Shepherd.

Or if you really love ITS, move close to it. You can save some money and then move IB for Deal and Wilson if you want to for middle and high school--but your kid might get into SWW or Banneker or a different charter or something.

Shepherd, no doubt. We left ITS mainly because we couldn't make the commute work, and it was causing a lot of stress for the entire family. And honestly, as much as everyone raves about ITS, we were underwhelmed. . .

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

NP here. This is a very real problem. There's a reason so many of our neighbors tried Shepherd and left. We're IB for Shepherd and have to make the choice between Shepherd and a HRC for the Fall too. We have a few weeks left until May 1 and we're torn. The commute would be an issue, and it's nice to have closer ties with neighborhood classmates. It's just not the same at charters where the classmates are all over the city.

There are benefits to walking to school, having school friends in the neighborhood, and being close by for volunteering, PTA meetings, etc. But Shepherd is NOT a progressive school and employs many out of date practices that are in direct conflict with accepted socio emotional practices. There are some bad teachers and the leadership does little to fix this situation. The bad teachers love the principal because she just leaves them alone. They know the principal blindly supports them even when multiple parents provide evidence of their performance issues. There's too much homework. The leadership doesn't welcome input from parents. It's a shame because Shepherd could be such a great school, but there's been a long history of ineffective principals.

That said, Shepherd just got approval for a new Vice Principal position and the benefits of the neighborhood school are still there. It's just that Shepherd isn't even close to operating on the same level as many of the other Deal/Wilson feeders and the current Principal isn't on the path to get us there.

We'll probably stick with Shepherd and try to be a part of the positive change. It's just very difficult to make headway when the leadership won't work with us and some booster parents are working against us by claiming everything is already great.

OP again -- thanks for sharing this, it's sobering to hear. I totally understand you won't want to name names or anything, but can you shed a little more light on what this has looked like in your experience? Any examples that could help illustrate how these concerns have showed up for your family? If we do wind up at Shepherd, it'd be very helpful to know more about what to be keeping an eye out for, esp. since this is our first elementary school experience.

Not PP, but 10:04 here. The only thing I can think of is the green/yellow/red color chart system for behavioral management. It was a pretty much a non-issue for my kid, who wasn't bothered by it. But I've known a handful of parents who said their kids were bothered by it, either because of feeling shame for always being on "red," or because they were very anxious/fearful of the possibility of being on "red." However, it's important to note that not all teachers use it.

I also wish they could move to something evidence-based like Responsive Classroom, but I'm not sure if that will happen anytime soon (do any DCPS schools use it?). Also, some HRCSs also use the color chart system--a recent thread mentioned that CMI does.

Schools must pay to learn Responsive Classroom. I was PP with a child in an upper grade. I think the PTA is working on getting funding for it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

NP here. This is a very real problem. There's a reason so many of our neighbors tried Shepherd and left. We're IB for Shepherd and have to make the choice between Shepherd and a HRC for the Fall too. We have a few weeks left until May 1 and we're torn. The commute would be an issue, and it's nice to have closer ties with neighborhood classmates. It's just not the same at charters where the classmates are all over the city.

There are benefits to walking to school, having school friends in the neighborhood, and being close by for volunteering, PTA meetings, etc. But Shepherd is NOT a progressive school and employs many out of date practices that are in direct conflict with accepted socio emotional practices. There are some bad teachers and the leadership does little to fix this situation. The bad teachers love the principal because she just leaves them alone. They know the principal blindly supports them even when multiple parents provide evidence of their performance issues. There's too much homework. The leadership doesn't welcome input from parents. It's a shame because Shepherd could be such a great school, but there's been a long history of ineffective principals.

That said, Shepherd just got approval for a new Vice Principal position and the benefits of the neighborhood school are still there. It's just that Shepherd isn't even close to operating on the same level as many of the other Deal/Wilson feeders and the current Principal isn't on the path to get us there.

We'll probably stick with Shepherd and try to be a part of the positive change. It's just very difficult to make headway when the leadership won't work with us and some booster parents are working against us by claiming everything is already great.

OP again -- thanks for sharing this, it's sobering to hear. I totally understand you won't want to name names or anything, but can you shed a little more light on what this has looked like in your experience? Any examples that could help illustrate how these concerns have showed up for your family? If we do wind up at Shepherd, it'd be very helpful to know more about what to be keeping an eye out for, esp. since this is our first elementary school experience.

