It’s like all the weirdos found this thread and decided to post something…

to attend sws, everyone there essentially had to list it as their #1 and then also have a great lottery number (or have a sibling). the same is also true at some of the smaller charter schools (middle school at latin). this type of dynamic tends to create a small, closeknit community that is overall very happy and dedicated to being there. but the dark side comes when the same individuals also feel some need to justify their decision to chose sws as #1 in the lottery over other options (for example, to drive everyday to sws instead of attending the walkable in-bound school down the street). this creates a self-perpetuating fiction that its somehow necessarily better than the other dcps hill area elementary schools as opposed to largely just being more popular.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:We live on the Hill but send to private school in NW so I don't have the same school anxiety as the vast majority of parents in our area but my perception is that parents who are at SWS truly believe they've won the lottery - they can't afford to send to private or move to NW for better schools but because they are white UMC, they are terrified of their kids attending a majority non-white school. The sheer relief on their faces when they tell me that they are SWS is palatable. That plus the "well I'm a good person because I send my kid to public school" vibe. It's people who want private school but can't afford it and like to pretend they are good white people.

Pot … kettle.

I'm the PP - no, not pot...kettle. I don't pretend to be something I'm not. And we can afford private. Do what you want to do, but be honest about it. Don't pretend you're a good white person because you live on the Hill and send your kid to DCPS when you're sending them to SWS. I'm honest about who I am - paying for private to not deal with public school. Yes, I'm a shitty white person.

So you’re proud to be a racist?

How many DCUM posters would send their kids to a majority black DCPS school? And I’m not talking about a Payne or JO Wilson where you see other white faces and feel comfortable.

Just looking at all the Pre-K 3 lottery posts make my skin crawl. There are plenty of DCPS schools that offer no-waitlist or lottery need for Pre-K 3. Yet parents would rather pay for private then have their child be the only white kid in an all-black school.

This is partially true but not for the reason you assume. It's one of the best EC programs in DC. Lots of SWS parents also send kids to private schools and charters and not all families are affluent. No one thinks they're sacrificing by staying in DCPS -- like most families they're picking the school that they think is best for their kids. SWS enrollment functions like charters in that sense but the trade off is a low demand feeder path. Unlike charters at least SWS has unionized teachers and same oversight as any other DCPS school (good and bad). There's no shady dark money sourcing beyond 'public charter' veneer.

Maybe question living in a by-right zones like Janney or Lafayette which reflect highly racially segregated neighborhoods. Sadly the same thing is happening on the Hill and shows at Peabody, Brent and Maury. Lots of Hill families send kids to privates anyway. Bless their hearts.

Your comment doesn't make any sense. SWS is not one of hte best EC programs in DC. I'm saying that these are parents who wish they either lived in a "better" school zone or could afford private from prek. I don't think they are sacrificing, I think they wish they had a different option. You're telling me that a parent at SWS would rather then their kids to SWS than Sidwell? Yeah, ok. They are the parents that are just so grateful their kids don't have to go to Miner or Watkins.

I love when people can't imagine any perspective other than their own. Yes, I'd much rather my kids attend my IB DCPS than Sidwell. There is nothing about any elementary school that makes me think trekking my kids 45 minutes each way is remotely worth it. I love that my kids go to school a few blocks from their house, where 3/4ths of their classmates live within about 5 blocks of us and they are meeting a mix of people from all kinds of backgrounds. I have nothing against privates and expect to send my kids to private HS at the very least. But the assumption that no one would want to send their kid to a nearby DCPS over Sidwell? That is truly myopic. (My kids don't go to SWS, but go to a nearby Hill ES.)

I'm PP - if your kid goes to a nearby Hill school, you aren't the SWS parent I'm talking about. I said SWS parents wouldn't want to send their kid to a nearby DCPS over Sidwell. Not you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live on the Hill but send to private school in NW so I don't have the same school anxiety as the vast majority of parents in our area but my perception is that parents who are at SWS truly believe they've won the lottery - they can't afford to send to private or move to NW for better schools but because they are white UMC, they are terrified of their kids attending a majority non-white school. The sheer relief on their faces when they tell me that they are SWS is palatable. That plus the "well I'm a good person because I send my kid to public school" vibe. It's people who want private school but can't afford it and like to pretend they are good white people.

Pot … kettle.

I'm the PP - no, not pot...kettle. I don't pretend to be something I'm not. And we can afford private. Do what you want to do, but be honest about it. Don't pretend you're a good white person because you live on the Hill and send your kid to DCPS when you're sending them to SWS. I'm honest about who I am - paying for private to not deal with public school. Yes, I'm a shitty white person.

So you’re proud to be a racist?

How many DCUM posters would send their kids to a majority black DCPS school? And I’m not talking about a Payne or JO Wilson where you see other white faces and feel comfortable.

