DCist: Where Will Sasha and Malia Go to School?

canadiantvchick

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 14:19:41 -0500

Sorry "Kansas", but not all journalists are that transparent, as much as you might like to believe. Perhaps you need to change channels, newspapers, or radio stations? If the journalists you're paying attention to are "sooooooo obvious" as you put it, perhaps it is YOU who needs to do something about it, instead of playing the "Monday morning quarterback." That said, (whew, do I feel better) looking at the comments for school options outside of Sidwell Friends and G'Town Day, I feel compelled to remind folks there are a wealth of fantastic school choices that, gasp, exist outside of NW DC! (I know, you're all too afraid to go there, so you didn't even think of it, your loss) I do hope the Obamas change that and make it suddenly "cool" or "trendy" enough for some of you to venture off the Red Line. I also hope the Obamas do what is right, not just for their own family, but for the residents of the city they are about to adopt. When considering schools for their daughters, the Obamas need to look at schools in ALL of DC, and view it as a WHOLE, and not just as one NW quadrant, as so many others here tend to do.

KansasGirl

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:11:37 -0500

What difference does it make? Either way, it will be reported as the correct thing to do. You journalists are sooooooo obvious.

mcleod22

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:30:57 -0500

It is in a nushell this, That is their Children and wherever they deceide that they go is their business. This should not be held against them because we voted him in nor should they feel they are obligated to what we want for THEIR KIDS. You don't want anyone telling you where to send your kids, you would have a fit if that were the case. I you choose private or public that is your choice.. key word YOUR, that has nothing to do with him running the country. At this point it is more about safety and allowing them to be kids for as long as possible.. Whether you know it or not, some things are not our business..

downtown rez

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:25:58 -0500

DRLRonHoover is just bitter 'cause they left. ;) My DCPS child is between 1 and 2 grades above standard. My child's class size is 18, with one teacher and one teacher's aid. My child gets: dedicated sports, music, arts, and foreign language instruction each week, among other things. We're perfectly happy- my child always runs to school in the morning, and doesn't want to leave at night. Don't be fooled by test scores. DC's strength is in its diversity.

IMGoph

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:08:25 -0500

monkey makes a good point! here's a little self-promotion: we're only two weeks from geography awareness week. maybe we can get ms. palin to sign up as a spokesperson...

monkeyrotica

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:50:05 -0500

mdove11 - I dunno. Had Palin won, maybe someone could finally teach her that Africa is a continent, not a country. This in turn would spur a much needed dialog on the sad state of teaching geography in this country. Maybe!

IMGoph

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:41:43 -0500

drlronhoover: well, i wasn't going completely on hearsay. i'm going on some of the numbers that ceilio75 posted above, and from talks i've had with parents of children in those schools. if i had children, i don't know exactly what i'd do, but that's why i support making dc public schools great, because if i do have children someday, i want to be able to stay here in the city and not bail out to the 'burbs.

DC Guy

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:36:39 -0500

Amy Carter received supplemental tutoring beyond her experience at DCPS. The warm fuzzies are overblown.

mdove11

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:49:09 -0500

Can you imagine this conversation if McCain/Palin won (hhuugghh....shudder...OK--better now)? We'd be talking about which schools offer creationist science classes for Willow, Piper, Bristol (wait-skip that one), Flak Jacket, Ace Freedom, or whatever their names are. On second thought, they'd probably just be home schooled. We all know what happens when you let a Palin kid out of the house, after all.