Not PP, but 10:04 here. The only thing I can think of is the green/yellow/red color chart system for behavioral management. It was a pretty much a non-issue for my kid, who wasn't bothered by it. But I've known a handful of parents who said their kids were bothered by it, either because of feeling shame for always being on "red," or because they were very anxious/fearful of the possibility of being on "red." However, it's important to note that not all teachers use it.

I also wish they could move to something evidence-based like Responsive Classroom, but I'm not sure if that will happen anytime soon (do any DCPS schools use it?). Also, some HRCSs also use the color chart system--a recent thread mentioned that CMI does.

Yes many DCPS schools use Responsive Classroom, but implementation can be spotty. So much is teacher dependent.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

NP here. This is a very real problem. There's a reason so many of our neighbors tried Shepherd and left. We're IB for Shepherd and have to make the choice between Shepherd and a HRC for the Fall too. We have a few weeks left until May 1 and we're torn. The commute would be an issue, and it's nice to have closer ties with neighborhood classmates. It's just not the same at charters where the classmates are all over the city.

There are benefits to walking to school, having school friends in the neighborhood, and being close by for volunteering, PTA meetings, etc. But Shepherd is NOT a progressive school and employs many out of date practices that are in direct conflict with accepted socio emotional practices. There are some bad teachers and the leadership does little to fix this situation. The bad teachers love the principal because she just leaves them alone. They know the principal blindly supports them even when multiple parents provide evidence of their performance issues. There's too much homework. The leadership doesn't welcome input from parents. It's a shame because Shepherd could be such a great school, but there's been a long history of ineffective principals.

That said, Shepherd just got approval for a new Vice Principal position and the benefits of the neighborhood school are still there. It's just that Shepherd isn't even close to operating on the same level as many of the other Deal/Wilson feeders and the current Principal isn't on the path to get us there.

We'll probably stick with Shepherd and try to be a part of the positive change. It's just very difficult to make headway when the leadership won't work with us and some booster parents are working against us by claiming everything is already great.

OP again -- thanks for sharing this, it's sobering to hear. I totally understand you won't want to name names or anything, but can you shed a little more light on what this has looked like in your experience? Any examples that could help illustrate how these concerns have showed up for your family? If we do wind up at Shepherd, it'd be very helpful to know more about what to be keeping an eye out for, esp. since this is our first elementary school experience.

Not PP, but 10:04 here. The only thing I can think of is the green/yellow/red color chart system for behavioral management. It was a pretty much a non-issue for my kid, who wasn't bothered by it. But I've known a handful of parents who said their kids were bothered by it, either because of feeling shame for always being on "red," or because they were very anxious/fearful of the possibility of being on "red." However, it's important to note that not all teachers use it.

I also wish they could move to something evidence-based like Responsive Classroom, but I'm not sure if that will happen anytime soon (do any DCPS schools use it?). Also, some HRCSs also use the color chart system--a recent thread mentioned that CMI does.

Anonymous wrote:

NP here. This is a very real problem. There's a reason so many of our neighbors tried Shepherd and left. We're IB for Shepherd and have to make the choice between Shepherd and a HRC for the Fall too. We have a few weeks left until May 1 and we're torn. The commute would be an issue, and it's nice to have closer ties with neighborhood classmates. It's just not the same at charters where the classmates are all over the city.

There are benefits to walking to school, having school friends in the neighborhood, and being close by for volunteering, PTA meetings, etc. But Shepherd is NOT a progressive school and employs many out of date practices that are in direct conflict with accepted socio emotional practices. There are some bad teachers and the leadership does little to fix this situation. The bad teachers love the principal because she just leaves them alone. They know the principal blindly supports them even when multiple parents provide evidence of their performance issues. There's too much homework. The leadership doesn't welcome input from parents. It's a shame because Shepherd could be such a great school, but there's been a long history of ineffective principals.

That said, Shepherd just got approval for a new Vice Principal position and the benefits of the neighborhood school are still there. It's just that Shepherd isn't even close to operating on the same level as many of the other Deal/Wilson feeders and the current Principal isn't on the path to get us there.

We'll probably stick with Shepherd and try to be a part of the positive change. It's just very difficult to make headway when the leadership won't work with us and some booster parents are working against us by claiming everything is already great.

OP again -- thanks for sharing this, it's sobering to hear. I totally understand you won't want to name names or anything, but can you shed a little more light on what this has looked like in your experience? Any examples that could help illustrate how these concerns have showed up for your family? If we do wind up at Shepherd, it'd be very helpful to know more about what to be keeping an eye out for, esp. since this is our first elementary school experience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here — thank you all so much for these responses. This has been an incredibly helpful set of perspectives. This is leaving me feeling much more settled about the decision, should we be faced with one in the fall. Guess I’ll start hunting down good deals on white shirts and blue bottoms! Go Mustangs!

