Let's talk Second Tier Choices (PK specific, both PCS and DCPS)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The list of best/most popular/hardest to get into/great schools seems to be fairly agreed upon, and I'm certainly applying to them (Stokes, EL Haynes, Two Rivers, Mundo Verde, Creative Minds, Bridges, Meridian, Peabody, Logan Montessori). What I'm most interested in is OTHER choices--places where parents of small kids are happy and fulfilled, but perhaps not the first tier. I'm especially interested in the schools that use Reggio-method, or have arts emphasis, as my son's very favorite thing above all others is art of any kind, and I think that might make sense for us.

Can't speak to the charters, but Peabody and CH Montessori over SWS? That's a real oversight, especially if you're interested in Reggio approach

[Anonymous]

PP, why would you put SWS over Logan Montessori?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've heard that Powell has awesome early childhood ed, and I know for a.fact that Barnard's younger grades are top-notch. I hear good things about HD Cooke as well. (Though we were shut out when we applied there for 2010-2011.)

I have heard the opposite.

[Anonymous]

why would OP consider SWS? she's looking for PK-3.

as am i, so would love to keep the comments coming.

[Anonymous]

OP here. And to 14:12, I can't consider SWS because it doesn't start until PK4, as 14:19 noted. Especially with the shuffle that's happening with the expansion, it might not even be an option next year.

What about Burroughs? Langdon? JO Wilson? Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. And to 14:12, I can't consider SWS because it doesn't start until PK4, as 14:19 noted. Especially with the shuffle that's happening with the expansion, it might not even be an option next year.

What about Burroughs? Langdon? JO Wilson? Thoughts?

SWS will be adding PK3 next year (in addition to 2nd grade). It may not be promoted by DCPS yet, but it will be soon

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, why would you put SWS over Logan Montessori?

No knock against Peabody or CHM -- both good programs. Mostly because the OP requested Reggio model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could also consider a good private pre-school (of which there are many near you) and re-apply next year to your list, but also schools like YY, Sela, etc. that start at pre-K 4.

YY is the one school, OP should NOT bother applying. Prek4 is all in Mandarin, no English, not a good choice for 1 yr.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. And to 14:12, I can't consider SWS because it doesn't start until PK4, as 14:19 noted. Especially with the shuffle that's happening with the expansion, it might not even be an option next year.

What about Burroughs? Langdon? JO Wilson? Thoughts?

SWS will be adding PK3 next year (in addition to 2nd grade). It may not be promoted by DCPS yet, but it will be soon

Seriously? That would be great news! Can I ask your source, unofficially?

[Anonymous]

I'm not PP, but I've seen this on MOTH (re: SWS adding preschool)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard that Powell has awesome early childhood ed, and I know for a.fact that Barnard's younger grades are top-notch. I hear good things about HD Cooke as well. (Though we were shut out when we applied there for 2010-2011.)

I have heard the opposite.

The opposite of what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard that Powell has awesome early childhood ed, and I know for a.fact that Barnard's younger grades are top-notch. I hear good things about HD Cooke as well. (Though we were shut out when we applied there for 2010-2011.)

I have heard the opposite.

The opposite of which part? Powell? Barnard? Cooke?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. And to 14:12, I can't consider SWS because it doesn't start until PK4, as 14:19 noted. Especially with the shuffle that's happening with the expansion, it might not even be an option next year.

What about Burroughs? Langdon? JO Wilson? Thoughts?

SWS will be adding PK3 next year (in addition to 2nd grade). It may not be promoted by DCPS yet, but it will be soon

Seriously? That would be great news! Can I ask your source, unofficially?

Yes -- seriously. Unofficially, I'm an SWS parent and its been directly communicated to the SWS community by the school. It's always been in the plans when SWS located to a permanent home which will now be PLC. There simply wasn't room at the Logan Annex for PK-3 as it would have required doubling the existing space to accomodate 2nd grade AND PK3 and would have been a logistical nightmare. PLC has capacity for over 350, but SWS currently maxes out at 2nd grade and project to that size in 4 years. PLC has plenty of space for PK3, even when it reaches 5th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. And to 14:12, I can't consider SWS because it doesn't start until PK4, as 14:19 noted. Especially with the shuffle that's happening with the expansion, it might not even be an option next year.

What about Burroughs? Langdon? JO Wilson? Thoughts?

SWS will be adding PK3 next year (in addition to 2nd grade). It may not be promoted by DCPS yet, but it will be soon

Seriously? That would be great news! Can I ask your source, unofficially?

Yes -- seriously. Unofficially, I'm an SWS parent and its been directly communicated to the SWS community by the school. It's always been in the plans when SWS located to a permanent home which will now be PLC. There simply wasn't room at the Logan Annex for PK-3 as it would have required doubling the existing space to accomodate 2nd grade AND PK3 and would have been a logistical nightmare. PLC has capacity for over 350, but SWS currently maxes out at 2nd grade and project to that size in 4 years. PLC has plenty of space for PK3, even when it reaches 5th grade.

Sorry to be dense, what is PLC?

[Anonymous]

Prospect Learning Center. That school is closing and SWS will be relocating there.