Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am IB for Noyes and we wouldn’t consider going there. I understand it may be fine for PK3, but I’d do whatever I could to get out ASAP

Why? Full disclosure, I'm IB for Bunker Hill, which is not too far from Noyes or Burroughs, and I don't understand why everyone is scrambling to get into Burroughs while avoiding Noyes and Bunker Hill. Just trying to get more info.

We are IB for Bunker and didn't even list it. We listed Burroughs, last (matched elsewhere). I spoke to a parent at Bunker (the only one I could find) who told me a terrible story about his child's experience and also that they had no PTO and hadn't for some time. At least Burroughs had one which was doing outreach in the community, and upon a visit I met a nice PK teacher. And, its scores are better. So that's why.

Noyes I didn't look at, but reputation seemed similar to Bunker. The whole cheating scandal with fake scores also wasn't appealing. So, overall, I think Burroughs is doing better than the other 2. Sadly not great though. These three might be the most impacted schools by the charter system since Ward 5 has so many good ones.

Thanks. There was a test cheating scandal at Bunker Hill? I had not heard of that.

I'm not too fussed about test scores generally, but I do want a positive atmosphere for my kid. How hard would it be to form a parent-teacher organization? Maybe I'm being naive, but there are so many families living IB for these schools, and not everyone will "win" the lottery and get placed into a charter school, so why can't we start putting in the work to improve these schools?

It is not that hard to form a PTA and the Washington Lawyers Comittee will help you do it. If you want to do it, go for it. I think the hard thing with Noyes is being surrounded by so many schools that are just a tiny bit stronger and very easy to get into. Pretty much everyone can get into Langley or Burroughs by October for PK3, and in easily in the summer for PK4. So it is hard for Noyes to get off the ground. Still, I would encourage you to take up the oar if it would be a meaningful volunteering experience for you.

A PTA needs to also be supported by and done in partnership with the school leadership. Some leaders are more supportive than others. That's one challenge.

Another is simply getting participants. Current and long-time attendees of Noyes and Bunker are, anecdotally, not as interested in participating in a PTA. Just starting and getting off the ground means finding those parents who are interested, which means having a way of contacting them. We're talking a school with no parent email listserv either. So, that means getting the admin to recruit for you perhaps.

I have no firsthand experience but I do know someone who was at Bunker and was interested in getting this to happen, but didn't find the momentum there on the parent or admin side. So what keeps happening is the parents who are a little more engaged go for Burroughs, and even then they leave asap.

It only works if the principal is good at the job and wants to work with parents. Parent involvement alone is not enough without good leadership. And even then it's slow going-- people jump ship for better middle school options and unless Brookland Middle improves, it's going to stay that way.

I second the importance of collaborative school leadership. We've been able to build parent engagement at Whittier because of our strong principal and admin team. Once we had people who were motivated to talk to their friends, networks, and the community about the school, people gave it a second look and started to enroll and get involved. We've also had to understand how parents can get involved, how they want to get involved. It's slow going, and it should be, because there are probably people currently in the school who like it and don't want a bunch of new folks coming in and "changing things."

Slow change isn't going to work for many. Because they have other options they'll go for as soon as possible. Even as soon as PK4 (forget the middle feeder issue!).

Look at Cleveland, a supposedly decent DCPS. PTA killed off. If some don't want change, well, they aren't going to get it. They can just keep their screwed up status quo.

What happened at Cleveland?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am IB for Noyes and we wouldn’t consider going there. I understand it may be fine for PK3, but I’d do whatever I could to get out ASAP

Why? Full disclosure, I'm IB for Bunker Hill, which is not too far from Noyes or Burroughs, and I don't understand why everyone is scrambling to get into Burroughs while avoiding Noyes and Bunker Hill. Just trying to get more info.

We are IB for Bunker and didn't even list it. We listed Burroughs, last (matched elsewhere). I spoke to a parent at Bunker (the only one I could find) who told me a terrible story about his child's experience and also that they had no PTO and hadn't for some time. At least Burroughs had one which was doing outreach in the community, and upon a visit I met a nice PK teacher. And, its scores are better. So that's why.

Noyes I didn't look at, but reputation seemed similar to Bunker. The whole cheating scandal with fake scores also wasn't appealing. So, overall, I think Burroughs is doing better than the other 2. Sadly not great though. These three might be the most impacted schools by the charter system since Ward 5 has so many good ones.

