A place for parents educating their kids in San Francisco
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Round I forms due
Forms for SFUSD Round I are due Friday, January 9. If you have any last-minute questions, contact Parents for Public Schools: ppssf.org. Good luck to everyone!
On this blog and the PPS listserv, I've seen the following schools mentioned as having made various folks' lists:
1. Alamo 2. Alice Fong Yu 3. Alvarado GE 4. Alvarado SN 5. Argonne 6. Buena Vista 7. Claire Lilienthal GE 8. Claire Lilienthal K 9. Clarendon GE 10. Clarendon JBBP 11. Commodore Sloat 12. Daniel Webster SN 13. Dianne Feinstein 14. Fairmount 15. Francis Scott Key 16. George Peabody 17. Glen Park 18. Grattan 19. Harvey Milk 20. Jefferson 21. Jose Ortega GE 22. Jose Ortega MN 23. Lafayette 24. Lakeshore 25. Lawton 26. Leonard Flynn GE 27. Leonard Flynn SN 28. Marshall 29. McKinley 30. Miraloma 31. Monroe SN 32. New Traditions 33. Paul Revere SN 34. RL Stevenson 35. Rooftop 36. Rosa Parks JBBP 37. SF Community 38. Sherman 39. Starr King MN 40. Sunnyside 41. Sunset 42. Sutro 43. Ulloa 44. West Portal GE 45. West Portal CN 46. Yick Wo
Did I miss any? Anyone put a school down that is not listed here?
I think it represents a majority of programs/schools offered, excluding Spanish, Chinese, and Filipino bilingual programs and the newcomer programs.
I post this because I am floored at how broad this list is now compared to the parental chatter about schools when I first went through this in 2001. I think I heard about maybe fifteen at that time, such as Lawton, Jefferson, Rooftop, Clarendon, CL, Buena Vista, Lakeshore, AFY, and just a few more.
So, a more complete list of schools that people have postively said they are applying is as follows. 48 total. Any others?
1. Alamo 2. Alice Fong Yu 3. Alvarado GE 4. Alvarado SN 5. Argonne 6. Buena Vista 7. Claire Lilienthal GE 8. Claire Lilienthal K 9. Clarendon GE 10. Clarendon JBBP 11. Commodore Sloat 12. Creative Charter SoA 13. Daniel Webster SN 14. Dianne Feinstein 15. Fairmount 16. Francis Scott Key 17. Frank McCoppin 18. George Peabody 19. Glen Park 20. Grattan 21. Harvey Milk 22. Jefferson 23. Jose Ortega GE 24. Jose Ortega MN 25. Lafayette 26. Lakeshore 27. Lawton 28. Leonard Flynn GE 29. Leonard Flynn SN 30. Marshall 31. McKinley 32. Miraloma 33. Monroe SN 34. New Traditions 35. Paul Revere SN 36. RL Stevenson 37. Rooftop 38. Rosa Parks JBBP 39. SF Community 40. Sherman 41. Starr King MN 42. Sunnyside 43. Sunset 44. Sutro 45. Ulloa 46. West Portal GE 47. West Portal CN 48. Yick Wo
In the spirit of exploring schools that aren't attracting mass interest, I wonder about these five, too. I'm not at all familiar with any of them, but I'd be curious if I were searching now. Just listing the names, neighborhoods and APIs:
Garfield, North Beach -- 867 Gordon Lau, Chinatown -- 836 Longfellow, Outer Mission -- 825 Jean Parker, North Beach -- 846 Spring Valley, Russian/Nob Hill -- 833
Caroline, geography may be an obstacle for many people on the schools you list. The drive to the Chinatown/North/Beach/Russian Hill schools is pretty bad from most parts of the city and then what do you do with your car all day? Longfellow, unless I missed something, has no bus service at all. The other schools have one bus route or two, with service only from the Mission and, for Gordon Lau, Potrero Hill. These are probably de facto "neighborhood schools" largely for transit reasons.
There may be some "my kid won't feel comfortable there" or "it's too one-group" thinking going on as well. Garfield and Parker are Asian by a large majority with very small percentages of African-American, Hispanic or European-American students. Gordon Lau is 82% Asian and 13% Hispanic. Spring Valley is 53% Asian and 32% Hispanic.
All four of these schools serve student populations of whom 80 to 90% are socioeconomically disadvantaged and 60 to 90% are English learners--and still get very strong results. If the location works, these four strong-performing schools could be good options, and present better odds under the diversity index, for families who are NOT socioeconomically disadvantaged and speak English at home. Although it's small, Garfield is the least-requested of the lot.
Longfellow serves about equal numbers of Asian, Filipino and Hispanic students with 59% socioeconomically disadvantaged and 38% English learners. Although the diversity index won't play as large a role, the relatively low number of requests could also give good odds of getting in.
