Comments on: GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc – 1860 Upshur St NW

By: DCPS parent

DCPS parent — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 02:15:47 +0000

There are a lot of great things going on at Powell now under new Principal Janeece Docal. They are implementing an innovative new Tools of the Mind early childhood curriculum, have had large gains in reading test scores, have partnerships with the Washington Nationals and Capitols and won a recent robot design contest. They had a waiting list of early childhood there last year and probably will again next year. I’d urge you to go take a look before writing off the school.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 16:08:24 +0000

if you really wonder, ask someone.
if you actually just think they’re crazy, so what? to each their own, and you don’t have to understand it.

By: NotScott

NotScott — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 13:42:09 +0000

I use the Blagden access as part of my running route, but I generally have the opposite reaction: what a lovely little enclave. I can definitely see why people live there.

I think the metro access is not great, but it’s not any worse than any of Petworth north of Sherman Cir. (I suppose those might be Ft. Totten users).

I think the point about the schools is the salient one.

I’d also note: there are currently three forclosures within a couple of blocks of that house on Upshur. I think Crestwood prices will be dropping – I think the price reductions here speak to that.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 23:21:52 +0000

I agree Carter Barron is a great facility to have so close to Crestwood. Crestwood also does have convenient access to The National Zoo and Rock Creek bike trails.

So what do you get for schools in Crestwood? – You get the same good schools as West of The Park for Middle School and High School. (Deal & Wilson are both considered “Good Schools”)

You also now have great Charter School options with E.L. Haynes (serving pre-k to 12) which was instrumental in helping win Obama’s ‘Race to the Top’ Program Funds. Washington Latin Charter School is also a wonderful option.

None of these solid performing school choices sound “too crappy” to me.

By: DC Girl

DC Girl — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 21:33:14 +0000

I love the Crestwood neighborhood because it is so close to Carter Barron. But I couldn’t imagine paying that much and still have crappy schools to choose from.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:39:24 +0000

There are good reasons why most people buying in Crestwood pay anywhere from $750k to $1.5 million to live there (excluding Sen Rockefeller, who must have paid much more).

It has the best access to Carter Barron, Rock Creek Park and its trails, great big trees, a wonderful mix of architecture, big back yards, and diverse residents. Plus it is easier to get downtown than from the far northwest or Brookland.

It’s true that most Crestwood residents don’t use the closest DCPS elementary school – most attend public schools across the park, charters or private schools. That’s the one drawback to the neighborhood.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:31:28 +0000

Yes, It is definitely zoned for Deal and Wilson, despite being zoned for Powell. That has always been the case.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:27:50 +0000

dreas – not so. I thought the same though when we first set out looking at Crestwood.

Right From the DCPS Website: (For this GDoN property)
http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/Learn+About+Schools/Find+Your+Assigned+Schools

Elementary School:
Powell Elementary School (Lincoln Hill Cluster) 1350

Middle School:
MacFarland Middle School (Lincoln Hill Cluster)
Deal Middle School

Senior High School:
Wilson High School

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:59:56 +0000

The lines aren’t exactly the same for everyone along 16th St. Crestwood is zoned for Powell or West at the elementary grades, but for Deal and Wilson for middle and high school. There are special school Metrobus routes that pick up kids along 16th St. to take them to Wilson and Deal.

FWIW, it’s even crazier in parts of 16th St. Heights that are zoned for West, Deal, and Roosevelt. West now goes through 8th grade, so students don’t have to trek across town. However, there’s still the option of going to Deal, and if you go there, you’re automatically accepted at Wilson, even if you aren’t in its boundary.

By: MK

MK — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:41:24 +0000

Do you have to go to the school you’re zoned for now? I know there’s a line up 16th Street (or there used to be) that said if you lived to the west you went to Deal/Wilson and to the east MacFarland/Roosevelt but just about every kid I knew in Crestwood went to Deal/Wilson anyway regardless of where they lived. As for those wondering why anyone would live there, try huge detached homes with spacious yards, lots of green, peace and quiet and proximity to 16th street which could get you anywhere in 15 to 20 minutes.