Thanks. There was a test cheating scandal at Bunker Hill? I had not heard of that.

I'm not too fussed about test scores generally, but I do want a positive atmosphere for my kid. How hard would it be to form a parent-teacher organization? Maybe I'm being naive, but there are so many families living IB for these schools, and not everyone will "win" the lottery and get placed into a charter school, so why can't we start putting in the work to improve these schools?

It is not that hard to form a PTA and the Washington Lawyers Comittee will help you do it. If you want to do it, go for it. I think the hard thing with Noyes is being surrounded by so many schools that are just a tiny bit stronger and very easy to get into. Pretty much everyone can get into Langley or Burroughs by October for PK3, and in easily in the summer for PK4. So it is hard for Noyes to get off the ground. Still, I would encourage you to take up the oar if it would be a meaningful volunteering experience for you.

A PTA needs to also be supported by and done in partnership with the school leadership. Some leaders are more supportive than others. That's one challenge.

Another is simply getting participants. Current and long-time attendees of Noyes and Bunker are, anecdotally, not as interested in participating in a PTA. Just starting and getting off the ground means finding those parents who are interested, which means having a way of contacting them. We're talking a school with no parent email listserv either. So, that means getting the admin to recruit for you perhaps.

I have no firsthand experience but I do know someone who was at Bunker and was interested in getting this to happen, but didn't find the momentum there on the parent or admin side. So what keeps happening is the parents who are a little more engaged go for Burroughs, and even then they leave asap.

It only works if the principal is good at the job and wants to work with parents. Parent involvement alone is not enough without good leadership. And even then it's slow going-- people jump ship for better middle school options and unless Brookland Middle improves, it's going to stay that way.

I second the importance of collaborative school leadership. We've been able to build parent engagement at Whittier because of our strong principal and admin team. Once we had people who were motivated to talk to their friends, networks, and the community about the school, people gave it a second look and started to enroll and get involved. We've also had to understand how parents can get involved, how they want to get involved. It's slow going, and it should be, because there are probably people currently in the school who like it and don't want a bunch of new folks coming in and "changing things."

Slow change isn't going to work for many. Because they have other options they'll go for as soon as possible. Even as soon as PK4 (forget the middle feeder issue!).

Look at Cleveland, a supposedly decent DCPS. PTA killed off. If some don't want change, well, they aren't going to get it. They can just keep their screwed up status quo.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am IB for Noyes and we wouldn’t consider going there. I understand it may be fine for PK3, but I’d do whatever I could to get out ASAP

Why? Full disclosure, I'm IB for Bunker Hill, which is not too far from Noyes or Burroughs, and I don't understand why everyone is scrambling to get into Burroughs while avoiding Noyes and Bunker Hill. Just trying to get more info.

We are IB for Bunker and didn't even list it. We listed Burroughs, last (matched elsewhere). I spoke to a parent at Bunker (the only one I could find) who told me a terrible story about his child's experience and also that they had no PTO and hadn't for some time. At least Burroughs had one which was doing outreach in the community, and upon a visit I met a nice PK teacher. And, its scores are better. So that's why.

Noyes I didn't look at, but reputation seemed similar to Bunker. The whole cheating scandal with fake scores also wasn't appealing. So, overall, I think Burroughs is doing better than the other 2. Sadly not great though. These three might be the most impacted schools by the charter system since Ward 5 has so many good ones.

Thanks. There was a test cheating scandal at Bunker Hill? I had not heard of that.

I'm not too fussed about test scores generally, but I do want a positive atmosphere for my kid. How hard would it be to form a parent-teacher organization? Maybe I'm being naive, but there are so many families living IB for these schools, and not everyone will "win" the lottery and get placed into a charter school, so why can't we start putting in the work to improve these schools?

It is not that hard to form a PTA and the Washington Lawyers Comittee will help you do it. If you want to do it, go for it. I think the hard thing with Noyes is being surrounded by so many schools that are just a tiny bit stronger and very easy to get into. Pretty much everyone can get into Langley or Burroughs by October for PK3, and in easily in the summer for PK4. So it is hard for Noyes to get off the ground. Still, I would encourage you to take up the oar if it would be a meaningful volunteering experience for you.

A PTA needs to also be supported by and done in partnership with the school leadership. Some leaders are more supportive than others. That's one challenge.