celilo75

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:45:04 -0500

For LRonHoover and others wondering whether "excellent" means test scores when folks say there are good schools in DC, I thank you for the chance to nerd out on data for a moment. Looks like the answer is "yes": plenty of DC elementary schools yield good test scores. I offer you this list, compiled unscientifically (I pulled numbers on schools I could remember walking past or seeing with my own eyes, ever), with data from this awesome tool: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local-explorer/index.html (click on schools tab). Take a look (low-performing schools included too, for comparison) [PS: There's a good chance you'll be horrified at the extreme variation in performance across schools/areas, which I share, but is separate from the question of whether there are any high-performing public schools in DC.] [PS: And sorry the formatting is so screwy. But you get the idea.] Key Elementary School in Palisades Grade Tested Subject Score* All Math 90.48 All Reading 94.05 * Score reflects % at or above proficient (100 = maximum score) Horace Mann near AU 2006 School Year Grade Tested Subject Score* All Math 85.39 All Reading 93.26 * Score reflects % at or above proficient (100 = maximum score) Murch Elementary near Ft. Reno 2006 School Year Grade Tested Subject Score* All Math 76.45 All Reading 85.54 * Score reflects % at or above proficient (100 = maximum score) Lafayette Elementary on Broad Branch Road 2006 School Year Grade Tested Subject Score* All Math 87.11 All Reading 90.23 * Score reflects % at or above proficient (100 = maximum score) Bancroft Elementary School in Mt. Pleasant 2006 School Year Grade Tested Subject Score* All Math 40.35 All Reading 55.56 * Score reflects % at or above proficient (100 = maximum score) Meyer Elementary in Columbia Heights 2006 School Year Grade Tested Subject Score* All Math 26.83 All Reading 32.93 * Score reflects % at or above proficient (100 = maximum score) Oyster Bilingual in Woodley Park 2006 School Year Grade Tested Subject Score* All Math 71.64 All Reading 76.62 * Score reflects % at or above proficient (100 = maximum score) Marie Reed in Adams Morgan 2006 School Year Grade Tested Subject Score* All Math 31.08 All Reading 47.3 * Score reflects % at or above proficient (100 = maximum score) Adams Elementary in Adams Morgan 2006 School Year Grade Tested Subject Score* All Math 21.59 All Reading 22.73 * Score reflects % at or above proficient (100 = maximum score)

monkeyrotica

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:06:23 -0500

What happened to the time-honored tradition of affluent parents shipping their little brats overseas? Because the way I hear it, in an old house in Paris that was covered in vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines. In two straight lines they broke their bread, and brushed their teeth, and went to bed. They left the house at half past nine, in rain or shine, and the smallest ones were Sasha and Malia.

Hillman

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:18:04 -0500

Security has to be the predominate factor. I noticed several days ago that these kids are the black children of the first black president. Methinks perhaps that presents security challenges of an unprecedented nature. I'd think the private schools would have the security apparatus thing down by now. I don't see how a public school campus could provide security for these girls while interacting with the idiocy that is the DC school system and government generally.

DrLRonHoover

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:02:22 -0500

downtown rez - does "excellent" include high standardized test scores? Working at or above grade level in Math and English? Or is "excellent" simply code for "s/he's happy because s/he's learned that the Egyptians invented the blue laser in 3,500 B.C. and the class watches videos on inclusive multiculturalism every week?" Good luck when s/he gets to high school. S/he can focus on avoiding knife fights and knowing gang signs instead of learning Latin and differential Calculus. And no, I'm not advocating private school. We moved to Montgomery County so that our kids would get a decent public education and they are.

dctosf

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:47:23 -0500

Amy Carter attended Hardy MS in N.W. I attended Hardy during her last year in D.C.. The school was great; wonderful teachers, truly caring principal and great resources. Oddly, the food was still terrible. Sec Svc was evident but not overdone (those were the days). Amy left and the money followed her out the door. The school went to pot quickly.

HCE

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:17:00 -0500

I wouldn't be surprised if there are more out of boundary kids attending the Oyster school than in-boundary. Most of the families with kids who live in Woodley Park are ultra-wealthy and probably send their kids to private schools, and everyone else in the neighborhood is either elderly or are young empty-nesters.

downtown rez

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:14:14 -0500

Eh. "my", not "mu". Nothing like a mis-spelling to blow credibility in a post on edu.

downtown rez

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:13:07 -0500

DrLRonHoover: Mu child is in DCPS elementary and, in my critical opinion, the experience has been excellent. It's much better than the pricey and well-respected preschool my child previously went to. Somegirl- I like your comment.

DrLRonHoover

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:48:30 -0500

IMGoph - thanks. So you're relying purely on hearsay then? I don't think anyone would blame the Obamas for not making their kids poster-children for DCPS's reform efforts. A crappy education will follow most people for the rest of their lives. I would still be living in DC if it wasn't for DCPS. The minute my kid was born we moved.

Reid

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:47:33 -0500

"As people above have suggested, that may only apply to those that live outside of Oyster's zone." It's called the "out of boundary" system. For every school there are some amount of slots set aside for kids not within the boundary (and the more kids from within the boundary that attend, the fewer the out of boundary slots there are. Although I suspect they make sure that there are at least some out of boundary slots even in the highly locally attended schools like Key or Murch). Every year there is a lottery for kids to fill any out of boundary slots that opened up. It used to be that you had to go downtown and wait in line (often queuing up the night before). Which is a pretty grueling way to show your dedication to your kids. Now it's all online. So, it's not a "waiting list" per se. For out of boundary kids you get one shot every year to get one of those slots, and everyone's shot is equal. They may keep a waiting list throughout the year in case a slot opens up mid-term, but the heart of the system is more of a lottery.

