tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post6567365042293220620..comments2024-02-28T22:24:07.299-08:00Comments on Community Forum for HCC (APP) in Seattle Schools: Choosing between Garfield, Roosevelt and Ingraham for High SchoolAndrew Siegelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06830585083467140758noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-22933921722528492432016-03-13T18:10:57.489-07:002016-03-13T18:10:57.489-07:00I agree with Just my opinion's opinions. I s...I agree with <b>Just my opinion's </b> opinions. I should make it clear that kid 1 graduated four years ago, so things may be very different now. Maureennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-23957345428115749362016-03-12T17:38:33.772-08:002016-03-12T17:38:33.772-08:00I also had one APP qualified student at RHS & ...I also had one APP qualified student at RHS & one at IHS. RHS had a strong cohort because that class came from the days when most NE APP qualified students did not move to APP, so they continued to together through Eckstien & Roosevelt. It could be different now students are moving into APP at a higher rate. <br /><br />I think the both RHS & IHS have equivalent math opportunities. LA & History are more rigorous at IHS because IB is more critical thinking/writing & less memorizing than AP. Science is a mixed bag at IHS & poor at RHS because good science teachers seem to be scarce. Foreign language is strongest at RHS. At IHS, if you do the diploma, much of the rigor will be humanities because of the way IB works.<br /><br />My RHS kid loved the LA honors options, partly because they are somewhat independent, so they can be very creative & demanding.<br /><br />The real difference is AP vs IB program. I think most kids would do better in one or the other. Also the EC's are extremely different, much lower key & more open to different abilities at IHS, more demanding & competitive at RHS. <br /><br />One other difference is the school culture. RHS is bureaucratic & inflexible, cliquey & competitive. IHS is more student focused & flexible, inclusive & laid back. RHS has some rock star teachers but IHS has a more solid staff overall. <br /><br /><br />-Just my opinionAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-64149790212995758382016-03-10T10:44:54.995-08:002016-03-10T10:44:54.995-08:00@maze runner, I'm the "Unknown" abo...@maze runner, I'm the "Unknown" above (generally sign my name, but got lazy!)<br /><br /><i>You had two APP kids at two different schools--what was the criteria or picking between IHS and RHS? That is the type of information I am dying for but haven't found on this blog until now. Please illuminate me!</i><br /><br />This is pretty long, and just my experience, but you asked!<br /><br />Note that my kids were APP eligible, but we never moved them for the cohort (they went to TOPS K-8, it was great for them.) Kid 1 is very socially savvy and versatile--no need for a particular social cohort-but also works harder if his friends are working so that was a consideration. Kid 2 is in some ways the more stereotypical HCC kid (cut all of the labels out of her clothes-you know!) but not as academically even (does what she likes!)<br /><br />Kid 1 would have been great at Garfield, but that wasn't an option. We chose RHS over BHS/IHS for him because he was more of a math/science oriented kid (If Biotech at BHS was guaranteed with admission (or even based on quality of application), we would have tried for that, but it was a lottery, and by no means certain.) RHS let him test out of freshman science (last year that was possible) so he got Bio/Chem/Physics and then BioChem/Organic as a senior and B/C Calc. Lots of well prepared kids/academically oriented in his classes. Math was traditional and strong. Down side was that there was no separate Honors LA/History and class discussion/projects were weak (expectation was that kids did outside work to be designated Honors. Teachers didn't make that easy to do, mostly girls signed up to jump through the hoops. RHS has a great pre-engineering class/track that lots of nerdy kids love so not all sports and drama. Drama tech is also good for that. Probably music too. (Not my kid, but some of his friends.) IB at IHS would have made him crazy-all of the structure and requirements. I am sorry he couldn't access the diversity at GHS.<br /><br />IHS is a great fit for Kid 2. IB is pretty stressful, but the kids are all stressing together (I would not have signed either of my kids up for IBx- I think it's a rare kid who is developmentally prepared for that at 15, maybe more who were red shirted?) Smaller school. Fun nice kids who care about academics and aren't as materialistic/privileged as the average RHS kid. Science is not particularly strong, but IB offers Psych HL and tons of chances to write and analyze literature. Extracurriculars aren't as exclusive as at some of the other schools so easier to do without devoting your life to them and easier to start something new. Definitely access to the HCC cohort type of kid there, which has generally been good for my kid--they all sort of slide together, so you don't always know who was HCC.