Please, please, please can LT parents agree to stop posting on this forum? OP is either a troll or in need of psychiatric intervention, and we do not want her at our school. Nothing we say will make any dent in her determination to hate our school. There are plenty of great parents who will happily take her child's place, so leave them to it

Anonymous wrote:Not 9:37, but I wanted to add to that comment:

In my view, as an LT parent (albeit only in K so far, but we're staying for 1st), the difference in demographics doesn't necessarily make the ECE program *better* than the rest of the school. (From what I've seen, the upper grades are just as strong.)

However, the demographic difference does seem to reassure many white and/or high-SES parents and make them more comfortable with the ECE program.

I've had people (not LT parents, but other Hill parents when they find out my kid is at LT) pretty much say flat-out that their problem with the upper grades is that they're almost entirely black.

The number of OOB families in the higher grades makes me think that those parents are engaged enough that they sought better options for their children. Just like everyone on this forum.

Not 9:37, but I wanted to add to that comment:

In my view, as an LT parent (albeit only in K so far, but we're staying for 1st), the difference in demographics doesn't necessarily make the ECE program *better* than the rest of the school. (From what I've seen, the upper grades are just as strong.)

However, the demographic difference does seem to reassure many white and/or high-SES parents and make them more comfortable with the ECE program.

I've had people (not LT parents, but other Hill parents when they find out my kid is at LT) pretty much say flat-out that their problem with the upper grades is that they're almost entirely black.

Anonymous wrote:What about the ECE program makes it better than the upper grades?

Is it the teachers?

The students?

The parents?

The curriculum?

-Confused

Although I think this thread should really die, I'll take a stab at answering this. PP, the upper grades at LT are almost entirely African American kids who qualify for Free and Reduced Meals. I don't know the breakdown, but I'm sure some are coming from the neighborhood while a very healthy percentage of others are coming from other parts of the city, particularly Wards 7 and 8. And rumor has it quite a few come from PG County in MD. The ECE program is (again, I'm guesstimating) at least 2/3 kids from quite high SES families (all races, many not rich but very well educated) mostly mostly but not entirely from the neighborhood/greater Capitol Hill area.

OP, I've thought a lot about this. I don't think your family would necessarily be happy at LT long-term. But it's a good option for preschool when it sounds like you don't have a lot of other options. If you go, go with an open mind and helpful hands (they are very much needed!). And while asking questions is good and asking about the validity of things you have heard is also good, please try to avoid extreme negativity about the school until you can say for yourself that it is an awful place. (It isn't so I'm not worried about that.) Neighborhood dislike of the principal/school is a huge problem for the school, and much of that feeling seems to me to be unmerited.

Anonymous wrote:OP, there is a spring event on April 26 at LT. Lots of kids activities and a yard sale, etc. It's from 2-5. That would be a great way to meet a lot of current families in all grades. All the events I've gone to at LT have been well attended and supported by current families.

No skin in this game, I just like watching the back and forth. But we do like trying to hit as many school fund raisers as possible, so I was intrigued by this. However...I can't find ANY information on the Interweb.

Can someone post a link to the school's website? I was surprised that Google didn't turn it up.

I also checked the LT Facebook page, but it doesn't seem to have been updated in three years. LT boosters you need to get on that.

OP, there is a spring event on April 26 at LT. Lots of kids activities and a yard sale, etc. It's from 2-5. That would be a great way to meet a lot of current families in all grades. All the events I've gone to at LT have been well attended and supported by current families.

I have never taught in DCPS but from my experience I mentioned above, the mix is good for everybody. My DD is not of preschool age but I will strive to find a school that is diverse throughout.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about the ECE program makes it better than the upper grades?

Is it the teachers?

The students?

The parents?

The curriculum?

-Confused

All of the above?


Parents are more likley to enroll a kid in ECE that they wouldn't enroll them in for K-12 because hey it's free preschool. The differences in socio economics and how they affect academics matter a hell of a lot less in a 3 or 4 year old. The curriculum (LT uses Reggio) is pretty good for kids. There is a low teacher to student ratio because of the teacher's aids so kids get a lot of individual attention and support.

As an experienced preschool teacher who has worked in a socio economically diverse public school and is currently conducting related research I must say this is incorrect.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I logged on after my self-imposed DCUM evening moratorium specifically for the purpose of flaming you. You, on the basis of scant, if any, knowledge, are criticizing a hard-working and apparently very successful civil servant because her AFFECT is not as deferential to you think all your vaunted Ivyness deserves. Can't you see how that comes off? You really need to check yourself before you get any further into this thing. I don't know what sort of steamrollering you are used to doing in your professional life, but it's not appropriate to apply that ethos here.

Odds are this is Cobbs. Way to specific and personal.

LOL. I doubt she has time for that...no offense.

No time to spare five minutes to post @ 8:18 in the evening? Spare me.

Umm no...no time to READ this crap.

