Anonymous wrote:Any Oyster Middle School families who think it compares to any of the top schools discussed in this forum? I guess it's really fallen by the way side. Why do they keep that principal on? I hear she's clueless and just an old friend of Rhee's.

Flonk! Flonk! Rhee! Rhee!

So is the consensus that Deal is reverting to something less than ideal, or is it still viewed as the crown jewel of DC middle schools?

Anonymous wrote:You have no middle schools in Ward 5 because the rest of the city had no desire to pay for an entire school for 36 kids just so you could say we have a middle school.

Reality check: DCPS spread our 790 middle schoolers among 7 campuses!

Anonymous wrote:Any thougts on Howard University's PSC for math and science. It is a middle school to high school.

I don't think there is a high school component, based on their website.

I'm a Latin family in-bounds for Deal/Wilson. We did Latin for middle and are staying on for HS. I love that Latin reaches children from all quadrants of the city. That being said, I am thrilled to have strong neighborhood schools in Deal/Wilson, pleased by the rehabbed buildings, and am glad that these schools also reach a high proportion of children from outside the immediate neighborhood ( though that will lessen as neighborhood interest rises and slots fill up). The more strong DCPS and charter schools in the city--the better for all of'our children. Public and public charter schools can co-exist, and not at the expense of one another. Why don't we form partnerships and friendly rivalries such as the independents have? To me, that would be the way to go. I am frankly impressed by aspects of Deal like their well-polished debate team. Latin could learn from that. I am sure that since Latin and Deal come up SO often in the same breath, the admin of Deal might like to see what Latin offers. I think it is great though if they ultimately have two strongly distinct, but meritorious programs. That only broadens choice on the city scene.

Anonymous wrote:Of course the carpool is necessary because the bus is such a zoo. Right?

In a vast sea of terrible options, Latin is sort of passable. The teacher may be passionate, but they sure don't stick around. What was the turnover on the 5th grade staff this year? 50%?

If you can't get into Deal and you can't (won't) move, Latin is a option I suppose. This school doesn't even come close to local privates or our suburban counterparts.

It's sad what we settle for in the District.

More like, if you can't get into Latin it helps to live IB for Deal. Plenty of families IB for Deal choose Latin for the superior academics.

Oh yawn another bash Latin vein to mine. The Latin bus is fine. Our child rides it every day. Are you kidding?