Spanish Immersion in Pre-k/applying out of state

[Anonymous]

DH is a fed with a remote work agreement, so we're planning for the possibility of a DC move. DS will turn 3 in May, and we're an English-speaking household.

How much does Spanish is incorporated in PK3? If we apply to exclusively Spanish charters, including the lower-ranked ones (since we won't get IB preference), do we have a good chance of finding a slot somewhere? DH’s office is near most of the lines (Blue, Silver, Orange, Green, Yellow), so we're open to neighborhoods near those.

What happens if you don't place for pre-k? I saw something online about community-based options?

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

My School DC has data available on offers and waitlists so you can see how many applications were made and how many people got in. https://www.myschooldc.org/resources/data

[Anonymous]

Your budget and max commute time is also hugely relevant to schools in DC.

[Anonymous]

DCPS also offers Spanish programming, it's not just charters.

You'll get a seat if you're willing to be at a pretty low-quality program. I would start with the list of DCPS dual language programs, https://dcps.dc.gov/DL, and then use MySchoolDC to identify the charters. Then cut down that list geographically. That should give you a good place to start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCPS also offers Spanish programming, it's not just charters.

You'll get a seat if you're willing to be at a pretty low-quality program. I would start with the list of DCPS dual language programs, https://dcps.dc.gov/DL, and then use MySchoolDC to identify the charters. Then cut down that list geographically. That should give you a good place to start.

Thanks, I just figured since I won't have in-bound preference and English-dominant, the chances are better at a charter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS also offers Spanish programming, it's not just charters.

You'll get a seat if you're willing to be at a pretty low-quality program. I would start with the list of DCPS dual language programs, https://dcps.dc.gov/DL, and then use MySchoolDC to identify the charters. Then cut down that list geographically. That should give you a good place to start.

Thanks, I just figured since I won't have in-bound preference and English-dominant, the chances are better at a charter?

Not necessarily, since charters don’t have a boundary restriction they are open to more applicants. Are you not interested in being IB for any DCPS immersion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS also offers Spanish programming, it's not just charters.

You'll get a seat if you're willing to be at a pretty low-quality program. I would start with the list of DCPS dual language programs, https://dcps.dc.gov/DL, and then use MySchoolDC to identify the charters. Then cut down that list geographically. That should give you a good place to start.

Thanks, I just figured since I won't have in-bound preference and English-dominant, the chances are better at a charter?

Not necessarily, since charters don’t have a boundary restriction they are open to more applicants. Are you not interested in being IB for any DCPS immersion?

I'm not opposed at all, it's just that we're hoping to finish out the school year here (I’m a school-based therapist), and the app deadline is early March.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS also offers Spanish programming, it's not just charters.

You'll get a seat if you're willing to be at a pretty low-quality program. I would start with the list of DCPS dual language programs, https://dcps.dc.gov/DL, and then use MySchoolDC to identify the charters. Then cut down that list geographically. That should give you a good place to start.

Thanks, I just figured since I won't have in-bound preference and English-dominant, the chances are better at a charter?

Not necessarily, since charters don’t have a boundary restriction they are open to more applicants. Are you not interested in being IB for any DCPS immersion?

I'm not opposed at all, it's just that we're hoping to finish out the school year here (I’m a school-based therapist), and the app deadline is early March.

You can apply for the lottery with any address, you just need proof of address to enroll. Say you really like Bancroft, you can put down any address in boundary and then if you get a spot, then you just have to find housing by the enrollment deadline (sometime around May I believe) to show proof of address.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your budget and max commute time is also hugely relevant to schools in DC.

Very true. Our HHI will probably be about 175k, so we're not going to be able to afford an expensive area. Looking at rent prices compared to our mortgage (we bought in 2020) is killing me. 😵‍💫

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS also offers Spanish programming, it's not just charters.

You'll get a seat if you're willing to be at a pretty low-quality program. I would start with the list of DCPS dual language programs, https://dcps.dc.gov/DL, and then use MySchoolDC to identify the charters. Then cut down that list geographically. That should give you a good place to start.

Thanks, I just figured since I won't have in-bound preference and English-dominant, the chances are better at a charter?

That is incorrect. The popular Spanish immersion charters are much, much more competitive and difficult to get in.

Your chances are much higher getting into DCPS schools. The issue is upper elementary where majority of families leave. Also middle school is issue. So if you are only planning on staying a few years it’s fine. Long term will be an issue.

[Anonymous]

Chisholm might be a good target if you can find IB housing there. It's not as popular/difficult to get into as some of the other DCPS immersion options. It's not a guarantee - plenty of English-dominant IB kids were left on the waitlist this year for PK3, I think (check the waitlist date for the most current numbers). But it's worth a shot. And there are other options (various Appletrees, etc.) that are good options if Chisholm doesn't work out in the lottery. And the Hill is a nice place to be in DC for young families, with a good amount of rental options. I have kid in PK3 there and we've been very happy.

[Anonymous]

I would just try to be in bounds for Oyster

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would just try to be in bounds for Oyster

Thats only guaranteed for kindergarten. Isn't it pretty easy to get into Mundo Verde nowadays?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would just try to be in bounds for Oyster

Totally agree. You can figure something out for PK, and then be set all the way through high school. All the families we know are Oyster (including those who transfered from other schools, like Mundo Verde, are very very happy).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would just try to be in bounds for Oyster

Thats only guaranteed for kindergarten. Isn't it pretty easy to get into Mundo Verde nowadays?

It is... And there are many reasons for that. However I do know a bunch of people who went to MV and then were able to lottery into Oyster in mid elementary because their kids knew Spanish. So that's a path.