New to DC-Help with PK3 IB for Thomson

[Anonymous]

Moving to DC and will be IB for Thomson, but cannot find much information online. Any information on the school and the after school program would be appreciated. Proximity (public transport) is a big plus for me but other schools I am looking into are:

Seaton
Ross (i have heard impossible to get into- so will probably take out)
two rivers
Brent
MV
school within a school
inspired teaching (though commute does not look like fun)


Thanks!

[Anonymous]

What grade?

Brent impossible if 3rd or younger.

[Anonymous]

Here is the best compiled info to help you.

http://www.learndc.org

[Anonymous]

Thomson is a good school and has been quite stable for a number of years. Lots of ELL (both Spanish and Chinese-speaking), so your kid will have a diverse community of peers. There is not a traditional playground on-site. I know several families who are happy there.

Is your commute towards the Capitol? Otherwise, School within a School is quite out of the way for you. Depending on where you'll be in the Thomson boundary, you should also include School Without Walls at Francis Stevens on your list. Maybe Cleveland Elementary (separate slots for English and Spanish) or Van Ness Elementary, if you're near the green line.

Ross and Brent will definitely not have spots for out of boundary PK3.

[Anonymous]

Appletree (Columbia Heights and Southwest) are both near the green line metros and 14th St. bus lines. Since they only take 3 and 4 year olds there are not as many kids getting in through sibling preference and it may be easier for you to get a spot. DC Bilingual and Bridges (new location) are close to the Fort Totten metro. Without knowing whether/where you work it's hard to suggest places that would be a convenient commute. Note that there are two campuses of Two Rivers so if you really like them you can apply to both locations and use two lottery picks--but the locations are different so one might be an easier trip for you.

[Anonymous]

Seaton is also on the green line and close to you (if you are IB for Thomson).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Moving to DC and will be IB for Thomson, but cannot find much information online. Any information on the school and the after school program would be appreciated. Proximity (public transport) is a big plus for me but other schools I am looking into are:

Seaton
Ross (i have heard impossible to get into- so will probably take out)
two rivers
Brent
MV
school within a school
inspired teaching (though commute does not look like fun)


Thanks!

When will you be in DC? You need to provide evidence of residency to enroll.

[Anonymous]

I was expecting to like Thomson after hearing from a family there and learning a colleague was interested, but the recess area was depressing and the staff (aside from the woman who ran the open house) weren't friendly. I was also a little concerned when one of the (very sweet) kids who gave us the tour couldn't say one word in Chinese when they are supposed to have regular instruction. I also got concerning vibes from one of the PK teachers who was on her phone when we walked in and another was reading to the kids with zero enthusiasm.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the tips. I will add Cleveland and Vaness We have signed a lease already and will move in March. And should have mentioned this earlier I am working near McPherson square so all lines are close besides the Green.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the tips. I will add Cleveland and Vaness We have signed a lease already and will move in March. And should have mentioned this earlier I am working near McPherson square so all lines are close besides the Green.

McPherson Square is only 10 city blocks from the Green Line (15-20 minute walk). Just FYI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was expecting to like Thomson after hearing from a family there and learning a colleague was interested, but the recess area was depressing and the staff (aside from the woman who ran the open house) weren't friendly. I was also a little concerned when one of the (very sweet) kids who gave us the tour couldn't say one word in Chinese when they are supposed to have regular instruction. I also got concerning vibes from one of the PK teachers who was on her phone when we walked in and another was reading to the kids with zero enthusiasm.

I had the same experience 2 years ago. I really wanted to like it because the test scores were impressive. I was not impressed with the principal (she was the AP transitioning to principal I think). She was not organized and didn't even know what middle school Thomson fed into. Overall, the PK teachers looked bored and not at all enthusiastic like other schools I toured. There were positives, however. I went into an upper grade class, and I was very impressed with the kids as they were discussing Shakespeare. I wouldn't worry too much about the Chinese. The kids only get 1 day of Chinese a week. It's not meant to be an extensive instruction in Mandarin. But during the tour, the principal mentioned that they were planning to cut back on foreign language instruction. Not sure if that happened or not.

[Anonymous]

We are at Thomson and have had a great two years at the school and are really looking forward to kindergarten. The school is run well and we find the staff to be really friendly and helpful. The principal just received one of the first DCPS multi-year contracts (not year-to-year), which shows the success she has had at the school. She had almost 100 percent staff retention this year, which is almost unheard of in DCPS. Teachers seem to be very happy and invested in the school.

The play areas grow on you. Its nice to know that that kids can go outside for recess when it rains and snows. They don't have to worry that the facilities are too wet or that its too sunny in hot days in June. We actually play there a lot afterschool, because its safe for the kids to run around and have some free time with friends.

The school is committed to Mandarin as a foreign language. When we started at the school, we were told that Pre-K was not going to get the language as a special. But, they have it for a portion of the year rotating with other subjects. That is one area where there hasn't been the greatest staff consistency.

I don't have my kids in aftercare, so I can't comment on that part of the question.

I am saddened to read that others felt the school did not present well in their estimation. People are working really hard there and I think it shows. The kids are also so proud to show off their school on these tours. But, I hope everyone is able to find a good fit for their children. Everyone seems to find a place at this end of this crazy process.

[Anonymous]

The parking lot playground is not ideal, but it was what I expected based on the downtown location. I also think it's something that parents care/complain more about than kids. I was actually pretty impressed with the facilities. If I remember correctly (I toured years ago) they have a library, cafeteria (with a stage for performances) and an indoor gym which was a nice surprise to me. My school doesn't have any of that.