Another is simply getting participants. Current and long-time attendees of Noyes and Bunker are, anecdotally, not as interested in participating in a PTA. Just starting and getting off the ground means finding those parents who are interested, which means having a way of contacting them. We're talking a school with no parent email listserv either. So, that means getting the admin to recruit for you perhaps.

I have no firsthand experience but I do know someone who was at Bunker and was interested in getting this to happen, but didn't find the momentum there on the parent or admin side. So what keeps happening is the parents who are a little more engaged go for Burroughs, and even then they leave asap.

It only works if the principal is good at the job and wants to work with parents. Parent involvement alone is not enough without good leadership. And even then it's slow going-- people jump ship for better middle school options and unless Brookland Middle improves, it's going to stay that way.

I second the importance of collaborative school leadership. We've been able to build parent engagement at Whittier because of our strong principal and admin team. Once we had people who were motivated to talk to their friends, networks, and the community about the school, people gave it a second look and started to enroll and get involved. We've also had to understand how parents can get involved, how they want to get involved. It's slow going, and it should be, because there are probably people currently in the school who like it and don't want a bunch of new folks coming in and "changing things."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am IB for Noyes and we wouldn’t consider going there. I understand it may be fine for PK3, but I’d do whatever I could to get out ASAP

Why? Full disclosure, I'm IB for Bunker Hill, which is not too far from Noyes or Burroughs, and I don't understand why everyone is scrambling to get into Burroughs while avoiding Noyes and Bunker Hill. Just trying to get more info.

We are IB for Bunker and didn't even list it. We listed Burroughs, last (matched elsewhere). I spoke to a parent at Bunker (the only one I could find) who told me a terrible story about his child's experience and also that they had no PTO and hadn't for some time. At least Burroughs had one which was doing outreach in the community, and upon a visit I met a nice PK teacher. And, its scores are better. So that's why.

Noyes I didn't look at, but reputation seemed similar to Bunker. The whole cheating scandal with fake scores also wasn't appealing. So, overall, I think Burroughs is doing better than the other 2. Sadly not great though. These three might be the most impacted schools by the charter system since Ward 5 has so many good ones.

Thanks. There was a test cheating scandal at Bunker Hill? I had not heard of that.

I'm not too fussed about test scores generally, but I do want a positive atmosphere for my kid. How hard would it be to form a parent-teacher organization? Maybe I'm being naive, but there are so many families living IB for these schools, and not everyone will "win" the lottery and get placed into a charter school, so why can't we start putting in the work to improve these schools?

It is not that hard to form a PTA and the Washington Lawyers Comittee will help you do it. If you want to do it, go for it. I think the hard thing with Noyes is being surrounded by so many schools that are just a tiny bit stronger and very easy to get into. Pretty much everyone can get into Langley or Burroughs by October for PK3, and in easily in the summer for PK4. So it is hard for Noyes to get off the ground. Still, I would encourage you to take up the oar if it would be a meaningful volunteering experience for you.

A PTA needs to also be supported by and done in partnership with the school leadership. Some leaders are more supportive than others. That's one challenge.

Another is simply getting participants. Current and long-time attendees of Noyes and Bunker are, anecdotally, not as interested in participating in a PTA. Just starting and getting off the ground means finding those parents who are interested, which means having a way of contacting them. We're talking a school with no parent email listserv either. So, that means getting the admin to recruit for you perhaps.

I have no firsthand experience but I do know someone who was at Bunker and was interested in getting this to happen, but didn't find the momentum there on the parent or admin side. So what keeps happening is the parents who are a little more engaged go for Burroughs, and even then they leave asap.

It only works if the principal is good at the job and wants to work with parents. Parent involvement alone is not enough without good leadership. And even then it's slow going-- people jump ship for better middle school options and unless Brookland Middle improves, it's going to stay that way.

I second the importance of collaborative school leadership. We've been able to build parent engagement at Whittier because of our strong principal and admin team. Once we had people who were motivated to talk to their friends, networks, and the community about the school, people gave it a second look and started to enroll and get involved. We've also had to understand how parents can get involved, how they want to get involved. It's slow going, and it should be, because there are probably people currently in the school who like it and don't want a bunch of new folks coming in and "changing things."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am IB for Noyes and we wouldn’t consider going there. I understand it may be fine for PK3, but I’d do whatever I could to get out ASAP

Why? Full disclosure, I'm IB for Bunker Hill, which is not too far from Noyes or Burroughs, and I don't understand why everyone is scrambling to get into Burroughs while avoiding Noyes and Bunker Hill. Just trying to get more info.