Just looking at all the Pre-K 3 lottery posts make my skin crawl. There are plenty of DCPS schools that offer no-waitlist or lottery need for Pre-K 3. Yet parents would rather pay for private then have their child be the only white kid in an all-black school.

This is partially true but not for the reason you assume. It's one of the best EC programs in DC. Lots of SWS parents also send kids to private schools and charters and not all families are affluent. No one thinks they're sacrificing by staying in DCPS -- like most families they're picking the school that they think is best for their kids. SWS enrollment functions like charters in that sense but the trade off is a low demand feeder path. Unlike charters at least SWS has unionized teachers and same oversight as any other DCPS school (good and bad). There's no shady dark money sourcing beyond 'public charter' veneer.

Maybe question living in a by-right zones like Janney or Lafayette which reflect highly racially segregated neighborhoods. Sadly the same thing is happening on the Hill and shows at Peabody, Brent and Maury. Lots of Hill families send kids to privates anyway. Bless their hearts.

Your comment doesn't make any sense. SWS is not one of hte best EC programs in DC. I'm saying that these are parents who wish they either lived in a "better" school zone or could afford private from prek. I don't think they are sacrificing, I think they wish they had a different option. You're telling me that a parent at SWS would rather then their kids to SWS than Sidwell? Yeah, ok. They are the parents that are just so grateful their kids don't have to go to Miner or Watkins.

I love when people can't imagine any perspective other than their own. Yes, I'd much rather my kids attend my IB DCPS than Sidwell. There is nothing about any elementary school that makes me think trekking my kids 45 minutes each way is remotely worth it. I love that my kids go to school a few blocks from their house, where 3/4ths of their classmates live within about 5 blocks of us and they are meeting a mix of people from all kinds of backgrounds. I have nothing against privates and expect to send my kids to private HS at the very least. But the assumption that no one would want to send their kid to a nearby DCPS over Sidwell? That is truly myopic. (My kids don't go to SWS, but go to a nearby Hill ES.)

I hesitate even to chime into this but to the extent it helps anyone considering their lottery options....

There are many many varied reasons why a family might be at SWS. I would say that the one thing that most (but not all) families have in common is that they live on the Hill, and that is either because they enjoy living on the Hill (because of or in spite of the school options) or because their financial ability to move is limited (many people with school-aged kids bought when some of the outer Hill areas were considered bargains). It is usually some combination of both.

I think all these things are true:

- Some people are very committed to the Reggio program and truly do believe it is the best educational model for their kids. These people might even choose SWS over Brent, Maury ,or private.
- Some would prefer a more traditional educational model and would have gone to Brent, Maury, etc, if they were in-bounds, but they are not in-bounds for those schools and consider SWS a better option than their IB, despite its flaws.
- Some got sucked into the "magical" early childhood propaganda and then found it hard to switch after their kids made friends. They might have made a different choice if they had full information when entering the lottery, but figure staying at SWS is less harmful than a transition.
- Some have one child with special needs that SWS specializes in, and rather than break up the family they send all their kids there (even if they think their more neurotypical kids might be better off elsewhere).
- Some heard of its good reputation, got in through the lottery, have happy kids, and don't give the schools a second thought.
- Some are IB for SH and are very committed to public education and don't even play the MS lottery.
- Some are IB for SH, play the lottery for charters, and go to SH or private if they don't get in.
- No one (or very few) has ever gone to EH.

I hope this helps. Different people have different reasons. I don't doubt that race plays into different decision points to different degrees, especially to the extent that they correlate with test scores or behavior issues. But the real landscape is much more complex than that. And boiling it down to race doesn't help anyone.

If you are ranking your lottery options, think about what qualities are important to you in a school, and rank accordingly. SWS is a wonderful place for some, but is not for everyone (we can have a separate thread about whether that is ok or not).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live on the Hill but send to private school in NW so I don't have the same school anxiety as the vast majority of parents in our area but my perception is that parents who are at SWS truly believe they've won the lottery - they can't afford to send to private or move to NW for better schools but because they are white UMC, they are terrified of their kids attending a majority non-white school. The sheer relief on their faces when they tell me that they are SWS is palatable. That plus the "well I'm a good person because I send my kid to public school" vibe. It's people who want private school but can't afford it and like to pretend they are good white people.

You are a terrible person.

ehhh.. I actually agree with PP. It's true.

+2. We were at SWS when it was still at Peabody, and we are POC. I remember the bolded especially from prospective parents who came to the SWS auctions.

Are there stats on where SWS graduates go for Middle School? Are those parents moving, paying for private? How many are giving a shot to Elliot-Hine? I think those answers will tell you the truth about how woke they really are; not some BS concert where they don't sing about Rudolph.

