In the near future, Jefferson Academy, Elliott/Hine, and Stuart Hobson middle schools will become stellar schools and will be competitive with strong reputations. That will lure some students from Deal. Jefferson used to have a stellar math-science program. All these schools are in walking distance from Metro Stations. And it’s OK to have minority children in abundance. Their families want successful schools and children too.



Growing up I can remember when Jefferson Junior High and Hines Junior High used to be the #1 Top middle schools to get in and Deal Junior High at the time was good but not as great as the other 2 schools. The only way to enter or get excepted was if your GPA was a 3.0 or better.

What about sport activities? Do these schools have organized sports, or even better non-organized sports. Being European, my fondest memories of school were of impromptu soccer games in recess. Can kids bring balls and play in recess? I know some elementaries have no outside playground (Thomson) which for me is almost worse than not teaching kids how to read. What are the schools that strike the best balance between sports/installations and academics?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a long time Janney parent, if I were choosing to start my young child at any elementary school in the city, I would choose Brent. Janney's current principal is very, very good. Janney's former (and Brent's current) principal is a force of nature and I love the energy and progressive ideas she brings (and implements) to a school community.

From a broader perspective, all the schools listed here are very good, don't get caught up in PARCC scores and their year to year fluctuations and which school is number one any given year as that can change with the student body.

If you are white, affluent, female, and do not have disability you'll be fine; however, there are wide and shockingly low scores for students of color, low-income, and those in receipt of specialized services at some of these schools. Unfortunately, parents only look at the overall scores and not at the data to match their DS or DD.

That's quite a condescending assumption. I'm sure there are plenty of parents who, if their child has special needs, or is not affluent and white, will dig into the data or otherwise inform themselves to see how a particular school would serve their child. The ones going by overall scores are usually the affluent white ones.

Anonymous wrote:As a long time Janney parent, if I were choosing to start my young child at any elementary school in the city, I would choose Brent. Janney's current principal is very, very good. Janney's former (and Brent's current) principal is a force of nature and I love the energy and progressive ideas she brings (and implements) to a school community.

From a broader perspective, all the schools listed here are very good, don't get caught up in PARCC scores and their year to year fluctuations and which school is number one any given year as that can change with the student body.

If you are white, affluent, female, and do not have disability you'll be fine; however, there are wide and shockingly low scores for students of color, low-income, and those in receipt of specialized services at some of these schools. Unfortunately, parents only look at the overall scores and not at the data to match their DS or DD.

The differences among the higher performing schools is mostly enrichment programs like a school production (plays/chorus), science programs (labs vs. classroom based), STEM offerings, garden programs, etc.

Ladies--I'm simply clutching my Tiffany-brand pearls (Tahitian, plucked by mermaids!) to the point of breaking with all of this talk about chickens! Hasn't anyone here yet considered the implications to our beloveds (and nannies) of what could happen when avian flu spreads from these birds to humans? I insist that the only chickens in my DS' school is a panko breaded one with chipotle ranch dipping sauce. Otherwise avian flu will be the end of us!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baby chicks in DS's K class at Murch! Just sayin'

And ducks!

Better scurry!

As a long time Janney parent, if I were choosing to start my young child at any elementary school in the city, I would choose Brent. Janney's current principal is very, very good. Janney's former (and Brent's current) principal is a force of nature and I love the energy and progressive ideas she brings (and implements) to a school community.

From a broader perspective, all the schools listed here are very good, don't get caught up in PARCC scores and their year to year fluctuations and which school is number one any given year as that can change with the student body.

Anonymous wrote:Baby chicks in DS's K class at Murch! Just sayin'

And ducks!

Anonymous wrote:In the near future, Jefferson Academy, Elliott/Hine, and Stuart Hobson middle schools will become stellar schools and will be competitive with strong reputations. That will lure some students from Deal. Jefferson used to have a stellar math-science program. All these schools are in walking distance from Metro Stations. And it’s OK to have minority children in abundance. Their families want successful schools and children too.

All the Upper Northwest elementary schools appear to be quite good, but there are other good ones in D.C. Looking forward to a rise in schools in other neighborhoods with diverse socioeconomic demographics.

Do they have chickens?

Baby chicks in DS's K class at Murch! Just sayin'

In the near future, Jefferson Academy, Elliott/Hine, and Stuart Hobson middle schools will become stellar schools and will be competitive with strong reputations. That will lure some students from Deal. Jefferson used to have a stellar math-science program. All these schools are in walking distance from Metro Stations. And it’s OK to have minority children in abundance. Their families want successful schools and children too.

All the Upper Northwest elementary schools appear to be quite good, but there are other good ones in D.C. Looking forward to a rise in schools in other neighborhoods with diverse socioeconomic demographics.

Anonymous wrote:Diesn’t School Within School (SWS) have a chicken? Is that a criterion for excellence? This is a Northeast school that is good.

Don't most DCPS ES have a chicken? I think a lot of them have chickens. As a criterion for greatness, it's a good start.

The appeal to some middle schools might be access to Metro.

Diesn’t School Within School (SWS) have a chicken? Is that a criterion for excellence? This is a Northeast school that is good.