DC School/Lottery Education Process 101

[Anonymous]

I've been reading these threads for many months now as I will have a Pre-K child I will participate in the Lottery for this year. I am having a hard time navigating all the information and choices, can anyone break this down for me?

I understand a lottery opens in the Winter/Spring. I believe I would like to send my little one to Pre-K at the same school we are in bound for so that there's consistency with any friends that are made. I'm not sure I see the point of doing a different Pre-K unless we were to stick with that school for elementary.

-That said, how exactly do you all go about researching the best options?

-Charter Schools seem to have different learning styles - but I've read about them and still don't get it. Why would someone choose a Montessori or another style of teaching? I was thinking of a charter for the dual language immersion but am I missing something?

-If you don't get in to your first choice Pre-K, do you get into a back up choice? Then if you chose to stick with the back up choice for elementary can you do that or do you have to go back to the lottery? (I'm thinking ahead, because we need to move eventually so the in bound ES might not even be an option down the road.) Is it stupid to pick an out of bound Pre-K as your first choice then the in bound Pre-K? Will that ruin your chances of getting into the in bound school?

Basically I need a 101 of the process because I know pieces but can't connect them all. I apologize in advance, I know some of you are rolling your eyes because you're entrenched in this, but the parents I talk to know less than I do and I don't feel like I have a good grasp. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

If you enter the DCPS lottery for pre-k for your in-bounds school, you will get a preference over those children who are out of bounds. You can enter the lottery with up to 6 DCPS choices. If you are happy (and get in) to your in-bound school, many people stay put and do not apply for charters, for the main reason that why do a further commute to a charter when you are happy with the school around the corner from you. But some people prefer the charters for a teaching style or a language immersion, or, mainly, they are not happy with their in-bounds school. While you can only apply to 6 DCPS schools, you can apply to as many charters as you like. THis year I believe that the lottery will be streamlined, before you applied to charters/DCPS separately.

[Anonymous]

If you get into an OOB pre-k program through the lottery you can stay at that school for the rest of elementary school, you do not have to go into the lottery again to stay for K and beyond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you get into an OOB pre-k program through the lottery you can stay at that school for the rest of elementary school, you do not have to go into the lottery again to stay for K and beyond.

Yes--if you get in OOB to a school, then no matter where you move, you have a right to continue to go to that school. However, if you get in IB to a school and then move, you do not have a "right" to stay there--some principals may allow you to do so, some will not.

[Anonymous]

My view is that if you like your IB school and get in, go there. It's nice to have an easy commute, friends who live neraby, etc. The only thing that would give me pause is that you are planning on moving--and that means that you may not be able to stay in your IB school once you move. If there is another school that you like, which you can get into OOB, then your kid could stay there once you move. The other question is, how do you like the IB school of the neighborhood you are aiming to move to? If you like it, then you are fine going IB to your current school, asking the principal to stay when you move, and if he/she says no, then going to your new IB school.

On researching best options, the best thing to do is to go to open houses of the schools you're interested in.

On why people would choose different learning styles, such as Montessori, it's like anything else--some people want that, others don't, so you should apply where it's a good fit for your family. Some people are interested in immersion, and that's great; those schools appeal to them. Other in Montessori, or an IB program, or whatever it is that Creative Minds offers--different strokes for different folks. That's what is great about charters--you get to pick and choose. I am a big fan of Montessori probably because I had a great exprerience going to a Montessori school growing up, but it's definitely not for everyone.

On your question RE whether you get into a backup pre-k if you don't get into your first choice, I'm not sure I understand. If you mean, are you guaranteed getting into a Pre-k program, the answer is no--you list 6 schools on the DCPS application, but you might not get into any. However, if you mean do you have a SHOT at getting into the other schools if you don't get into your first, then the answser is yes. That is, if you get into your #3 choice of schools, then you are dropped from the waitlists of #4, #5, and #6, but you stay on the waitlist of #2 and #1. If you don't get into #1, then you have your spot at #3 and might get in at #2 off the waitlist.

Good luck OP!

Anonymous wrote:I've been reading these threads for many months now as I will have a Pre-K child I will participate in the Lottery for this year. I am having a hard time navigating all the information and choices, can anyone break this down for me?

I understand a lottery opens in the Winter/Spring. I believe I would like to send my little one to Pre-K at the same school we are in bound for so that there's consistency with any friends that are made. I'm not sure I see the point of doing a different Pre-K unless we were to stick with that school for elementary.