This is the most batshit thread I have read on this forum in a while, and that's saying something.

...but pretend that they don't want another option because isn't DCPS so great and isn't it so great they go to their neighborhood school? SWS is great for them - they get to be smug for supporting their local school but also attend a school that is majority white.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live on the Hill but send to private school in NW so I don't have the same school anxiety as the vast majority of parents in our area but my perception is that parents who are at SWS truly believe they've won the lottery - they can't afford to send to private or move to NW for better schools but because they are white UMC, they are terrified of their kids attending a majority non-white school. The sheer relief on their faces when they tell me that they are SWS is palatable. That plus the "well I'm a good person because I send my kid to public school" vibe. It's people who want private school but can't afford it and like to pretend they are good white people.

Pot … kettle.

I'm the PP - no, not pot...kettle. I don't pretend to be something I'm not. And we can afford private. Do what you want to do, but be honest about it. Don't pretend you're a good white person because you live on the Hill and send your kid to DCPS when you're sending them to SWS. I'm honest about who I am - paying for private to not deal with public school. Yes, I'm a shitty white person.

So you’re proud to be a racist?

How many DCUM posters would send their kids to a majority black DCPS school? And I’m not talking about a Payne or JO Wilson where you see other white faces and feel comfortable.

Just looking at all the Pre-K 3 lottery posts make my skin crawl. There are plenty of DCPS schools that offer no-waitlist or lottery need for Pre-K 3. Yet parents would rather pay for private then have their child be the only white kid in an all-black school.

This is partially true but not for the reason you assume. It's one of the best EC programs in DC. Lots of SWS parents also send kids to private schools and charters and not all families are affluent. No one thinks they're sacrificing by staying in DCPS -- like most families they're picking the school that they think is best for their kids. SWS enrollment functions like charters in that sense but the trade off is a low demand feeder path. Unlike charters at least SWS has unionized teachers and same oversight as any other DCPS school (good and bad). There's no shady dark money sourcing beyond 'public charter' veneer.

Maybe question living in a by-right zones like Janney or Lafayette which reflect highly racially segregated neighborhoods. Sadly the same thing is happening on the Hill and shows at Peabody, Brent and Maury. Lots of Hill families send kids to privates anyway. Bless their hearts.

Your comment doesn't make any sense. SWS is not one of hte best EC programs in DC. I'm saying that these are parents who wish they either lived in a "better" school zone or could afford private from prek. I don't think they are sacrificing, I think they wish they had a different option. You're telling me that a parent at SWS would rather then their kids to SWS than Sidwell? Yeah, ok. They are the parents that are just so grateful their kids don't have to go to Miner or Watkins.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live on the Hill but send to private school in NW so I don't have the same school anxiety as the vast majority of parents in our area but my perception is that parents who are at SWS truly believe they've won the lottery - they can't afford to send to private or move to NW for better schools but because they are white UMC, they are terrified of their kids attending a majority non-white school. The sheer relief on their faces when they tell me that they are SWS is palatable. That plus the "well I'm a good person because I send my kid to public school" vibe. It's people who want private school but can't afford it and like to pretend they are good white people.

Pot … kettle.

I'm the PP - no, not pot...kettle. I don't pretend to be something I'm not. And we can afford private. Do what you want to do, but be honest about it. Don't pretend you're a good white person because you live on the Hill and send your kid to DCPS when you're sending them to SWS. I'm honest about who I am - paying for private to not deal with public school. Yes, I'm a shitty white person.

So you’re proud to be a racist?

How many DCUM posters would send their kids to a majority black DCPS school? And I’m not talking about a Payne or JO Wilson where you see other white faces and feel comfortable.

Just looking at all the Pre-K 3 lottery posts make my skin crawl. There are plenty of DCPS schools that offer no-waitlist or lottery need for Pre-K 3. Yet parents would rather pay for private then have their child be the only white kid in an all-black school.

This is partially true but not for the reason you assume. It's one of the best EC programs in DC. Lots of SWS parents also send kids to private schools and charters and not all families are affluent. No one thinks they're sacrificing by staying in DCPS -- like most families they're picking the school that they think is best for their kids. SWS enrollment functions like charters in that sense but the trade off is a low demand feeder path. Unlike charters at least SWS has unionized teachers and same oversight as any other DCPS school (good and bad). There's no shady dark money sourcing beyond 'public charter' veneer.

Maybe question living in a by-right zones like Janney or Lafayette which reflect highly racially segregated neighborhoods. Sadly the same thing is happening on the Hill and shows at Peabody, Brent and Maury. Lots of Hill families send kids to privates anyway. Bless their hearts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live on the Hill but send to private school in NW so I don't have the same school anxiety as the vast majority of parents in our area but my perception is that parents who are at SWS truly believe they've won the lottery - they can't afford to send to private or move to NW for better schools but because they are white UMC, they are terrified of their kids attending a majority non-white school. The sheer relief on their faces when they tell me that they are SWS is palatable. That plus the "well I'm a good person because I send my kid to public school" vibe. It's people who want private school but can't afford it and like to pretend they are good white people.

