Anonymous wrote:OP, if your primary goal is for your 4-5 year old to be maximally challenged academically (does that mean reading more and harder texts, doing high level arithmetic or algebra?) in school every day, I don't think you'll be happy with kindergarten at Inspired.

The curriculum is play and inquiry-based, there is no expectation that kids will be reading (though teachers support kids who are reading and there are differentiated literacy groups starting in K), kids spend A LOT of time working together in groups and engaged in problem solving, and yes, that includes kids with varying academic and social skills and kids at varying stages of growth. In my experience, there's not a lot of "kids that are ahead academically helping those that are struggling academically" because the curriculum works differently - for example, all kids in the class pair up and share their answers to a math problem and how they arrived at the answers and then figure out together if both answers are correct, if they used the same methodology, or where one child's problem-solving went awry.

I was an early reader and an academic superstar in school and did a ton of higher order academic enrichment as a child. The education that my kids are getting and the skills that they are building to think critically, understand causes and figure out solutions to all sorts of problems, and work with peers of all abilities is, I am certain, preparing them better to live in the world than my education did. Oh, and my middle elementary school kid is reading at an 8th grade level and loves school and is happily engaged in the work. This morning we had conversations about friction and density and inertia based on topics that they learned about last week.

The description of the school's learning approach on the web site really says it best: https://www.inspiredteachingschool.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1175429&type=d&pREC_ID=1423799

Anonymous wrote:OP, if your primary goal is for your 4-5 year old to be maximally challenged academically (does that mean reading more and harder texts, doing high level arithmetic or algebra?) in school every day, I don't think you'll be happy with kindergarten at Inspired.

The curriculum is play and inquiry-based, there is no expectation that kids will be reading (though teachers support kids who are reading and there are differentiated literacy groups starting in K), kids spend A LOT of time working together in groups and engaged in problem solving, and yes, that includes kids with varying academic and social skills and kids at varying stages of growth. In my experience, there's not a lot of "kids that are ahead academically helping those that are struggling academically" because the curriculum works differently - for example, all kids in the class pair up and share their answers to a math problem and how they arrived at the answers and then figure out together if both answers are correct, if they used the same methodology, or where one child's problem-solving went awry.

I was an early reader and an academic superstar in school and did a ton of higher order academic enrichment as a child. The education that my kids are getting and the skills that they are building to think critically, understand causes and figure out solutions to all sorts of problems, and work with peers of all abilities is, I am certain, preparing them better to live in the world than my education did. Oh, and my middle elementary school kid is reading at an 8th grade level and loves school and is happily engaged in the work. This morning we had conversations about friction and density and inertia based on topics that they learned about last week.

The description of the school's learning approach on the web site really says it best: https://www.inspiredteachingschool.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1175429&type=d&pREC_ID=1423799

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. After attending the ITS open house I am feeling more conflicted. So I have boiled it down to one question:

at which school will my child be more challenged?

I know him, he is happier when the work is complex and he feels like he is succeeding at something difficult. So far his preK teachers at Seaton have been so amazing and ambitious, but I don't know enough about the upper grades.

So, which school has higher expectations for the kids?

Seaton parents -- can you tell me what the upper grades are like?

ITS parents -- can you tell me more about the academic expectations? It seems like the kids are happy, the environment is warm and the scores are good. But are the kids being challenged as much as they can be?

I can only speak to Seaton, but I have found it sufficiently challenging. At various points, I do think my child could move faster through the curriculum, but I have been convinced that benefits of moving slower do exist. I can best explain it as horizontal growth as opposed to vertical growth. Enrichment opportunities have been provided during small group and/or aftercare. This isn’t as frequent as I would like, those who are behind get the bulk of the time. That being said, during class my child has been able to help classmates, read independently, work on a more challenging problem, spend a few extra minutes on the computer, etc. It isn’t perfect- but I am satisfied. I also know Seaton has worked with families where a child was extremely advanced and provided other opportunities. ( My child is a couple years advanced, but by no means profoundly gifted)

Finally, I will say there has been a sufficient number of kids at the same level as mine. It is a group of kids with the same needs. Your child will not be the only one.

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. After attending the ITS open house I am feeling more conflicted. So I have boiled it down to one question:

at which school will my child be more challenged?

I know him, he is happier when the work is complex and he feels like he is succeeding at something difficult. So far his preK teachers at Seaton have been so amazing and ambitious, but I don't know enough about the upper grades.

So, which school has higher expectations for the kids?

Seaton parents -- can you tell me what the upper grades are like?

ITS parents -- can you tell me more about the academic expectations? It seems like the kids are happy, the environment is warm and the scores are good. But are the kids being challenged as much as they can be?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, there is a Seaton teacher that used to be a resident at ITS. I bet you could chat with her and get more info.

OP, already did.

Care to share what she said?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, there is a Seaton teacher that used to be a resident at ITS. I bet you could chat with her and get more info.

OP, already did.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:OP, we are a Seaton family in a similar situation and just wanted to respond on the differentiation piece - we met with Principal Jacobs (who brought in the teaching teams for math/language) to discuss this very issue and were very impressed, enough so that i'd feel comfortable through 5th. (Can't speak to ITS, however). We might leave for a different reason - moving - but right now we're happy staying. I'd also consider commute as part of this if it's relevant because Seaton's neighborhood vibe is something I cherish. It is a tough choice and I'm sure whatever you decide will be fine!

