Anonymous
01/12/2024 12:53
Subject: East of the River Options
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I've been really unsatisfied with our experience at Lee East End this year, but I'm having trouble finding other options that would be better to apply for next year.
I toured Stokes East End before the pandemic and I was appalled by the behaviors I saw - both from students and staff. Any idea how it's going these days?
Global Citizens could be an option, but I also have no idea how it is actually going and they don't seem to have any in person tours available right now.
Wildflower Riverseed won't have 2nd grade next year, which is what my eldest will need. I really wish they did because this would be the perfect solution.
I'm not interested in any of the "no excuses" type schools like KIPP, DC Scholars, Rocketship, etc.
Is there anything I'm missing? Are we just stuck?
I don’t see why you shouldn’t just stay and try to make Lee East End better?
I mean, if everybody just runs from the school, how is it ever supposed to improve?
Because the fundamental problem Lee faces is a lack of Montessori-qualified teachers and leaders. I'm not sure how parents can fix that. And the other problem is low test scores, just like the Brookland campus has despite several years of robust parent involvement. And the third problem is that a lot of people simply do not want Montessori for Upper Elementary and that's that. Please do fill us in on how people staying at Lee will change those things.
Anonymous
01/12/2024 12:21
Subject: East of the River Options
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I've been really unsatisfied with our experience at Lee East End this year, but I'm having trouble finding other options that would be better to apply for next year.
I toured Stokes East End before the pandemic and I was appalled by the behaviors I saw - both from students and staff. Any idea how it's going these days?
Global Citizens could be an option, but I also have no idea how it is actually going and they don't seem to have any in person tours available right now.
Wildflower Riverseed won't have 2nd grade next year, which is what my eldest will need. I really wish they did because this would be the perfect solution.
I'm not interested in any of the "no excuses" type schools like KIPP, DC Scholars, Rocketship, etc.
Is there anything I'm missing? Are we just stuck?
I don’t see why you shouldn’t just stay and try to make Lee East End better?
I mean, if everybody just runs from the school, how is it ever supposed to improve?
Have you ever had a kid who is struggling with the behavior/culture or instruction at a school, and decided to stay? What was that like for you and your kid?
This question is easier to wrestle with in the abstract, in my experience, than when you see your kid sobbing each day before going to school because they dread it so much, or falling behind or lacking any differentiated instruction when you see MS and HS coming up fast.
This. Children grow faster than schools. Working on your school is for the sake of younger siblings or the school community generally. It doesn't change fast enough to help one's own child in any significant way. And it's very hard for parents to put a young child in a school where they really aren't thriving. It's too high a price to pay.
There are lots of ways for schools to improve. Sometimes an exodus of many parents is what's needed to get the attention of the leadership/board/LEA/PCSB. That's the only thing that worked at Two Rivers. A school can improve by hiring better staff (replacing the Lee EE principal who just quit would be a start!), changing curriculum, improving instructional quality, and in general actually facing up to its problems.
Anonymous
01/12/2024 12:17
Subject: East of the River Options
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I've been really unsatisfied with our experience at Lee East End this year, but I'm having trouble finding other options that would be better to apply for next year.
I toured Stokes East End before the pandemic and I was appalled by the behaviors I saw - both from students and staff. Any idea how it's going these days?
Global Citizens could be an option, but I also have no idea how it is actually going and they don't seem to have any in person tours available right now.
Wildflower Riverseed won't have 2nd grade next year, which is what my eldest will need. I really wish they did because this would be the perfect solution.
I'm not interested in any of the "no excuses" type schools like KIPP, DC Scholars, Rocketship, etc.
Is there anything I'm missing? Are we just stuck?
I don’t see why you shouldn’t just stay and try to make Lee East End better?
I mean, if everybody just runs from the school, how is it ever supposed to improve?
Have you ever had a kid who is struggling with the behavior/culture or instruction at a school, and decided to stay? What was that like for you and your kid?
This question is easier to wrestle with in the abstract, in my experience, than when you see your kid sobbing each day before going to school because they dread it so much, or falling behind or lacking any differentiated instruction when you see MS and HS coming up fast.
Anonymous
01/12/2024 11:49
Subject: East of the River Options
Anonymous wrote:I've been really unsatisfied with our experience at Lee East End this year, but I'm having trouble finding other options that would be better to apply for next year.
I toured Stokes East End before the pandemic and I was appalled by the behaviors I saw - both from students and staff. Any idea how it's going these days?
Global Citizens could be an option, but I also have no idea how it is actually going and they don't seem to have any in person tours available right now.
Wildflower Riverseed won't have 2nd grade next year, which is what my eldest will need. I really wish they did because this would be the perfect solution.
I'm not interested in any of the "no excuses" type schools like KIPP, DC Scholars, Rocketship, etc.
Is there anything I'm missing? Are we just stuck?
I don’t see why you shouldn’t just stay and try to make Lee East End better?