<br /><br />Over simplistic view: RHS was better for a math/science kid (this may have changed by now) who was socially flexible. IHS better for a writer who is less socially oriented. YMMV!Maureennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-28279939177157591052016-03-08T23:17:48.039-08:002016-03-08T23:17:48.039-08:00It was the silly "5 paragraph model" thi...It was the silly "5 paragraph model" thing. And of course no real instruction in actual research or citation. <br /><br />But I found the teacher really excellent in our communications, and my child was given clearance and support to write properly and research according to standards. <br /><br />—Still Not Yet Roosevelt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-37744448638414499432016-03-08T23:14:55.116-08:002016-03-08T23:14:55.116-08:00@I'm curious, Not Yet Roosevelt - what writing...@I'm curious, Not Yet Roosevelt - what writing technique was being taught?<br /><br />—It was the "Five Paragraph" model. It's just a pretty typical writing model that ends up disastrously once kids get to the higher levels. It's fine for kids who don't read a lot or can't order thoughts logically, but for typical HCC middle schoolers, this is a bit behind their learning curve (or should be). <br /><br />But as noted, when I contacted the teacher, they were very receptive about my concerns. <br /><br />Again,generally very happy w/ JAMS HCC.<br />—Not Yet Roosevelt Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-89791349193667764522016-03-08T20:58:53.099-08:002016-03-08T20:58:53.099-08:00I'm curious, Not Yet Roosevelt - what writing ...I'm curious, Not Yet Roosevelt - what writing technique was being taught?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-14919764380590483732016-03-08T20:30:13.680-08:002016-03-08T20:30:13.680-08:00Thank you for this great feedback about Middle Sch...Thank you for this great feedback about Middle School, despite the topic of this thread! I am very interested to know if Spectrum LA will not be at Eckstein next year. I will try to find out tomorrow. Although self-contained Spectrum was quietly wiped out of Wedgwood without letting parents know until after open enrollment so who knows if I can get a straight answer!Wedgwood Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02941515242322074788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-51478559678701949882016-03-08T14:42:54.363-08:002016-03-08T14:42:54.363-08:00We have an HCC child at JAMS and have been happy w...We have an HCC child at JAMS and have been happy with it, including music. Our child is in band and absolutely loves it. I'm not sure 6th grade LA was challenging enough, but 7th grade has been more challenging (probably teacher-dependent, to some degree). We too live in the Eckstein neighborhood, and what I think you get at JAMS that you don't get at Eckstein is the cohort, so even if the LA class was exactly the same at both schools in terms of what is taught, I think you might get a deeper/richer experience in the HCC classroom at JAMS. Also, I have heard Eckstein will no longer have "Spectrum" LA classes starting next year, but I don't know if this is just rumor or truth = does anyone else know? <br /><br />We will have the same issue in 9th grade - RHS vs. either Garfield (if still available) or Ingraham and would love to hear more on this thread from people who have made that choice, especially if you went from HCC middle school to RHS. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-5083473181274787042016-03-08T14:24:16.980-08:002016-03-08T14:24:16.980-08:00"I can't speak for all, but by "HC C..."I can't speak for all, but by "HC Cohort", "academically oriented kids" is exactly what I mean. " <br /><br />—My child is having trouble finding an academic cohort even at JAMS. So although there are things I very much like about Roosevelt, I have concerns about the school in terms of academics and general environment (as an athletics school, etc.).<br /><br />I'd judge JAMS HCC LA as adequate. Students are allowed to work at their own level. They were being taught a writing technique that my child already knew was not a good one, so I wrote to the teacher, who responded immediately that if my child had passed that need, they should ignore it and write as they wished. I've found some flexibility. <br /><br />Again, the music program I see as a weak link, but that is the only significant quibble. <br /><br />Not Yet Roosevelt, etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-87198756635314246312016-03-08T14:18:17.082-08:002016-03-08T14:18:17.082-08:00Oops—That was from Not Yet Roosevelt Parent.
