Read about what it takes to get into the Blair magnets from DC public and weep. PPs who think that Latin is on track to launch Intel and Siemens prize winners, so where's the 7th grade algebra? The school Fairfax school where I used to teach has offered it for 20 years. And how will Basis afford the great computer and science labs to become a springboard for Ivy league undergrad careers? I'm skeptical, even if the HS kids will be able to handle all those AP classes. Top programs are built on top facilities and DC charter lacks them.

Anonymous wrote:
Nobody but Deal teaches 7th grade algebra in DC public and some Mo. Co. kids take it in 6th.

Um, correction: Hardy offers algebra to 7th graders.

Did you know Blair would be an option for DS before you moved? (And, if so, how?) Many thanks!

Yes, Blair always an option for those with Mo. Co. residency if you're OK with the regular "academy" tracks. We planned to move well in advance, feeling from 7th grade that Latin wouldn't be the best HS option. All you need to do to enroll a kid is establish residency in the relevant swathe of Mo. Co. in advance- file taxes there in April before you kid starts school in the fall. We bought property in Takoma Park over the winter, but could have rented (at least before filing taxes, you could get an extension and wait until June). You really don't even have to move if you're no longer in DCPS/Charter, just need to establish residency in Mo. Co and get your kid to Blair yourself.

That said, if you're shooting for the math/science magnet, communications (CAP) or IB, you need to get going a lot sooner, no later than October. It's not at all easy to get into the magnets and a DCPS or DC Charter kid really needs to go the extra mile - you pretty much have to participate in the Johns Hopkins gifted summer programs (they start after 2nd grade) to be in the running.

For the math, also best to get your kid into chess, competitive math teams, computer programming, science camps/research by MS. For the IB, language summer immersion helps. And best to get recommendations from the Hopkins instructors because Mo. Co. is unlikely to take DCPS or DC Charter recommendations, or DC-CAS scores, very seriously. Nobody but Deal teaches 7th grade algebra in DC public and some Mo. Co. kids take it in 6th. Most of the kids in the Blair magnets are of course coming out of the MS magnets in Takoma (math) and Silver Spring (humanities) doing more serious MS work than anywhere in DCPS or Charter. But, a DC kid does bring a certain urban savoir faire, and 2 of the Blair magnets were willing to take mine (and they admit around 15% of applicants!).

When you get to Mo. Co. it can be a shock to the system to discover that shooting for the stars academically, never mind the debate over what's equitable and who's poor and included and who's not, is the norm in public schools. Most of the magnet kids are Asian.

Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:It's not really "guinea pigs" at Basis. They already have a tried and tested model that's worked for several other schools. They've already had an opportunity to work many of the kinks out.

I'm not so much concerned with the curriculum (which I believe to be well established) as with the teachers; that is where I consider the program will be experimental. Unfortunately, in a small (new) school, if the Spanish teacher, for instance, is marginal, you may be guaranteed marginal instruction for that calendar year, or many teacher transitions.

It's not really "guinea pigs" at Basis. They already have a tried and tested model that's worked for several other schools. They've already had an opportunity to work many of the kinks out.

Anonymous wrote:More and more families are actually staying at Latin for HS. They had very few spots open for 9th grade this year.

Depends on what sort of high school program you want/need. I'm with pps thinking that selective admissions work best for the top/most disciplined kids (but that it's in the DC DNA not to agree). We didn't stay after 8th, moved, and sent him to the Blair math magnet because we don't have the money for independents (we work for nonprofits) and he's the sort of kid who has the talent/drive to compete in natl science competitions (he will start projects for Google and Siemens in 10th grade, and can take AP Latin at Blair). We still own a house in the District and may try to send our younger son to Latin for ms.

I was disappointed that in Latin's first graduating class very few kids, if any, applied to Ivies, Little Ivies, military academies, MIT etc. True, more and more families are staying for HS, but science competitions and taking more than a few AP classes are not what Latin seems to have in mind. In our experience, excellent tends to be code for above average in the DC charter world. Not bad, just mediocre compared to the burbs. I went to the US Naval Academy and MIT and couldn't see a path for him to reach either from Latin. But if you're chasing state school admissions, or 2-4 star colleges, you're good at Latin now, and will surely be better off in a few years.

Did you know Blair would be an option for DS before you moved? (And, if so, how?) Many thanks!

This small class has done very well considering that all the 'top students' left this class. They chose to leave due to growing pains of the school (see other threads--this is ancient history) and due to growing skittish about being in an 'untested' school. If you compared this senior class to comparable students at other schools, you'd probably find they did exceedingly well in terms of transitioning to college with some financial support. As more 'top students' take the leap and stay at Latin (which is the trend), you will see different college admissions. If you have experience in higher education you would probably be the first to admit that students should go to schools where they will find success and can move on to professional life. In that sense, Latin has done well by these students. (re-post)