Two Rivers Public Charter School - Elementary

TR is a very forward thinking, creative school where it is a school-wide goal to develop children who can think for themselves and hold themselves accountable. They nurture community. I came from a private school myself and could not be more impressed with TR's curriculum. My child is learning how to take academic risks, ask intelligent questions, and prepare for a lifelong, self-guided quest for knowledge.
--Submitted by a parent

I've heard only great things about Two Rivers Charter School. Please, if you are not happy then leave so that some of us that have been on a wait list for years can get our kids registered in Two Rivers. My neighbor's kid reads and writes above his age level and he's also being taught Spanish and it's amazing how he's speaking it.

We have two children at Two Rivers and have been very happy with their progress. They are excelling and they love school. What more could we ask, especially in DC where it is challenging to find a great school with faculty and staff who care so much. We have been very impressed by the responsiveness of the leadership and the expeditionary model. Plus, the emphasis on the arts is great. We wish that TR had more greenspace/playspace but overall we are thrilled with the school.
--Submitted by a parent

My child attended the school for the 5th grade. His teachers were informed that he ADHD at the start of the school year but no interventions or supports were put in place for him until 1 week before the end of the year. His teacher obviously resented having him in her class and his grades and self esteem suffered tremendously. The school is like a club and if your child didn't attend from Pre-K the teachers and principal have very little investment in their success. Thankfully my son got into KIPP WILL where he will have to repeat 5th grade in order to repair the damage suffered at Two Rivers PCS.
--Submitted by a parent

For those who are confused by the contradictory statements regarding TR, you should understand its culture. This is a very cliquish place. Those families that are "IN" seem to be happy as can be and are entrnenched with the administration, which does nothing to garner parent involvement (and even discourages it). For those who hold low expectations due to their experience with other DC schools, its adequate. Especially in lower grades. for those who want a real school and real learning...GO ELSEWHERE. Its a twinkie...it looks tastey and inviting and may feel goof, but with very little real substance nor nutritional value.
--Submitted by a parent

I loved TR until grade 3/4. TR puts heavy emphasis on standardized tests. Once my child was identified as having low test scores, we were asked to meet with her teacher and other staff. At those meetings, the teacher defended herself by attacking my daughter who is a hardworking, highly engaged student! There was no reading and math specialists, so the teachers were on their own to work with my child to help her improve. This consumes precious resources and causes resentment from the parents of the students who are testing well. I believe that due to limited resources teachers recommend a lot of students for cognitive testing. Many are AA. We left Two Rivers and my daughter is EXCELLING at a her new school. She gets glowing remarks each quarter from her current teachers. We could NOT be HAPPIER that we got her out of TR when we did! If you are having a poor experience get out and move on! There are better schools in the city. Washington Latin and KIPP come to mind as better performing schools .
--Submitted by a parent

We have two children who have attended Two Rivers and, in ten years, have never had a teacher who wasn't fantastic. Our academically advanced child was consistently pushed to excel, loved school, and thrived in this supportive environment. The same is true of our second child, who has a very different learning style but has also had a series of fantastic teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

I think this is one of the most racially divided schools I have come across in my life! The African American teachers are leaving in droves and no one seems to care. They have no compassion and the teachers are as personalable asdoor knobs. I am so sorry that i put my kids through this.... not an African American freindly school at all....
--Submitted by a parent

I had high expectations for Two Rivers. The staff and teachers have a great deal of patience and "room" for student's emotional needs. The new buildings are beautiful. Many of the teachers are high quality and enthusiastic. However, the teacher quality varies greatly and the curriculum is not standardized. Great enthusiastic teachers come into the school and leave complaining of lack of support. There is no PTA and interaction among parents is not encouraged. There is no library. Test scores have been very low consequently the emphasis has been on teaching to the DC-CAS with disastrous results. The "Expeditions" change from year to year and teacher to teacher. Because of this, quality varies, and from my experience, never comes close to the potential. This is not a good school for above average or gifted students but probably one of the better public schools in DC for students needing emotional support.
--Submitted by a parent

Two Rivers is the perfect home away from home for students. The environment is wholesome and diverse. If parents are looking for academically inclined individuals who practically co-parent students you've found the right place. The sites (there's a middle school too) are clean and aestetic. The cirriculum is stimulating and provocative for young minds. The expeditionary learning methodology is an unexpected treat. The staff is not affraid to take the children out; something more characteristic of a private or home school setting. Everybody does their best to bring their A game every day. The Wednesday Morning Community meeeting is a delight. There's nothing like a big circle to let you know you are in the right place. They ROCK!
--Submitted by a parent