Not ...Oops—That was from Not Yet Roosevelt Parent.<br /><br />Not Yet Roosevelt Parent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-89899190176263925462016-03-08T14:17:46.332-08:002016-03-08T14:17:46.332-08:00@NewJAMSParent:
"Really, being into music is...@NewJAMSParent:<br /><br />"Really, being into music is a problem at JAMS?? My child spends lunches in the orchestra room playing classical music with her friends and just hanging out with the orchestra teacher, has been inspired to practice hours at home and seek out classical music concerts with those friends, and I understand Senior Jazz was just invited to the Monterey Jazz festival, pretty impressive for a school in its second year of existence. I actually thought it would be hard to be at JAMS without being into music, the culture is so strong there. I think it is harder to get into the upper levels of orchestra as a 6th grader than into junior/senior band but that seems pretty normal for those two music group types."<br /><br />I don't want to get into details here, but yes. I will talk about this more fully when my child is no longer at JAMS.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-59058280727770025412016-03-08T09:59:08.056-08:002016-03-08T09:59:08.056-08:00Not very much writing, low standards. It is less(w...Not very much writing, low standards. It is less(work, writing, and instruction) than what my 4th grader is currently doing at Cascadia, and much less than what most of the kids need to move forward- and I would say that generally, hcc tends toward math oriented kids(harder to differentiate that in elementary, so people move), not LA, so I think it must be particularly weak. From what you have said, I would send her to Eckstein. My kid is math and science oriented, in addition to being musical (both schools are great for music), so JAMS is the right place for her, but if you are not going to access the advanced math and don't need advanced science, it is probably not worth the hassle. We also live in the Eckstein are and know have many kids who have gone through Eckstein and are now. The LA does not sound substantially different, although I couldn't say 100%. If she likes drama, Eckstein has a spring musical, and JAMS does not (and does not seem to have plans to any time soon).<br /><br />I should add that World History is very good, if that matters to you.<br /><br />NewJAMSparentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-55683449434622039862016-03-08T09:14:19.977-08:002016-03-08T09:14:19.977-08:00To Unknown commenting on Roosevelt above, I totall...To Unknown commenting on Roosevelt above, I totally understand what you mean by needy, quirky, etc., and "parents thinking they need a cohort" <br /><br />I can't speak for all, but by "HC Cohort", "academically oriented kids" is exactly what I mean. Roosevelt seems geared towards athletics and arts. The SPS method of siphoning gifted kids and shipping them to another school perplexes me, so that is why I feel lost.<br /><br />You had two APP kids at two different schools--what was the criteria or picking between IHS and RHS? That is the type of information I am dying for but haven't found on this blog until now. Please illuminate me! maze runnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04637319432431596411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-13463385320441421772016-03-08T08:38:50.130-08:002016-03-08T08:38:50.130-08:00I am curious as to what you mean by LA is a joke? ...I am curious as to what you mean by LA is a joke? We are trying to decide between JAMS and Eckstein for my HCC qualified daughter (in 5th at Wedgwood). She is strong in LA so if it is a joke, I would be inclined to send her to Eckstein which she can walk to. WedgwoodMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01398197529733369055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-90545214388360956112016-03-05T13:44:17.657-08:002016-03-05T13:44:17.657-08:00Really, being into music is a problem at JAMS?? My...Really, being into music is a problem at JAMS?? My child spends lunches in the orchestra room playing classical music with her friends and just hanging out with the orchestra teacher, has been inspired to practice hours at home and seek out classical music concerts with those friends, and I understand Senior Jazz was just invited to the Monterey Jazz festival, pretty impressive for a school in its second year of existence. I actually thought it would be hard to be at JAMS without being into music, the culture is so strong there. I think it is harder to get into the upper levels of orchestra as a 6th grader than into junior/senior band but that seems pretty normal for those two music group types.<br /><br />I don't mean to just Pollyanna- LA is a joke, and there seems to be no movement to make it a real class that could teach them something. It's not been a perfect experience. But we have found the music to be very strong, with a very musical child.<br /><br />NewJAMSparentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-33603520104493751782016-03-05T12:52:05.232-08:002016-03-05T12:52:05.232-08:00Sorry, didn't mean "needy" in emotio...Sorry, didn't mean "needy" in emotional sense, meant needing specific academic advancement and social environment.