Doss Mandarin Immersion Program (Howe: house, neighborhood, elementary schools)

[marcyday]

The program is still very young and of course with any undertaking of this magnitude I do expect shortcomings and trial and error. However, I would still like to hear from parents who have children enrolled in the program. What is your overall opinion of the program so far? How was the adjustment for your child and your family? Were you originally zoned to Doss or did you relocate specifically for the program for a chance at the lottery? If the later, would you have otherwise enrolled your child in a private school had it not been for the immersion program?

I am seriously considering the immersion program for my soon to be kindergartner. After attending numerous informational sessions and touring the classrooms, I was so thoroughly impressed by the fully engaged, eager, and happy 1st graders speaking and writing in Mandarin, I knew this would be the school of choice for us if we were so fortunate to get in. On the other hand, I was absolutely appalled at the sense of entitlement from some of the parents in-waiting. For heaven’s sake, it’s a public school and it’s a lottery for entrance. Am I missing something here? It was such a complete distraction that I left wondering if this was an environment that I wanted to subject not only myself to but also my child- not to mention packing up and relocating less than 5 miles from where we are now living to be in the school zone. As I started asking around, I understand this self-entitled and privileged aurora is prevalent at Doss.


If it were not for the Mandarin immersion program and the principal, Janna Griffin, I would be considering a private school (Magellan, if I could get past the long term financial commitment and chipping away at college savings) or Hill Elementary (no language immersion) which is our zoned school and outperforms Doss in every category, with the exception of political capital, and is rated one of the top elementary schools in central Texas. Why didn’t Hill lobby for the immersion program….sigh?


Thanks in advance!

[BusinessHorn]

We just bought and are remodeling a house in NW Hills. So, our kids will go to Doss. I haven't heard anything about the immersion program, and really don't have any knowledge about entitlement amongst the parents (haven't moved in yet). Sadly, I'd imagine you'd see entitlement from parents in any wealthy neighborhood or at any high dollar private school.

Did you end up moving to be in the Doss school zone? Did you do the immersion program? Would love to hear an update.