Anonymous wrote:I went to one of the Focus Groups. I felt like most of the discussion was on middle school feeder patterns. SWS was a minor issue discussed for a minute or two. Maybe it was just the panel you were on, OP.

Maybe! I'm sort of struck by the desire to change subjects here... But Meh, I'm reading too much into it aren't I?

What are they saying about the middle school feeder patterns?

I went to one of the Focus Groups. I felt like most of the discussion was on middle school feeder patterns. SWS was a minor issue discussed for a minute or two. Maybe it was just the panel you were on, OP.

in the grand scheme of DC education, don't feel sad for the people who live across the street from SWS. Really, these people have educational mobility most of us do not.

Anonymous wrote:Families who want proximity just happened to get lucky with SWS moving close to them. If SWS had moved to a different space they would be fighting for city-wide access. They all bought their houses within LT boundaries. I would hope they knew what they were getting into.

+1.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As if people aren't and haven't been "buying into" the best school districts since the dawn of public education... But ok.

That is fine, but shouldn't be mixed with a supposedly city wide school.

Totally agree. And whereas in the desirable wotp schools class sizes are larger because of the IB demand, here class sizes would be smaller. They would say it is city-wide, have the benefits of small class sizes for being city-wide, but only accept neighborhood kids. I really don't think that is going to happen.

Families who want proximity just happened to get lucky with SWS moving close to them. If SWS had moved to a different space they would be fighting for city-wide access. They all bought their houses within LT boundaries. I would hope they knew what they were getting into.

Anonymous wrote:As if people aren't and haven't been "buying into" the best school districts since the dawn of public education... But ok.

That is fine, but shouldn't be mixed with a supposedly city wide school.

I agree with PP who said it will either be a neighborhood school or a city-wide school with no boundaries/preferences by neighborhood. The drawback of a neighborhood school is that class sizes would go up substantially, since they would have to take everyone in-boundary. I think it works much better as a city-wide school. Better for the school, which would do best to take students who are genuinely interested/will do well with Reggio throughout all of elementary school. Better for DC students, who could choose this program based on whether it would fit them best. And it would certainly be more equitable.

As if people aren't and haven't been "buying into" the best school districts since the dawn of public education... But ok.

It should be either OR. Neighborhood or boundary. Otherwise a select few can but their way in to a "city wide" school.

Schools like SWS and Logan Montessori that offer specialized programs through elementary school should remain city wide. They work for some kids and not others, especially in the post/preschool years. There is no good reason why those living right by the new school location should have preference. If they want to go to a neighborhood school, they can go to their in-boundary school by right starting at age 5.

Something like 500 feet in a square around the school to have lottery preference. This is already in effect at neighborhood schools in case the school sits on the edge of its boundary and families on the other side of that boundary but within 500 feet ( number may be inaccurate ) will have preference in an OOB lottery

So are the parents lobbying asking for immediate-doorstep preference?

In my mind, the way to consider this proximity issue is to figure out what is best for the school itself. Being honest, and not being swayed by any particular constituency of pArents, what is best for SWS as an institution is to grant proximity preference to those families immediately on its doorstep. I would say this about any elementary school in the city--even charter elementary schools ( although I know it is currently against charter law ). It just makes sense to have families right next to the school to have the choose to feel invested and engaged and welcome. I don't feel the same way about secondary schools. A different set of considerations there.