IDEA Public Charter School

1027 45th Street Northeast

Washington, DC 20019

School District

Idea PCS
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
Type

charter

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on March 14, 2024

I thoght I did my research but non of the things that goes on was listed. My child has to listen to cussing on the bus, fi. ghts in the classroom and drugs in 4th grade. They said that this would not be tolorated, but my child is subject to this nearly every day. No school is perfect, but they did not have to go through this at DCPS. My child will not be going back. As the other person said in her review RUN and I say do it fast.
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2023

I’ve had a horrible experience at Idea Bassett public school. The curriculums are not up to par. My child was coming home saying all they were learning were nursery rhymes. Nursery rhymes? My child learned that at 1/2/3 years old in DAYCARE. Why is she learning this in Kindergarten at School? Children should be learning numbers, counting, colors, animals, shapes, etc. The food menu they have designed for them are a joke. A so called healthy plan that gives the students a baby portion of “ healthy foods”. My child comes home starving because breakfast ends at 7:45, lunch is at 10:30, dismissal is at 3:45. My child has to pack a extra lunch the food isn’t enough to hold her over to focus on her work and learning because their hungry. They condone bullying and harassing. My child has come home with multiple bruising on their body from kids in class and nobody has EVER notified me. They has been bullied and harassed by kids in class AND on the bus. Administrators do not discipline these kids at all, my child now hates going to school at 6 years old. I’ve contacted the principle, vice principle, via emails and phone calls and no return call after promised . The cafeteria staff laughed at my child after telling them their allergic to seafood. Guess what happened? Allergic reaction. My child told the cafeteria lady do not put seafood related items on my tray because I’m allergic, the lunch lady laughed at my child and did it anyways and I had to rush to the school. UNACCEPTABLE!! I’m furious, I have made the worse decision sending my child here and the school just opened last year.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2023

RUN!!!! Continue to research all reviews about this school , and let that be your guide . My experience cannot be all contained in the amount of characters allowed in the review, so I’ll let all others speak for HOW YOUR EXPERIENCE WILL BE , and save yourself. Administration is terrible Teacher ( the ones they could keep ) were sub par . Some classes not even having an assigned teacher at the 5 week mark and still No one is holding The administration or teachers to any professional standards. The principal and assistant principal both lack professionalism as well as leadership skills that will enrich your scholar , but rather shame and belittle them amongst their peers. There is no classroom control , and your child will struggle to learn on days they actually have a teacher TO teach . The classrooms are not learning environments but rather individual circuses with incapable ringleaders and ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY. I would encourage each parent to weigh all of your child’s educational options in schools that are more professional , understand parental communication respectfully , encourage involvement, and ENJOY their chosen career path. You will not get that at IDEA RIVER BLUFF… on God !
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2023

I had a very bad experience at my kids old school Barrel Springs which has a higher review score. Even though I moved in 2020 I was hesitant to switch them. I finally did last month August 2023 due to my kids constantly getting bullied at the old school. My daughter is speech delayed and I was recommended by her speech therapist. I know it’s only been a month or so but I see much improvement in my children. They constantly tell me they love the school and excited of doing school work. This school is only by transfer so you have to be on top of paperwork and should touch base with the district for entry. The best decision I have made so far.
Submitted by other on June 08, 2023

Last year I applied for my child to attend, I was not notified of acceptance until after schools had started and a day before Idea was to start. This does not give me time as a parent to prepare for the school year especially for a school that has uniforms you can pick up at any store. This year after being notified I called to inquire about transportation and explained I needed this information before giving a definitive answer. My questions were taken and I was told someone would get back with me. NO ONE got back with me and I received a notification of the application being closed. I called the school and was told by the enrollment counselor the only thing that could be done is to be put on a wait list. I confirmed because a representative of the school dropped the ball and did not get back with me or pass the concern to someone who could answer, my child had to be penalized. Her exact reply was "YES". The organization seems a bit off to me and its extremely frustrating to me as a parent and most importantly to a STUDENT who REQUESTED to go to the student.
Submitted by student on June 06, 2015

I am a current junior at IDEA PCS, I would say if I did not live three minutes from the school I would have never gone to the new idea. The old idea was mainly family based and people cared about you. While the new idea is mainly based on appearance and in my own opinion do not care about students. Before count day there were about 200 students, after idea probably got rid of 25 students for minor reason such as going to there lockers or breaking any stupid rule, but they do not do any of they stuff before count day, because they tell us to our do what you do now but after count day we are going t enforce the rules, because we are not trying to loose the money we could get for you.
Submitted by other on May 18, 2015

Worsr staff ever. Paid for prom ticket and when student did not go ,they gave the money to the student without my permission or receipt then want to call police but their wrong. They all need to be FIRED.Immediately.
Submitted by other on April 17, 2014

IDEA is a brilliant school with a even more caring and attentive staff. As a student attending IDEA pcs I appreciate everything this school is doing for my I also believe that the teachers and other staff make the school a wonderful place to learn. The only improvement I would recommend is the school's lunch, other than that I am completely happy.
Submitted by teacher on November 06, 2013

The best things about IDEA are our great students and fantastic teaching team. The school is a small, tight-knit community that's like a second family, growing and learning together. Teachers and staff members go the extra mile to support each individual student, regardless of their current academic level. There is a real sense of pride at the school right now as we build a culture of excellence in academics, athletics, arts/design, leadership, service, and technology. We encourage you to come for a tour or open house and see for yourself!
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2013

idea has great teachers, the staff is outstanding, i have never had a bad experience there, the staff has helped me alot with my child, and showed me way to cope with the child. good school
Submitted by parent on January 18, 2012

I enrolled my son because I heard it was a good school. And my experience with the teachers and staff has been exceptional. Ireceive daily emails of my sons behavior and work ethic from ALL of his teachers. The downside is you don't get proper notification of trips, closings or half- days. Other than that it is an awesome school. My son enjoys being there and is excited to attend next year.
Submitted by other on January 09, 2012

I love my school IDEA PCS. For the most part the school is excellent, has an excellent curriculum with rigorous work for the students. The school standing alone is good, it's just that some of the students make it look bad by refusing to do their work even if they get suspended or failed because I encountered a lot of students who had stayed back in school and noticed the reason they stayed back. The only negative review I have about the school is that they have too many rules.