Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All Spanish track students on the waitlist (45) will not get in this year, there is not space for them. There will be more waitlisted students as the feeders complete their growth.

I’m not anxious or worried. I have a child at a Spanish feeder and I would like to understand what middle school language options they will have. Can charter school students lottery in to the Spanish programs at DCPS middle schools? Do they just have to put Macfarland or CHEC on the lottery list or is there a separate process to get in the language track?

The real answer is that MacFarland and CHEC are so weak that you don’t need to bother with a formal process. List them in the lottery then tell them you want the Spanish track. Then panic when you simultaneously hear the stories your sixth grader comes home with and realize they aren’t learning a thing. And if you think things will miraculously change in the few years you have until middle school, go talk to the people on the Hill arguing about middle schools.

MacFarland bilingual school graduate family who did not continue to MacFarland for the reasons above.

This is one of the funniest but also saddest responses I’ve heard on this forum in a long time. It should be mandatory reading for all people considering middle school in dc.

Honestly what's crazy to me is the the Hill still doesn't have a viable high school equivalent to JR, although it's been gentrified and home to families for decades, longer than the upper NW. I am sure there is a history there, and I am hoping someone here can link out to a nice detailed article about it (or book!)...

This is so true. I think it's the charters pulling a critical mass of kids out of the publics and then the fact that many Hill families can afford private, at least for high school. It would be amazing if Eastern were a better school. IMHO a quick fix to this would be to have legit accelerated tracking there which would cause more people to take a chance on it. But DCPS will never do it, so the problems persist.

The charters are pulling a critical mass of kids out of dc public schools because the dcps middle schools are very bad and seem to be getting worse (ed tech).

But are DC schools declining more than other public schools due to ed tech?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All Spanish track students on the waitlist (45) will not get in this year, there is not space for them. There will be more waitlisted students as the feeders complete their growth.

I’m not anxious or worried. I have a child at a Spanish feeder and I would like to understand what middle school language options they will have. Can charter school students lottery in to the Spanish programs at DCPS middle schools? Do they just have to put Macfarland or CHEC on the lottery list or is there a separate process to get in the language track?

The real answer is that MacFarland and CHEC are so weak that you don’t need to bother with a formal process. List them in the lottery then tell them you want the Spanish track. Then panic when you simultaneously hear the stories your sixth grader comes home with and realize they aren’t learning a thing. And if you think things will miraculously change in the few years you have until middle school, go talk to the people on the Hill arguing about middle schools.

MacFarland bilingual school graduate family who did not continue to MacFarland for the reasons above.

This is one of the funniest but also saddest responses I’ve heard on this forum in a long time. It should be mandatory reading for all people considering middle school in dc.

Honestly what's crazy to me is the the Hill still doesn't have a viable high school equivalent to JR, although it's been gentrified and home to families for decades, longer than the upper NW. I am sure there is a history there, and I am hoping someone here can link out to a nice detailed article about it (or book!)...

Hill parent here. You hear a lot of noise on this forum and at school about how great the Hill middle schools are but I would not send my kids there (and don’t). The choices were lottery to a charter, private, or move. The people who send their kids there usually don’t really understand the US education system that well or are brainwashed by loudmouths emphasizing the importance of walking to school. Walking to school is great but having great writing skills is more important.

Can't guarantee great writing skills anywhere, including at private. We are supplementing writing to ensure our kids actually learn it correctly. We also supplement math. We have chosen to supplement and stay in DCPS instead of stretching for private, at least in middle school, and then have no budget left over for any needed supplementation. It's a choice and I know others wouldn't make it, including if you have demanding jobs etc or if private isn't as much of a stretch.

Anonymous wrote:Weird vibes on this board lately.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All Spanish track students on the waitlist (45) will not get in this year, there is not space for them. There will be more waitlisted students as the feeders complete their growth.

I’m not anxious or worried. I have a child at a Spanish feeder and I would like to understand what middle school language options they will have. Can charter school students lottery in to the Spanish programs at DCPS middle schools? Do they just have to put Macfarland or CHEC on the lottery list or is there a separate process to get in the language track?

The real answer is that MacFarland and CHEC are so weak that you don’t need to bother with a formal process. List them in the lottery then tell them you want the Spanish track. Then panic when you simultaneously hear the stories your sixth grader comes home with and realize they aren’t learning a thing. And if you think things will miraculously change in the few years you have until middle school, go talk to the people on the Hill arguing about middle schools.