Mike Licht

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:43:48 -0500

Despite joke potential of the name, ehe Obamas should consider the Capitol Hill Cluster Schools http://www.capitolhillclusterschool.org/programs/programs.html

yonas

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:36:43 -0500

@no more caffeine: I'm not sure exactly how that works. That's what the director told me in ~2005 and I didn't press for details. However, I do know that there is also a highly competitive lottery incorporated with enrollment as well. As people above have suggested, that may only apply to those that live outside of Oyster's zone.

cactus jack

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:05:58 -0500

"To my knowledge, he has never called for the elimination of private schools." But he did say Michelle Rhee was a wonderful superintendent. He must've meant wonderful for everyone else. In fairness, though, in the same breath he also said the DC public schools were terrible, so it's not like he's backtracking on a campaign promise.

Reid

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:02:56 -0500

"But to say that they are somehow more deserving of a quality education than any other child in this town just because they are the president-elect's children speaks volumes about your political leanings, and I'm sorry that your candidate didn't win." I don't think anyone is saying that. People are simply saying that if you have the means, you owe it to your kids to send them to private school. Personally, I don't necessarily agree with that, but it's different than what you're projecting. Besides, I would imagine that it's the snarky Republicans out there that are more likely to encourage him to send them to DCPS. In other words, to make him actually walk the "public school model is ideal" walk (not that he is a staunch defender of the status quo). Republicans are probably the last people in the world that are going to criticize someone for sending their kids to private school.

somegirl

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:58:41 -0500

If Obama had run as a communist, then maybe criticism of him for giving his children the best possible education he can manage would be warranted. To my knowledge, he has never called for the elimination of private schools. One can acknowledge that the wealthy will always be able to afford a very high-caliber, very expensive private education, while still wanting to make the public schools excellent for all. On the other hand, maybe the Obamas will decide that the best possible education for Sasha and Malia includes going to school with less privileged kids in DCPS.

DC1

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:57:50 -0500

Then there was a backlash saying they should get a rescue dog to "send a message," and getting a designer dog would make him look elitist. What, because there's no symbolism at work in his presidency? Seems like the socially responsible decision is kind of win-win for the family and a worthwhile humane cause. http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_110508 On a different note -- Barney's getting a bad rap. I hate GWB as much as the next person, but that dipshit approached a strange dog with his hand over the dog's head without letting him sniff him first. He deserved to get bitten.

gmg

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:37:19 -0500

Sidwell Friends, meh ... that's so Clinton '90s. Georgetown Day, given its history as an integrated school, might be a nice choice if they go private. On the public side, the bobos I used to live among in Glover Park seemed to be quite happy sending their kids to Stoddert. Though I suppose as with the other DCPS schools mentioned here, there would be a mad waiting list if you live outside the neighborhood. And jumping a waiting list would look a bit politically tone-deaf, no?

HCE

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:35:08 -0500

I'd like to see Obama put his kids where his mouth is, but I'm not going to hold my breath. We can see how Obama felt about Chicago public schools: good enough for the peasants, but not for his princesses. He is in the bag for the incompetent teachers unions: school choice for his family, no choice for others.

marigold

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:31:16 -0500

The Obamas were originally interested in a Goldendoodle because that's what Malia had said was the "optimal" dog because she has allergies. Then there was a backlash saying they should get a rescue dog to "send a message," and getting a designer dog would make him look elitist. I think the Obama family should get whatever dog they want. If Malia wants a Goldendoodle, then I see no reason why they shouldn't go that route.

SuperDrew

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:26:26 -0500

KIPP

IMGoph

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:16:37 -0500

drlronhoover: no, i don't have kids, period. i do know that elementary schools like janney and lafayette have high test scores, etc., and alice deal middle school is supposed to be a very good school as well.

DC1

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:15:35 -0500

on Oyster It's not a waitlist issue -- it's an inbound vs. out of boundary issue. On public/private debate The main issue will probably be security. Educational philosophy tends to be the driver for selecting one private school over another, but many DC private schools are well suited and experienced accomodating SS detail. On a related issue, the Obama's are interested in adopting a rescued puppy. Nice socially responsible statement, and even no pedigree mutts are cute as a puppies.

celilo75

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:08:25 -0500

There's also Elsie Whitlow Stokes school. It is a wonderful DC public charter school, and the Secret Service must know it: Jenna used to teach there.