-That said, how exactly do you all go about researching the best options?

-Charter Schools seem to have different learning styles - but I've read about them and still don't get it. Why would someone choose a Montessori or another style of teaching? I was thinking of a charter for the dual language immersion but am I missing something?

-If you don't get in to your first choice Pre-K, do you get into a back up choice? Then if you chose to stick with the back up choice for elementary can you do that or do you have to go back to the lottery? (I'm thinking ahead, because we need to move eventually so the in bound ES might not even be an option down the road.) Is it stupid to pick an out of bound Pre-K as your first choice then the in bound Pre-K? Will that ruin your chances of getting into the in bound school?

Basically I need a 101 of the process because I know pieces but can't connect them all. I apologize in advance, I know some of you are rolling your eyes because you're entrenched in this, but the parents I talk to know less than I do and I don't feel like I have a good grasp. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:-That said, how exactly do you all go about researching the best options?

-Charter Schools seem to have different learning styles - but I've read about them and still don't get it. Why would someone choose a Montessori or another style of teaching? I was thinking of a charter for the dual language immersion but am I missing something?

-If you don't get in to your first choice Pre-K, do you get into a back up choice? Then if you chose to stick with the back up choice for elementary can you do that or do you have to go back to the lottery? (I'm thinking ahead, because we need to move eventually so the in bound ES might not even be an option down the road.) Is it stupid to pick an out of bound Pre-K as your first choice then the in bound Pre-K? Will that ruin your chances of getting into the in bound school?

There are a lot of ways to do your research, which largely depends on what your priorities for your child's education are and what your family life looks like. You can find your in bounds school on the DCPS website (which it sounds like you have already done). You will have to lottery for PK4 for this school. When your child is starting kindergarten, you will not have to lottery, and the process will be different. In the DCPS lottery last year, the process went like this. You are allowed to choose to lottery for 6 schools, which you must rank in order of preference. If you are admitted to a school, you will be eliminated from consideration for all the schools you ranked lower than the school you're admitted to. As a result of this preference system, it's important to rank your choices wisely. If you rank your in bounds school as #1 but would rather send your child to the school you ranked as #4, where you do not have neighborhood (or any other kind of) preference, it is not unlikely that you will be offered a space at your #1 ranked school and eliminated from considering the other 5 schools. How you choose which schools to apply to can be related to any number of things. I chose schools that were between my home and my job that had decent test scores and seemed like good places to send my child. I also chose her in bound school, which I am less fond of. I ranked it last, just in case. She ended up being offered a spot at my #3 choice, so I don't even know where we would have fallen on the wait lists for schools 4-6. If you are accepted to, for example, your #3 school, you are still put on the wait list for schools 1 and 2.

Once you are admitted into a pre-school program, you may remain in that school through elementary school if you choose to do so. If you send your child to your in bounds school and then move out of bounds, it is my understanding that as long as you are still in DC, you can stay in the school. If you move out of DC, I don't know what the rules are. Certainly you would need to pay tuition, if you are permitted to remain. You'd need to ask the school, though.

Charter schools are a different situation. You mentioned language immersion and Montessori, which are two of a number of options for charter curricula. Some families want language immersion, and that's generally not offered at a run-of-the-mill public school, so they explore charters and private schools to meet that requirement. Montessori is an established curriculum that seems to be most common for younger children - preschool and elementary school. The program encourages independence, with children largely self-regulating their learning experience. I personally group Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Waldorf in the same category, as they are all sort of alternatives to the mainstream classroom. They're great for some kids and less great for other kids. As far as other charters in the area, their websites can tell you more about their educational approach. Inspired Teaching is a demonstration school. Creative Minds does project based learning and has an international focus. Other schools focus on other things. There is a charter expo where you can learn more about the various programs by talking to representatives from the school and the PTA. There will also be open houses starting in a couple months where you can tour the school and get a feel for their program. Last year, all the charters had separate applications. There is talk of a common application but I don't know what the status of that is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:-That said, how exactly do you all go about researching the best options?

-Charter Schools seem to have different learning styles - but I've read about them and still don't get it. Why would someone choose a Montessori or another style of teaching? I was thinking of a charter for the dual language immersion but am I missing something?