MacFarland bilingual school graduate family who did not continue to MacFarland for the reasons above.

This is one of the funniest but also saddest responses I’ve heard on this forum in a long time. It should be mandatory reading for all people considering middle school in dc.

Honestly what's crazy to me is the the Hill still doesn't have a viable high school equivalent to JR, although it's been gentrified and home to families for decades, longer than the upper NW. I am sure there is a history there, and I am hoping someone here can link out to a nice detailed article about it (or book!)...

Hill parent here. You hear a lot of noise on this forum and at school about how great the Hill middle schools are but I would not send my kids there (and don’t). The choices were lottery to a charter, private, or move. The people who send their kids there usually don’t really understand the US education system that well or are brainwashed by loudmouths emphasizing the importance of walking to school. Walking to school is great but having great writing skills is more important.

Can't guarantee great writing skills anywhere, including at private. We are supplementing writing to ensure our kids actually learn it correctly. We also supplement math. We have chosen to supplement and stay in DCPS instead of stretching for private, at least in middle school, and then have no budget left over for any needed supplementation. It's a choice and I know others wouldn't make it, including if you have demanding jobs etc or if private isn't as much of a stretch.

Where/how are you supplementing writing? It’s a massive weakness for one of my kids, and I’d love a rec

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All Spanish track students on the waitlist (45) will not get in this year, there is not space for them. There will be more waitlisted students as the feeders complete their growth.

I’m not anxious or worried. I have a child at a Spanish feeder and I would like to understand what middle school language options they will have. Can charter school students lottery in to the Spanish programs at DCPS middle schools? Do they just have to put Macfarland or CHEC on the lottery list or is there a separate process to get in the language track?

The real answer is that MacFarland and CHEC are so weak that you don’t need to bother with a formal process. List them in the lottery then tell them you want the Spanish track. Then panic when you simultaneously hear the stories your sixth grader comes home with and realize they aren’t learning a thing. And if you think things will miraculously change in the few years you have until middle school, go talk to the people on the Hill arguing about middle schools.

MacFarland bilingual school graduate family who did not continue to MacFarland for the reasons above.

This is one of the funniest but also saddest responses I’ve heard on this forum in a long time. It should be mandatory reading for all people considering middle school in dc.

Honestly what's crazy to me is the the Hill still doesn't have a viable high school equivalent to JR, although it's been gentrified and home to families for decades, longer than the upper NW. I am sure there is a history there, and I am hoping someone here can link out to a nice detailed article about it (or book!)...

This is so true. I think it's the charters pulling a critical mass of kids out of the publics and then the fact that many Hill families can afford private, at least for high school. It would be amazing if Eastern were a better school. IMHO a quick fix to this would be to have legit accelerated tracking there which would cause more people to take a chance on it. But DCPS will never do it, so the problems persist.

This is why so much of the info is unhelpful on this forum. There is the EPIC Program (an honors cohort for 9th and 10th graders) and the IB program at Eastern. An accelerated track within the school exits.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All Spanish track students on the waitlist (45) will not get in this year, there is not space for them. There will be more waitlisted students as the feeders complete their growth.

I’m not anxious or worried. I have a child at a Spanish feeder and I would like to understand what middle school language options they will have. Can charter school students lottery in to the Spanish programs at DCPS middle schools? Do they just have to put Macfarland or CHEC on the lottery list or is there a separate process to get in the language track?

The real answer is that MacFarland and CHEC are so weak that you don’t need to bother with a formal process. List them in the lottery then tell them you want the Spanish track. Then panic when you simultaneously hear the stories your sixth grader comes home with and realize they aren’t learning a thing. And if you think things will miraculously change in the few years you have until middle school, go talk to the people on the Hill arguing about middle schools.

MacFarland bilingual school graduate family who did not continue to MacFarland for the reasons above.

This is one of the funniest but also saddest responses I’ve heard on this forum in a long time. It should be mandatory reading for all people considering middle school in dc.

Honestly what's crazy to me is the the Hill still doesn't have a viable high school equivalent to JR, although it's been gentrified and home to families for decades, longer than the upper NW. I am sure there is a history there, and I am hoping someone here can link out to a nice detailed article about it (or book!)...

This is so true. I think it's the charters pulling a critical mass of kids out of the publics and then the fact that many Hill families can afford private, at least for high school. It would be amazing if Eastern were a better school. IMHO a quick fix to this would be to have legit accelerated tracking there which would cause more people to take a chance on it. But DCPS will never do it, so the problems persist.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All Spanish track students on the waitlist (45) will not get in this year, there is not space for them. There will be more waitlisted students as the feeders complete their growth.

