ATS -2nd grade and above

[Anonymous]

We are looking to take our two girls out of our neighborhood school and put them in either a private school or an option school. Basically we are hoping (though market is terrible) move out of our apartment at some point this year and buy a house. We prefer they don’t switch schools during the academic year and so are thinking that a private or option school would be best. My eldest which is going to 3rd grade just got off the waiting list for ATS. My youngest is already in ATS and is going to first grade. We loved ATS for first grade but have no idea how it is for the upper grades. My middle child who didn’t get off the waitlist would either continue at her neighborhood school or go to a private school. The private school she and my eldest got into is reasonable cost wise and is well regarded in that they put a lot of emphasis on the basics. Kids read novels in the upper grades and it’s curriculum wise it’s pretty strong. I’m not sure whether I should accept the spot for my eldest at ATS or just put both my eldest and second in private school. We would keep my youngest at ATS for the time being. The plan would be to put them back in public school for middle school. But I’m now wondering - is the private school that much better than ATS that I should fork out the money? Is it worth it? Other solution would be to accept the spot for ATS for my eldest. Keep my middle child in her neighborhood school for now so the the hope that she gets off the ATS waitlist and if that doesn’t work out just send her to whatever our new neighborhood school is (or just put her in private school and have the other two stay in ATS).

[Anonymous]

Try ATS for your older child and if it doesn’t work send them to private with the middle one. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water- you’ll never have another shot at ATS if you pass this up.

[Anonymous]

Try ATS. See if the free option works first, and keep hoping that the other child gets off the waitlist.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks all for the advice. I ended up accepting the spot in ATS for my eldest. We will see how it goes I guess!

[Anonymous]

AgentX wrote:You can always go to private, right? I would say like the PP's to take the seat and hope that you get a spot for your 3rd child.

You have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd grader? Rockstar

Also, I'm a Real Estate Agent and there is a lot that is coming onto the market in Arlington. Sellers are holding off now because they are all scared of news headlines. So things will start happening in Sept again. I know that doesn't help for right now, but this will shake out.

Yep a 1st grader, 2nd grader and 3rd grader. Insane right? Lol

Thank you! I sure hope so!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all for the advice. I ended up accepting the spot in ATS for my eldest. We will see how it goes I guess!

I think this was a good decision. Also, you can move anywhere in the County and still stay there so it gives you many options.