Fall open houses?

[Anonymous]

My DC will be old enough to start PK3 in 2019 so we’ll be entering the spring lottery. I’ve heard that many schools have fall open houses, but I’m not sure how to find out about them. I’ve checked school websites and myschooldc but I haven’t seen anything. Do I just keep checking back or is there somewhere else to look? DC #2 is due around lottery time and I’d like to do as much legwork as I can in advance. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Just keep checking back. Tell us where you live and we can help you make your list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just keep checking back. Tell us where you live and we can help you make your list.

Thanks. I’ll keep checking. I’m in NE DC - Brookland/Edgewood area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just keep checking back. Tell us where you live and we can help you make your list.

Thanks. I’ll keep checking. I’m in NE DC - Brookland/Edgewood area.

Sounds like Noyes? That's a good area because there are a zillion schools around, but it can make for an overwhelming pre-lottery prep. I had the same situation with a December baby, I was 3 weeks postpartum and schlepping to all these open houses. Which was not really worth it in the end, because our number was terrible.

Open Houses will start as early as November, and you don't have to have final decisions until March, so it will work out. You can go to the Langley table at the Bloomingdale Farmers Market on October 14 and meet the principal there. The important thing about an Open House is to meet the leadership, check out the building (buildings vary widely, especially when it comes to gym/outdoor space), and reality-check your commute and the parking.

There is a lot of research you can do from home. Check out the QSR and FAR for each school on the DCPCSB website. Consider whether you like Tools of the Mind or Creative Curriculum, and whether a socioemotional program is important to you (Conscious Discipline or Second Step). Ask for parent feedback on NextDoor or other social media, and pay special attention to what the parents of older children say. The parents of preschoolers are usually pretty satisfied, and they don't know where the bodies are buried.

Remember that by far the most likely outcome is your neighborhood school or a less-appealing charter. With enough spins of the wheel, in Ward 5, you'll get into something better eventually. So if you don't have a good number, embrace the convenience and don't fret. DCPS preschool is fine pretty much everywhere, and it's much easier to get in to other schools as your child grows older or when you have sibling preference.

I would suggest you avoid City Arts and Prep, because the rumor is they'll be shut down. Check out their QSR.

[Anonymous]

Another place to look is a school's Facebook page.

But honestly I would just call the schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just keep checking back. Tell us where you live and we can help you make your list.


It was mentioned that City Arts and Prep in Ward 5 might shut down. Not sure if that is true or not. However, that’s a school that DCPS should try to take over to diversify its offerings to students. Seemed like an OK school during Open House and this type of school has potential and could be an asset for kids looking for something different. Maybe the Ward Five school board candidates should look at this.

Thanks. I’ll keep checking. I’m in NE DC - Brookland/Edgewood area.

Sounds like Noyes? That's a good area because there are a zillion schools around, but it can make for an overwhelming pre-lottery prep. I had the same situation with a December baby, I was 3 weeks postpartum and schlepping to all these open houses. Which was not really worth it in the end, because our number was terrible.

Open Houses will start as early as November, and you don't have to have final decisions until March, so it will work out. You can go to the Langley table at the Bloomingdale Farmers Market on October 14 and meet the principal there. The important thing about an Open House is to meet the leadership, check out the building (buildings vary widely, especially when it comes to gym/outdoor space), and reality-check your commute and the parking.

There is a lot of research you can do from home. Check out the QSR and FAR for each school on the DCPCSB website. Consider whether you like Tools of the Mind or Creative Curriculum, and whether a socioemotional program is important to you (Conscious Discipline or Second Step). Ask for parent feedback on NextDoor or other social media, and pay special attention to what the parents of older children say. The parents of preschoolers are usually pretty satisfied, and they don't know where the bodies are buried.

Remember that by far the most likely outcome is your neighborhood school or a less-appealing charter. With enough spins of the wheel, in Ward 5, you'll get into something better eventually. So if you don't have a good number, embrace the convenience and don't fret. DCPS preschool is fine pretty much everywhere, and it's much easier to get in to other schools as your child grows older or when you have sibling preference.