Please don’t just rely on this list. There are plenty of boosters on this thread who talk and talk about how great Shepherd is and maybe it really IS for their children. But there are plenty of us who live here and didn’t continue past a year. There are teachers who are great and others who will never leave no matter how many parents find their poor demeanor the antithesis of what teachers are supposed to be. And sure, you might get that at another neighborhood school too. But not at a place like ITS. Excellence in teaching is their core focus. Again, talk to your neighbors....please! Ask them their experience. And don’t discount what they say, or DON’T say, like I did. Looking back, there were signs I shouldn’t have sent my child there and I wish I would have listened. Walking to school is my more important than having a welcoming and loving school environment, each and every day.

NP here. This is a very real problem. There's a reason so many of our neighbors tried Shepherd and left. We're IB for Shepherd and have to make the choice between Shepherd and a HRC for the Fall too. We have a few weeks left until May 1 and we're torn. The commute would be an issue, and it's nice to have closer ties with neighborhood classmates. It's just not the same at charters where the classmates are all over the city.

There are benefits to walking to school, having school friends in the neighborhood, and being close by for volunteering, PTA meetings, etc. But Shepherd is NOT a progressive school and employs many out of date practices that are in direct conflict with accepted socio emotional practices. There are some bad teachers and the leadership does little to fix this situation. The bad teachers love the principal because she just leaves them alone. They know the principal blindly supports them even when multiple parents provide evidence of their performance issues. There's too much homework. The leadership doesn't welcome input from parents. It's a shame because Shepherd could be such a great school, but there's been a long history of ineffective principals.

That said, Shepherd just got approval for a new Vice Principal position and the benefits of the neighborhood school are still there. It's just that Shepherd isn't even close to operating on the same level as many of the other Deal/Wilson feeders and the current Principal isn't on the path to get us there.

We'll probably stick with Shepherd and try to be a part of the positive change. It's just very difficult to make headway when the leadership won't work with us and some booster parents are working against us by claiming everything is already great.

I think you're right about this, but a) the number of bad teachers is very small--some that families have complained about have actually been let go/moved on in the past few years, and b) based on the experience of friends, HRCSs have their share of problems too that simply being progressive can't fix.

Yes, Shepherd is a pretty traditional school, the principal doesn't have a strong vision and focuses perhaps too much on test scores, there are a few "old school" teachers/aides that are still there despite complaints (perhaps they have tenure? dunno), there can be a lot of HW depending on the teacher. However, there are old school teachers at several DCPS schools, even WOTP, so I'm not sure what you mean by Shepherd isn't "operating on the same level as other Deal/Wilson feeders." Yes, many of them raise a ton more money given the more affluent populations there--not sure if that was what you were referencing.

While all of that is true, there are many positives--some really great teachers, fantastic community feel, neighborhood school experience, kids learn a lot (decent test scores, and I believe it has the highest DCPS scores for AA students), International Bacc. with French and Spanish tracks, etc.

If you're a family that has strong opinions about preferring a progressive education, that's fine, and perhaps Lowell or one of the HRCSs would be a better fit. But if you are the type of family that values neighborhood schools even if traditional, and can sort of roll with minor headaches (e.g., events planned with perhaps not as much notice as would be preferable), value diversity and smaller schools, and like walking to school, then Shepherd is a great DCPS choice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here — thank you all so much for these responses. This has been an incredibly helpful set of perspectives. This is leaving me feeling much more settled about the decision, should we be faced with one in the fall. Guess I’ll start hunting down good deals on white shirts and blue bottoms! Go Mustangs!

Please don’t just rely on this list. There are plenty of boosters on this thread who talk and talk about how great Shepherd is and maybe it really IS for their children. But there are plenty of us who live here and didn’t continue past a year. There are teachers who are great and others who will never leave no matter how many parents find their poor demeanor the antithesis of what teachers are supposed to be. And sure, you might get that at another neighborhood school too. But not at a place like ITS. Excellence in teaching is their core focus. Again, talk to your neighbors....please! Ask them their experience. And don’t discount what they say, or DON’T say, like I did. Looking back, there were signs I shouldn’t have sent my child there and I wish I would have listened. Walking to school is my more important than having a welcoming and loving school environment, each and every day.

