My DS is in 4th grade now, and happy at his ES. But its in an undesirable feeder pattern (Jefferson). We played the lottery for 5th for Latin and Basis, but also threw on some feeder schools for Stuart Hobson and Eliot Hine. Its looks like we will get called off the WL for at least one of Ludlow, Watkins, Wilson. I expect a call anytime now for Wilson, but maybe we will pass up on that offer.
But is it worth switching to LT or Watkins for 5th? I know SH isn't the best choice but it seems like the best one we have left, and playing the lottery at 6th may leave us with Jefferson as our only choice. We also have very low WL numbers for SWS and Maury that feed into EH. Is switching for 5th grade a tough adjustment? Or no big deal? I am already thinking about how we may strike out in the lottery for 6th and that April is very late in the year to try to move before the next school year starts. |
OP again - I forgot - we expect an offer Cap Hill Montessori too. That actually seems the most likely as they made more WL offers last year. Is that a good option? |
Unless you have a plan B besides DC public schools (private, moving), I would switch for 5th absolutely. You could easily strike out for the sixth grade lottery and if Jefferson isn’t acceptable to you, you’ll be SOL.
Switch to a feeder you want. Yes, there will be an adjustment period, but then your kid will have some friends heading into middle school. |
PP just to add - yes I do image that switching for 5th will be a tough adjustment. But it’s still your best option at this point. |
I would switch to LT, no question. 3 5th grade classes this year, so they'll take some new kids (your kid won't be the one newbie). The Departmentalized setup for 3rd-5th grade classes is great and the ELA 5th grade teacher is terrific. LT's extracurricular set up is also more like a middle school than most elementary schools -- so many great options. All that said, you won't hear until August whether you get in as they aren't moving the WL until then for grades K-5th. Last year, there was an unexpected IB surge in enrollment in 1st grade and so they want to wait until the dust shakes out this year since grade levels are pretty full. However, since they went to 3 5th grade classes, I would bet you do get in in August. |
We have friends who did this exact thing (also for SH feeders from worse options) and it was totally fine. |
We are IB for Jefferson too and I’d switch for your best possible choice in your scenario. SH isn’t high on my list either but higher than Jefferson. We moved to a Hardy feeder last year in part to avoid Jefferson and Eastern. Good luck! |
OP here. Thanks for the replies! I needed reassurance. I just don't have a feasible backup for 6th grade so I feel like I need to sort it out for 5th.
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We had a terrible experience with 5th grade at CHML (a lot behavioral issues, class disruption, fights, penalizing the entire class for the misbehavior of few students etc). |
CHML works for some kids and is terrible for others. I'd try to talk to existing families.
I think you might still be able to get into Stuart-Hobson from out-of-bounds, so look at this year's numbers. Also, just fyi, technically you can take a lottery spot but then change your mind and go back to your inbound school, if it's not going well. I don't know personally, but LT has a better reputation than Watkins, in DCUM. |
If Francis isn't too far it's a decent middle option too. And there's a feeder you could get into pretty much anytime: Thomson. We are there and there's only one fifth grade teacher who is really amazing. Plus the 5th grade kids do a big, capstone research project 'cause it's an IB school. Very rigorous. Not sure how SH compares to Francis though. SH may be closer for you and a better bet. |
The bolder area/concept applies for every single school: BASIS is good for some kids and terrible for others. |
Please don’t make this a another Basis thread. She didn’t get in to Basis or didn’t choose it. |
I'd recommend learning more about Jefferson before writing it off. |
I came here to say this too. Especially if your kid is happy at ES, two transitions in two years is a lot. We are heading there next year, and I’ve talked to a lot of parents that are really happy there. I’ve also talked to several families that initially saw Jefferson as a nonstarter until they visited and talked with staff, and many of them attended or will be attending next year. |