Those families also want a core of high-achieving students. Why on earth would they choose Jefferson?

Anonymous wrote:You are not getting it. Jefferson doesn't have "good"elementary schools feeding it. It has elementary schools that are a long way from improving to the point of sending well-prpepared students on to Jefferson. So there is no chance of this situation "changing quickly"

In fact, Jefferson would probably be better off with the minority, OOB students who attended Hardy from some distance away for the last 2 decades.

And they will probably get them as IB families push those families out.

That actually should be your strategy - get the pockets of higher achieving families of all stripes from Ward 2, 4 and 5 to commit to Jefferson as an OOB destination --

You are not getting it. Jefferson doesn't have "good"elementary schools feeding it. It has elementary schools that are a long way from improving to the point of sending well-prpepared students on to Jefferson. So there is no chance of this situation "changing quickly"

In fact, Jefferson would probably be better off with the minority, OOB students who attended Hardy from some distance away for the last 2 decades.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This mom of a bright, not-so-rich Brent kid regrets attending a Jefferson open house. Our PTA spin doctors now count me among those seriously interested in the school after learning more, when the opposite is true. I can't see a suitably advanced academic program springing up at Jefferson at all, let alone in the few years we have before middle school. My kid attended a Johns Hopkins CTY camp last summer, finding social studies hard for the first time.

Four fourth graders without siblings are into Latin while two dozen applied. We are an upper grades school community in trouble, folks.

The idea is that the advanced ( read: on normal grade level/not remedial ) academic program will not "spring up" before your kid gets there. The idea is that if your kid enrolls there along with his/her classmates from Brent the class/program would THEN be provided. Why wouldn't you want to trust DCPS and take that gamble? I don't get it. Especially with all the PTA leaders telling you they will make sure it happens. Plus, how entitled if you to think an appropriate educational program should be simply provided for you. You have to work for it. Work it!

14:39, where has this happened before, a small number of middle-class families from a feeder elementary school building a strong advanced academic program at a large, failing public MIDDLE SCHOOL that's two-thirds empty? Can you give us an example from this century or this country?

Less than ten years ago, Alice Deal's nickname among some parents and students was "Dismal Deal".

Less than 10 years ago Deal was 1/3 of the size it is today. In 2007, enrollment was 533. By 2009 is was over 800. Today it is over 1400.

Deal is NOT a valid comparison. Neither is Hardy. Both of those middle schools have and had academically solid elementary schools automatically feeding into them. That is a strong position to start from. Jefferson as TWO of the worst performing elementary schools as feeder ( Tyler and Amidon ) and then tiny Brent with a core of on-grade-level students. It is an entirely different situation

They did have good elementaries feeding them but those families didn't enroll.

Deal and Hardy were predominantly filled minority, OOB students for at least 2 decades.

Once it starts to change, it changes quickly - in part because middle school is just 3 years long (vs. 6-7 for elementary).

The point about housing stock made by a pp is very apt. Even if you take out the actual housing projects, Jefferson just doesn't have enough of the types of residences for families with middle schoolers. Many of the condos are 2br or less in that area.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This mom of a bright, not-so-rich Brent kid regrets attending a Jefferson open house. Our PTA spin doctors now count me among those seriously interested in the school after learning more, when the opposite is true. I can't see a suitably advanced academic program springing up at Jefferson at all, let alone in the few years we have before middle school. My kid attended a Johns Hopkins CTY camp last summer, finding social studies hard for the first time.

Four fourth graders without siblings are into Latin while two dozen applied. We are an upper grades school community in trouble, folks.

The idea is that the advanced ( read: on normal grade level/not remedial ) academic program will not "spring up" before your kid gets there. The idea is that if your kid enrolls there along with his/her classmates from Brent the class/program would THEN be provided. Why wouldn't you want to trust DCPS and take that gamble? I don't get it. Especially with all the PTA leaders telling you they will make sure it happens. Plus, how entitled if you to think an appropriate educational program should be simply provided for you. You have to work for it. Work it!

14:39, where has this happened before, a small number of middle-class families from a feeder elementary school building a strong advanced academic program at a large, failing public MIDDLE SCHOOL that's two-thirds empty? Can you give us an example from this century or this country?

Less than ten years ago, Alice Deal's nickname among some parents and students was "Dismal Deal".

Less than 10 years ago Deal was 1/3 of the size it is today. In 2007, enrollment was 533. By 2009 is was over 800. Today it is over 1400.

Deal is NOT a valid comparison. Neither is Hardy. Both of those middle schools have and had academically solid elementary schools automatically feeding into them. That is a strong position to start from. Jefferson as TWO of the worst performing elementary schools as feeder ( Tyler and Amidon ) and then tiny Brent with a core of on-grade-level students. It is an entirely different situation

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This mom of a bright, not-so-rich Brent kid regrets attending a Jefferson open house. Our PTA spin doctors now count me among those seriously interested in the school after learning more, when the opposite is true. I can't see a suitably advanced academic program springing up at Jefferson at all, let alone in the few years we have before middle school. My kid attended a Johns Hopkins CTY camp last summer, finding social studies hard for the first time.