We are IB for Bunker and didn't even list it. We listed Burroughs, last (matched elsewhere). I spoke to a parent at Bunker (the only one I could find) who told me a terrible story about his child's experience and also that they had no PTO and hadn't for some time. At least Burroughs had one which was doing outreach in the community, and upon a visit I met a nice PK teacher. And, its scores are better. So that's why.

Noyes I didn't look at, but reputation seemed similar to Bunker. The whole cheating scandal with fake scores also wasn't appealing. So, overall, I think Burroughs is doing better than the other 2. Sadly not great though. These three might be the most impacted schools by the charter system since Ward 5 has so many good ones.

Thanks. There was a test cheating scandal at Bunker Hill? I had not heard of that.

I'm not too fussed about test scores generally, but I do want a positive atmosphere for my kid. How hard would it be to form a parent-teacher organization? Maybe I'm being naive, but there are so many families living IB for these schools, and not everyone will "win" the lottery and get placed into a charter school, so why can't we start putting in the work to improve these schools?

It is not that hard to form a PTA and the Washington Lawyers Comittee will help you do it. If you want to do it, go for it. I think the hard thing with Noyes is being surrounded by so many schools that are just a tiny bit stronger and very easy to get into. Pretty much everyone can get into Langley or Burroughs by October for PK3, and in easily in the summer for PK4. So it is hard for Noyes to get off the ground. Still, I would encourage you to take up the oar if it would be a meaningful volunteering experience for you.

A PTA needs to also be supported by and done in partnership with the school leadership. Some leaders are more supportive than others. That's one challenge.

Another is simply getting participants. Current and long-time attendees of Noyes and Bunker are, anecdotally, not as interested in participating in a PTA. Just starting and getting off the ground means finding those parents who are interested, which means having a way of contacting them. We're talking a school with no parent email listserv either. So, that means getting the admin to recruit for you perhaps.

I have no firsthand experience but I do know someone who was at Bunker and was interested in getting this to happen, but didn't find the momentum there on the parent or admin side. So what keeps happening is the parents who are a little more engaged go for Burroughs, and even then they leave asap.

It only works if the principal is good at the job and wants to work with parents. Parent involvement alone is not enough without good leadership. And even then it's slow going-- people jump ship for better middle school options and unless Brookland Middle improves, it's going to stay that way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am IB for Noyes and we wouldn’t consider going there. I understand it may be fine for PK3, but I’d do whatever I could to get out ASAP

Why? Full disclosure, I'm IB for Bunker Hill, which is not too far from Noyes or Burroughs, and I don't understand why everyone is scrambling to get into Burroughs while avoiding Noyes and Bunker Hill. Just trying to get more info.

We are IB for Bunker and didn't even list it. We listed Burroughs, last (matched elsewhere). I spoke to a parent at Bunker (the only one I could find) who told me a terrible story about his child's experience and also that they had no PTO and hadn't for some time. At least Burroughs had one which was doing outreach in the community, and upon a visit I met a nice PK teacher. And, its scores are better. So that's why.

Noyes I didn't look at, but reputation seemed similar to Bunker. The whole cheating scandal with fake scores also wasn't appealing. So, overall, I think Burroughs is doing better than the other 2. Sadly not great though. These three might be the most impacted schools by the charter system since Ward 5 has so many good ones.

Thanks. There was a test cheating scandal at Bunker Hill? I had not heard of that.

I'm not too fussed about test scores generally, but I do want a positive atmosphere for my kid. How hard would it be to form a parent-teacher organization? Maybe I'm being naive, but there are so many families living IB for these schools, and not everyone will "win" the lottery and get placed into a charter school, so why can't we start putting in the work to improve these schools?

It is not that hard to form a PTA and the Washington Lawyers Comittee will help you do it. If you want to do it, go for it. I think the hard thing with Noyes is being surrounded by so many schools that are just a tiny bit stronger and very easy to get into. Pretty much everyone can get into Langley or Burroughs by October for PK3, and in easily in the summer for PK4. So it is hard for Noyes to get off the ground. Still, I would encourage you to take up the oar if it would be a meaningful volunteering experience for you.

