Dekalb County IB Elementary Programs @ Midvale, Fernbank (Tucker, Decatur: fit in, home)

[a2dal]

Does anyone have any personal (or really, I'll take any) experience or knowledge about the Elementary IB Programs in Dekalb County, particularly Midvale or Fernbank? We are very interested in the IB program, and would go with AIS if it were an option for our elementary aged students, but I wonder how closely these match a private, selective IB program such as AIS. Our home school is really a great school (Briarlake Elementary) - would you consider opting for Midvale's IB program, when our home school generally scores better? (I know better than to judge a school on scores alone, but it's all I got at the moment!)

Context for this inquiry: Our kids are very bright, need academic challenge, and are currently in the gifted program - we are exploring to see if there is a better environment to meet their needs for innovative and challenging academics.

Thanks in advance!

[lastminutemom]

DeKalb just laid off the IB coordinator as well as most other coordinators as part of the budget balancing process.

IB in public schools is generally very different than private IB schools. First, AIS is language immersion. The IB primary programme doesn't require language immersion, but just exposure. I think each IB school gets one foreign language teacher, Fernbank parents pay for an additional teacher on their own, I believe.

IB primary is a whole school approach. That is, every student is an IB student. While you can do some ability grouping, every teacher is suppose to teach every subject because IB weaves it all together. In other words, this isn't a separate program like the Evansdale magnet program.

While I think IB is a great instructional model, I am not sure that moving from Briarlake to Midvale makes sense unless you are going to go to Tucker Middle and High. By the way, the IB programme at Tucker High is not very popular.

I know many families that are happy at Midvale. But I am not sure that moving from Briarlake to Midvale is a move that makes sense.

[a2dal]

I don't see any reason to go to Tucker Middle and High over Henderson and Lakeside, so that is not the end goal. I honestly don't think DCSS middle schools are going to be part of our equation - I have read many of your posts of concern about DCSS and I share them. We happen to be in a very good pocket at Briarlake, which I think is an excellent school with a great staff and administration, but Decatur City is always a possiblity, or private if necessary.

The points you noted are exactly my concern - how well do they address differentiation/grouping, do they still have a Discovery class (I am not sold on the value of pullout programs academically, but the kids really enjoy that class and so it helps motivate them), etc. I certainly don't expect a public IB program to match AIS (which I am very familiar with) - but I am worried that the differences might be too large. I am a proponent of the IB approach in general, but I have a very specific concern about appropriate challenged being delivered and the IB approach alone doesn't attempt to specifically address that, as in theory it should fit all learners.

We did participate in the school choice lottery and found through the online system that the kids have been selected for IB, we just don't know which school. I am guessing Midvale, as I believe Fernbank is already over capacity, let alone having additional seats for out of zone students.

[TakeAhike]

Somewhat offtopic but certain this will affect DCSS negatively, too.
'Racketereering, bribery and ??? charges filed against former DeKalb Superintendent'

Former DeKalb schools chief, three others indicted *| ajc.com

[JPD]

Originally Posted by TakeAhike

Somewhat offtopic but certain this will affect DCSS negatively, too.

On the contrary, it's a huge leap in the right direction, and might turn out to be the best thing that's happened to DCSS is a long time.

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by JPD

On the contrary, it's a huge leap in the right direction, and might turn out to be the best thing that's happened to DCSS is a long time.

Fingers crossed--that this is the proverbial 'bottom' of the barrel. I can't recall many details but during one of the scandals over a DeKalb Sheriff--the contract murder--it seems like there was similar bribery--a female employee's husband received contracts ---all very complicated.

Not a happy camper to learn of this sort of thing.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by TakeAhike

Fingers crossed--that this is the proverbial 'bottom' of the barrel. I can't recall many details but during one of the scandals over a DeKalb Sheriff--the contract murder--it seems like there was similar bribery--a female employee's husband received contracts ---all very complicated.

Not a happy camper to learn of this sort of thing.

No, I'm not happy either, but it's better to get rid of them than to continually sweep them under the rug and cover for them.

[lastminutemom]

I would guess Midvale as well. I am going to PM you. If you are headed to private middle or CoD, I see no benefit in moving your children again.

I think Midvale is a fine school, but Briarlake is probably equally strong if not more so.

In DCSS, our (now previous) administration has consistently sent a strong message that choice schools trump neighborhood schools. For many students and schools, that simply isn't the case.

As to rock bottom, DCSS is closer, but I have no confidence in the current board picking a strong, independent superintendent who can truly fix things. I hope that I am wrong. I really hope that there is someone out there who can set DCSS on the correct path.