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IDEA's New Enrollment Procedures--New AND Returning Students Must Apply By March 15 for Guaranteed Spot
 Now is the time to re-enroll your student at IDEA to guarantee his or her spot for this coming school year. New enrollment procedures are in place and it's important to follow them to secure your child's educational future. This is also the time to tell friends, family, and neighbors about IDEA if they have students who wish to attend in the fall. March 15 is the deadline for new and returning students to apply for enrollment at IDEA for the 2013-2014 school year. Please note this is a change in policy from previous years. If fewer students apply for a particular grade than we have spots available, all applicants will be guaranteed a spot. These students MUST confirm acceptance by April 12. If they do NOT confirm, their spot will not be reserved. If more students apply for a particular grade than we have spots available, we will hold a lottery for all grades where this is the case, on March 22. To be entered into this lottery, you MUST have applied by March 15. Even if your child is currently an IDEA student, he or she is not guaranteed a spot for next year unless you reapply by March 15. When current students apply, they are given preference for available spots. If you wait until after March 15 to apply, you give up your guaranteed spot and will be placed on a waiting list in order of date of application. READ MORE »» |
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Prospective Families Welcome on Walk-in Wednesdays
Current IDEA families are our best recruiting tool for new students! Please share with your friends, family, and neighbors who are looking for a new school:
If you're considering enrolling your student at IDEA PCS and want to see what we're offering firsthand, come to Walk-in Wednesdays! Every Wednesday at 9:30 am IDEA staff will be available in the front office to lead you on a tour of the school. See students and teachers in action, meet faculty, and check out our classrooms. No appointment necessary. We can't wait to meet you!
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Teacher Feature: Nicole McCrae, English 7 and 8
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 Students perform better when they know people believe in their abilities. I want to see them accomplish their goals. I became a teacher to give students the same opportunities, if not more, that I've enjoyed. My experience traveling abroad and earning a Master's degree from American University was made possible in part by the support of my parents and teachers.
Bringing Real Life into the Lesson
Recently we did a lesson on arguments in writing, around the time of the controversy around the inscription on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. memorial [which was not an exact quote and which critics felt misrepresented Dr. King's legacy]. I provided them with an article and asked if they agreed or disagreed that the inscription should be removed. Students learned more about argument structures and then used their knowledge to express their outlook on the debate. I challenged students to use evidence to support their reasoning. Several students wrote passionately, giving reasons why the inscription should be removed or changed. Some students believed that the specific excerpt of his sermon was taken out of context, making Dr. King seem arrogant rather than confident. I noticed a heightened passion from my students when they were asked to take a stand with written work.
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Second-quarter Success Day Proves Helpful to Students
On January 11 many IDEA students took advantage of Success Day, a half-day opportunity to make up missed assignments from the quarter in order to improve their grades. Teachers were on hand to provide individual attention and guidance to students who needed to complete work or had questions about particular subjects. Students and parents should keep in mind that no student can make up a quarter's worth of missed assignments in one afternoon. Success Day is designed for students who may have one or two outstanding assignments or who need help in a particular area to work with teachers. It is not a substitute for diligence throughout the quarter. Any student who has completed all of his or her assignments before Success Day is eligible to take the afternoon off on Success Day while others are working. That's a good incentive to get your work done on time! |
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New Student Work Page to Feature Art, Writing, More
Check out our new online gallery of art, writing, and other student work. Your student's achievements may be featured next!
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DC-CAS Testing Tips and Weekly Words on IDEA Website
As the DC-CAS test approaches in just three months, it's important for students to be preparing and for parents to participate as much as possible to help students show what they know. A new feature on the left side of the home page of the IDEA website is the DC-CAS Corner, with frequently updated test-taking strategies for students.
IDEA teachers are providing a variety of intensive opportunities for students to learn everything they need to know for the tests. We are also offering incentives such as contests, field trips, and other fun activities for students who demonstrate a commitment to doing their best in preparing for and taking the test. Ask your child's advisory teacher for details about what your child can and should be doing.
Also new on IDEA's home page, on the right side, is the Word of the Week, which will highlight a new word every week that may appear on the SAT, the DC-CAS, or in texts that any IDEA student might be reading. Encourage your family to exercise their vocabularies and challenge your student to use the words in conversation.
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