Parker, Gordon Lau and Spring Valley all have a decent number of requests in their general ed strands), about 5 requests per spot, though apparently not from people on this blog. Garfield's combination of difficult location, few openings, 7:50 start time and very limited bus service may account for lack of interest from families on this blog, but it's surprising that nearby families don't' request it more than are shown on Adams' spreadsheet. I can't account for Longfellow's relative lack of popularity.
Of the five schools you mentioned I've only seen Spring Valley and it felt gloomy to me. I have seen other, more positive, posts about it.
If your kid is fluent in Spanish, it is an *easy* test. They had to listen to a story and then repeat it in their own words. Super-easy for a child that speaks the language, not-so-easy for a kid who has been taught a handful of words and songs only.
I toured Garfield as we're in Cow Hollow and it would be much more convenient than others I was touring. I really liked it. It had a comfortable feel and an amazing building. The kids seemed happy and the layout of the rooms was informal - more like hanging out in someone's house than a school. My issue was the principal - she couldn't have seemed less interested or enthusiastic. She led us around like we were annoying her and kind of mumbled about each room and grade. After meeting so many inspiring principals I just couldn't get over that. She steers the ship you know. I was left feeling like I didn't want to leave my kids in her hands after meeting the people at George Peabody, Sutro, Sherman etc.
Good points, Marlowe's Mom. I arrived at that list by looking for schools in reasonably thriving, non-scary neighborhoods with APIs over 800, but I didn't look at bus service or other factors.
And now I have realized that by my own criteria I overlooked John Yehall Chin, also in North Beach, API 869.
If I were a parent looking to find schools that might work and that my kid had a reasonable chance of getting into, I'd at least add those to the non-short list. If it were my own family I'd then cross all but Longfellow off as geographically undesirable, but of course that's not everyone's situation. Yick Wo, at Jones and Lombard, is on the hot list, for example.
Garfield has had the same principal for many years, and I recall she was very distant 8 years ago when I toured. However, she does get results, judging by the growing API scores. However, I am walking distance from the school, and confess that I chose not to apply for reasons similar to those you and Marlowe's Mom mentioned.
John Yehall Chin sounds like a great school but has the same location and transit issues as Garfield, Parker, Lau and Spring Valley: it's in North Beach and only one bus route from the Tenderloin. It's student population is similar to Garfield, Parker and Lau (almost 90% Asian, very high percentages of socioeconomically disadvantaged kids and English learners) so better diversity index odds for English-speaking families who are not socioeconomically disadvantaged. Like Parker, Lau and Spring Valley, it's reasonably popular with five requests per seat but there are only 20 places in the General Ed strand.
It would be great if people familiar with these schools (Lau, Spring Valley, Garfield, Parker, Chin and Longfellow) would post information on here for those for whom the geography works.
They are looking for children who are fluent in Spanish so they can serve as language role models to those who are not.
So yes, they have to be able to repeat the story in Spanish.
Having receptive skills will help the child learn to speak Spanish more quickly. BEing able to understand a language is a very important skill! But you can't serve as a language role model unless you can speak a language.
That's my understanding, anyway. I'm not 100 percent certain.
I just gave birth and missed the deadline. I feel so horrible. I realized when I read the Chron Friday at 10PM, six hours too late. I even had the forms filled out. I brought the form down to EPC on Monday morning and was told there was no way to get in Round I. Now I have to wait until May to find out how screwed my son will be.
beyond all the concern and fear expressed here, there will likely be fine spots in round 2 and open enrollment. last year there were slots at rosa parks jbbp, for example. you will probably have to compromise on location and start time and not count on getting your most-favored spot. but check out the list above (and also some of the schools mentioned by caroline and others as well). there are over 50 programs listed here. all of these have something going for them, so when it is time for round 2, list at least a few that were not so popular; and do be sure to be first in line at open enrollment!
your kid will be okay, really. a lot of this is hype and the over-parenting of our generation. most schools here are way better than the one i attended back in the 70's, and my sibs and friends and i survived and thrived.
good luck, and try to get some sleep--we all remember those early days with a baby, i'm sure.
Wise words, 11:58. I agree with you wholeheartedly on schools being much better than they were back in my childhood (sounds like we're in the same generation!).
1:53, I am so sorry. I'm wishing for the best for you in the school search. In the meantime, congratulations and enjoy your new baby!
Now you just wait and hope.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone taken their kids for language assessments at SFUSD for immersion placement?
