Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The student body of charters is self-selected, typically around a theme like language, arts, et cetera - similar to magnets. Boundaries make no sense. Whoever is proposing that really doesn't understand the whole concept and premise.

Oh please. The theme has been a quirky, private school type program populated almost entirely by high-SES kids in a zone where most schools serve OOB kids (who are, erm, poor). The concept and premise is well-heeled neighborhood parents with ahead-of-the-curve little kids finding what they want and need, and enough students from low-SES families to add real life flavor, keeping the "public" in public school. Whoever is criticizing this doesn't really understand the lure of the Hill for the best and brightest in town.

Shows how much you know. The majority of charter schools in DC serve low-income, AA families. Think KIPP, Achievement, Friendship, Eagle. Whether or not the Hill attracts the best and the brightest is up for debate.

Think Yu Ying, Basis, Latin - not so low-come any more

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The student body of charters is self-selected, typically around a theme like language, arts, et cetera - similar to magnets. Boundaries make no sense. Whoever is proposing that really doesn't understand the whole concept and premise.

Oh please. The theme has been a quirky, private school type program populated almost entirely by high-SES kids in a zone where most schools serve OOB kids (who are, erm, poor). The concept and premise is well-heeled neighborhood parents with ahead-of-the-curve little kids finding what they want and need, and enough students from low-SES families to add real life flavor, keeping the "public" in public school. Whoever is criticizing this doesn't really understand the lure of the Hill for the best and brightest in town.

Shows how much you know. The majority of charter schools in DC serve low-income, AA families. Think KIPP, Achievement, Friendship, Eagle. Whether or not the Hill attracts the best and the brightest is up for debate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is SWS fighting for it?

The principal and teachers were last year, but seem to have given up. They're probably exhausted by now.

No. They embrace an inclusive educational model, and isolating the new off-Hill families would violate that principle. The school is officially "neutral" on the matter.

Anonymous wrote:The student body of charters is self-selected, typically around a theme like language, arts, et cetera - similar to magnets. Boundaries make no sense. Whoever is proposing that really doesn't understand the whole concept and premise.

Oh please. The theme has been a quirky, private school type program populated almost entirely by high-SES kids in a zone where most schools serve OOB kids (who are, erm, poor). The concept and premise is well-heeled neighborhood parents with ahead-of-the-curve little kids finding what they want and need, and enough students from low-SES families to add real life flavor, keeping the "public" in public school. Whoever is criticizing this doesn't really understand the lure of the Hill for the best and brightest in town.

Anonymous wrote:Is SWS fighting for it?

The principal and teachers were last year, but seem to have given up. They're probably exhausted by now.

The student body of charters is self-selected, typically around a theme like language, arts, et cetera - similar to magnets. Boundaries make no sense. Whoever is proposing that really doesn't understand the whole concept and premise.

Is SWS fighting for it?

^ Interesting, but the Stanton Park neighborhood a "high need" area? A high demand area to be sure, but need and gentrifier don't tend to be closely associated.

Great, the idea of granting a proximity preference for a LT as a charter will be bandied about for a year or two. The sad fact is, before the 2014 election cycle, nothing much will move on education in the Distrct.

When I head to the Turtle and LP playgrounds, I often feel jealous of the evident cohesiveness strong community schools (Brent and Maury respectively) fuel in those neighborhoods. The parents of tiny tots, and the future students themselves, in those swathes of the Hill obviously have stronger ties to one another than the Stanton Park crowd. Knowing that most of the tiny kids will be in school together for nearly a decade motivates parents to go out of their way to get to socialize, to arrange playdates.

Rumor has it that some LT parents are emailing the powers that be to fight proximity for SWS so as not to undermine LT. Is this true?

Mayor Gray in today's WP:

“We must embrace a spirit of partnership between DCPS and charter schools to take education reform to the next level,” Gray said.

He described efforts to expand high-performing schools, transfer surplus buildings to charter schools, and ease school choice for parents by developing a unified enrollment lottery and standardized report cards.

Gray also reiterated his interest in giving Chancellor Kaya Henderson the authority to approve new charter schools and in allowing charters in high-need areas to offer neighborhood children guaranteed admission.

The latter could allow for student-feeder methods that mix charter and traditional schools, Gray said. He said he has asked Henderson and Smith to explore that idea as part of their efforts to overhaul the city’s school boundaries.

since charters are independent entities how would you draw boundaries? How big would they be?

In any case why would kaya ludlow a charter, it seems like she only partners with charters if the school is failing.

Anonymous wrote:Since when do charter schools offer IB preference? The idea is gaining political traction, but it's just an idea, one unlikely to see the light of day.

What if it did see the light of day?

Since when do charter schools offer IB preference? The idea is gaining political traction, but it's just an idea, one unlikely to see the light of day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So where do in-bounds Ludlow Taylor families plan to send their kids to school? I know a few who lotteried into SWS, Maury and Brent when such a thing was possible, but those ships have sailed.

Do the parents of toddlers plan to try for other Hill schools? What are the acceptable options on the Hill? Or are you going to move to a different school zone? Try for a charter and accept a big commute?

Honestly, if Ludlow Taylor is the only option for our son we will either move to NW or send him to a private school. I haven't heard anything from "real" (ones I know in real life) parents that make me want to send my little guy there.

What if L-T goes charter with an IB preference and a new principal?

sounds like they are saying they can afford other options, just that those options (home based daycare, etc.) actually aren't as good for their kids as what DCPS early childhood education provides. For free, yes, but also very good.

*And can't afford other options?