Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a DCB parent and the school has been great. The teachers are amazingly dedicated, take real time to work with us to solve issues our child is facing, and as the OP pointed out, the classrooms are very diverse. I like the fact that my child is learning Spanish surrounded by native speakers, both faculty and students. The arts and music instruction is extraordinary, which is also important to me (together with immersion).

My reservations are around the pedagogical model, which is where I might sway toward ITS (what little I know). DCB is very structured, and the long school day is geared toward students who may not get the support they need at home. It may be too structured for my child, which is why he has some difficulties with self control during the school day. If he could just run around all day maybe it would be easier for him? But then again, you won't get running around all day at any DCPS or PCS.

That said, not only are the teachers dedicated, hardworking, loving and talented, they have told me on multiple occasions that the DCB community is special, that there is great morale among teachers, and that feeling is translated into the classroom. It is worth a lot.

I'm another DCB parent with a child in the early grades and feel the school is a hidden gem. I want to amplify what the other parent said: " my child is learning Spanish surrounded by native speakers, both faculty and students" and is growing up not only bilingual but also bicultural. When I've had a chance to be in class or join a field trip I have found that only are the classrooms are very diverse, but the children have an easy time playing together across family backgrounds. In terms of my child's emotional development, our child finds the school a warm, safe, fun place; they do a great job at school engagement. However, I would also agree that DCB is very structured and may not be the best school for every child . While we are delighted with our child's reading progress, the current location's play facilities leave much to be desired. We're actually looking forward to the new location and the increased possibility of play space, both indoors and outdoors. Finally I want to add that I've also heard great things about ITS, so it sounds like the OP had a win-win situation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our child is thriving at DCB. We love it and have no complaints. . . except for the commute. There lies your decision.

Isn't DCB the one school that DCI didn't really want but somehow had to take in their coalition? I thought I'd heard from the parent of a 3rd grader at DCB that math isn't taught well there. I can understand wanting a 2nd language, but DCB's reputation would give me cause for concern. Plus, a manageable commute in ES is no small matter.

I've heard from multiple sources that dc bilingual is the weak link in dci feeder schools. Not sure why people say that since Stokes is also a tier 2 charter school and MV has no test scores yet. I think it's a great school!

DCB is the only DCI feeder where the majority of the student body is classified as English Language Learner by the DC School Equity Report. I think it is one of the schools strengths, but it could be scaring off people who don't know the school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our child is thriving at DCB. We love it and have no complaints. . . except for the commute. There lies your decision.

Isn't DCB the one school that DCI didn't really want but somehow had to take in their coalition? I thought I'd heard from the parent of a 3rd grader at DCB that math isn't taught well there. I can understand wanting a 2nd language, but DCB's reputation would give me cause for concern. Plus, a manageable commute in ES is no small matter.

I've heard from multiple sources that dc bilingual is the weak link in dci feeder schools. Not sure why people say that since Stokes is also a tier 2 charter school and MV has no test scores yet. I think it's a great school!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our child is thriving at DCB. We love it and have no complaints. . . except for the commute. There lies your decision.

Isn't DCB the one school that DCI didn't really want but somehow had to take in their coalition? I thought I'd heard from the parent of a 3rd grader at DCB that math isn't taught well there. I can understand wanting a 2nd language, but DCB's reputation would give me cause for concern. Plus, a manageable commute in ES is no small matter.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our child is thriving at DCB. We love it and have no complaints. . . except for the commute. There lies your decision.

Isn't DCB the one school that DCI didn't really want but somehow had to take in their coalition? I thought I'd heard from the parent of a 3rd grader at DCB that math isn't taught well there. I can understand wanting a 2nd language, but DCB's reputation would give me cause for concern. Plus, a manageable commute in ES is no small matter.

Anonymous wrote:Our child is thriving at DCB. We love it and have no complaints. . . except for the commute. There lies your decision.

Anonymous wrote:As an ITS founding family, I say go somewhere else. They haven't worked the curriculum out, and there are too few Master or skilled teachers. The problems were not just isolated with a bad hire in 4th grade. The problems are too many and the admin is not taking the issues parents bring to them with enough urgency. Great concept, poor execution.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an ITS founding family, I say go somewhere else. They haven't worked the curriculum out, and there are too few Master or skilled teachers. The problems were not just isolated with a bad hire in 4th grade. The problems are too many and the admin is not taking the issues parents bring to them with enough urgency. Great concept, poor execution.

As a founding family here I say the exact opposite of this poster. I do know a handful of families not happy for various reasons. Some I consider friends. Some are extremely hard to please. Sure there are still kinks after 4 years but they do so much right. I haven't played he lottery since year 1.