Haynes or LAMB?

[Anonymous]

Considering both for PreS-3 and need to decide this week. Any one have experience at both schools or otherwise have advice on comparing the two?

[Anonymous]

Lucky! I'd pick Haynes because of stronger academics, more involved parents, and a new campus.

[Anonymous]

I'd pick LAMB for language immersion and Montessori. But, you need to choose for your child. Will your little one do well with Montessori? I think that is the critical question you need to answer for yourself. Both are great choices, but they are very different schools.

[Anonymous]

Two great choices! Let us know what you decide. How's the commute for you? I'd be inclined toward LAMB for language and Montessori, too, but it depends what your priorities are and what would be good for your child.

[Anonymous]

Both are great choices, you are very lucky. If you want language immersion, a smaller school and like Montessori methods, then go for LAMB. Your child WILL learn to read, write and speak fluently in two languages. If you want more of a math/science focus with a year-round program and the ability to stay all the way through HS then pick Haynes.

[Anonymous]

Wondering if you can visit either school during school hours briefly to get a feel for the school. Although this week is bad, it's DC CAS so principals won't want interruptions or visitors, most likely. Maybe if you can hold off until next week when testing will be over.

[Anonymous]

How important is the Language component to you? Haynes is decidedly not immersion, nor do they have any plans to become so (I've asked).

[Anonymous]

LAMB is now or never, they only admit 3 & 4 yos. I know a lot of people who leave Haynes in later years, so you can likely get in as a transfer to Haynes in 2nd, 3rd, 4th grade if you don't like the LAMB program.

[Anonymous]

Tough choice. You might ask if there are any upcoming events at the school that you can attend?

By way of example, Yu Ying is having a Spring Fest this Saturday from 11am - 4pm. New families are welcome to come and join the fun, meet current families, ask questions, etc.

A lot of schools have field days, auction events, etc. this time of year - maybe check and see if there's something you can attend?

I know it probably feels like a high-stakes decision, the upside is that it's nice to have good choices. Good luck, and please be sure to let the school you don't commit to know ASAP.

[Anonymous]

One thing about Haynes is that it is constantly expanding, like to almost 700 students. New kids can be added by the whole class, depending on space, so there are always a bunch of new children each year.

LAMB will always be small, although it's growing slowly too -- I think they added an additional primary class last year to accommodate more children. After the pre-K year, no new kids are admitted to LAMB (because the kids have to learn both Montessori and spanish). This means that the universe of children and families stays pretty constant as the kids grow up; there is not a heavy influx of new children into the mix each fall. My friend says that keeps bullying to a minimum since everyone knows everyone else and the kids grow up almost as close as siblings. More like an extended family.

[Anonymous]

One thing to consider about LAMB is that it is historically disorganized and has poor communication with the parents. Parents put up with it because the teachers are so good, and they are great at the student level (ID'ing learning problems early, for example). But if you are looking for a school that is highly organized, LAMB will drive you crazy. We left (for a variety of reasons), but one thing that made my DH crazy was the lack of communication - little things like where to put the lunch boxes first day, big things like who was authorized to pick up the kids. My au pair showed up to pick up my kid one day and greeted a set of twins she knew. The "nap room" lady then said, "Oh, great; you're here to pick them up? They're ready!" Huh?????

The year we went, the website for the open houses hadn't been updated, so they directed the parents to the wrong school and had no knowledge of the open houses when the parents finally showed up at the right school (the swing space). When we left, we never got back the change of clothes because the teacher had no idea where it was. I guess they're still there somewhere, enshrined in some little cubby with my child's name on them.

Their website is constantly out of date, and it's just hard to find out what's happening at the school. This is despite many parents trying (and volunteering) to help take over things like the website. I have a lot of friends who attend the school, and they are happy with it, but the lack of organization makes them a little crazy. They are committed parents, so it's not like they're sitting around waiting for someone to do something for them, but it seems like the administration just can't get it together to use the resources it has at its disposal.

[Anonymous]

Wow, that is a little scary. That was exactly the impression I got at the open house. Principal has sort of a holier-than-thou attitude and got really irritated when parents asked for clarification on various issues -- that she did not know the answer too. I was hoping it was just my own wrong impression and not reality. (Oh, well, it doesn't matter, my wait list number is so high we're not getting in under any circumstances).

[Anonymous]

Re: 13:55, as a current parent of LAMB, yes, I would have to agree with what you are saying in general about the administrative disorganization. I HAVE been driven crazy by the organization/disorganization of the school and communication with the parents. over the years. If communication and organization for parents is a priority for you, then choose Haynes.

However, when I look at what the school does for my child (as opposed to what it does and does not do for me) it's a totally different picture. They have been great with our family, and especially with DC1 who has some learning differences. The special education support is fantastic, one of the best places in the city for learning needs-- they are a model of collaboration between educators and families. Patient, patient, patient, and constantly trying new things. Leaving no stone unturned to help the child excel. And both DCs have learned to read, write and speak in both English and Spanish. I love the Montessori model of education and think it's been great for the kids. The principal has been 100% supportive of my kids-- could be she's less so at an open house, I don't know, but once the child is enrolled he/she will be supported fully.

So I exchange all that for smooth administration. Focus on the children and what they are getting and learn to live with less than stellar communications and you'll be fine.

It IS getting better, btw, with time (the school is only 7 years old), each year a little less disorganization. For example, the web site is pretty up to date now, within a day (www.lambpcs.org), which is an improvement over last year. Good luck on making your decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Considering both for PreS-3 and need to decide this week. Any one have experience at both schools or otherwise have advice on comparing the two?

As a parent with double-digit waitlist numbers at both schools (and who would be thrilled with either), THANK YOU for not dragging out your decision.

[Anonymous]

I don't have personal experience with either school, but I do know several families who are happy at both places. The only thing I've heard about LAMB that would make me think twice is that they teach Montessori with the expectation that the child will remain in a Montessori school all the way through high school. I'm not sure what that would mean for you, or how it would effect your child's education if you were to go to a non-Montessori school after LAMB, but it is a reason why one family we know is thinking twice about keeping their kids there.