I mean, if everybody just runs from the school, how is it ever supposed to improve?
Anonymous
01/08/2024 15:50
Subject: Re:East of the River Options
I would just advise against too much school hopping. No school is perfect and I certainly am not suggesting that you keep your child somewhere unsafe and/or very chaotic- but I’ve also seen too many kids who were poorly served by changed elementary schools multiple times. Their parents were always looking for the perfect option- and we have so much choice in DC, it can feel like the grass is greener- but this is really destabilizing for kids and I’ve seen the results by the time they get to middle school- it’s not good.
Former middle school administrator
Former middle school administrator
Anonymous
01/08/2024 15:13
Subject: East of the River Options
Please check out Randle Highlands Es. They have a number of teachers that have been there for several years.
Anonymous
12/05/2023 04:25
Subject: Re:East of the River Options
You should probably move if you are struggling this much.
Anonymous
11/29/2023 21:48
Subject: East of the River Options
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If you’re willing to drive to the Hill, I would lottery for Ludlow.
It's worth putting down for the lottery in case you get a great number for one of your kids and it might pull in the other, but otherwise it will be very hard to get multiple kids in lower grades in.
I (OP) know enough about the inner workings of LT to know I would never want to send my children there, unfortunately.
If you don't want LT then you definitely don't want JO. Don't know why PPs are suggesting it.
JO is a good suggestion -- new campus coming, easy commute from East of the River, and actually possible to lottery into from OOB.
Though my bigger question is what OP has against LT, which generally gets great reviews from parents. If OP is currently at Lee EE and considering Global Citizen, the issue is not that LT's test scores aren't high enough. It sounds like OP has a personal grievance against LT (maybe administration or teachers) and thus it has nothing to do with JOW at all.
OP actually seems to have personal grievances against many of the DCPS schools mentioned in the thread. I wonder if she’s a low level DCPS Central type who thinks that she’s getting a real sense of what schools are like from her current perch and therefore has rose colored glasses about charters.
No. I don’t have a preference between DCPS and charter. The only DCPS I know about that I have major concerns with is LT because I’ve heard about the admin issues, which is exactly what I’m trying to avoid. What I do prefer is something beyond traditional schooling. Unfortunately I looked it up and the Nalle Montessori program is only for primary, and I know CHML is also having admin problems. I just don’t want to switch from one school with admin problems to another - just wouldn’t seem worth it.
What is your issue with “traditional schooling”? We pulled our son out of a charter school that touted a progressive approach but also rife with admin issues and weak on academic instruction. He went to LT then on to Latin—had great experiences at both (he’s in HS now). We had no issues with admin, communication etc at either school.
These “progressive “ charter schools are fine in early elementary but lack the academic rigor when it comes to fundamental instruction (foundational math, writing, spelling, etc) that become imperative for your child to progress in later elementary grades.
Anonymous
11/29/2023 08:13
Subject: East of the River Options
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If you’re willing to drive to the Hill, I would lottery for Ludlow.
It's worth putting down for the lottery in case you get a great number for one of your kids and it might pull in the other, but otherwise it will be very hard to get multiple kids in lower grades in.
I (OP) know enough about the inner workings of LT to know I would never want to send my children there, unfortunately.
If you don't want LT then you definitely don't want JO. Don't know why PPs are suggesting it.
JO is a good suggestion -- new campus coming, easy commute from East of the River, and actually possible to lottery into from OOB.
Though my bigger question is what OP has against LT, which generally gets great reviews from parents. If OP is currently at Lee EE and considering Global Citizen, the issue is not that LT's test scores aren't high enough. It sounds like OP has a personal grievance against LT (maybe administration or teachers) and thus it has nothing to do with JOW at all.
OP actually seems to have personal grievances against many of the DCPS schools mentioned in the thread. I wonder if she’s a low level DCPS Central type who thinks that she’s getting a real sense of what schools are like from her current perch and therefore has rose colored glasses about charters.
No. I don’t have a preference between DCPS and charter. The only DCPS I know about that I have major concerns with is LT because I’ve heard about the admin issues, which is exactly what I’m trying to avoid. What I do prefer is something beyond traditional schooling. Unfortunately I looked it up and the Nalle Montessori program is only for primary, and I know CHML is also having admin problems. I just don’t want to switch from one school with admin problems to another - just wouldn’t seem worth it.
Anonymous
11/28/2023 23:50
Subject: East of the River Options
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If you’re willing to drive to the Hill, I would lottery for Ludlow.
It's worth putting down for the lottery in case you get a great number for one of your kids and it might pull in the other, but otherwise it will be very hard to get multiple kids in lower grades in.
I (OP) know enough about the inner workings of LT to know I would never want to send my children there, unfortunately.
If you don't want LT then you definitely don't want JO. Don't know why PPs are suggesting it.
JO is a good suggestion -- new campus coming, easy commute from East of the River, and actually possible to lottery into from OOB.