ReplyDeleteOn this blog and the PPS listserv, I've seen the following schools mentioned as having made various folks' lists:
ReplyDelete1. Alamo
2. Alice Fong Yu
3. Alvarado GE
4. Alvarado SN
5. Argonne
6. Buena Vista
7. Claire Lilienthal GE
8. Claire Lilienthal K
9. Clarendon GE
10. Clarendon JBBP
11. Commodore Sloat
12. Daniel Webster SN
13. Dianne Feinstein
14. Fairmount
15. Francis Scott Key
16. George Peabody
17. Glen Park
18. Grattan
19. Harvey Milk
20. Jefferson
21. Jose Ortega GE
22. Jose Ortega MN
23. Lafayette
24. Lakeshore
25. Lawton
26. Leonard Flynn GE
27. Leonard Flynn SN
28. Marshall
29. McKinley
30. Miraloma
31. Monroe SN
32. New Traditions
33. Paul Revere SN
34. RL Stevenson
35. Rooftop
36. Rosa Parks JBBP
37. SF Community
38. Sherman
39. Starr King MN
40. Sunnyside
41. Sunset
42. Sutro
43. Ulloa
44. West Portal GE
45. West Portal CN
46. Yick Wo
Did I miss any? Anyone put a school down that is not listed here?
I think it represents a majority of programs/schools offered, excluding Spanish, Chinese, and Filipino bilingual programs and the newcomer programs.
I post this because I am floored at how broad this list is now compared to the parental chatter about schools when I first went through this in 2001. I think I heard about maybe fifteen at that time, such as Lawton, Jefferson, Rooftop, Clarendon, CL, Buena Vista, Lakeshore, AFY, and just a few more.
Frank McCoppin in the Richmond & Creative Arts (Charter)
ReplyDeleteSo, a more complete list of schools that people have postively said they are applying is as follows. 48 total. Any others?
ReplyDelete1. Alamo
2. Alice Fong Yu
3. Alvarado GE
4. Alvarado SN
5. Argonne
6. Buena Vista
7. Claire Lilienthal GE
8. Claire Lilienthal K
9. Clarendon GE
10. Clarendon JBBP
11. Commodore Sloat
12. Creative Charter SoA
13. Daniel Webster SN
14. Dianne Feinstein
15. Fairmount
16. Francis Scott Key
17. Frank McCoppin
18. George Peabody
19. Glen Park
20. Grattan
21. Harvey Milk
22. Jefferson
23. Jose Ortega GE
24. Jose Ortega MN
25. Lafayette
26. Lakeshore
27. Lawton
28. Leonard Flynn GE
29. Leonard Flynn SN
30. Marshall
31. McKinley
32. Miraloma
33. Monroe SN
34. New Traditions
35. Paul Revere SN
36. RL Stevenson
37. Rooftop
38. Rosa Parks JBBP
39. SF Community
40. Sherman
41. Starr King MN
42. Sunnyside
43. Sunset
44. Sutro
45. Ulloa
46. West Portal GE
47. West Portal CN
48. Yick Wo
Add George Moscone
ReplyDeleteThat's an amazing number.
ReplyDeleteIn the spirit of exploring schools that aren't attracting mass interest, I wonder about these five, too. I'm not at all familiar with any of them, but I'd be curious if I were searching now. Just listing the names, neighborhoods and APIs:
Garfield, North Beach -- 867
Gordon Lau, Chinatown -- 836
Longfellow, Outer Mission -- 825
Jean Parker, North Beach -- 846
Spring Valley, Russian/Nob Hill -- 833
Caroline, geography may be an obstacle for many people on the schools you list. The drive to the Chinatown/North/Beach/Russian Hill schools is pretty bad from most parts of the city and then what do you do with your car all day? Longfellow, unless I missed something, has no bus service at all. The other schools have one bus route or two, with service only from the Mission and, for Gordon Lau, Potrero Hill. These are probably de facto "neighborhood schools" largely for transit reasons.
ReplyDeleteThere may be some "my kid won't feel comfortable there" or "it's too one-group" thinking going on as well. Garfield and Parker are Asian by a large majority with very small percentages of African-American, Hispanic or European-American students. Gordon Lau is 82% Asian and 13% Hispanic. Spring Valley is 53% Asian and 32% Hispanic.
All four of these schools serve student populations of whom 80 to 90% are socioeconomically disadvantaged and 60 to 90% are English learners--and still get very strong results. If the location works, these four strong-performing schools could be good options, and present better odds under the diversity index, for families who are NOT socioeconomically disadvantaged and speak English at home. Although it's small, Garfield is the least-requested of the lot.
Longfellow serves about equal numbers of Asian, Filipino and Hispanic students with 59% socioeconomically disadvantaged and 38% English learners. Although the diversity index won't play as large a role, the relatively low number of requests could also give good odds of getting in.
