OP, I personally would not place my child in a school that is 99% FARMS. The social atmosphere will be different. Usually kids from these types of backgrounds come to school with lots of social, cognitive,emotional, and behavoirial problems. I'm not saying that all FARM students fit this profile. However, in DC it's most likely that these children come from dysfunctional homes where there is child abuse, substance abuse issues, and a list of other problems. It could be a cultural shock listening to a four year verbalizing profanity and misogynistic words, but can't even recite the alphabet. It will be a cultural shock to witness how angry, maladjusted, and unstable these students are. Most of these students never been read to, never been told the words, "I love you", or their emotional needs were never met from the time they were infants. Teachers spend a great deal of time trying to diffuse negative social behavior that teaching sometimes take a backseat. Which means your child's needs aren't going to get met because the priorities of the FARM students are so much more important. The needs of the FARM students are a priority. The entire educational setting will be focus on assisting those students with the various issues that they bring to school. The fact of the matter is that many poor inner-city children in DC are born to parents who don't give a damn. So, when unstable parents bring children into the world, it is up to the schools to provide some form of stability, love, attention, and other unmet needs to these children. I think there are some phenomenal teachers and specialists out there who do an amazing job with these students. However, it's a difficult task. It's the reason why so many DCPS are problematic. We have a culture of children who are born from generations of poverty, child abuse, and other issues. Teachers are forced to take on the role of a parent in these classrooms.

Also, it will be extremely difficult for you to establish friendships with the parents. There is a provincial attitude and a strong level of resistance with some DC residents (especially those from the lower class black communities) against integration and diversity. So, you may encounter some negative attitudes and behaviors from the parents as well.

You have to ask yourself do you want to take a risk and make your child the sacrificial lamb?


This is one of the most insightful posts I've read on this board so far. Thank you for posting this.

Anonymous wrote:13:32 - are you seriously telling me that poor people don't love their children?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I volunteer once a week at a school on Capitol Hill that is listed as 99% FARMS. I don't think that it is actually a full 99% low income, but that designation indicates that a very high percentage of the student population is low-income.

The behavior that I have personally witnessed is much more than "boy banter/playful aggression." I have seen serious fighting (in which children get hurt) and heard horrible language. Many of the children are outright defiant to teachers. They seem to have no respect for adults and either run around the room or wander the halls. Sadly, the classes in which I've seen this behavior have been very young children -- 1st and 2nd graders.

FARMS rate related to behavior???

I'd say so.My kids is FARM and has been in trouble more than other kids in class.

Anonymous wrote:13:32 - are you seriously telling me that poor people don't love their children?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I volunteer once a week at a school on Capitol Hill that is listed as 99% FARMS. I don't think that it is actually a full 99% low income, but that designation indicates that a very high percentage of the student population is low-income.

The behavior that I have personally witnessed is much more than "boy banter/playful aggression." I have seen serious fighting (in which children get hurt) and heard horrible language. Many of the children are outright defiant to teachers. They seem to have no respect for adults and either run around the room or wander the halls. Sadly, the classes in which I've seen this behavior have been very young children -- 1st and 2nd graders.

FARMS rate related to behavior???

Anonymous wrote:It is a crap shoot considering you can have a large percentage of FARM students and the school is doing quite well by DCPS standards. Case in point Kelly Miller has a large FARM population but the Principal is the Principal of the Year and I do believe our Teacher of the Year came from a school with large FARM population. High FARM populated schools have the same programs for students who excel and therefore sending your child to a school with a larger FARM population doesn't always mean doom and gloom.

@19:03, as for being the sacificial lamb, you should ask yourself do you actually believe in the bullsh*t you are providing?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I personally would not place my child in a school that is 99% FARMS. The social atmosphere will be different. Usually kids from these types of backgrounds come to school with lots of social, cognitive,emotional, and behavoirial problems. I'm not saying that all FARM students fit this profile. However, in DC it's most likely that these children come from dysfunctional homes where there is child abuse, substance abuse issues, and a list of other problems. It could be a cultural shock listening to a four year verbalizing profanity and misogynistic words, but can't even recite the alphabet. It will be a cultural shock to witness how angry, maladjusted, and unstable these students are. Most of these students never been read to, never been told the words, "I love you", or their emotional needs were never met from the time they were infants. Teachers spend a great deal of time trying to diffuse negative social behavior that teaching sometimes take a backseat. Which means your child's needs aren't going to get met because the priorities of the FARM students are so much more important. The needs of the FARM students are a priority. The entire educational setting will be focus on assisting those students with the various issues that they bring to school. The fact of the matter is that many poor inner-city children in DC are born to parents who don't give a damn. So, when unstable parents bring children into the world, it is up to the schools to provide some form of stability, love, attention, and other unmet needs to these children. I think there are some phenomenal teachers and specialists out there who do an amazing job with these students. However, it's a difficult task. It's the reason why so many DCPS are problematic. We have a culture of children who are born from generations of poverty, child abuse, and other issues. Teachers are forced to take on the role of a parent in these classrooms.

Also, it will be extremely difficult for you to establish friendships with the parents. There is a provincial attitude and a strong level of resistance with some DC residents (especially those from the lower class black communities) against integration and diversity. So, you may encounter some negative attitudes and behaviors from the parents as well.

You have to ask yourself do you want to take a risk and make your child the sacrificial lamb?

This is one of the most insightful posts I've read on this board so far. Thank you for posting this.

Anonymous wrote:I'm 10:29 -Integration and diversity are for people in the majority. Minorities have always had to deal with integration and diversity.

Anonymous wrote:OP, I personally would not place my child in a school that is 99% FARMS. The social atmosphere will be different. Usually kids from these types of backgrounds come to school with lots of social, cognitive,emotional, and behavoirial problems. I'm not saying that all FARM students fit this profile. However, in DC it's most likely that these children come from dysfunctional homes where there is child abuse, substance abuse issues, and a list of other problems. It could be a cultural shock listening to a four year verbalizing profanity and misogynistic words, but can't even recite the alphabet. It will be a cultural shock to witness how angry, maladjusted, and unstable these students are. Most of these students never been read to, never been told the words, "I love you", or their emotional needs were never met from the time they were infants. Teachers spend a great deal of time trying to diffuse negative social behavior that teaching sometimes take a backseat. Which means your child's needs aren't going to get met because the priorities of the FARM students are so much more important. The needs of the FARM students are a priority. The entire educational setting will be focus on assisting those students with the various issues that they bring to school. The fact of the matter is that many poor inner-city children in DC are born to parents who don't give a damn. So, when unstable parents bring children into the world, it is up to the schools to provide some form of stability, love, attention, and other unmet needs to these children. I think there are some phenomenal teachers and specialists out there who do an amazing job with these students. However, it's a difficult task. It's the reason why so many DCPS are problematic. We have a culture of children who are born from generations of poverty, child abuse, and other issues. Teachers are forced to take on the role of a parent in these classrooms.

Also, it will be extremely difficult for you to establish friendships with the parents. There is a provincial attitude and a strong level of resistance with some DC residents (especially those from the lower class black communities) against integration and diversity. So, you may encounter some negative attitudes and behaviors from the parents as well.

You have to ask yourself do you want to take a risk and make your child the sacrificial lamb?