-If you don't get in to your first choice Pre-K, do you get into a back up choice? Then if you chose to stick with the back up choice for elementary can you do that or do you have to go back to the lottery? (I'm thinking ahead, because we need to move eventually so the in bound ES might not even be an option down the road.) Is it stupid to pick an out of bound Pre-K as your first choice then the in bound Pre-K? Will that ruin your chances of getting into the in bound school?

There are a lot of ways to do your research, which largely depends on what your priorities for your child's education are and what your family life looks like. You can find your in bounds school on the DCPS website (which it sounds like you have already done). You will have to lottery for PK4 for this school. When your child is starting kindergarten, you will not have to lottery, and the process will be different. In the DCPS lottery last year, the process went like this. You are allowed to choose to lottery for 6 schools, which you must rank in order of preference. If you are admitted to a school, you will be eliminated from consideration for all the schools you ranked lower than the school you're admitted to. As a result of this preference system, it's important to rank your choices wisely. If you rank your in bounds school as #1 but would rather send your child to the school you ranked as #4, where you do not have neighborhood (or any other kind of) preference, it is not unlikely that you will be offered a space at your #1 ranked school and eliminated from considering the other 5 schools. How you choose which schools to apply to can be related to any number of things. I chose schools that were between my home and my job that had decent test scores and seemed like good places to send my child. I also chose her in bound school, which I am less fond of. I ranked it last, just in case. She ended up being offered a spot at my #3 choice, so I don't even know where we would have fallen on the wait lists for schools 4-6. If you are accepted to, for example, your #3 school, you are still put on the wait list for schools 1 and 2.

Once you are admitted into a pre-school program, you may remain in that school through elementary school if you choose to do so. If you send your child to your in bounds school and then move out of bounds, it is my understanding that as long as you are still in DC, you can stay in the school. If you move out of DC, I don't know what the rules are. Certainly you would need to pay tuition, if you are permitted to remain. You'd need to ask the school, though.

Charter schools are a different situation. You mentioned language immersion and Montessori, which are two of a number of options for charter curricula. Some families want language immersion, and that's generally not offered at a run-of-the-mill public school, so they explore charters and private schools to meet that requirement. Montessori is an established curriculum that seems to be most common for younger children - preschool and elementary school. The program encourages independence, with children largely self-regulating their learning experience. I personally group Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Waldorf in the same category, as they are all sort of alternatives to the mainstream classroom. They're great for some kids and less great for other kids. As far as other charters in the area, their websites can tell you more about their educational approach. Inspired Teaching is a demonstration school. Creative Minds does project based learning and has an international focus. Other schools focus on other things. There is a charter expo where you can learn more about the various programs by talking to representatives from the school and the PTA. There will also be open houses starting in a couple months where you can tour the school and get a feel for their program. Last year, all the charters had separate applications. There is talk of a common application but I don't know what the status of that is.

Lots of good stuff in this response, but the bolded section is inaccurate--if you get in IB then you are not allowed to stay if you move OOB, unless the principal makes an exception for you. I would not bank on it, and I think DCPS is going to be cracking down on this more and more at WOTP schools.

[Anonymous]

Its always so many threads about the same bs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:-That said, how exactly do you all go about researching the best options?

-Charter Schools seem to have different learning styles - but I've read about them and still don't get it. Why would someone choose a Montessori or another style of teaching? I was thinking of a charter for the dual language immersion but am I missing something?

-If you don't get in to your first choice Pre-K, do you get into a back up choice? Then if you chose to stick with the back up choice for elementary can you do that or do you have to go back to the lottery? (I'm thinking ahead, because we need to move eventually so the in bound ES might not even be an option down the road.) Is it stupid to pick an out of bound Pre-K as your first choice then the in bound Pre-K? Will that ruin your chances of getting into the in bound school?

There are a lot of ways to do your research, which largely depends on what your priorities for your child's education are and what your family life looks like. You can find your in bounds school on the DCPS website (which it sounds like you have already done). You will have to lottery for PK4 for this school. When your child is starting kindergarten, you will not have to lottery, and the process will be different. In the DCPS lottery last year, the process went like this. You are allowed to choose to lottery for 6 schools, which you must rank in order of preference. If you are admitted to a school, you will be eliminated from consideration for all the schools you ranked lower than the school you're admitted to. As a result of this preference system, it's important to rank your choices wisely. If you rank your in bounds school as #1 but would rather send your child to the school you ranked as #4, where you do not have neighborhood (or any other kind of) preference, it is not unlikely that you will be offered a space at your #1 ranked school and eliminated from considering the other 5 schools. How you choose which schools to apply to can be related to any number of things. I chose schools that were between my home and my job that had decent test scores and seemed like good places to send my child. I also chose her in bound school, which I am less fond of. I ranked it last, just in case. She ended up being offered a spot at my #3 choice, so I don't even know where we would have fallen on the wait lists for schools 4-6. If you are accepted to, for example, your #3 school, you are still put on the wait list for schools 1 and 2.