I would suggest you avoid City Arts and Prep, because the rumor is they'll be shut down. Check out their QSR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just keep checking back. Tell us where you live and we can help you make your list.

Thanks. I’ll keep checking. I’m in NE DC - Brookland/Edgewood area.

Sounds like Noyes? That's a good area because there are a zillion schools around, but it can make for an overwhelming pre-lottery prep. I had the same situation with a December baby, I was 3 weeks postpartum and schlepping to all these open houses. Which was not really worth it in the end, because our number was terrible.

Open Houses will start as early as November, and you don't have to have final decisions until March, so it will work out. You can go to the Langley table at the Bloomingdale Farmers Market on October 14 and meet the principal there. The important thing about an Open House is to meet the leadership, check out the building (buildings vary widely, especially when it comes to gym/outdoor space), and reality-check your commute and the parking.

There is a lot of research you can do from home. Check out the QSR and FAR for each school on the DCPCSB website. Consider whether you like Tools of the Mind or Creative Curriculum, and whether a socioemotional program is important to you (Conscious Discipline or Second Step). Ask for parent feedback on NextDoor or other social media, and pay special attention to what the parents of older children say. The parents of preschoolers are usually pretty satisfied, and they don't know where the bodies are buried.

Remember that by far the most likely outcome is your neighborhood school or a less-appealing charter. With enough spins of the wheel, in Ward 5, you'll get into something better eventually. So if you don't have a good number, embrace the convenience and don't fret. DCPS preschool is fine pretty much everywhere, and it's much easier to get in to other schools as your child grows older or when you have sibling preference.

I would suggest you avoid City Arts and Prep, because the rumor is they'll be shut down. Check out their QSR.

Yes, we’re inbound to Noyes. There are so many options here, so we’re hoping even if we don’t have a great lottery number we’ll still end up with a good placement, though as you said it may take a couple of years to get there. I’ve started some research, but wanted to be sure I’m not missing open houses. Thanks for the advice!

[Anonymous]

DCPS will not take over City Arts because it doesn't need more capacity in that area. They have been through so many failed charter operators, I think the building is cursed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just keep checking back. Tell us where you live and we can help you make your list.

Thanks. I’ll keep checking. I’m in NE DC - Brookland/Edgewood area.

Sounds like Noyes? That's a good area because there are a zillion schools around, but it can make for an overwhelming pre-lottery prep. I had the same situation with a December baby, I was 3 weeks postpartum and schlepping to all these open houses. Which was not really worth it in the end, because our number was terrible.

Open Houses will start as early as November, and you don't have to have final decisions until March, so it will work out. You can go to the Langley table at the Bloomingdale Farmers Market on October 14 and meet the principal there. The important thing about an Open House is to meet the leadership, check out the building (buildings vary widely, especially when it comes to gym/outdoor space), and reality-check your commute and the parking.

There is a lot of research you can do from home. Check out the QSR and FAR for each school on the DCPCSB website. Consider whether you like Tools of the Mind or Creative Curriculum, and whether a socioemotional program is important to you (Conscious Discipline or Second Step). Ask for parent feedback on NextDoor or other social media, and pay special attention to what the parents of older children say. The parents of preschoolers are usually pretty satisfied, and they don't know where the bodies are buried.

Remember that by far the most likely outcome is your neighborhood school or a less-appealing charter. With enough spins of the wheel, in Ward 5, you'll get into something better eventually. So if you don't have a good number, embrace the convenience and don't fret. DCPS preschool is fine pretty much everywhere, and it's much easier to get in to other schools as your child grows older or when you have sibling preference.

I would suggest you avoid City Arts and Prep, because the rumor is they'll be shut down. Check out their QSR.

Yes, we’re inbound to Noyes. There are so many options here, so we’re hoping even if we don’t have a great lottery number we’ll still end up with a good placement, though as you said it may take a couple of years to get there. I’ve started some research, but wanted to be sure I’m not missing open houses. Thanks for the advice!

Check out Langley if it's convenient for you. We have a lot of people from the Edgewood area. Really nice building, socioemotional program, very warm atmosphere.