Inspired Teaching School

[Anonymous]

I'm in the late 20s and haven't heard anything fyi

[Anonymous]

Unless they are giving parents more time to hand in the 2nd round of paperwork, the administration probably won't know about open slots until very close to the start of school.

Unfortunately, there are still a lot of people holding space at 2 or 3 different schools and those parents submit all the paperwork, to all of the schools. I believe it would not be until these parents either call to decline a spot, it's discovered that they are registered at more than one school or, they simply don't show the first week of school, that the staff can call a child off the waitlist.

I can tell you that there have been several playdates over the course of the summer for several of the grades-- particularly the PreS -and my understanding is they have been pretty well attended. (I don't have a Pre-schooler but my child's grade had at least 12 kids in attendance at their playdate).

The idea is to foster a community so there is less of a chance of parents switching schools at the last minute. This MAY be a factor in the slow down in wait list movement as well--at least that is what the school is hoping.

Is high 20s your current number or the number you started with? I would call Tony and get an update on your status.

I've had the opportunity to meet and interact with many of the families and it is a very nice community of people. I wish you much luck in being able to join us!

[Anonymous]

School's current office number is 202-462-1956. Zoe doesn't usually answer the phone but she's pretty good at calling or emailing back.

[Anonymous]

Our wait list number was in the low 20s for pk4 and we got a call 2 weeks ago. We have accepted the spot and can't wait for school to begin!

[Anonymous]

FYI: The school has just announced its before- and aftercare provider, Springboard Afterschool, and its lunch provider, Revolution Foods. Both look like great providers (Logan Montessori is also using Springboard), but prices are not available for either yet, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

The cost for Springboard at Logan is 270 per month for Aftercare and About 109 per month for before care. Both services are about 359. Its rather expensive considering DCPS Afterschool for All doesnt even charge at about 90% of its locations. Parents aren't too happy about the costs.

Here is the Springboard Logan Link:

http://www.springboardafterschool.com/springboard-schools/washington-d-c/logan-watkins/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The cost for Springboard at Logan is 270 per month for Aftercare and About 109 per month for before care. Both services are about 359. Its rather expensive considering DCPS Afterschool for All doesnt even charge at about 90% of its locations. Parents aren't too happy about the costs.

Here is the Springboard Logan Link:

http://www.springboardafterschool.com/springboard-schools/washington-d-c/logan-watkins/

DCPS Aftercare is not good at most schools--no structure/activities and TV watching at many schools (I know first hand at 2 schools and I have heard this from other parents). At the popular DCPS schools (at least the ones that come up on DCUM) they offer alternative programs that are contracted out or parent run that cost more but provide better services for kids, e.g. Springboard, Polite Piggies, Janey Extended Day. The hourly cost for Springboard at Logan is about $4.50 -- that is not expensive to essentially watch your child in an enriched environment.

[Anonymous]

Mundo Verde is charging something like $620 for before/aftercare. Can even middle class parents afford an amount like this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mundo Verde is charging something like $620 for before/aftercare. Can even middle class parents afford an amount like this?

Do most people really do both before and aftercare? $400 for aftercare seems reasonable. My understanding is that the extra amounts are for extended aftercare, which isn't usually offered anywhere and before care.

[Anonymous]

When I toured our local DCPS and they told me that $5 was the daily cost for after care I was pretty surprised at the low cost. I have serious doubts that a quality program can be offered for such a low sum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mundo Verde is charging something like $620 for before/aftercare. Can even middle class parents afford an amount like this?

The only way I can imagine $620 would be unaffordable for middle-class parents in DC is if the family is a one parent family with 2 or more children that makes less than $75K per year and works full-time. What are the demographics around here for the middle-class? I don't meet many people that are squarely in the middle--most are lower-middle bordering on working class or upper-middle and most demographic data for the city supports this conclusion (and I am not talking about the surrounding suburbs which shouldn't matter for this discussion as they shouldn't be attending DC schools without paying tuition). Unfortunately, the city is becoming very divided (very poor or upper-middle). If a family is upper middle and can't afford $620 something is wrong with their finances, i.e. living beyond their means, underwater on their mortgage, medical issues, etc. I can see lower-middle having difficulty paying $620 per month but MV (according to another thread) has a sliding scale, maybe IT should do the same (I suspect that the contract with Springboard will be slightly more expensive than Logan because of the relationship with DCPS). The problem for any parent at any of the schools with higher aftercare cost, e.g. YY, AppleTree, 2Rs, Logan is if their income falls between $35K and $75K for a family of 3 or 4, then I would say, yes these middle-class parents couldn't afford these rates for before and aftercare. I would also be curious how they survive in this city with the cost of rent and real estate. If I was solidly in the middle and didn't own my home outright or rent control, I wouldn't live in this city, however, I realize that is part of the problem!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mundo Verde is charging something like $620 for before/aftercare. Can even middle class parents afford an amount like this?