DrLRonHoover

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:06:26 -0500

Sidwell. Goph - do you actually have kids in DCPS? I'm not tryingh to be a dick, but are you speaking from first-hand knowledge? Where are these "gems" and what empirical evidence is there to justify their "gem" status? I lived in DC for 15+ years but what got me to move was the thought of my kid in DCPS.

oceanchild

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:06:07 -0500

But tommy, KIPP is about raising the performance of disadvantaged students. Certainly not an issue for the Obama girls. I am watching this whole thing with a level of interest certainly not befitting of a grown professional.

tommygreenstuff

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:58:44 -0500

Hey Obama - If you're reading this: Send 'em to KIPP DC - the highest performing public schools in all the land. No Shortcuts, No Excuses. Go Big Dogs! www.kippdc.org

HCE

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:53:32 -0500

Where are they going to park their RV?

IMGoph

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:50:03 -0500

the people whose knee-jerk reaction to public schools here is negative for reasons other than the ability to have plenty of room for the secret service proves that you don't know a lot about the schools in the city. there are public elementary and middle schools in northwest DC that would be the envy of a TON of cities around this country. yeah, we have a lot of failing schools in DC, but there are jewels in DCPS, and trust me, obama's kids would be rocketed straight to the front of the line ahead of any waiting list if they wanted to get into one of these.

Bethesdaist

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:47:59 -0500

I won't criticize them one way or the other -- their kids, their decision. I just want to say that those are some seriously cute children, and between them and the new puppy coming to DC I expect to die from the cuteness.

turkeyrotica

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:45:24 -0500

They're just children, and lots of people are plopping them out in this country every single day. But to say that they are somehow more deserving of a quality education than any other child in this town just because they are the president-elect's children speaks volumes about your political leanings, and I'm sorry that your candidate didn't win.

NotTheRedBaron

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:42:57 -0500

trust me, they're going to a private school.

Kev29

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:36:48 -0500

Oyster Elementary looks as secluded and posh as it's neighbor up the street (Maret). I think public elementary school is an easier ask, but what happens after that? Malia will be in HS before the end of the term. They'll probably be crushed for either decision ("limousine liberals" if they go private, "irresponsible and patronizing" if they go public), so they should definitely not bow to public pressure.

HCE

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:36:03 -0500

"Excuse my ignorance... I figured that if you lived within certain boundaries, then you were included on certain schools' rolls. " No waiting list for Oyster if you live in that neighborhood, but if the little shits live elsewhere and want to go there, they'll be waiting. Unless you're somebody "important" or politically connected.

RJ

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:31:30 -0500

I am sure the Secrete Service will scare the Obama’s away from any DCPS.

ph7

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:24:44 -0500

It's a national security issue. Nothing could be more horrible then the kidnapping of a President's child. Keep them safe, secure and protected. I guess that can be achieved in a public school, but I suspect it's not ideal.

libertas

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:19:19 -0500

I'm with Wallenda. We're talking about a man's children here, and the only factor that should play is what's best for their education. To take political reasons into consideration for what is essentially a family matter seems irresponsible.

xaos

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:17:09 -0500

I think it's important to take a few other factors into account. I believe the main reason the Clinton's chose Sidwell (or any private school) is because the campus is a bit more controlled, and it probably makes things easier for the Secret Service. Plus it's easy to restrict the press from private property. I'm sure it's probably more difficult to keep the press off public land.

IMGoph

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:15:25 -0500

they are "in district" for francis-stevens in dupont.

no_more_caffeine

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:08:21 -0500

yonas, how is there a wait list for a public school? Excuse my ignorance... I figured that if you lived within certain boundaries, then you were included on certain schools' rolls.

Wizzyliz

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:04:33 -0500

Two words: Home School.

Wallenda

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:00:43 -0500

President-elect Obama should send his children to the best school they can possibly go to, whether that is public, public charter, or private. What "best" means is up to him and Mrs. Obama. It is irresponsible to sacrifice your child's future to make a political statement.

yonas

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:52:16 -0500

I went to Oyster in Woodley Park as a kid and it still remains quite possibly the best public school in DC. However, there is now a 3+ year waiting list to get your kid enrolled. That should be a problem at all for the new President :)