LAMB vs DCPS Immersion with major Tradeoffs

[Anonymous]

My child has a low waitlist number (I think - 11?) for LAMB South Dakota PK3. If we get in, it would be bit of a hike (~20-25 minutes one way by car or bike). I’m wondering if it’s worth the horrid commute for 1 year to transfer to LAMB Kingsbury.

Spanish is important to us. Our alternative is Bethune for PK and then aiming to move in two year and switch to an immersion DCPS school. Most likely Oyster Adams or Marie Reed as it seems to have more availability for 2-bed condos, but maybe Bancroft as well. We like that Oyster Adams goes through Middle School and the LAMB feeds to DCI from what I understand (but maybe not guaranteed?). High school seems way too far away to plan for at this point though, ha.

Huge trade offs both ways - bad commute for a year vs planning to move within a couple years. Is one scenario better? Do either of the schools make the sacrifices more worth it?

From what I can tell, all of the schools I’ve mentioned are good options, but I’m not sure how to compare.

Might be a mute point if we don’t get off the waitlist at LAMB SD. Anybody how much time do you get to decide once you get an offer?

[Anonymous]

Oyster Adams is worth basically everything if your goal is immersion.

[Anonymous]

It all boils down to demographics. DCPS has IB kids where Charters do not brining in a variance of demographics if you know what I mean.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, the lottery is going to make this decision for you- if you get into LAMB you just have more time to decide if you want to move to the Oyster/Bancroft school zones for access to Jackson-Reed for HS in the long term. One year of schlepping to South Dakota from Ward 4 is going to go by faster than you realize and I would counsel against it weighing too heavily on you.

[Anonymous]

25min is not that bad for a year.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you don't want to move. It's pretty personal, though. Just one comment on the "bad commute": obviously it'd be great to have a short commute, but if you do end up biting the bullet and take the long commute, it might be helpful to think of that as bonding time with your kid. I drag my kids through the metro in the morning, and yeah, while I wish I didn't have to do it, it's kind of interesting to see them getting to know the world and have that time to chat.

[Anonymous]

Do you want Montessori? It’s really different from a traditional curriculum.

I don’t think much is worth giving up a very good chance at a DCI feed.

Good luck with your decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, the lottery is going to make this decision for you- if you get into LAMB you just have more time to decide if you want to move to the Oyster/Bancroft school zones for access to Jackson-Reed for HS in the long term. One year of schlepping to South Dakota from Ward 4 is going to go by faster than you realize and I would counsel against it weighing too heavily on you.

This is the right thinking. If you get into LAMB, you should take it because it gives you two options to consider for MS & HS - staying at LAMB for DCI or moving for OA and its feed. You don't really need to worry about HS yet, but at the same time, it is very nice to have that taken care of. Plus LAMB is a great school. We did the 25-minute commute to South Dakota for 3 years and while it isn't the top choice of how to spend 50 minutes a day, it also isn't that bad. Also, moving into the OA boundaries is not cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It all boils down to demographics. DCPS has IB kids where Charters do not brining in a variance of demographics if you know what I mean.

Actually the opposite is true for most but not all DCPS and charters, but carry on.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t give up a spot at LAMB, regardless of campus. But the waitlist is also hundreds long so I’m sure lots of families feel the same way!

[Anonymous]

I think you have a week to decide if you get a waitlist offer. LAMB asked for an enrollment decision within a week of getting matched (so actually been wondering if there will be any waitlist movement this week, or if they'll actually give people some sort of grace period... anyone know from prior years??).

Montessori vs. traditional school seems like something you should def consider. The commute also seems solvable - find a carpool so it's not everyday. I think lots of parents who are at SD this year will likely live closer to Kingsbury given its the last year and will be in a similar boat as you.

[Anonymous]

If it's relevant to you from an immersion perspective, LAMB seems to be unable to lift indoor masking. Pretty sure LAMB will be masking next year. That may or may not be pertinent if your child is learning a second language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you have a week to decide if you get a waitlist offer. LAMB asked for an enrollment decision within a week of getting matched (so actually been wondering if there will be any waitlist movement this week, or if they'll actually give people some sort of grace period... anyone know from prior years??).

Montessori vs. traditional school seems like something you should def consider. The commute also seems solvable - find a carpool so it's not everyday. I think lots of parents who are at SD this year will likely live closer to Kingsbury given its the last year and will be in a similar boat as you.

LAMB can ask for people to enroll within a week but parents have until early May to enroll if they matched. LAMB can’t deny them enrollment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: LAMB can ask for people to enroll within a week but parents have until early May to enroll if they matched. LAMB can’t deny them enrollment.

We matched at LAMB SD and were out of town when we got the news. I asked for an extension to submit all the enrollment document and here's what they said:

"Yes, an extension can be granted. If you are able to provide all required paperwork by Friday, April 8th, it would be greatly appreciated! Just please be aware that we are not able to approve xxx's spot until all paperwork is received. It does not mean the spot will be given away; we can not proceed with the approval on MySchoolDC."

I submitted all the paper work on April 8 and MySchoolDC hasn't been updated as of today (4/12), so they must be backed up in processing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: LAMB can ask for people to enroll within a week but parents have until early May to enroll if they matched. LAMB can’t deny them enrollment.

We matched at LAMB SD and were out of town when we got the news. I asked for an extension to submit all the enrollment document and here's what they said:

"Yes, an extension can be granted. If you are able to provide all required paperwork by Friday, April 8th, it would be greatly appreciated! Just please be aware that we are not able to approve xxx's spot until all paperwork is received. It does not mean the spot will be given away; we can not proceed with the approval on MySchoolDC."

I submitted all the paper work on April 8 and MySchoolDC hasn't been updated as of today (4/12), so they must be backed up in processing.

Yeah I hear you. Regardless of their request you have until May 2 or whatever to enroll.