I’m not anxious or worried. I have a child at a Spanish feeder and I would like to understand what middle school language options they will have. Can charter school students lottery in to the Spanish programs at DCPS middle schools? Do they just have to put Macfarland or CHEC on the lottery list or is there a separate process to get in the language track?

The real answer is that MacFarland and CHEC are so weak that you don’t need to bother with a formal process. List them in the lottery then tell them you want the Spanish track. Then panic when you simultaneously hear the stories your sixth grader comes home with and realize they aren’t learning a thing. And if you think things will miraculously change in the few years you have until middle school, go talk to the people on the Hill arguing about middle schools.

MacFarland bilingual school graduate family who did not continue to MacFarland for the reasons above.

This is one of the funniest but also saddest responses I’ve heard on this forum in a long time. It should be mandatory reading for all people considering middle school in dc.

Honestly what's crazy to me is the the Hill still doesn't have a viable high school equivalent to JR, although it's been gentrified and home to families for decades, longer than the upper NW. I am sure there is a history there, and I am hoping someone here can link out to a nice detailed article about it (or book!)...

Hill parent here. You hear a lot of noise on this forum and at school about how great the Hill middle schools are but I would not send my kids there (and don’t). The choices were lottery to a charter, private, or move. The people who send their kids there usually don’t really understand the US education system that well or are brainwashed by loudmouths emphasizing the importance of walking to school. Walking to school is great but having great writing skills is more important.

Can't guarantee great writing skills anywhere, including at private. We are supplementing writing to ensure our kids actually learn it correctly. We also supplement math. We have chosen to supplement and stay in DCPS instead of stretching for private, at least in middle school, and then have no budget left over for any needed supplementation. It's a choice and I know others wouldn't make it, including if you have demanding jobs etc or if private isn't as much of a stretch.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All Spanish track students on the waitlist (45) will not get in this year, there is not space for them. There will be more waitlisted students as the feeders complete their growth.

I’m not anxious or worried. I have a child at a Spanish feeder and I would like to understand what middle school language options they will have. Can charter school students lottery in to the Spanish programs at DCPS middle schools? Do they just have to put Macfarland or CHEC on the lottery list or is there a separate process to get in the language track?

The real answer is that MacFarland and CHEC are so weak that you don’t need to bother with a formal process. List them in the lottery then tell them you want the Spanish track. Then panic when you simultaneously hear the stories your sixth grader comes home with and realize they aren’t learning a thing. And if you think things will miraculously change in the few years you have until middle school, go talk to the people on the Hill arguing about middle schools.

MacFarland bilingual school graduate family who did not continue to MacFarland for the reasons above.

This is one of the funniest but also saddest responses I’ve heard on this forum in a long time. It should be mandatory reading for all people considering middle school in dc.

Honestly what's crazy to me is the the Hill still doesn't have a viable high school equivalent to JR, although it's been gentrified and home to families for decades, longer than the upper NW. I am sure there is a history there, and I am hoping someone here can link out to a nice detailed article about it (or book!)...

Hill parent here. You hear a lot of noise on this forum and at school about how great the Hill middle schools are but I would not send my kids there (and don’t). The choices were lottery to a charter, private, or move. The people who send their kids there usually don’t really understand the US education system that well or are brainwashed by loudmouths emphasizing the importance of walking to school. Walking to school is great but having great writing skills is more important.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All Spanish track students on the waitlist (45) will not get in this year, there is not space for them. There will be more waitlisted students as the feeders complete their growth.

I’m not anxious or worried. I have a child at a Spanish feeder and I would like to understand what middle school language options they will have. Can charter school students lottery in to the Spanish programs at DCPS middle schools? Do they just have to put Macfarland or CHEC on the lottery list or is there a separate process to get in the language track?

The real answer is that MacFarland and CHEC are so weak that you don’t need to bother with a formal process. List them in the lottery then tell them you want the Spanish track. Then panic when you simultaneously hear the stories your sixth grader comes home with and realize they aren’t learning a thing. And if you think things will miraculously change in the few years you have until middle school, go talk to the people on the Hill arguing about middle schools.

MacFarland bilingual school graduate family who did not continue to MacFarland for the reasons above.

This is one of the funniest but also saddest responses I’ve heard on this forum in a long time. It should be mandatory reading for all people considering middle school in dc.