NP here. This is a very real problem. There's a reason so many of our neighbors tried Shepherd and left. We're IB for Shepherd and have to make the choice between Shepherd and a HRC for the Fall too. We have a few weeks left until May 1 and we're torn. The commute would be an issue, and it's nice to have closer ties with neighborhood classmates. It's just not the same at charters where the classmates are all over the city.

There are benefits to walking to school, having school friends in the neighborhood, and being close by for volunteering, PTA meetings, etc. But Shepherd is NOT a progressive school and employs many out of date practices that are in direct conflict with accepted socio emotional practices. There are some bad teachers and the leadership does little to fix this situation. The bad teachers love the principal because she just leaves them alone. They know the principal blindly supports them even when multiple parents provide evidence of their performance issues. There's too much homework. The leadership doesn't welcome input from parents. It's a shame because Shepherd could be such a great school, but there's been a long history of ineffective principals.

That said, Shepherd just got approval for a new Vice Principal position and the benefits of the neighborhood school are still there. It's just that Shepherd isn't even close to operating on the same level as many of the other Deal/Wilson feeders and the current Principal isn't on the path to get us there.

We'll probably stick with Shepherd and try to be a part of the positive change. It's just very difficult to make headway when the leadership won't work with us and some booster parents are working against us by claiming everything is already great.

I like ITS and I like that I can walk there. If I were you I'd choose Shepherd because I value a good school in my neighborhood.

I feel better when my kid and I can walk to/from school most of the time and I can be more involved in school events and meetings and flexible with dropoff, pickup, and afterschool activities when school is closer to my home or work.

Nothing wrong with commuting farther to a school you feel much better about, but in this case you have a nice neighborhood option.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am kind of in the same situation between Shepherd and Stokes but I will just go to Shepherd. Stokes is on my way to work but I work from home a lot, and I usually prefer taking the metro, so yeah the commute wins for me also because Shepherd is a decent school.

This would be harder decision for me than ITS. I understand the choice but would have a hard time giving up a high quality immersion program. ITS and Shepherd are -- at the end of the day -- just not going to be all that different.

+If you are in the Shepherd boundary, DCI is in your back yard.

PP here, Problem is DCI is not a guarantee anymore. And yes DCI is pretty close but it is 7 years of having kids who need to be dropped off/picked up vs. 3 years of having kids who are able to go to school on their own.

Stokes odds for DCI are significantly higher than MV. Each school has allocated seats. MV expansion was much more dramatic numbers wise than Stokes

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am kind of in the same situation between Shepherd and Stokes but I will just go to Shepherd. Stokes is on my way to work but I work from home a lot, and I usually prefer taking the metro, so yeah the commute wins for me also because Shepherd is a decent school.

This would be harder decision for me than ITS. I understand the choice but would have a hard time giving up a high quality immersion program. ITS and Shepherd are -- at the end of the day -- just not going to be all that different.

Isn’t Stokes 3 out of 5 stars? What’s the high quality?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am kind of in the same situation between Shepherd and Stokes but I will just go to Shepherd. Stokes is on my way to work but I work from home a lot, and I usually prefer taking the metro, so yeah the commute wins for me also because Shepherd is a decent school.

This would be harder decision for me than ITS. I understand the choice but would have a hard time giving up a high quality immersion program. ITS and Shepherd are -- at the end of the day -- just not going to be all that different.

+If you are in the Shepherd boundary, DCI is in your back yard.

PP here, Problem is DCI is not a guarantee anymore. And yes DCI is pretty close but it is 7 years of having kids who need to be dropped off/picked up vs. 3 years of having kids who are able to go to school on their own.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am kind of in the same situation between Shepherd and Stokes but I will just go to Shepherd. Stokes is on my way to work but I work from home a lot, and I usually prefer taking the metro, so yeah the commute wins for me also because Shepherd is a decent school.

This would be harder decision for me than ITS. I understand the choice but would have a hard time giving up a high quality immersion program. ITS and Shepherd are -- at the end of the day -- just not going to be all that different.

+If you are in the Shepherd boundary, DCI is in your back yard.

Anonymous wrote:I am kind of in the same situation between Shepherd and Stokes but I will just go to Shepherd. Stokes is on my way to work but I work from home a lot, and I usually prefer taking the metro, so yeah the commute wins for me also because Shepherd is a decent school.

This would be harder decision for me than ITS. I understand the choice but would have a hard time giving up a high quality immersion program. ITS and Shepherd are -- at the end of the day -- just not going to be all that different.

My IB child is in an upper grade at Shepherd. My child loves the school. Extremely happy to get up and go to school every day.