Parker, Gordon Lau and Spring Valley all have a decent number of requests in their general ed strands), about 5 requests per spot, though apparently not from people on this blog. Garfield's combination of difficult location, few openings, 7:50 start time and very limited bus service may account for lack of interest from families on this blog, but it's surprising that nearby families don't' request it more than are shown on Adams' spreadsheet. I can't account for Longfellow's relative lack of popularity.
Of the five schools you mentioned I've only seen Spring Valley and it felt gloomy to me. I have seen other, more positive, posts about it.
We did the language assessment earlier this week.
ReplyDeleteIf your kid is fluent in Spanish, it is an *easy* test. They had to listen to a story and then repeat it in their own words. Super-easy for a child that speaks the language, not-so-easy for a kid who has been taught a handful of words and songs only.
I toured Garfield as we're in Cow Hollow and it would be much more convenient than others I was touring. I really liked it. It had a comfortable feel and an amazing building. The kids seemed happy and the layout of the rooms was informal - more like hanging out in someone's house than a school. My issue was the principal - she couldn't have seemed less interested or enthusiastic. She led us around like we were annoying her and kind of mumbled about each room and grade. After meeting so many inspiring principals I just couldn't get over that. She steers the ship you know. I was left feeling like I didn't want to leave my kids in her hands after meeting the people at George Peabody, Sutro, Sherman etc.
ReplyDeleteGood points, Marlowe's Mom. I arrived at that list by looking for schools in reasonably thriving, non-scary neighborhoods with APIs over 800, but I didn't look at bus service or other factors.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I have realized that by my own criteria I overlooked John Yehall Chin, also in North Beach, API 869.
If I were a parent looking to find schools that might work and that my kid had a reasonable chance of getting into, I'd at least add those to the non-short list. If it were my own family I'd then cross all but Longfellow off as geographically undesirable, but of course that's not everyone's situation. Yick Wo, at Jones and Lombard, is on the hot list, for example.
A follow-up question on the language assessment post:
ReplyDeleteCan the child repeat the story in either Spanish or English, or does it have to be summarized in Spanish?
to 5:24, 1/12,
ReplyDeleteGarfield has had the same principal for many years, and I recall she was very distant 8 years ago when I toured. However, she does get results, judging by the growing API scores. However, I am walking distance from the school, and confess that I chose not to apply for reasons similar to those you and Marlowe's Mom mentioned.
John Yehall Chin sounds like a great school but has the same location and transit issues as Garfield, Parker, Lau and Spring Valley: it's in North Beach and only one bus route from the Tenderloin. It's student population is similar to Garfield, Parker and Lau (almost 90% Asian, very high percentages of socioeconomically disadvantaged kids and English learners) so better diversity index odds for English-speaking families who are not socioeconomically disadvantaged. Like Parker, Lau and Spring Valley, it's reasonably popular with five requests per seat but there are only 20 places in the General Ed strand.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if people familiar with these schools (Lau, Spring Valley, Garfield, Parker, Chin and Longfellow) would post information on here for those for whom the geography works.
RE: language assessment.
ReplyDeleteThey are looking for children who are fluent in Spanish so they can serve as language role models to those who are not.
So yes, they have to be able to repeat the story in Spanish.
Having receptive skills will help the child learn to speak Spanish more quickly. BEing able to understand a language is a very important skill! But you can't serve as a language role model unless you can speak a language.
That's my understanding, anyway. I'm not 100 percent certain.
I just gave birth and missed the deadline. I feel so horrible. I realized when I read the Chron Friday at 10PM, six hours too late. I even had the forms filled out. I brought the form down to EPC on Monday morning and was told there was no way to get in Round I. Now I have to wait until May to find out how screwed my son will be.
ReplyDeleteNow where will my son end up?
1:53
ReplyDeleteoh dear....i'm sorry.
beyond all the concern and fear expressed here, there will likely be fine spots in round 2 and open enrollment. last year there were slots at rosa parks jbbp, for example. you will probably have to compromise on location and start time and not count on getting your most-favored spot. but check out the list above (and also some of the schools mentioned by caroline and others as well). there are over 50 programs listed here. all of these have something going for them, so when it is time for round 2, list at least a few that were not so popular; and do be sure to be first in line at open enrollment!
your kid will be okay, really. a lot of this is hype and the over-parenting of our generation. most schools here are way better than the one i attended back in the 70's, and my sibs and friends and i survived and thrived.
good luck, and try to get some sleep--we all remember those early days with a baby, i'm sure.
Wise words, 11:58. I agree with you wholeheartedly on schools being much better than they were back in my childhood (sounds like we're in the same generation!).
ReplyDelete1:53, I am so sorry. I'm wishing for the best for you in the school search. In the meantime, congratulations and enjoy your new baby!