Honestly what's crazy to me is the the Hill still doesn't have a viable high school equivalent to JR, although it's been gentrified and home to families for decades, longer than the upper NW. I am sure there is a history there, and I am hoping someone here can link out to a nice detailed article about it (or book!)...

This is so true. I think it's the charters pulling a critical mass of kids out of the publics and then the fact that many Hill families can afford private, at least for high school. It would be amazing if Eastern were a better school. IMHO a quick fix to this would be to have legit accelerated tracking there which would cause more people to take a chance on it. But DCPS will never do it, so the problems persist.

The charters are pulling a critical mass of kids out of dc public schools because the dcps middle schools are very bad and seem to be getting worse (ed tech).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All Spanish track students on the waitlist (45) will not get in this year, there is not space for them. There will be more waitlisted students as the feeders complete their growth.

I’m not anxious or worried. I have a child at a Spanish feeder and I would like to understand what middle school language options they will have. Can charter school students lottery in to the Spanish programs at DCPS middle schools? Do they just have to put Macfarland or CHEC on the lottery list or is there a separate process to get in the language track?

The real answer is that MacFarland and CHEC are so weak that you don’t need to bother with a formal process. List them in the lottery then tell them you want the Spanish track. Then panic when you simultaneously hear the stories your sixth grader comes home with and realize they aren’t learning a thing. And if you think things will miraculously change in the few years you have until middle school, go talk to the people on the Hill arguing about middle schools.

MacFarland bilingual school graduate family who did not continue to MacFarland for the reasons above.

This is one of the funniest but also saddest responses I’ve heard on this forum in a long time. It should be mandatory reading for all people considering middle school in dc.

Honestly what's crazy to me is the the Hill still doesn't have a viable high school equivalent to JR, although it's been gentrified and home to families for decades, longer than the upper NW. I am sure there is a history there, and I am hoping someone here can link out to a nice detailed article about it (or book!)...

Hill parent here. You hear a lot of noise on this forum and at school about how great the Hill middle schools are but I would not send my kids there (and don’t). The choices were lottery to a charter, private, or move. The people who send their kids there usually don’t really understand the US education system that well or are brainwashed by loudmouths emphasizing the importance of walking to school. Walking to school is great but having great writing skills is more important.

Where did you end up?

We may be in the moving category, after over a decade on the Hill, and not thrilled about it at all. Lived in three other neighborhoods in NW previously and like the Hill way more. But schools….

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All Spanish track students on the waitlist (45) will not get in this year, there is not space for them. There will be more waitlisted students as the feeders complete their growth.

I’m not anxious or worried. I have a child at a Spanish feeder and I would like to understand what middle school language options they will have. Can charter school students lottery in to the Spanish programs at DCPS middle schools? Do they just have to put Macfarland or CHEC on the lottery list or is there a separate process to get in the language track?

The real answer is that MacFarland and CHEC are so weak that you don’t need to bother with a formal process. List them in the lottery then tell them you want the Spanish track. Then panic when you simultaneously hear the stories your sixth grader comes home with and realize they aren’t learning a thing. And if you think things will miraculously change in the few years you have until middle school, go talk to the people on the Hill arguing about middle schools.

MacFarland bilingual school graduate family who did not continue to MacFarland for the reasons above.

This is one of the funniest but also saddest responses I’ve heard on this forum in a long time. It should be mandatory reading for all people considering middle school in dc.

Honestly what's crazy to me is the the Hill still doesn't have a viable high school equivalent to JR, although it's been gentrified and home to families for decades, longer than the upper NW. I am sure there is a history there, and I am hoping someone here can link out to a nice detailed article about it (or book!)...

Hill parent here. You hear a lot of noise on this forum and at school about how great the Hill middle schools are but I would not send my kids there (and don’t). The choices were lottery to a charter, private, or move. The people who send their kids there usually don’t really understand the US education system that well or are brainwashed by loudmouths emphasizing the importance of walking to school. Walking to school is great but having great writing skills is more important.

Anonymous wrote:
Would love to hear more takes on the State of The Immersion Charters as you all see this lottery data coming in. For instance, which schools are still worthwhile from a learning/academic perspective even if you don't end up at DCI? I'd like to think that several years of language immersion or bilingual experience is not nothing, especially for a family targeting a heritage language. I see the WL shrinking for some but don't think that's necessarily a good signal and am new to this data and process. We're yet another Hill family interested in language but out of bounds for Chisholm.