A PTA needs to also be supported by and done in partnership with the school leadership. Some leaders are more supportive than others. That's one challenge.

Another is simply getting participants. Current and long-time attendees of Noyes and Bunker are, anecdotally, not as interested in participating in a PTA. Just starting and getting off the ground means finding those parents who are interested, which means having a way of contacting them. We're talking a school with no parent email listserv either. So, that means getting the admin to recruit for you perhaps.

I have no firsthand experience but I do know someone who was at Bunker and was interested in getting this to happen, but didn't find the momentum there on the parent or admin side. So what keeps happening is the parents who are a little more engaged go for Burroughs, and even then they leave asap.

It only works if the principal is good at the job and wants to work with parents. Parent involvement alone is not enough without good leadership. And even then it's slow going-- people jump ship for better middle school options and unless Brookland Middle improves, it's going to stay that way.

Thanks for the feedback, all. I'm the PP who is IB for Bunker Hill. That's truly a shame that there isn't enough interest by the parents or the administration to get a PTA going. And good to know why more involved parents opt for Burroughs, given the options.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am IB for Noyes and we wouldn’t consider going there. I understand it may be fine for PK3, but I’d do whatever I could to get out ASAP

Why? Full disclosure, I'm IB for Bunker Hill, which is not too far from Noyes or Burroughs, and I don't understand why everyone is scrambling to get into Burroughs while avoiding Noyes and Bunker Hill. Just trying to get more info.

We are IB for Bunker and didn't even list it. We listed Burroughs, last (matched elsewhere). I spoke to a parent at Bunker (the only one I could find) who told me a terrible story about his child's experience and also that they had no PTO and hadn't for some time. At least Burroughs had one which was doing outreach in the community, and upon a visit I met a nice PK teacher. And, its scores are better. So that's why.

Noyes I didn't look at, but reputation seemed similar to Bunker. The whole cheating scandal with fake scores also wasn't appealing. So, overall, I think Burroughs is doing better than the other 2. Sadly not great though. These three might be the most impacted schools by the charter system since Ward 5 has so many good ones.

Thanks. There was a test cheating scandal at Bunker Hill? I had not heard of that.

I'm not too fussed about test scores generally, but I do want a positive atmosphere for my kid. How hard would it be to form a parent-teacher organization? Maybe I'm being naive, but there are so many families living IB for these schools, and not everyone will "win" the lottery and get placed into a charter school, so why can't we start putting in the work to improve these schools?

It is not that hard to form a PTA and the Washington Lawyers Comittee will help you do it. If you want to do it, go for it. I think the hard thing with Noyes is being surrounded by so many schools that are just a tiny bit stronger and very easy to get into. Pretty much everyone can get into Langley or Burroughs by October for PK3, and in easily in the summer for PK4. So it is hard for Noyes to get off the ground. Still, I would encourage you to take up the oar if it would be a meaningful volunteering experience for you.

A PTA needs to also be supported by and done in partnership with the school leadership. Some leaders are more supportive than others. That's one challenge.

Another is simply getting participants. Current and long-time attendees of Noyes and Bunker are, anecdotally, not as interested in participating in a PTA. Just starting and getting off the ground means finding those parents who are interested, which means having a way of contacting them. We're talking a school with no parent email listserv either. So, that means getting the admin to recruit for you perhaps.

I have no firsthand experience but I do know someone who was at Bunker and was interested in getting this to happen, but didn't find the momentum there on the parent or admin side. So what keeps happening is the parents who are a little more engaged go for Burroughs, and even then they leave asap.

It only works if the principal is good at the job and wants to work with parents. Parent involvement alone is not enough without good leadership. And even then it's slow going-- people jump ship for better middle school options and unless Brookland Middle improves, it's going to stay that way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am IB for Noyes and we wouldn’t consider going there. I understand it may be fine for PK3, but I’d do whatever I could to get out ASAP

Why? Full disclosure, I'm IB for Bunker Hill, which is not too far from Noyes or Burroughs, and I don't understand why everyone is scrambling to get into Burroughs while avoiding Noyes and Bunker Hill. Just trying to get more info.

We are IB for Bunker and didn't even list it. We listed Burroughs, last (matched elsewhere). I spoke to a parent at Bunker (the only one I could find) who told me a terrible story about his child's experience and also that they had no PTO and hadn't for some time. At least Burroughs had one which was doing outreach in the community, and upon a visit I met a nice PK teacher. And, its scores are better. So that's why.

