New to DC and I'm really trying hard to figure out the lottery system. Blew it this year, need tips for next year.

[Anonymous]

My child does very well in school. Consistently gets A's, I am very pleased with his 5th grade experience at Payne Elementary School. He was a little behind coming into 5th grade because of a poor school experience the year before last. Now he is ahead in all subjects, Amazing experience at Payne, probably one of the best teachers in the district there.

So I really didn't do well in the lottery this year, mostly my fault, I think. Unless a miracle happens we are planning for 6th grade at Elliot Hine. I would like to be more prepared and do better in the next lottery. My question is what would some of you do for a better option for 7th with a good feeder option for High School. I don't mind a commute that isn't ridiculous.
He really wanted to go Basis but I really don't think we have any chance of that after 5th grade? I understand the top schools are long shots (latin, basis, etc) But what are good medium options some of you would consider sending your bright child to. He excels in math and science and his reading and writing is catching up (hopefully). I don't necessarily expect the best option to be available to us with the fierce competition to get into these schools, but I would like something better then what Elliot Hine provides with test scores.

I'm sorry if all of this has been covered in past posts. I've done a lot of reading but I'm sure I missed something, this forum does seem to cover a lot.
What would you do?
What should I search for in this forum search tool?

[Anonymous]

Lo would move to get IB for a good school

[Anonymous]

There are no realistic options for 7th grade with better feeders. You could switch to a school like SH or ITDS, which I think both occasionally take 7th graders, but neither have good feeder options (SH is the same as EH and ITDS has none). Feeder options for HS are over now for you, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

You could look at Sojourner Truth.

I would try Latin Cooper as there may be more space when they move into a bigger building.

I don't know that ITDS is better than Eliot-Hine overall, but their application high school results are strong most years.

Stuart-Hobson and School Without Walls Francis Stevens are worth touring.

Don't blame yourself, it's an insane system and this year was rough for 6th grade. My 6th grade kid's wait-list numbers have barely moved at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are no realistic options for 7th grade with better feeders. You could switch to a school like SH or ITDS, which I think both occasionally take 7th graders, but neither have good feeder options (SH is the same as EH and ITDS has none). Feeder options for HS are over now for you, unfortunately.

That is what I was afraid of. So I need to bank on getting a good lottery match from here on out? It appears that the magnet system is also luck with the lottery?
I am on the waitlist for SH and ITDS does look interesting to me.
Unfortunately I don't think moving is feasible but maybe it could be pulled off.

Thanks for your reply, I'm feeling depressed about it but appreciate the feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You could look at Sojourner Truth.

I would try Latin Cooper as there may be more space when they move into a bigger building.

I don't know that ITDS is better than Eliot-Hine overall, but their application high school results are strong most years.

Stuart-Hobson and School Without Walls Francis Stevens are worth touring.

Don't blame yourself, it's an insane system and this year was rough for 6th grade. My 6th grade kid's wait-list numbers have barely moved at all.

Latin Cooper would be amazing. Would it be ridiculous to try and add that school post lottery?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could look at Sojourner Truth.

I would try Latin Cooper as there may be more space when they move into a bigger building.

I don't know that ITDS is better than Eliot-Hine overall, but their application high school results are strong most years.

Stuart-Hobson and School Without Walls Francis Stevens are worth touring.

Don't blame yourself, it's an insane system and this year was rough for 6th grade. My 6th grade kid's wait-list numbers have barely moved at all.

Latin Cooper would be amazing. Would it be ridiculous to try and add that school post lottery?

You have nothing to lose by adding schools, but you won't get in.

[Anonymous]

OP, take a look at the application high school info on MySchoolDC. There are also other high school lottery options such as Washington Leadership Academy, Truth, and DCI. Requiring good numbers, but you might get a good number. Latin takes a few new kids for 9th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, take a look at the application high school info on MySchoolDC. There are also other high school lottery options such as Washington Leadership Academy, Truth, and DCI. Requiring good numbers, but you might get a good number. Latin takes a few new kids for 9th.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I know there is a lot of pressure around this for many people, and the lottery can be hard, but I hope you have a good experience at Eliot Hine this year, assuming that’s where you end up. There is likely to be a strong 6th grade class this year that your child can be a part of, and hopefully you find a good community there as well as academics that meet your child’s needs. There are a number of options for selective high schools in DCPS and there’s an IB program at Eastern that seems to be growing, so there are options ahead of you still.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if anyone does the math that shows you particular(percentage or likewise) chances at each school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if anyone does the math that shows you particular(percentage or likewise) chances at each school.

I have tried but it's hard because you don't know much about siblings and other preferences after the initial lottery. And there's a lot of variation year to year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know there is a lot of pressure around this for many people, and the lottery can be hard, but I hope you have a good experience at Eliot Hine this year, assuming that’s where you end up. There is likely to be a strong 6th grade class this year that your child can be a part of, and hopefully you find a good community there as well as academics that meet your child’s needs. There are a number of options for selective high schools in DCPS and there’s an IB program at Eastern that seems to be growing, so there are options ahead of you still.

I'm looking forward to the Edscape data showing where EH's 8th graders from last year ended up. I heard the class did well getting into application high schools.

[Anonymous]

The only option this year is for you to apply to DCI Chinese and/or French track, the school starts in 6th grade. But it may or may not be a better fit than EH, depending on your kid's needs and your or your kid's willingness to deal with the commute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only option this year is for you to apply to DCI Chinese and/or French track, the school starts in 6th grade. But it may or may not be a better fit than EH, depending on your kid's needs and your or your kid's willingness to deal with the commute.

I'm on those lists and they are not even close to happening for my lottery applicant kid.