DCI feeder families, with 4th graders, lottery?
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Anonymous
| If you're child will be entering 5th next year, are you entering the lottery for any middle schools? Is this with the hope to leave the DCI feeder and with the feeling you need to keep all options open? (If you're comfortable sharing the feeder, that would be interesting too, but understood if that's not comfortable.) |
Anonymous
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Just so you know, I believe DCI is offering shadow days to fourth graders in feeder elementaries. You are right that if you are NOT interested in DCI, your best bet is to play the lottery this year.
I think it really depends on what your particular kid might benefit more from, and what do you prioritize with education. (a parent of a DCI student not from a feeder) |
Anonymous
| My feeling is that a lot of us are trying for Latin just to see what happens. |
Anonymous
| BASIS DC is the best option for any academically minded kid. |
Anonymous
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Check out this link and questions on DCi:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1103898.page;jsessionid=9551B51504B1975FB9721552F78A1557.dcum1 |
Anonymous
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My experience is 3 and 4 years old, so maybe not that useful, but in case it makes anyone feel better, a lot of people I know at feeders with my kids and others we know from activities played the lottery in 4th. A few got Basis. (Actually maybe more than a few got in at Basis, but only a few decided to make the move each year). A few got Latin. Most of those who switched are happy enough. A couple did switch back. Most of those that stayed for DCI are happy enough.
All in all there are some things to complain about at each school but most families ended up relatively content. |
Anonymous
I think the IB is a much more rigorous program than taking a bunch of AP tests. I think DCI offers much more in terms of sports, clubs, extracurricular, than Basis. |
Anonymous
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It never hurts to keep options open. There is serious FOMO in DC. That being said, here are some of the important questions/concerns to ask yourself or investigate in deciding between feeding to DCI or switching to Latin or BASIS (or an elementary school that feeds somewhere else if that’s also on your radar)
(1) is foreign language the main priority in your child’s education? For example, you won’t get a foreign language at BASIS until 8th grade and even then you child will be placed in beginner Spanish, French, Chinese or Latin, regardless of prior knowledge/experience. DCI is clearly the choice if advancing in the foreign language your child has been studying is the educational priority…. (2) is math/science a priority in your child’s education? Or is your child super academic in general? If so, BASIS is the clear choice. (3) what is your commute ability/flexibility? DCI is very far from its feeder schools and potentially not as easily accessible (BASIS has lots of public transportation available for it and Latin offers a bus). DCI also has early release on Fridays. Does your home or job make a particular school more or less accessible? (4) how do you feel about IB versus AP? DCI has IB (as does Deal Middle school). Latin and BASIS are not IB schools and focus on APs instead. (5) do you have an older or younger sibling to consider and how much does it matter to you that your kids attend the same school? If you’re at a feeder school which has duplicated and in a Spanish program your younger child may not be guaranteed a future spot at DCI. Many families are surprised to learn that DCI does not currently stack a feeder preference with a sibling preference. (This could change since it has not yet been an issue because the duplicated schools do not yet have 5th grade classes trying to feed in). It’s important to investigate the chances of a spot for your younger child down the road if you want the kids at the same school. (Latin and BASIS and every other school has the usual sibling preference). Similarly, if you want kids at the same school and one of them is less academic, you might not want to try for BASIS. (6) does your child have learning differences and how well can a school meet their needs? (7) have you taken a tour or had your kid experience a shadow day to get a better sense of the school and the best fit? The answers to these questions should help you decide the best fit for your kid. Try not to worry too much about what others are doing. You will likely find many feeder families are going to stick around for DCI for middle but might make a different choice in high school. You have to decide what’s right for your child based on the information you have right now. Good luck! |
Anonymous
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We are a feeder family. We wanted to explore all options so went to the Latin open house to get a sense of the school, admin, curriculum, etc.. We also checked out their website. After having done both, we have decided we are not interested in Latin and will not be playing the lottery for 5th grade for them.
Having done above, it further strengthen our decision to stay at our elementary and go to DCI. |
Anonymous
+1. Absolutely agree about IB and wanted to add that it focuses a lot on writing and critical analysis which I believe is very important. I say that as someone who is in a STEM field. As to sports, clubs, and extracurriculars there is just no comparison. DCI blows Basis away. Also, I want my child to have a good, happy well rounded middle and high school experience like I did, not some pressure cooker, AP focus at the expense of all else. |
Anonymous
If so then I suggest you go to the open house at 2nd street before it’s too late to see what they are all about. We did and big let down in regards to leadership/administration and facilities. |
Anonymous
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DCI scores in the bottom half of the word in IB scores.
Not impressed. There are schools in India in areas with a fraction of the income of the DMV that do better in IB. |
Anonymous
LOL. If these are the 16 or so clubs at DCI, I don't think the school blows anyone away: https://dcinternationalschool.org/dci-life/clubs/q4-activities/ Seems pretty similar to BASIS DC except the latter doesn't have a dog walking club. |
Anonymous
I am sure that DCI does a good job teaching kids’ a second language but the IB “rigor” at DCI is a myth. Just compare PARCC scores between DCI and BASIS DC. Take proficiency scores for 8th grade, for example, after kids have been at each school for several years: DCI: ELA 48.73% Math 33.05% BASIS ELA 85.22% Math 73.3% |
Anonymous
16 clubs and 8 sports for quarter 4. Other offerings in clubs and sports for quarters 1-3. So yes, totally blows Basis away. |