Critique my Prek-3 list (Capitol Hill)
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Anonymous
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We are inbounds for Maury, and unless he gets into SWS (HA!), we'll likely transition to Maury for K. After much belaboring and research, this is what I've got, wdyt?
Priorities were walkability(/public transport) from our house near Lincoln Park, onsite playground, and curriculum. Ideally our nanny (who will be caring for our younger child) will pick him up from school, rather than us using aftercare, and she doesn't drive. 1. School Within School - I used to work at a reggio school and I'm super passionate about it so it really bums me out that this isn't a real choice 2. Maury 3. Miner - realistic hope for where we end up 4. Two Rivers 4th St - heard great things but definitely a schlep. But on the busline 5. AppleTree Oklahoma - not a fan of AppleTree's curriculum but at least this one has a playground on site 6. AppleTree Lincoln Park 7. Lee Montessori - we would have to drive here but hoping there is some carpool, probably would wind up doing aftercare 8. Two Rivers Young - ditto above 9. Friendship Chamberlain - don't know much about this one but I think he's guaranteed to get in? Also had Payne on there for a bit but if he got in there he'd probably also be in at Miner and I'd rather he go to Miner because of the number of Maury families there. And the new building/playground seems nice. Also had JO Wilson because I think he could get in because of the renovations but the swing space is a schlep and so is the school itself. Anything I'm missing?? |
Anonymous
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Given you’re near Lincoln Park, I’d swap your Appletree slots. A lot of kids at the LP site are Maury bound for kinder and easier pick up for your nanny. Short commute ideal for the pre-k years IMO.
You should have a decent chance at Miner even with a poor number, it might just take awhile to get off the waitlist if that’s the case. |
Anonymous
| If you’re open to Montessori, why not include CHML? |
Anonymous
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OP here, I ranked AppleTree Lincoln Park lower because of the lack of playground. The other one is still less than a mile walk so not terrible. That's a good point though that he probably would have classmates transition to Maury with him.
I was thinking about CHML but it's over a mile and ultimately I'd rather he be at Miner. And if he has a good enough number for CHML then he'd definitely get into Miner. |
Anonymous
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I believe Friendship Armstrong also has Reggio. Not sure why you think Chamberlain is guaranteed unless you mean it's so unpopular that it takes all comers.
It surprises me that you've heard great things and not negative things about Two Rivers. It used to be in demand but now is pretty troubled to the pound of not filling up PK3 in last year's initial lottery. So you need to dig a little deeper. I understand you'll only be there for preschool but the dysfunction affects everything. And the 4th St playground is tiny and on a major road. |
Anonymous
| I’d put AppleTree LP much higher— large chunk of the class will be Maury overflow. We were very happy at AppleTree, FWIW. |
Anonymous
| Your list is fine. I would probably also move AT Lincoln Park up. Maybe add JO Wilson. There is also Friendship Blow Pierce in Kingman Park and Wheatley up near Trinidad, if you want more backups to Miner to ensure you match somewhere. |
Anonymous
| If you’re really passionate about Reggio, I would put more Montessori options before the DCPS options. DCPS prek is very traditional. |
Anonymous
| I would just put SWS and Maury on the list and dump the rest. Your kid can stay with the nanny if you don’t get into either. |
Anonymous
| I’d keep Payne on the list. Weird stuff can always happen. Also AppleTree LP. I get the concern with the lack of playground but there are a lot of pluses to being in class with neighbors and being close to home. Since you have a nanny and don’t need to do aftercare, I think it will be OK if your kiddo doesn’t have as much playground time. |
Anonymous
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Friendship Armstrong is interesting. We have a direct bus route there that isn't too long and the drive time currently is 10ish min but I worry we'll get hit by a lot of traffic during the week.
I said Chamberlain was guaranteed because looking at past years they accepted everyone from the waitlist. Though now I look, so did Lee Montessori and AT Oklahoma. So right now I'm trying to decide which should be his "safety" and effectively cut off the rest of the list - would I rather drive and have him at Lee with a pedagogy I mostly believe in (I have some issues with Montessori compared to Reggio) or have him somewhere his nanny can pick him up from despite really not jiving with the pedagogy. I signed up for some AT open houses and they've been really pushy about calling/texting/emailing me since then and that's kind of put me off as well. I have seen a lot of negativity about Two Rivers on this board but all the people I know personally whose kids got here have recommended it. I also appreciate the whole project-based thing. The small playground does concern me though. And I do wonder if the commute would get old. We really want him to be around a consistent group of kids his own age and exposed to more routine so we definitely want him to get in *somewhere* and not stay with his nanny full time. |
Anonymous
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OP here just wanted to add:
I learned yesterday about the Wildflower Riverseed school and I'm intrigued but that's also kinda far away (although about the same driving time as Lee Montessori). And it seems they only admit around two prek3 kids per year? |
Anonymous
I wouldn't. I'm not sure it's going to survive its upcoming 5-year review. I hear you that you "believe in" Reggio and Montessori, but I'll remind you that even the accredited programs aren't going to be as Reggio or as Montessori as you'd probably like, due to all the rules and restrictions of the public school system. You get what you pay for. Really consider whether you want to drive far for something that isn't really what you want. |
Anonymous
That's a good point. The place I worked a long time ago, they sent teachers to the actual city in Italy to train and teachers came from all over the country to observe there so I suppose my bar might be too high 😅 They won me over though with their focus on outdoors. If I could do it without a 30+ minute commute I'd send my kiddo to an outdoors school. He definitely has significantly higher movement needs than his peers that I've observed. |
Anonymous
You're not gonna get anything like Italian Montessori here. And you need to be aware that many of the Montessori schools in this area have serious management issues. I suggest you focus on your DC's movement needs and potential special Ed needs that he may have. Montessori can be a real struggle for certain kids-- sometimes those with ADHD or poor social perception aren't able to do the long work periods and higher level of autonomy. Really think about this-- don't believe that because you like it on a policy level it'll be right for your specific child. |