Eaton, Key and Stoddert

[Anonymous]

Matched, seat offered and low waitlist number under 3. What reading/phonics curriculum do these schools use for K/1st? Not basing it on anything other than the school, which would you choose?

[Anonymous]

Choose the school with the best commute. Seriously. And factor in how close you can park to the school on any given morning. Also look into any after care considerations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Choose the school with the best commute. Seriously. And factor in how close you can park to the school on any given morning. Also look into any after care considerations.

.

Clearly says “Not basing on anything else” which means commute. I know Eaton you’ll be able to get aftercare nonissue. Key - not so much. Not sure about Stoddert.

[Anonymous]

It seems that all three school have good reputations, the same feeder pattern and use the same or similar curriculums (all are DCPS). I doubt you'll find somebody who has experience with all three in K/1st.

It's tough during summer, but you could try to visit each school and try to get a feel for the community and feel for the neighborhood. Visit a local playground. Check out each school's website/twitter/Facebook and see what the focus, philosophies, and what they value. Maybe reach out to each school HSA and ask some questions. If your commute is really not an issue, you'll have to go with where you think your kid will thrive.

[Anonymous]

If you want an international vibe go with Stoddert.

[Anonymous]

If you want a more open and accepting atmosphere Eaton may be slightly better. Stoddert and Key are solid academically and more or less equivalent. Key has a powerful PTO that influences decision making at the school, whereas Stoddert's PTO is mainly just fundraising. Stodderts aftercare is cheaper i think. Both Stoddert and Key aftercare can be hard to get into. Stodderts aftercare is mainly outdoors even when it is close to freezing because they only have access to the cafeteria rather than the gym, which hosts a DPR program. I assume key has access to its gym. I love an outdoors program and it is well done, but a few parents wants their kids inside during winter. Between those two consider which is better for your commute as well. The vast majority of Stoddert graduates attend Hardy. I believe the number is a little less at Key with more parents switching to privates but am not sure.

[Anonymous]

I think Eaton teachers are fantastic. Can only speak for myself. Son struggled in K with phonics and saw the reading specialist. Excelled in 1st. Love the school. Will do Hardy or private for middle but definitely private for high school.

[Anonymous]

Stoddert is the very internationally and tight-knit. The PTO lets the school do their thing and just fundraises (which is good in my opinion). Also, nearly everyone walks to school, it isn't like the chaos at key.

[Anonymous]

Can't go wrong, academically with any of these. Teachers are all amazing, it's a matter of preference. If you care about belonging and newer facilities, and a more diverse environment, I'd choose Eaton. Very welcoming and the new school is incredible. It also has a nice cross-section of international/socioeconomic students, though Stoddert is probably slightly more "international" (but not much). Key's PTO is highly political with high social capital, and care deeply about input and control of the school. If that's your style, that's a better fit. Not nearly as diverse. Stoddard is great, but do not go if you need aftercare. It's a wrap. Getting your PK4 kid in ... even in-boundary is a challenge as well.

From a facilities standpoint, Eaton probably has the best library/meditation space, while Key/Stoddard has better gyms.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want a more open and accepting atmosphere Eaton may be slightly better. Stoddert and Key are solid academically and more or less equivalent. Key has a powerful PTO that influences decision making at the school, whereas Stoddert's PTO is mainly just fundraising. Stodderts aftercare is cheaper i think. Both Stoddert and Key aftercare can be hard to get into. Stodderts aftercare is mainly outdoors even when it is close to freezing because they only have access to the cafeteria rather than the gym, which hosts a DPR program. I assume key has access to its gym. I love an outdoors program and it is well done, but a few parents wants their kids inside during winter. Between those two consider which is better for your commute as well. The vast majority of Stoddert graduates attend Hardy. I believe the number is a little less at Key with more parents switching to privates but am not sure.

At Key - out of a class of 75 kids from kindergarten - only 10 of those kids were at Hardy in last year's 6th grade. Vast majority are gone by 4th, and by then the non-private (more of the kids of color and lower-income) kids remain and are then in trailers for 4th and 5th. And the Principal at Key is completely out of touch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want a more open and accepting atmosphere Eaton may be slightly better. Stoddert and Key are solid academically and more or less equivalent. Key has a powerful PTO that influences decision making at the school, whereas Stoddert's PTO is mainly just fundraising. Stodderts aftercare is cheaper i think. Both Stoddert and Key aftercare can be hard to get into. Stodderts aftercare is mainly outdoors even when it is close to freezing because they only have access to the cafeteria rather than the gym, which hosts a DPR program. I assume key has access to its gym. I love an outdoors program and it is well done, but a few parents wants their kids inside during winter. Between those two consider which is better for your commute as well. The vast majority of Stoddert graduates attend Hardy. I believe the number is a little less at Key with more parents switching to privates but am not sure.

At Key - out of a class of 75 kids from kindergarten - only 10 of those kids were at Hardy in last year's 6th grade. Vast majority are gone by 4th, and by then the non-private (more of the kids of color and lower-income) kids remain and are then in trailers for 4th and 5th. And the Principal at Key is completely out of touch.

Yikes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want a more open and accepting atmosphere Eaton may be slightly better. Stoddert and Key are solid academically and more or less equivalent. Key has a powerful PTO that influences decision making at the school, whereas Stoddert's PTO is mainly just fundraising. Stodderts aftercare is cheaper i think. Both Stoddert and Key aftercare can be hard to get into. Stodderts aftercare is mainly outdoors even when it is close to freezing because they only have access to the cafeteria rather than the gym, which hosts a DPR program. I assume key has access to its gym. I love an outdoors program and it is well done, but a few parents wants their kids inside during winter. Between those two consider which is better for your commute as well. The vast majority of Stoddert graduates attend Hardy. I believe the number is a little less at Key with more parents switching to privates but am not sure.

At Key - out of a class of 75 kids from kindergarten - only 10 of those kids were at Hardy in last year's 6th grade. Vast majority are gone by 4th, and by then the non-private (more of the kids of color and lower-income) kids remain and are then in trailers for 4th and 5th. And the Principal at Key is completely out of touch.

I have read this sort of comment over and over in several past threads. Somehow I think it speaks of the individual experience of a disgruntled parent.

With the pandemic and protracted DC school closures I am not sure the situation described is the norm.

Signed: A prospective IB Key Parent hoping all will be fine at the school through 5th grade

[Anonymous]

If so many families leave Key in the upper grades, wouldn’t we see lottery seats assigned to those grades? How does it work?

[Anonymous]

Stoddert ofcourse unless aftercare is needed. Their math program is very strong. We went through Stoddert and Mann. Love both but love Stoddert more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stoddert ofcourse unless aftercare is needed. Their math program is very strong. We went through Stoddert and Mann. Love both but love Stoddert more.

Could you please share more about their math program? How do they differentiate?