I would suggest you also talk with some of the families that have chosen to stay at Seaton beyond PreK. They may have a bit of a bias, but I think most of the families would be pretty honest with you about any challenges they have seen and/or opportunities. Each family will have had a different experience, as will each child, so I really encourage you to seek out multiple people to chat with.

This. ITS is not that hard to get into so you should be able to find people who stuck with Seaton.

Also think about whether you want to start at ITS and then move to a third school if you get in later. A number good enough for an initial matxh at ITS will likely get you into MV P St if last year's data is any indication.

ITS is hard to get into. What are you talking about?

I am talking about how last year they made 64 offers for K.

Right but there were 100 people that didn’t get a call. Also, for 1st they only called 2 people. Your statement is misleading and could persuade someone to make a choice they wouldn’t otherwise.

The point is, the OP has a decent lottery number amd should consider carefully how to handle an offer from a school she ranked higher than ITS. We were in this situation and avoided telling our DC much of anything until late August when we felt more certain. Don't tell your DC he or she is going to ITS if you are going to do a U turn and end up at MV instead.

NP. I get your point. But the previous poster said "ITS is not that hard to get into" and that's not the case. If OP doesn't take the K spot now, she has virtually no chance of getting in the following 1-4 years. Not saying that should persuade one to make a choice, but clarification is good.

PP's point was that people do sometimes decline ITS offers in favor of Seaton. There is no way ITS could make so many offers for K without a lot of people declining.

Anonymous wrote:OP, there is a Seaton teacher that used to be a resident at ITS. I bet you could chat with her and get more info.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, we are a Seaton family in a similar situation and just wanted to respond on the differentiation piece - we met with Principal Jacobs (who brought in the teaching teams for math/language) to discuss this very issue and were very impressed, enough so that i'd feel comfortable through 5th. (Can't speak to ITS, however). We might leave for a different reason - moving - but right now we're happy staying. I'd also consider commute as part of this if it's relevant because Seaton's neighborhood vibe is something I cherish. It is a tough choice and I'm sure whatever you decide will be fine!

I would suggest you also talk with some of the families that have chosen to stay at Seaton beyond PreK. They may have a bit of a bias, but I think most of the families would be pretty honest with you about any challenges they have seen and/or opportunities. Each family will have had a different experience, as will each child, so I really encourage you to seek out multiple people to chat with.

This. ITS is not that hard to get into so you should be able to find people who stuck with Seaton.

Also think about whether you want to start at ITS and then move to a third school if you get in later. A number good enough for an initial matxh at ITS will likely get you into MV P St if last year's data is any indication.

ITS is hard to get into. What are you talking about?

I am talking about how last year they made 64 offers for K.

Right but there were 100 people that didn’t get a call. Also, for 1st they only called 2 people. Your statement is misleading and could persuade someone to make a choice they wouldn’t otherwise.

The point is, the OP has a decent lottery number amd should consider carefully how to handle an offer from a school she ranked higher than ITS. We were in this situation and avoided telling our DC much of anything until late August when we felt more certain. Don't tell your DC he or she is going to ITS if you are going to do a U turn and end up at MV instead.

NP. I get your point. But the previous poster said "ITS is not that hard to get into" and that's not the case. If OP doesn't take the K spot now, she has virtually no chance of getting in the following 1-4 years. Not saying that should persuade one to make a choice, but clarification is good.

Anonymous wrote:update: after talking to people familiar with both schools and reading more into the details, we are enrolling at ITS and will be attending for K. We can always come back to Seaton for 1st grade and beyond if we don't like it, but I prefer ITS' K curriculum.

Now to make a graceful exit from Seaton somehow...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, we are a Seaton family in a similar situation and just wanted to respond on the differentiation piece - we met with Principal Jacobs (who brought in the teaching teams for math/language) to discuss this very issue and were very impressed, enough so that i'd feel comfortable through 5th. (Can't speak to ITS, however). We might leave for a different reason - moving - but right now we're happy staying. I'd also consider commute as part of this if it's relevant because Seaton's neighborhood vibe is something I cherish. It is a tough choice and I'm sure whatever you decide will be fine!

I would suggest you also talk with some of the families that have chosen to stay at Seaton beyond PreK. They may have a bit of a bias, but I think most of the families would be pretty honest with you about any challenges they have seen and/or opportunities. Each family will have had a different experience, as will each child, so I really encourage you to seek out multiple people to chat with.

This. ITS is not that hard to get into so you should be able to find people who stuck with Seaton.

Also think about whether you want to start at ITS and then move to a third school if you get in later. A number good enough for an initial matxh at ITS will likely get you into MV P St if last year's data is any indication.

ITS is hard to get into. What are you talking about?

I am talking about how last year they made 64 offers for K.

Right but there were 100 people that didn’t get a call. Also, for 1st they only called 2 people. Your statement is misleading and could persuade someone to make a choice they wouldn’t otherwise.

The point is, the OP has a decent lottery number amd should consider carefully how to handle an offer from a school she ranked higher than ITS. We were in this situation and avoided telling our DC much of anything until late August when we felt more certain. Don't tell your DC he or she is going to ITS if you are going to do a U turn and end up at MV instead.

Anonymous wrote:update: after talking to people familiar with both schools and reading more into the details, we are enrolling at ITS and will be attending for K. We can always come back to Seaton for 1st grade and beyond if we don't like it, but I prefer ITS' K curriculum.

Now to make a graceful exit from Seaton somehow...