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09977848093773607230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-25396777245499782332016-03-05T12:18:39.733-08:002016-03-05T12:18:39.733-08:00Sorry, didn't mean "needy" in emotio...Sorry, didn't mean "needy" in emotional sense, meant needing specific academic advancement and social environment.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09977848093773607230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-61302038449484599112016-03-05T12:15:48.382-08:002016-03-05T12:15:48.382-08:00I think it depends on what you mean by HCC cohort....I think it depends on what you mean by HCC cohort. In my experience*, there are plenty of well prepared academically oriented kids (who probably did or could have tested into APP at some point) at RHS. That said, I don't think you would find what people seem to imply by HCC cohort i.e., kids whose parents felt like they needed a cohort at some point. I tried to write a description that didn't devolve into needy, quirky, .... and that's what I came up with. <br /><br />*both kids were APP eligible at one point. One went to RHS, the other to IHS. Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09977848093773607230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-14220636492321313962016-03-04T12:48:20.227-08:002016-03-04T12:48:20.227-08:00@Cristina—
My worry as well. My son is in 6th gr...@Cristina—<br /><br />My worry as well. My son is in 6th grade HCC at JAMS, and save a few bumps (not w/ his HCC teachers), it's going well. <br /><br />I'd like him at Roosevelt because we live very close to there, and they have an excellent Latin program. But I am not convinced by a long shot that HC kids will find a strong cohort there, and right now keeping him w/ a like-minded cohort. He's into music (this is a problem w/ JAMS), but not band music, really. He's very into math and science, but also excels at languages (hence the Latin interest, from him). I'd love Roosevelt to work, but I'd love more to hear from parents. <br /><br />Not Yet Roosevelt ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-83454061422910814622016-03-02T12:24:56.824-08:002016-03-02T12:24:56.824-08:00I think it's interesting how quickly this thre...I think it's interesting how quickly this thread veered off of Roosevelt as an option for HCC kids. My kid is coming out of Evergreen, choosing between Ingraham and Roosevelt, which is where we live. He is into music and film, so Roosevelt seems like a good fit, but a strong HC cohort? Seems like it will not be found at Roosevelt. True?<br /><br />Cristinamaze runnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04637319432431596411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-40478582460081605732016-02-24T11:04:59.311-08:002016-02-24T11:04:59.311-08:00My daughter chose Center School for 9th after APP ...My daughter chose Center School for 9th after APP at Hamilton. She was able to go into chemistry (and 11th grade class) and skip physical science and biology. She loves her chemistry teacher. The only disadvantage is she's one of two 9th grader in a course up upper classmen, which would be fine if your child is socially mature; my daughter isn't.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03948886568855868339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-26931448526853348352016-02-08T06:39:05.154-08:002016-02-08T06:39:05.154-08:00Hale has a very odd schedule for ninth graders in ...Hale has a very odd schedule for ninth graders in which they are in blocked English/History and Science/Health classes for the first several hours of the day. For tenth grade they have created a curriculum that integrates English, history and biology. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-65803955683907407042016-02-07T20:55:55.398-08:002016-02-07T20:55:55.398-08:00Should be, yes. But according to "Hale Fan&qu...Should be, yes. But according to "Hale Fan" at 2/5/16, 3:19 PM on <a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=28765366&postID=5473494629182501169" rel="nofollow">this</a> Seattle Schools Blog thread, that's not the case, and incoming HCC 9th graders will indeed have to retake both 9th grade Physical Science and Biology.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-53711942342901230962016-02-06T18:48:14.976-08:002016-02-06T18:48:14.976-08:00Hale requires that students retake Physical Scienc...Hale requires that students retake Physical Science and Biology? What? I'd check with the principal. For LA and SS they may have no choice, but for math and science they should be able to take the next course in the sequence. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-31134746372399690352016-02-06T16:40:12.993-08:002016-02-06T16:40:12.993-08:00So HCC students who go to Roosevelt can skip Physi...So HCC students who go to Roosevelt can skip Physical Science and Biology and go straight into Chemistry, while those who choose to go to Nathan Hale have to retake both? It doesn't make sense. This whole thing is making my head spin. And the course catalogs are no use, because they don't clarify these exceptions.<br /><br />I, too, have heard that HS Biology is more comprehensive than HCC middle school Bio. However, that doesn't mean these kids need a repeat of basic gen ed Bio before they'd be ready for a more advanced Bio class. Most should be plenty ready for AP Bio or IB Bio.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com