Forum Index
»
DC Public and Public Charter Schools
Looking to buy a house in DC - THANK YOU!
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
Where does one buy a relatively affordable house (under 600k) and still be within boudaries of a good public school or affordable private school? We are looking into Mount Pleasant and 16th St. Heights but know nothing about the schools in the area.
Also, would you be able to tell me the difference in admissions between the DCPS, charter schools and private schools? Not sure if charter and private schools also have "boundaries" that you need to be within for easier admission. We have a 10-month old and know nothing about the DC school system so any other suggestions would be MUCH appreaciated. Thank you, thank you! |
Anonymous
|
In I.T. project development we have a saying "high quality, fast delivery, low cost - pick 2 out of 3."
The corners of DC housing triangle are: Decent-sized house, Good local DCPS, Affordable. I'm afraid the results are the same: pick 2 out of 3. Which is most and least important to you? |
Anonymous
Start with this document for FAQs. It is the only independent source of information across school types. http://www.fightforchildren.org/pdf/GreatSchools_DCChooser-EngBook.pdf You can also search the preschool forum for "moving to DC" to get a sense of what people go through. Good luck |
Anonymous
|
Private schools take students from DC, VA and MD. Getting into the most selective schools for pre-k and k is tight because slots go to legacies, connected, siblings. Also "affordable" is relative. Tuition is $25,000 and higher.
Charters are open to all DC residents. Many use a lottery system. You can get into schools as an out of boundary student but there again it's a lottery. Mount Pleasant and 16th Street Heights elementary schools are fine but, by reputation, not among the city's best. Maybe you should rent for your first year and buy after you get to know DC better? |
Anonymous
|
mann:
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/4629-Tilden-St-Nw_Washington_DC_20016_1120664800 Janney: http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3837-Albemarle-St-Nw_Washington_DC_20016_1118168400 not the biggest houses, but in great neighborhoods and (just) in your price range. |
Anonymous
| Condos in areas above as well. |
Anonymous
|
Thank you ALL for your very helpful responses. Is there a way I can find a list of the best DCPS and best charter schools in the city? Also, any thoughts on Takoma Park for schools?
Thanks again! |
Anonymous
Well, you've come to the right place. I imagine you'll lots and lots of responses. All will be opinionated and more or less subjective, many will be helpful, some will be snarky. I'll start. The general consensus is that the Tier I elementary schools in DCPS are JKLM and sometimes O. That's alphabetical shorthand for "the school is west of the Rock Creek Park and begins with the letter(s) J (Janney), K (Key), L (Lafayette), or M (Mann and Murch). Some people include the O (Oyster Bilingual). 2nd Tier DCPS also (surprise, surprise) is located west of the park, but the scores and reputations aren't as shiny. They aren't as supported by inbounds families and their scores aren't as high. Those are: Eaton, Hearst, and Stoddert. Tier 3 might be Peabody, Shepherd, Ross. There's a pretty big drop (as in both scores and general consensus about desirability) between Tiers 2 and 3. Tier 3, Tier 4, Tier 5... Which schools belong where is highly personal and rarely agreed upon. These levels are where the snarkiness becomes evident. Takoma Park is probably considered to be somewhere in this middle ground. Anything below that is everything else. Okay, on to the charters. The enthusiasm here for charters seems to be for the following schools in alphabetical order: Appletree (Pre-school only), Bridges (Pre-school only), Capital City (Elementary through HS), E.L. Haynes (Elementary through HS), Elsie Stokes (Elementary through Middle), LAMB (Elementary), Two Rivers (Elementary through Middle), Washington Latin (Middle through HS), Washington Yu Ying, (Elementary through Middle). Welcome to DC. |
Anonymous
|
Several clarifications/additions to 21:50
To enter Preschool, you have to be 3 by Sept 30, preK must be 4 by Sept 30. If you have an Oct, Nov, Dec birthday there are a few charters that allow someone who turns 3 by Dec 31 to enter preS (Bridges is one). Hyde in G'town is also "Tier 2" in my book. There are lots that people would add to the Tier 3 list of, up and coming. The only school on Capital Hill that she mentions is Peabody, there are other Hill schools with good / growing reps. I don't know which they are but others on this board track them. Takoma Park typically refers to Maryland. The Takoma DC neighborhood (called Takoma DC) has Takoma Education Center. Education centers are preS through 8. LAMB starts with preS and the only entrance years are preS and preK. EL Haynes & Two Rivers also start with preS. |
Anonymous
| We've had wonderful experiences with a high OOB school (Hyde). Stoddert also appears lovely. Now that we are in-bounds for Hearst, hoping for same for our next kid. High OOB can bring something very nice to a school, as we found at Hyde that people made an effort to get to know one and all on the blacktop and look out for each others' kids. A balance of in and OOB can make for a dynamic and friendly school. |
Anonymous
| Don't forget Shepard elementary in Sheppard Park - I don't have much personal experience with it, but is well regarded and probably would fall in the Tier 1 or 2 category. That neighborhood might be OP's best bet. |
Anonymous
Except for the Hyde ("Tier 2") oversight and the minor Stokes mischaracterization (it goes through sixth grade), this post reflects the general consensus quite well. Test scores don't follow as neatly, but they can be sliced and diced a million ways and ought to be taken with a large grain of salt. |
Anonymous
Agreed - great neighborhoods and good schools - but I sadly don't agree that OP could find a house in those areas in her price range. |
Anonymous
but those houses posted ARE in her price range! |
Anonymous
| If you are asking about Takoma Park, MD school - I don't think they are considered "middle tier" in DC rankings posted by the PP. They are very highly regarded and you can get a lot of house for $600K in Takoma Park. Just sayin'. |