The only way I can imagine $620 would be unaffordable for middle-class parents in DC is if the family is a one parent family with 2 or more children that makes less than $75K per year and works full-time.

$75k in "income" or take home pay? Is there another child in full-time daycare? Child support payments? What's their mortgage or rent payment? Do they have a car? Does their employer cover medical, or do they pay a hefty portion? How much do they pay for transportation to/from work each month?

All of these play a factor in what is truly "affordable" for each family, but the only things usually considered are household size & total income.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mundo Verde is charging something like $620 for before/aftercare. Can even middle class parents afford an amount like this?

The only way I can imagine $620 would be unaffordable for middle-class parents in DC is if the family is a one parent family with 2 or more children that makes less than $75K per year and works full-time.

$75k in "income" or take home pay? Is there another child in full-time daycare? Child support payments? What's their mortgage or rent payment? Do they have a car? Does their employer cover medical, or do they pay a hefty portion? How much do they pay for transportation to/from work each month?

All of these play a factor in what is truly "affordable" for each family, but the only things usually considered are household size & total income.

If a family has to deal with all those issues they are not solidly middle class if you define by debt to income ratio. But your point makes sense in how affordability is calculated. Still, school is "free" thru taxes not childcare before and after school. There is cost that has to be passed down to the user. Where should the money come from to subsidize the cost of hiring a vendor or hiring staff and providing snacks and activities? I was told by a board member at another charter that the fees charged also go toward supporting the school programs. If IT gets the service at approx $400 for before and aftercare that would be great but overall I think it is reasonable for parents in general to pay $7 or less per hour for childcare and that is what I paid at Appletree at $400 per month for aftercare only.

[Anonymous]

I must admit, I had to regroup after hearing Springboard's price for after care at Logan because—in addition to having several kids who will take place in the Aftercare program at IT-- we are coming from a DCPS where the aftercare was almost free.

However, when my husband and I broke it down, the cost for what is being provided is not unreasonable. I was just spoiled by the low DCPS after care prices.

I know some parents were unhappy with their experience with DCPS aftercare programs, but at the school where my DC attended, it was great because it was staffed with many of the teachers/and teacher’s aides. Moreover, the PTA looked for free/low cost enrichment programs as supplements.

I should note that, DCPS schools that offer the low cost aftercare do so because they have a certain percentage of FARM students. When the demographics changed at my DC’s previous school we were informed that the school would probably be kicked out of the DCPS after care program in the next year, and they were in the process of trying to identify a good contracted provider.

It was tough because there were many parents at our school who could afford the contracted care prices with all the extra enrichment programs, but there were still a number of parents for which it was going to be a burden.

Unless the school community steps up with fundraising activities to help families in need, there may be some parents who—after fighting hard to find a better educational alternative for their child—may be forced out of their first choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I must admit, I had to regroup after hearing Springboard's price for after care at Logan because—in addition to having several kids who will take place in the Aftercare program at IT-- we are coming from a DCPS where the aftercare was almost free.

However, when my husband and I broke it down, the cost for what is being provided is not unreasonable. I was just spoiled by the low DCPS after care prices.

I know some parents were unhappy with their experience with DCPS aftercare programs, but at the school where my DC attended, it was great because it was staffed with many of the teachers/and teacher’s aides. Moreover, the PTA looked for free/low cost enrichment programs as supplements.

I should note that, DCPS schools that offer the low cost aftercare do so because they have a certain percentage of FARM students. When the demographics changed at my DC’s previous school we were informed that the school would probably be kicked out of the DCPS after care program in the next year, and they were in the process of trying to identify a good contracted provider.

It was tough because there were many parents at our school who could afford the contracted care prices with all the extra enrichment programs, but there were still a number of parents for which it was going to be a burden.

Unless the school community steps up with fundraising activities to help families in need, there may be some parents who—after fighting hard to find a better educational alternative for their child—may be forced out of their first choice.

I think it would be reasonable to approach the school and ask for a sibling discount. I believe that is the case at most schools (I know of 2 charters). Probably should be a school-wide policy.