Yeah, I don't get how a principal who apparently cares so little about parents that she won't give the time of day to a parent she sees in the hallway is supposed to care enough to seek out this thread and read it obsessively. Seriously, people, consider what you're saying.

Anonymous wrote:What about the ECE program makes it better than the upper grades?

Is it the teachers?

The students?

The parents?

The curriculum?

-Confused

All of the above?


Parents are more likley to enroll a kid in ECE that they wouldn't enroll them in for K-12 because hey it's free preschool. The differences in socio economics and how they affect academics matter a hell of a lot less in a 3 or 4 year old. The curriculum (LT uses Reggio) is pretty good for kids. There is a low teacher to student ratio because of the teacher's aids so kids get a lot of individual attention and support.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We might be relocating to the DC area this summer and so I'm desperately researching schools. Reading this thread on L-T has been interesting, and it sounds like it might be the school for us. Can with upper grade kids answer some practical questions for me?

How strict is the uniform policy? Our current school has uniforms... but there's no enforcement, and the rules are loose. (No restrictions on types of shoes or socks, hoodies are allowed, shirts don't have to be tucked in, etc.) Is this true here?

What kind of math do they use?

Are there any gifted programs? Music? Specifically strings?

All we have to do to get in is move into the school's cachement zone--this is correct?

How big are the classes?

Do the upper grades get recess every day? Cluster classes? (Science, art, computers, etc?)

In closing, a few words on all this randomness about the principal: I've heard similar complaints leveled against the principal we have now at our PS in New York. She's not warm and fuzzy, it's true--but being warm and fuzzy also isn't her job. Her job is to navigate the system and make sure the children in her care are provided for--all of them. From what you've all said, it sounds like she's actually doing a great job. A little yelling on the playground is not how I judge a school. Then again, I have also worked at a school, and come to realize that in a playground full of screaming children, sometimes I must raise my voice to get to be heard.

PP, virtually no one on this forum has kids in the upper grades. I'm not sure how familiar you are with DC public schools, but on Capitol Hill, there are a few "gentrified" schools where neighborhood kids are now reaching 3rd and 4th grades. For these schools, you could get some good information on the upper elementary grades. There are quite a few more not-so-gentrified schools where people go to preschool only. For these schools, you would have a very hard time getting good information on upper elementary grades. LT is somewhere in the middle with neighborhood kids now reaching 1st and 2nd grades. (And this is a gross generalization with many exceptions I imagine.)

I'll do my best to answer a couple of your questions:

- The older kids all seem to be in uniform when I see them...

- DC does not have gifted programs although there are certainly some schools working around this in imaginative ways.

- I sincerely doubt there's a strings program...

- Yes, all you need to do is move into the catchment zone from Kindergarten on. And right now, all inbounds kids in preschool do get in as well.

- There are lots and lots of arts classes because it is an arts integration school. And since the 4 year old do science, I have to imagine all the older kids do as well.

One minor correction: Several Capitol Hill schools have experienced varying degrees of gentrification over the past decade as they have become majority IB. Brent is probably the best example of this, although it has attracted a core group of high-SES families from a wide swath of the Hill/Ward 6 who are otherwise IB for schools like LT, Miner, Payne, Tyler, Watkins, and JO Wilson. The Capitol Hill Cluster, which now includes Peabody and Watkins, now feeds into Stuart-Hobson, as does LT, has a solid program and committed parent group. So does Maury. The issue for many of these schools has been retaining high-SES IB students through Fifth Grade. Some used to peel off after Third or Fourth Grades for privates or Hearst and then Hardy for middle school in NW, although charters like Basis and Latin have become increasingly sought after to the point where there are relatively few spots open to non-siblings (someone posted that there wherein excess of 1100 applications for something like 50 spots). At the same time, Brent, Maury and LT have stepped up their games in terms of academic rigor for upper grades, which is a terrific development as the highly regarded charters are increasingly difficult to get into. SWS, which used to be part of the Cluster, has an excellent Reggio-based program, but not neighborhood proximity preference. The same is true of Capitol Hill Montessori. In short, there are lots of options on the Hill, almost all of which have highly-regarded PK programs, and you are guaranteed a spot at your IB school for K and above.

an*

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The sad face in the subject line is obnoxious

The sad face was that we were not matched at our preferred schools. You may not like it, but we were disappointed to begin the research again..... Many people are disappointed by the lottery. I did not realize how sensitive / how strong the inferiority complex is this group of parents is or I certainly wouldn't have used it.

How clever...any apology with an insult. I bet you were awesome in high school...unfortunately you are an adult now so it isn't cute just plain mean spirited and rude.

Anonymous wrote:The sad face in the subject line is obnoxious

The sad face was that we were not matched at our preferred schools. You may not like it, but we were disappointed to begin the research again..... Many people are disappointed by the lottery. I did not realize how sensitive / how strong the inferiority complex is this group of parents is or I certainly wouldn't have used it.

What about the ECE program makes it better than the upper grades?

Is it the teachers?

The students?

The parents?

The curriculum?

-Confused