H.D. Cooke Elementary School

My experience at this school is great so far, when we first came back after summer break it was kinda wild like fights and stuff but now it has gotten more safe and students cosequences. we are a very organized school and the teachers and staff are great, and the students are OK, there is no bullying in the middle or elementary school. So, so far this a great school year right now.

As a parent, in-class parent volunteer, parent chaperone (had to clear an FBI background check and get finger printed), PTA representative, I was very excited about Ross. But what I saw over 4 years, was deliberate withholding of FAPE from dozens of students especially those with any kind of dyslexia or learning disability. Why would the smallest school in DCPS, in Ward 2, always under enrolled, withhold reading supports to students eligible for an IEP? Ross leadership would not hear that 1 in 5 people have dyslexia. That people with dyslexia are super bright thinkers, and are more able to adapt because that is what they always have to do. Ross refused to offer supports to its teachers and supports that would not have come out of the Ross school budget. Ross leadership is focused on raising money from the the parents of the lower grades to pay for everything in the school. Dyslexia is usually recognized and or diagnosed btwn 2-5 grades when the work gets harder, and yet it can be detected as early as pre-k. Ross refused phonics and to give teacher training in Child Find- a federal and state law. Why would Ross NOT even support its own teachers in academic expertise? People want to teach as a small school, so why is there an intense turnover rate of teachers at Ross? For 10 years, Ross leadership refused to place a parent representative on the Personnel Committee so that the parents could have input on teacher hirings. Why? Parents, PTA, and LSAT signed a petition and sent it around to OSSE and others for Ross leadership in order to force a placement of a parent on this committee. This letter also demanded that Ross leadership hire non-white teachers, to hire racially diverse, teachers, representative of DCPS. Why did this have to happen? Ross could be a vanguard of change. It could be an incredible school for reading and writing, and why not? With this focus, students from 2-5th grades would stay rather than leave in a mass exodus in 3rd and 4th grades and/or leaving the DCPS system altogether. DC Council passed The Decoding Dyslexia bill- Ross Leadership should take everything in that bill and run with it!! It should become the top example for how the measures in that bill can turn around an entire school especially after 3 yrs of COVID school shutdown, Canvas, Teams, etc...(spring 2020, SY 2020-2021, fall 2021).

I moved from Thailand, and my son had a hard time adjusting to the new environment, new friends, and a new school. But the teachers here have been so kind and supportive. They constantly help him and always keep me updated on his progress. Even when he was sick, they reached out right away.I love joining field trips and participating in school activities with him. There’s nothing more important than knowing our elementary kids are in good hands - and here, I truly feel that they are.

There was people bullying kicking the students at the cabinets this is not a good school

The staff make every child feel valued and build an environment that makes my child want to come to school. There is a community focus and a recognition that education does not start when crossing the school threshold. The teachers are great, experienced, and value each child. Many of the student population have inter generational trauma that is not their fault but can be challenging to address at scale. But it’s acknowledged and supported with wrap around services that offer hope of progress.

If you are Latino, I do not recommend this school, since the children are discriminated against and the parents are not listened to when you have any questions.

The amount of growth I’ve observed during my child’s first year at JFEC has been nothing short of remarkable. Every day at pickup she exclaims “I had a great day!” and proceeds to tell me everything that she learned. Her vocabulary constantly surprises me and her general knowledge has grown leaps and bounds. They even have basic Latin instruction for the kids! She has also learned a lot about social behavior and how to interact with her new friends. The facilites are new and beautifully maintained. They have two playgrounds and an indoor gym. Coming from a place with a less-than-stellar public school system, JFEC is hard to beat!I feel very confident in the safety of my child at this school. Her teachers love her, the security staff is thorough and incredibly kind. The only read downside is parking and the commute - both of which are worth it for the positive experience we’ve had at this school.

After touring this school to enroll our then 3yo I knew this was a special place. The teachers have been such an incredible support emotionally and educationally. They have cared for my child in a way that has helped her grow into a kind, loving, and intelligent individual. We do not speak Spanish in the home but our kid is now fluent and speaks like a native. This is a special place that provides everything and more to facilitate a safe, loving, and rich environment. Highly recommend!!