Pot … kettle.

I'm the PP - no, not pot...kettle. I don't pretend to be something I'm not. And we can afford private. Do what you want to do, but be honest about it. Don't pretend you're a good white person because you live on the Hill and send your kid to DCPS when you're sending them to SWS. I'm honest about who I am - paying for private to not deal with public school. Yes, I'm a shitty white person.

So you’re proud to be a racist?

How many DCUM posters would send their kids to a majority black DCPS school? And I’m not talking about a Payne or JO Wilson where you see other white faces and feel comfortable.

Just looking at all the Pre-K 3 lottery posts make my skin crawl. There are plenty of DCPS schools that offer no-waitlist or lottery need for Pre-K 3. Yet parents would rather pay for private then have their child be the only white kid in an all-black school.

Your post comes off as terribly judgmental, PP. How do you know that parents "would rather pay for private" in this situation? Perhaps they make alternative arrangements, like not bothering with PreK 3 at all.

Are you a racial minority? I disliked being the only Asian in my classes in elementary and middle school, and my parents didn't enjoy being about the only Asians at school events. I find that respecting the experiences of other families tends to work, regardless of race and class.

I am. And if your child attends school in DCPS they are one of few Asian students, so the cycle of being the “token” is continuing.

Also the comment was in response the various Pre-K lottery lists I see posted.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live on the Hill but send to private school in NW so I don't have the same school anxiety as the vast majority of parents in our area but my perception is that parents who are at SWS truly believe they've won the lottery - they can't afford to send to private or move to NW for better schools but because they are white UMC, they are terrified of their kids attending a majority non-white school. The sheer relief on their faces when they tell me that they are SWS is palatable. That plus the "well I'm a good person because I send my kid to public school" vibe. It's people who want private school but can't afford it and like to pretend they are good white people.

Pot … kettle.

I'm the PP - no, not pot...kettle. I don't pretend to be something I'm not. And we can afford private. Do what you want to do, but be honest about it. Don't pretend you're a good white person because you live on the Hill and send your kid to DCPS when you're sending them to SWS. I'm honest about who I am - paying for private to not deal with public school. Yes, I'm a shitty white person.

So you’re proud to be a racist?

How many DCUM posters would send their kids to a majority black DCPS school? And I’m not talking about a Payne or JO Wilson where you see other white faces and feel comfortable.

Just looking at all the Pre-K 3 lottery posts make my skin crawl. There are plenty of DCPS schools that offer no-waitlist or lottery need for Pre-K 3. Yet parents would rather pay for private then have their child be the only white kid in an all-black school.

Your post comes off as terribly judgmental, PP. How do you know that parents "would rather pay for private" in this situation? Perhaps they make alternative arrangements, like not bothering with PreK 3 at all.

Are you a racial minority? I disliked being the only Asian in my classes in elementary and middle school, and my parents didn't enjoy being about the only Asians at school events. I find that respecting the experiences of other families tends to work, regardless of race and class.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live on the Hill but send to private school in NW so I don't have the same school anxiety as the vast majority of parents in our area but my perception is that parents who are at SWS truly believe they've won the lottery - they can't afford to send to private or move to NW for better schools but because they are white UMC, they are terrified of their kids attending a majority non-white school. The sheer relief on their faces when they tell me that they are SWS is palatable. That plus the "well I'm a good person because I send my kid to public school" vibe. It's people who want private school but can't afford it and like to pretend they are good white people.

Pot … kettle.

I'm the PP - no, not pot...kettle. I don't pretend to be something I'm not. And we can afford private. Do what you want to do, but be honest about it. Don't pretend you're a good white person because you live on the Hill and send your kid to DCPS when you're sending them to SWS. I'm honest about who I am - paying for private to not deal with public school. Yes, I'm a shitty white person.

So you’re proud to be a racist?

How many DCUM posters would send their kids to a majority black DCPS school? And I’m not talking about a Payne or JO Wilson where you see other white faces and feel comfortable.

Just looking at all the Pre-K 3 lottery posts make my skin crawl. There are plenty of DCPS schools that offer no-waitlist or lottery need for Pre-K 3. Yet parents would rather pay for private then have their child be the only white kid in an all-black school.

Anonymous wrote:If you live on the hill up can afford something in NW or very near in. Unless you're in a condo.

Yeah, that part of PP’s post makes no sense. The nice white parents on the Hill she’s describing can 100% afford to move to NW. Lots of Hill real estate is more expensive than parts of UNW.