Oyster-Adams Bilingual School (Adams)

We are very dissapointed and frustrated with the current principal. She is making really bad decisions with regards to teacher selection and the middle school program. What is worse is that she doesn't listen to parents and ignores any concerns, or suggestions parents might have. As a result of her weak leadership, the program is becoming so average that a bilingual education for our children is not longer a priority , if the academics are going to suffer. We know that many other families think likewise and many are leaving the school. Amongst those there are Spanish speaking families like us. It is a real shame as Oyster used to be a great school.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the comments posted here. The current principal is not a leader and is losing the respect of parents, teachers and students. we don't understand why she insists in keeping those really bad teachers that are affecting the quality of the program. The school really needs new leadership.
--Submitted by a parent

Once upon a time, Oyster was a great school but it is rapidly declining due to the lack of leadership and vision of its current principal. The best students are leaving to go to Deal and other schools, not because they do not longer wish to be in a bilingual program but because they are getting bored and the school is not offering them any challenges. In addition the principal does not want to fire some really bad teachers who should be doing something else rather than wasting the years of our children.
--Submitted by a parent

In the lower school and grades 4/5, the dual language immersion model went through extensive changes for the 09-10 academic year. These changes have made it more transparent to students about which classrooms are Spanish and which classrooms are English. I have high hopes for this new change, and will wait to see true benefits. The same goes for the middle school: although the program is relatively new (in its 4th year), they are definitely making progress. Although the extra curricular programs are not on par with other larger middle schools, the immersion program (IMHO) more than makes up for it. It's a decision all parents need to make for themselves: extra curricular options or a renowned bilingual program that exits all students as both biliterate and bilingual?
--Submitted by a parent

Oyster-Adams has an effective bilingual immersion plan that serves a diverse community of learners. It is both a true neighborhood school and a place that serves our city as a whole. My daughter loves Oyster.
--Submitted by a parent

Oyster is a awsome school. Its a small environment so that the students can get to know their teachers and classmates. And it is a great oportunity to be able to learn another languege from such a young age
--Submitted by a student

This school may be 'above average' by DC standards, but by far not an above average school. I find it to be quite average and luke warm at best. The children are frindly and well behaved: 5star. The teacher quality: 3star. Parent involvement: 4.5star. Dual immersion language model: 2. Acedemically overall, nothing special: 3star-luke warm. Not agressive or very well targeted toward the individual. My son will not be returning next year. I expected more based upon the school's reputation. I am not alone in my feelings as a parent either. Please note, there aren't many reviews written on this site yet; only 9.
--Submitted by a parent

Great acceptance rate to the best high schools after graduation.
--Submitted by a parent

Oyster has been life-changing for my children, and the quality of the teaching and dedication by staff is as good as it gets -anywhere, private, charter or public. Just today I dropped in the intermediate campus: 5th graders presenting a power point to their classmates on a multi-tiered math project in Spanish; 6th grade math group rapping/singing the solution to an equation; 4th graders focused outside with their teacher on language arts; you see adults putting children first every minute. All DCPS should be like Oyster.
--Submitted by a parent

My school is the best school in the district because its the only school that people from all over the world can learn english and spanish and mybe teach us stuff about their old school soo do the parent that says the school is unsatisfactory then why is your child in it thank you vary much P.S the teachers their are one of the best teachers in the district and the principal is the best principal in the whole district. to anyone who disagrees feel free to say what you want but no matter what you say Oyster is the best . Thakyou very much!!!!!
--Submitted by a student