Do charters follow the same calendar as DCPS?

[Anonymous]

Dumb question, I know. But I'm a pre-K3 parent who lotteried into a charter, and it just occured to me that it might not be on the same calendar as DCPS. I'm trying to make travel plans for a family event this fall. Are all the charters on the same calendar or do they each set their own?

[Anonymous]

They can choose to but they do not have to.

[Anonymous]

Some follow DCPS. Some don't. And those that don't follow DCPS don't all follow the same calendar. Ask the charter. Most make it easy to find on their website.

[Anonymous]

Our charter preschool had major differences— they started the year one week before DCPS and ended one week earlier. I didn’t realize this until late summer and we had to change some travel plans. They also still had a week long February break (which I understand DCPS has done away with) and very different early release and half days than DCPS. Also, completely different PD days.

Unfortunately, they did not set their calendar until about 3 weeks before school started (at least last year), so while I could get a general sense of the calendar ahead of time, we didn’t know what it was until pretty soon before school started.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our charter preschool had major differences— they started the year one week before DCPS and ended one week earlier. I didn’t realize this until late summer and we had to change some travel plans. They also still had a week long February break (which I understand DCPS has done away with) and very different early release and half days than DCPS. Also, completely different PD days.

Unfortunately, they did not set their calendar until about 3 weeks before school started (at least last year), so while I could get a general sense of the calendar ahead of time, we didn’t know what it was until pretty soon before school started.

Ugh this is what I'm dreading. I understand your charter didn't release a calendar until late, but when did you find out about the first day of school being earlier?

I'm now considering taking any DCPS preK3 spot I get, even if I have to drive further because I do not want to deal with this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our charter preschool had major differences— they started the year one week before DCPS and ended one week earlier. I didn’t realize this until late summer and we had to change some travel plans. They also still had a week long February break (which I understand DCPS has done away with) and very different early release and half days than DCPS. Also, completely different PD days.

Unfortunately, they did not set their calendar until about 3 weeks before school started (at least last year), so while I could get a general sense of the calendar ahead of time, we didn’t know what it was until pretty soon before school started.

Ugh this is what I'm dreading. I understand your charter didn't release a calendar until late, but when did you find out about the first day of school being earlier?

I'm now considering taking any DCPS preK3 spot I get, even if I have to drive further because I do not want to deal with this!

I’d ask the school, but in our case, they wouldn’t actually confirm the first day of school until the calendar was set in mid July. I did look at older calendar and got the sense that they started earlier than DCPS but had no idea what date until July. (I do know of several kids who missed the first week of school because they were traveling, FWIW. In preschool, it matters way less.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our charter preschool had major differences— they started the year one week before DCPS and ended one week earlier. I didn’t realize this until late summer and we had to change some travel plans. They also still had a week long February break (which I understand DCPS has done away with) and very different early release and half days than DCPS. Also, completely different PD days.

Unfortunately, they did not set their calendar until about 3 weeks before school started (at least last year), so while I could get a general sense of the calendar ahead of time, we didn’t know what it was until pretty soon before school started.

What school of this? I have worked with a lot of schools in DC for many years and have never heard of calendars being released this late.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our charter preschool had major differences— they started the year one week before DCPS and ended one week earlier. I didn’t realize this until late summer and we had to change some travel plans. They also still had a week long February break (which I understand DCPS has done away with) and very different early release and half days than DCPS. Also, completely different PD days.

Unfortunately, they did not set their calendar until about 3 weeks before school started (at least last year), so while I could get a general sense of the calendar ahead of time, we didn’t know what it was until pretty soon before school started.

Ugh this is what I'm dreading. I understand your charter didn't release a calendar until late, but when did you find out about the first day of school being earlier?

I'm now considering taking any DCPS preK3 spot I get, even if I have to drive further because I do not want to deal with this!

Every charter is different. Definitely contact the one that you were admitted to before you give up on it! (And FWIW, the DCPS calendar is not consistent from year to year either, although it is getting better.)

[Anonymous]

Our charter already has the calendar for next year, which is different from DCPS. You should ask your school, they may have it already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our charter preschool had major differences— they started the year one week before DCPS and ended one week earlier. I didn’t realize this until late summer and we had to change some travel plans. They also still had a week long February break (which I understand DCPS has done away with) and very different early release and half days than DCPS. Also, completely different PD days.

Unfortunately, they did not set their calendar until about 3 weeks before school started (at least last year), so while I could get a general sense of the calendar ahead of time, we didn’t know what it was until pretty soon before school started.

What school of this? I have worked with a lot of schools in DC for many years and have never heard of calendars being released this late.

AppleTree.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I have asked the school for a calendar but I'm waiting on them to get back to me. Not getting a school year calendar until July seems insane to me.

I'm getting the feeling that I'm going to be in a for a rough ride with my children's education here in DC.

[Anonymous]

What's the school? If you tell us, someone there might be able to point you in the right direction. For example, at my kids' charter (which uses a different calendar from DCPS), the full calendar isn't yet set for next year, but the first day of the '24-'25 school year is published on the '23-'24 school year's calendar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have asked the school for a calendar but I'm waiting on them to get back to me. Not getting a school year calendar until July seems insane to me.

I'm getting the feeling that I'm going to be in a for a rough ride with my children's education here in DC.

Maybe try not to expect the worst? Schools were mostly all closed last week for spring break, and may be digging through enrollment paperwork right now rather than able to answer your question. Some schools have their calendars up on their website if you haven't scanned through that, or at least this year's calendar will likely give you a sense of what next year may look like. Definitely take the PP's suggestion to name the school because current families might have access to the info if it's not publicly available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have asked the school for a calendar but I'm waiting on them to get back to me. Not getting a school year calendar until July seems insane to me.

I'm getting the feeling that I'm going to be in a for a rough ride with my children's education here in DC.

A charter school may not be for you. Each one operates differently and has the discretion to do things the way they want. You may prefer DCPS. (We do.)

[Anonymous]

Good news is it doesn’t matter at all for pre-K. Just make your plans and enjoy your last few years of flexibility before it does matter.