Four fourth graders without siblings are into Latin while two dozen applied. We are an upper grades school community in trouble, folks.

The idea is that the advanced ( read: on normal grade level/not remedial ) academic program will not "spring up" before your kid gets there. The idea is that if your kid enrolls there along with his/her classmates from Brent the class/program would THEN be provided. Why wouldn't you want to trust DCPS and take that gamble? I don't get it. Especially with all the PTA leaders telling you they will make sure it happens. Plus, how entitled if you to think an appropriate educational program should be simply provided for you. You have to work for it. Work it!

14:39, where has this happened before, a small number of middle-class families from a feeder elementary school building a strong advanced academic program at a large, failing public MIDDLE SCHOOL that's two-thirds empty? Can you give us an example from this century or this country?

Less than ten years ago, Alice Deal's nickname among some parents and students was "Dismal Deal".

Less than 10 years ago Deal was 1/3 of the size it is today. In 2007, enrollment was 533. By 2009 is was over 800. Today it is over 1400.

That's the point. Change can and has happened at the MS level. Hardy will be next.

I agree but it takes a long time. People have been predicting it at Hardy for 6-8 years and it seems to just now be happening.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This mom of a bright, not-so-rich Brent kid regrets attending a Jefferson open house. Our PTA spin doctors now count me among those seriously interested in the school after learning more, when the opposite is true. I can't see a suitably advanced academic program springing up at Jefferson at all, let alone in the few years we have before middle school. My kid attended a Johns Hopkins CTY camp last summer, finding social studies hard for the first time.

Four fourth graders without siblings are into Latin while two dozen applied. We are an upper grades school community in trouble, folks.

The idea is that the advanced ( read: on normal grade level/not remedial ) academic program will not "spring up" before your kid gets there. The idea is that if your kid enrolls there along with his/her classmates from Brent the class/program would THEN be provided. Why wouldn't you want to trust DCPS and take that gamble? I don't get it. Especially with all the PTA leaders telling you they will make sure it happens. Plus, how entitled if you to think an appropriate educational program should be simply provided for you. You have to work for it. Work it!

14:39, where has this happened before, a small number of middle-class families from a feeder elementary school building a strong advanced academic program at a large, failing public MIDDLE SCHOOL that's two-thirds empty? Can you give us an example from this century or this country?

Less than ten years ago, Alice Deal's nickname among some parents and students was "Dismal Deal".

Less than 10 years ago Deal was 1/3 of the size it is today. In 2007, enrollment was 533. By 2009 is was over 800. Today it is over 1400.

That's the point. Change can and has happened at the MS level. Hardy will be next.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This mom of a bright, not-so-rich Brent kid regrets attending a Jefferson open house. Our PTA spin doctors now count me among those seriously interested in the school after learning more, when the opposite is true. I can't see a suitably advanced academic program springing up at Jefferson at all, let alone in the few years we have before middle school. My kid attended a Johns Hopkins CTY camp last summer, finding social studies hard for the first time.

Four fourth graders without siblings are into Latin while two dozen applied. We are an upper grades school community in trouble, folks.

Do you really regret going to an open house? I would think you would now feel more informed about your options and whether they are suitable or not suitable for your daughter.

What I don't understand about this situation is why some Brent parents feel that other parents working on behalf of Jefferson is an affront. No one is saying that Jefferson is the right fit for every child or that every kid going through Brent should go to Jefferson. To me, working to improve the by-rights middle school seems like a desirable thing for the community not an insult.

It takes people down a futile path. It wastes time. It provides political cover for city leadership. It is tilting at windmills. it gets in the way of solutions that might work in a timeframe for my kids.

My .02 is that there is a tinge of social shaming if you don't buy into the PR campaign designed to promote Jefferson as a something of a diamond in the rough. I'll commend the Brent parents for their hard work and commitment but all bets are off, and it's effectively every family for themselves when the lottery results are announced and your kid gets one of the few coveted spots at a HRCS. This is exactly what has been happened for several years. Despite the best intentions of the Jefferson principal and staff, a school at which 85 percent of kids aren't proficient isn't in the best posture to serve those who are on grade level or above. And it's hyper-cynical of DCPS to use a few Brent students to chum the waters in the hope that other families might be attracted to Jefferson despite having made virtually no investment in the school itself for decades. Deal is a different story by virtue of its feeder pattern and location. Jefferson isn't surrounded by affluent families living in neighborhoods comprised of single family homes, and it never will be. The new development taking place south of the Freeway simply isn't designed to attract families with older children. DCPS generally can't be trusted to keep its promises (just look at the Murch fiasco). There's no vision or sense of urgency and the fact Natalie Gordon was left alone to do the recruiting and heavy lifting while the Chancellor openly scoffs at Brent families during a Council hearing speaks volumes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This mom of a bright, not-so-rich Brent kid regrets attending a Jefferson open house. Our PTA spin doctors now count me among those seriously interested in the school after learning more, when the opposite is true. I can't see a suitably advanced academic program springing up at Jefferson at all, let alone in the few years we have before middle school. My kid attended a Johns Hopkins CTY camp last summer, finding social studies hard for the first time.

