I don't think it is about in bounds versus out of bounds. The key is proficiency - everyone wants the same profile as Deal.

Anonymous wrote:We have a child at Key and love it. The thought of the middle school options current out there for us (hardy) isn't satisfactory. No, haven't taken a tour yet as we have several years to go at Key, but, the press and the data are pretty overwhelming - -I mean, over 80% out of boundary! Yikes. I love the idea of a new middle school in ward 3. By the way, where would this new middle school be built?

I really don't understand this logic. You have an inbound middle school that you don't want to attend because of the low percentage of inbounds students. If you and your neighbors enrolled your children, the percentage of inbounds students would increase. Problem solved! Why do you need a brand new building before you will enroll your children? What will prevent out of bounds children from enrolling in that school as well (of course, this is the dirty secret behind the idea)?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reality is that Ward 3 will populate a middle school with a majority of proficient students. Other wards are a few years away from doing that. Bringing another highly functioning school is good for DCPS. I live in Ward Six.

Guaranteed the charters will do that more quickly and effectively than DCPS ever could. Out of nowhere, Washington Latin appeared and is already better than Deal. Maybe BASES will do something good on the Hill? And in the meantime, all the good charters will continue to grow to HS, because none of those parents are willing to return to DCPS.

PP appreciate the praise, though WL did not appear out of nowhere - lots of blood, sweat and tears, and could always use far more support and love . Any new charter--IT, Basis, Ward 3 --should be prepared for a hard haul in the first years unless they have a fabulously wealthy benefactor looking out for them (that would be nice!).
We are so happy with where we've gotten, but Deal is by all accounts a fantastic school as well. I agree charters afford an enticing opportunity, and we deeply appreciate ours.

We have a child at Key and love it. The thought of the middle school options current out there for us (hardy) isn't satisfactory. No, haven't taken a tour yet as we have several years to go at Key, but, the press and the data are pretty overwhelming - -I mean, over 80% out of boundary! Yikes. I love the idea of a new middle school in ward 3. By the way, where would this new middle school be built?

So some privates and some charters would find their enrollment declined in an amount roughly equal to the number of enrollees at a new Ward 3 middle school. Of course they'd pursue other students to fill those spots.
So just maybe the addition of this particular school would be a win/win for many students compared to current situation. And it might even keep some families from moving to the suburbs for middle school.

Anonymous wrote:The reality is that Ward 3 will populate a middle school with a majority of proficient students. Other wards are a few years away from doing that. Bringing another highly functioning school is good for DCPS. I live in Ward Six.

Guaranteed the charters will do that more quickly and effectively than DCPS ever could. Out of nowhere, Washington Latin appeared and is already better than Deal. Maybe BASES will do something good on the Hill? And in the meantime, all the good charters will continue to grow to HS, because none of those parents are willing to return to DCPS.