything should belong to the affluent of Cap Hill. But isn’t the spread of affluence how Ward 3 ended up with so many decent/good schools? Just think if the affluent of Wards 3 and 6 spread out until they enveloped the middle of DC and spread eastward and southward? Would that be so bad for students across DC? It’s already happening, why not spur it with strategic development?

If you want to put a trade school somewhere, wouldn’t it make more sense for it to be more centrally located?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok. So I’m all for these kind of training programs. But since enrollment will no doubt almost exclusively be limited to wards 7 and 8, why utilize a coveted building so close to ward 6?

Maybe because its in Ward 5 and EVERYTHING does not belong to the affluent of Capitol Hill.

Fair enough point.

Anonymous wrote:Ok. So I’m all for these kind of training programs. But since enrollment will no doubt almost exclusively be limited to wards 7 and 8, why utilize a coveted building so close to ward 6?

Maybe because its in Ward 5 and EVERYTHING does not belong to the affluent of Capitol Hill.

Anonymous wrote:Ok. So I’m all for these kind of training programs. But since enrollment will no doubt almost exclusively be limited to wards 7 and 8, why utilize a coveted building so close to ward 6?

Wow. This is so entitled
.

Anonymous wrote:DC Infrastructure Academy??? Have any of their academies been successful? Can't they just call it a tech school and get on with it?

It is a job training/ placement program. It has had success.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Then why doesn’t DCPS use Spingarn to open a rigorous test-in Middle School and HS, to satisfy the strong demand in adjacent communities and stop the bleeding of its high-achieving population to charters?...

Why open a technical training program targeting other wards less than 0.1 miles from a similar program targeting the same community.

Because it is not willing to create a Special White Kid School and that is what it would turn out to be. And they already opened Bard not too far away. They think they will need an additional general high school when Eastern, Dunbar, and Cardozo fill up.

So, I asked a rhetorical question about a test in program, well-aware that DCPS couldn’t care less about high-performing students due to concerns about closing the achievement gap and other factors that result in DCPS teaching to the bottom.

In any case, we’re already at Basis. But I have several neighbors who will likely move if they’re closed out of an academically rigorous option.

Meanwhile Spingarn will no doubt be used for a purpose that does not advance the needs of the adjacent community. Sigh.

Anonymous wrote:What is DCPS going to develop it into? They have (or are currently in the middle of) updated all the elementary, middle and high schools in Ward 6.

It should go to BASIS, not Latin, if we are being equitable. Latin has a perfectly good campus now, with fields - they just don't have enough spots for the amount of interest. Meanwhile, BASIS is doing well as a school but is crammed in downtown.

Has Basis looked for a better space or are they set on being downtown forever?

The idea for the DC Infrastructure Academy has been abandoned

Anonymous wrote:I actually think Phelps should move into Spingarn. Phelps offer great career opportunities for trade professions. The school feels crowded and cramped. It needs expansion.

Are you kidding! Phelps is underenrolled. What do you find so impressive about it? Kids are not passing their certification exams. They got rid of welding. The kids who are supposed to be in construction get to practice putting a garden shed together while MD and VA students are building actual houses.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Then why doesn’t DCPS use Spingarn to open a rigorous test-in Middle School and HS, to satisfy the strong demand in adjacent communities and stop the bleeding of its high-achieving population to charters?...

Why open a technical training program targeting other wards less than 0.1 miles from a similar program targeting the same community.

Because it is not willing to create a Special White Kid School and that is what it would turn out to be. And they already opened Bard not too far away. They think they will need an additional general high school when Eastern, Dunbar, and Cardozo fill up.

Do they actually think Eastern, Dunbar and Cardozo will fill up? Honest question. And Spingarn isn't really that close to Cardozo, so it doesn't seem like it would take many students from that school.

You can look at the projections in the Master Facilities plan. They do think Cardozo will fill up. And the idea is not to attract kids who live near Cardozo, it's to ensure adequate space for the kids who will no longer be able to lottery into Cardozo or whatever because it is full. I'm not sure how accurate the projections are, and the pandemic has scrambled the data, but in general the DCPS enrollment has been slowly and steadily increasing and DCPS has the responsibility to plan on the possibility of an increase.

I actually think Phelps should move into Spingarn. Phelps offer great career opportunities for trade professions. The school feels crowded and cramped. It needs expansion.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Then why doesn’t DCPS use Spingarn to open a rigorous test-in Middle School and HS, to satisfy the strong demand in adjacent communities and stop the bleeding of its high-achieving population to charters?...

Why open a technical training program targeting other wards less than 0.1 miles from a similar program targeting the same community.

Because it is not willing to create a Special White Kid School and that is what it would turn out to be. And they already opened Bard not too far away. They think they will need an additional general high school when Eastern, Dunbar, and Cardozo fill up.

Do they actually think Eastern, Dunbar and Cardozo will fill up? Honest question. And Spingarn isn't really that close to Cardozo, so it doesn't seem like it would take many students from that school.

Anonymous wrote:Then why doesn’t DCPS use Spingarn to open a rigorous test-in Middle School and HS, to satisfy the strong demand in adjacent communities and stop the bleeding of its high-achieving population to charters?...

Why open a technical training program targeting other wards less than 0.1 miles from a similar program targeting the same community.

Because it is not willing to create a Special White Kid School and that is what it would turn out to be. And they already opened Bard not too far away. They think they will need an additional general high school when Eastern, Dunbar, and Cardozo fill up.

Then why doesn’t DCPS use Spingarn to open a rigorous test-in Middle School and HS, to satisfy the strong demand in adjacent communities and stop the bleeding of its high-achieving population to charters?...

Why open a technical training program targeting other wards less than 0.1 miles from a similar program targeting the same community.

Anonymous wrote:Charters wanted to be separate. So they are. Schools should not sh*t-talk DCPS and opt out of the responsibilities and then come around with your hand out when they want something.

Turns out long term planning and having enough space are difficult. Surprise. Having to deal with these kinds of issues is a challenge DCPS must undertake and charters have opted out of. When charters have the same responsibilities as DCPS they usually find it a lot harder.

+1

And I do not work for central office or whatever a PP alleges. One of the advantages of DCPS is land resources and the ability to adapt those resources as needed. Charters wanted to be independent LEAs, then part of that is procuring space the old fashioned way- build , rent or buy an existing building. Charters also can keep their schools the size they want. DCPS has to expand if more students come into the system.