Though my bigger question is what OP has against LT, which generally gets great reviews from parents. If OP is currently at Lee EE and considering Global Citizen, the issue is not that LT's test scores aren't high enough. It sounds like OP has a personal grievance against LT (maybe administration or teachers) and thus it has nothing to do with JOW at all.
OP actually seems to have personal grievances against many of the DCPS schools mentioned in the thread. I wonder if she’s a low level DCPS Central type who thinks that she’s getting a real sense of what schools are like from her current perch and therefore has rose colored glasses about charters.
Anonymous
11/28/2023 23:44
Subject: East of the River Options
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If you’re willing to drive to the Hill, I would lottery for Ludlow.
It's worth putting down for the lottery in case you get a great number for one of your kids and it might pull in the other, but otherwise it will be very hard to get multiple kids in lower grades in.
I (OP) know enough about the inner workings of LT to know I would never want to send my children there, unfortunately.
If you don’t like Lee and you don’t want Ludlow, I don’t think you’re going to be happy with any schools East of the River (or any others suggested in this thread). I’ve had kids at 3 schools on this list and Ludlow is by far the least chaotic and most pleasant experience for kids and parents; the test scores are also obviously much better than any other school mentioned here. This is not to say Ludlow is perfect. The principal is mostly a non-entity and the communication from admin is poor. But the teachers are mostly very good, the community is vibrant and overall school is a pleasant experience where kids learn. My kids are happy at Ludlow and have been from the beginning. I actually didn’t realize how bad things had gotten for my oldest at TR until they started at Ludlow.
Anonymous
11/28/2023 15:11
Subject: East of the River Options
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If you’re willing to drive to the Hill, I would lottery for Ludlow.
It's worth putting down for the lottery in case you get a great number for one of your kids and it might pull in the other, but otherwise it will be very hard to get multiple kids in lower grades in.
I (OP) know enough about the inner workings of LT to know I would never want to send my children there, unfortunately.
If you don't want LT then you definitely don't want JO. Don't know why PPs are suggesting it.
JO is a good suggestion -- new campus coming, easy commute from East of the River, and actually possible to lottery into from OOB.
Though my bigger question is what OP has against LT, which generally gets great reviews from parents. If OP is currently at Lee EE and considering Global Citizen, the issue is not that LT's test scores aren't high enough. It sounds like OP has a personal grievance against LT (maybe administration or teachers) and thus it has nothing to do with JOW at all.
How does new campus help with behavior issues?
Anonymous
11/28/2023 15:09
Subject: East of the River Options
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If you’re willing to drive to the Hill, I would lottery for Ludlow.
It's worth putting down for the lottery in case you get a great number for one of your kids and it might pull in the other, but otherwise it will be very hard to get multiple kids in lower grades in.
I (OP) know enough about the inner workings of LT to know I would never want to send my children there, unfortunately.
If you don't want LT then you definitely don't want JO. Don't know why PPs are suggesting it.
JO is a good suggestion -- new campus coming, easy commute from East of the River, and actually possible to lottery into from OOB.
Though my bigger question is what OP has against LT, which generally gets great reviews from parents. If OP is currently at Lee EE and considering Global Citizen, the issue is not that LT's test scores aren't high enough. It sounds like OP has a personal grievance against LT (maybe administration or teachers) and thus it has nothing to do with JOW at all.
Anonymous
11/28/2023 14:55
Subject: East of the River Options
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Two Rivers Young campus is just across the river and includes many students from east of the Anacostia including ours. Good elementary school experience and worth looking into.
I would definitely talk to current families. My DS attended years ago and we couldn’t leave fast enough after 4th grade. This was under former leadership which was amazingly inept. Maybe things have changed but if not, I can’t imagine it’s any better than Lee EE.
Same boat here. I would say in TR's favor that if you read the most recent Board minutes it seems like they are actually taking attrition and issues seriously, instead of just sticking their heads in the sand and pretending it was all white flight. The first step in fixing a problem is admitting you have one. TR seems at least willing to do that now.
+100. I would also be interested to hear from current parents; I hope it’s turned a corner but there was almost this complete denial by school leaders (and even some parents) about serious issues related to bullying and complete absence of instruction and teaching when my daughter attended a number of years ago.
Anonymous
11/28/2023 12:34
Subject: East of the River Options
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Two Rivers Young campus is just across the river and includes many students from east of the Anacostia including ours. Good elementary school experience and worth looking into.
I would definitely talk to current families. My DS attended years ago and we couldn’t leave fast enough after 4th grade. This was under former leadership which was amazingly inept. Maybe things have changed but if not, I can’t imagine it’s any better than Lee EE.
Same boat here. I would say in TR's favor that if you read the most recent Board minutes it seems like they are actually taking attrition and issues seriously, instead of just sticking their heads in the sand and pretending it was all white flight. The first step in fixing a problem is admitting you have one. TR seems at least willing to do that now.