Four fourth graders without siblings are into Latin while two dozen applied. We are an upper grades school community in trouble, folks.

The idea is that the advanced ( read: on normal grade level/not remedial ) academic program will not "spring up" before your kid gets there. The idea is that if your kid enrolls there along with his/her classmates from Brent the class/program would THEN be provided. Why wouldn't you want to trust DCPS and take that gamble? I don't get it. Especially with all the PTA leaders telling you they will make sure it happens. Plus, how entitled if you to think an appropriate educational program should be simply provided for you. You have to work for it. Work it!

14:39, where has this happened before, a small number of middle-class families from a feeder elementary school building a strong advanced academic program at a large, failing public MIDDLE SCHOOL that's two-thirds empty? Can you give us an example from this century or this country?

Less than ten years ago, Alice Deal's nickname among some parents and students was "Dismal Deal".

Less than 10 years ago Deal was 1/3 of the size it is today. In 2007, enrollment was 533. By 2009 is was over 800. Today it is over 1400.

And here are the others - didn't include IT and CMI since their middle school cohorts are so small and the stats are school wide

BASIS

Black 42.15
White 39.9
Hisp 7.1
Asian 4.7
Multi 5.6

Special Ed 4.7
Econ Disad 17.4
ELL 0


SH
Black 87
White 9
Hisp 2.6
Asian .5
Multi .9

Special Ed 14.9
Econ Disad 50.6
ELL.7

Hardy
Black 59.1
White 12.7
Hisp 13.5
Asian 11.4
Multi 2.3

Spec Ed 15.3
ELL 4.7
Econ Disad 41.2

Anonymous wrote:ˆˆând possibly the most diverse?

Close, but no, still Deal for MS:

black/non-hispanic 30.9%
white 45.4%
hispanic 13%
asian 5.6%
pacific/hawaian .3%
native american/alaskan .1%
multi 4.8%

ELL 3%
FARM 19%
SPED 9%
In Boundary 70%

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This mom of a bright, not-so-rich Brent kid regrets attending a Jefferson open house. Our PTA spin doctors now count me among those seriously interested in the school after learning more, when the opposite is true. I can't see a suitably advanced academic program springing up at Jefferson at all, let alone in the few years we have before middle school. My kid attended a Johns Hopkins CTY camp last summer, finding social studies hard for the first time.

Four fourth graders without siblings are into Latin while two dozen applied. We are an upper grades school community in trouble, folks.

Do you really regret going to an open house? I would think you would now feel more informed about your options and whether they are suitable or not suitable for your daughter.

What I don't understand about this situation is why some Brent parents feel that other parents working on behalf of Jefferson is an affront. No one is saying that Jefferson is the right fit for every child or that every kid going through Brent should go to Jefferson. To me, working to improve the by-rights middle school seems like a desirable thing for the community not an insult.

It takes people down a futile path. It wastes time. It provides political cover for city leadership. It is tilting at windmills. it gets in the way of solutions that might work in a timeframe for my kids.

But what are those solutions?

DCPS does not seem interested in doing a test-in MS in Ward 6 or creating creating a Hine 2. If you don't have a sibling in a charter school, those will be long shots as well. So the choices seem to be move or work to try and make Jefferson workable for middle class families.

If you want to stay in the neighborhood and can't afford private schools, there is no harm in trying. If you hit the lottery (Mega-millions or MCDC, as they will have the same odds in a few years) good for you. But thinking there are other solutions coming down the pike in the next 10 years are the really the ultimate windmills.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This mom of a bright, not-so-rich Brent kid regrets attending a Jefferson open house. Our PTA spin doctors now count me among those seriously interested in the school after learning more, when the opposite is true. I can't see a suitably advanced academic program springing up at Jefferson at all, let alone in the few years we have before middle school. My kid attended a Johns Hopkins CTY camp last summer, finding social studies hard for the first time.

Four fourth graders without siblings are into Latin while two dozen applied. We are an upper grades school community in trouble, folks.

The idea is that the advanced ( read: on normal grade level/not remedial ) academic program will not "spring up" before your kid gets there. The idea is that if your kid enrolls there along with his/her classmates from Brent the class/program would THEN be provided. Why wouldn't you want to trust DCPS and take that gamble? I don't get it. Especially with all the PTA leaders telling you they will make sure it happens. Plus, how entitled if you to think an appropriate educational program should be simply provided for you. You have to work for it. Work it!

14:39, where has this happened before, a small number of middle-class families from a feeder elementary school building a strong advanced academic program at a large, failing public MIDDLE SCHOOL that's two-thirds empty? Can you give us an example from this century or this country?

Less than ten years ago, Alice Deal's nickname among some parents and students was "Dismal Deal".

ˆˆând possibly the most diverse?