We are an AA family in SP with kid that will be in Deal next year. Of all of my friends in the neighborhood (many AA and mostly 3rd-5th graders), we all plan to send to Deal and Wilson. I think PP’s statement of most AA going private is more in line with thinking 10 years ago and not so much now. Of the 20+ DC AA friends that live IB for Deal, I only know one family planning on going private for middle and it’s because the husband is a graduate and active in the sports scene at the school. I don’t know one AA family that plans to move to Moco or Howard county. I have plenty of friends that live there but they were already there when or as soon as they had kids, not move for middle or high.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids whose parent are interested in Deal and/or Wilson stay at Shepherd through 5th. Folks who always planned on private school — including high SES in-bound families — still leave.

Deal / Wilson is not necessarily the first choice of African American parents who live in 16th St Hts or Colonial Village.

I know Wilson isn't always a first choice of SP/CV folks based on parents I've spoken with, but I thought Deal was viewed more positively? I know a couple of neighbors who've sent their kids to Deal, followed by private, application school, etc. for high school. However, I'm a parent of a much younger kid, so I probably don't have my finger on the pulse.

P.S. I'd add that it might change over the next 10 years? Private tuition is a lot more these days than in years past, and most people in SP tend to stay in the neighborhood (vs. moving to MoCo, etc.). Some younger AA families have mentioned that they plan to stay at Shepherd all the way through, and then send their kids to Deal and Wilson.

Anonymous wrote:That’s been what I have seen too, I work with a lot of high income AA parents and everyone of them refuses to send heir kid to a DC HS except for maybe Latin. Even Banneker considered pretty weak. Most move to Howard county or go private.

It is easier to get into some privates at middle vs high school.

Deal is not always great for minority kids. Lots of social pressure that white kids aren’t subjected to.

That’s been what I have seen too, I work with a lot of high income AA parents and everyone of them refuses to send heir kid to a DC HS except for maybe Latin. Even Banneker considered pretty weak. Most move to Howard county or go private.

Anonymous wrote:Kids whose parent are interested in Deal and/or Wilson stay at Shepherd through 5th. Folks who always planned on private school — including high SES in-bound families — still leave.

Deal / Wilson is not necessarily the first choice of African American parents who live in 16th St Hts or Colonial Village.

I know Wilson isn't always a first choice of SP/CV folks based on parents I've spoken with, but I thought Deal was viewed more positively? I know a couple of neighbors who've sent their kids to Deal, followed by private, application school, etc. for high school. However, I'm a parent of a much younger kid, so I probably don't have my finger on the pulse.

Anonymous wrote:What are 4th and 5th looking like next year at Shepherd? My spouse attended the open house but reported it was geared more to the PreK crowd. If you have a child going into 4th or 5th grade are the dynamics between kids good? What about the teachers? Is there still attrition in the upper grades?


Note: I don’t care about the SES of the students. I just want a nice group of kids who like their school and treat each other well. Oh and some learnin’ is going on too. Thought I would add to this thread as opposed to starting a new one.

I don't think there are very many upper grade Shepherd parents who post on DCUM (although IRL I know some current 3rd and 4th grade Shepherd parents in the neighborhood). However, I don't think they lose many kids in the upper grades these days, based on the number of 4th and 5th grade slots offered in the lottery as of late.

As for current dynamics, I think that can change year to year. Perhaps post on the SP listserv if you're in the neighborhood and would like to speak with current parents? That's what we did when we were considering PK3 a few years ago, and were new to the neighborhood. It was pretty informative speaking with current parents, and reassured our decision to go with Shepherd as our #1 lottery choice.

Kids whose parent are interested in Deal and/or Wilson stay at Shepherd through 5th. Folks who always planned on private school — including high SES in-bound families — still leave.

Deal / Wilson is not necessarily the first choice of African American parents who live in 16th St Hts or Colonial Village.