Noyes I didn't look at, but reputation seemed similar to Bunker. The whole cheating scandal with fake scores also wasn't appealing. So, overall, I think Burroughs is doing better than the other 2. Sadly not great though. These three might be the most impacted schools by the charter system since Ward 5 has so many good ones.

Thanks. There was a test cheating scandal at Bunker Hill? I had not heard of that.

I'm not too fussed about test scores generally, but I do want a positive atmosphere for my kid. How hard would it be to form a parent-teacher organization? Maybe I'm being naive, but there are so many families living IB for these schools, and not everyone will "win" the lottery and get placed into a charter school, so why can't we start putting in the work to improve these schools?

It is not that hard to form a PTA and the Washington Lawyers Comittee will help you do it. If you want to do it, go for it. I think the hard thing with Noyes is being surrounded by so many schools that are just a tiny bit stronger and very easy to get into. Pretty much everyone can get into Langley or Burroughs by October for PK3, and in easily in the summer for PK4. So it is hard for Noyes to get off the ground. Still, I would encourage you to take up the oar if it would be a meaningful volunteering experience for you.

A PTA needs to also be supported by and done in partnership with the school leadership. Some leaders are more supportive than others. That's one challenge.

Another is simply getting participants. Current and long-time attendees of Noyes and Bunker are, anecdotally, not as interested in participating in a PTA. Just starting and getting off the ground means finding those parents who are interested, which means having a way of contacting them. We're talking a school with no parent email listserv either. So, that means getting the admin to recruit for you perhaps.

I have no firsthand experience but I do know someone who was at Bunker and was interested in getting this to happen, but didn't find the momentum there on the parent or admin side. So what keeps happening is the parents who are a little more engaged go for Burroughs, and even then they leave asap.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am IB for Noyes and we wouldn’t consider going there. I understand it may be fine for PK3, but I’d do whatever I could to get out ASAP

Why? Full disclosure, I'm IB for Bunker Hill, which is not too far from Noyes or Burroughs, and I don't understand why everyone is scrambling to get into Burroughs while avoiding Noyes and Bunker Hill. Just trying to get more info.

We are IB for Bunker and didn't even list it. We listed Burroughs, last (matched elsewhere). I spoke to a parent at Bunker (the only one I could find) who told me a terrible story about his child's experience and also that they had no PTO and hadn't for some time. At least Burroughs had one which was doing outreach in the community, and upon a visit I met a nice PK teacher. And, its scores are better. So that's why.

Noyes I didn't look at, but reputation seemed similar to Bunker. The whole cheating scandal with fake scores also wasn't appealing. So, overall, I think Burroughs is doing better than the other 2. Sadly not great though. These three might be the most impacted schools by the charter system since Ward 5 has so many good ones.

Thanks. There was a test cheating scandal at Bunker Hill? I had not heard of that.

I'm not too fussed about test scores generally, but I do want a positive atmosphere for my kid. How hard would it be to form a parent-teacher organization? Maybe I'm being naive, but there are so many families living IB for these schools, and not everyone will "win" the lottery and get placed into a charter school, so why can't we start putting in the work to improve these schools?

It is not that hard to form a PTA and the Washington Lawyers Comittee will help you do it. If you want to do it, go for it. I think the hard thing with Noyes is being surrounded by so many schools that are just a tiny bit stronger and very easy to get into. Pretty much everyone can get into Langley or Burroughs by October for PK3, and in easily in the summer for PK4. So it is hard for Noyes to get off the ground. Still, I would encourage you to take up the oar if it would be a meaningful volunteering experience for you.

A PTA needs to also be supported by and done in partnership with the school leadership. Some leaders are more supportive than others. That's one challenge.

Another is simply getting participants. Current and long-time attendees of Noyes and Bunker are, anecdotally, not as interested in participating in a PTA. Just starting and getting off the ground means finding those parents who are interested, which means having a way of contacting them. We're talking a school with no parent email listserv either. So, that means getting the admin to recruit for you perhaps.

I have no firsthand experience but I do know someone who was at Bunker and was interested in getting this to happen, but didn't find the momentum there on the parent or admin side. So what keeps happening is the parents who are a little more engaged go for Burroughs, and even then they leave asap.