Once you are admitted into a pre-school program, you may remain in that school through elementary school if you choose to do so. If you send your child to your in bounds school and then move out of bounds, it is my understanding that as long as you are still in DC, you can stay in the school. If you move out of DC, I don't know what the rules are. Certainly you would need to pay tuition, if you are permitted to remain. You'd need to ask the school, though.

Charter schools are a different situation. You mentioned language immersion and Montessori, which are two of a number of options for charter curricula. Some families want language immersion, and that's generally not offered at a run-of-the-mill public school, so they explore charters and private schools to meet that requirement. Montessori is an established curriculum that seems to be most common for younger children - preschool and elementary school. The program encourages independence, with children largely self-regulating their learning experience. I personally group Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Waldorf in the same category, as they are all sort of alternatives to the mainstream classroom. They're great for some kids and less great for other kids. As far as other charters in the area, their websites can tell you more about their educational approach. Inspired Teaching is a demonstration school. Creative Minds does project based learning and has an international focus. Other schools focus on other things. There is a charter expo where you can learn more about the various programs by talking to representatives from the school and the PTA. There will also be open houses starting in a couple months where you can tour the school and get a feel for their program. Last year, all the charters had separate applications. There is talk of a common application but I don't know what the status of that is.

Lots of good stuff in this response, but the bolded section is inaccurate--if you get in IB then you are not allowed to stay if you move OOB, unless the principal makes an exception for you. I would not bank on it, and I think DCPS is going to be cracking down on this more and more at WOTP schools.

PP here. I apologize! I thought that once you were in, you were in. I wouldn't bank on it either, but I also wouldn't let the potential of a future move deter me from applying to a school that was a good fit now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its always so many threads about the same bs

And yes, PP, there are a lot of threads about this every year because every year, people participate in the process for the first time. Maybe if people like you were not so hostile about it, people would be less intimidated by the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its always so many threads about the same bs

And yes, PP, there are a lot of threads about this every year because every year, people participate in the process for the first time. Maybe if people like you were not so hostile about it, people would be less intimidated by the process.

+1.

If you don't want to be helpful to a newbie, then ignore the post.

[Anonymous]

+1. This is extremely helpful to me. I admit that the responses on this board can be very hostile and condescending....much like the previous negative poster. Thank you OP for asking the question. And thanks to all who replied with positive information.

[Anonymous]

Glad I'm not the only one confused here! Thanks for the helpful and patient responders!

[Anonymous]

There are a couple of really helpful events that I attended my first year. First, MOTH (Moms on the Hill) has an event which is really helpful (and you don't need to live on the Hill to go). While, most of the schools that go are located on the Hill - I didn't live on the Hill and attended as "dry run" so to speak. I learned a lot about the process from that event so I wasn't completely overwhelmed when it was time ask schools I was really interested in.

The Charter School Expo is also a good place to visit. You can meet the Administration and some of the parents of all of the charter schools in DC. This is a good place to get a feel for each of the programs and meet some of the parents at the schools. Its a chance to talk to the parents and school and ask questions about their programs.

Also, all of the schools have open houses. You can check out your IB school, some of the charter schools etc.

[Anonymous]

Wow!!! OP here. I was out with the little one this morning and highly anticipating the responses here and you all did NOT disappoint. Thank you, truly. This is really so helpful for us.

The In Bound school for us is Ross, and I'm really happy seeing how that's changed over the years. But the more you read, you know how you start to second guess yourself, and think, "Is this the best we could do? Should I also look at a charter or private option?" Knowing there's a charter expo is super helpful, I will look into that.

If we could expand in our current space, I'd love to stay here. We just may have to move elsewhere to get some more space and we're not even set on any particular neighborhood so that's definitely a wild card. But much like a PP said, I really can't make decisions for a move that hasn't happened yet, and the way we make decisions around here our kid could be in college before we move.