Kindergarten at H-A, Eaton, Janney, Key Stoddert, Mann?

[Anonymous]

My family is moving back to the DC area this summer from abroad, and we're trying to determine where we should target our housing search since we're too late for the lottery and we have an incoming kindergarten student. Would really appreciate any thoughts/insights anyone has on the following schools: H-A, Eaton, Janney, Key Stoddert, Mann. My daughter does not have any special needs or behavior issues. She is smart, conscientious, and curious but a bit reserved, and she's been in schools with a favorable student:teacher ratio (generally one teacher and one teaching assistant co-teaching a class of 9-11 students) where she has thrived. I have a generally favorable impression of DCPS but am concerned about the student:teacher ratio, as I don't think she'll do as well in a very large classroom environment and I've been hearing about overcrowding. Of the schools I referenced, are any know for having lower student:teacher ratios and a more supportive environment at the kindergarten level? I had a positive impression of Janney, but I've seen some recent commentary on this site about overcrowding and over issues. It also seems like Stoddert might have some ongoing construction over the next couple of years that could impact its kindergarten class, but I'm less clear about that. Really appreciate any insight you can provide! We'd love to identify a school with a strong sense of community where my daughter feels supported (unfortunately due to our jobs she has been in five schools in two years and we want to finally give her some stability).

[Anonymous]

I don't think any DCPS school will have a kindergarten class of 9-11 students total, more like 9-11 per teacher (lead plus co-teacher). Truthfully that ratio hasn't felt that bad for kindergarten. The teachers have been amazing and the kids are still learning and happy.

People here will tell you DCPS kindergarten isn't developmentally because it's heavily reading focused and then two subjects later will tell you that tear scores are terrible and foundational learning is bad.

From what I've heard of those schools (friends who go or are teachers) you can't really go wrong. If you're going to move again soon I'd pick the area you like best. If you're looking to stay long term consider also feeder. Most feed to Hardy and MacArthur, Janney feeds to Deal and J-R. Also if you're looking for more diversity, Janney will likely not be it.

[Anonymous]

All those schools are 20:1 ratio for K, with a floater who goes between K classes to help out at certain points of the day.

H-A has a lot of international families, welcoming community.

Good luck with your decision.

[Anonymous]

I’d feel great about all those schools. I toured most of them when deciding about lottery vs moving. We ended up being able to stay in our house in Ward 6 because we lotteried to H-A and can make the commute work. You’d be one of many families with international background and because of that they are used to supporting kiddos who have had a lot of moving around and transitions (lots of military families at H-A as well, same thing).

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Eaton has a teacher plus an assistant in each class of 20-22 kids. K team is excellent.
Great school, nice community. Fun K field trips and activities.

[Anonymous]

Mann has a PTA funded (licensed with a teaching degree) co-teacher in the lower elementary grades.

[Anonymous]

There should be an aide in all K classes plus a floater. I worked at Janney several years ago. There is no space to go anywhere and to do anything. Teacher were fighting over the outdoor space for their kids.
My kids went to Stoddert and Mann. Stoddert was our favorite for a long time, but aftercare had a waitlist.
If I had to choose now, I'd go with Mann.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eaton has a teacher plus an assistant in each class of 20-22 kids. K team is excellent.
Great school, nice community. Fun K field trips and activities.

+1 Eaton kindergarten is awesome!!

[Anonymous]

Mann Kindergarten was amazing! Plus, great community (good mix of international and local), play spaces, school infrastructure, etc. You can't go wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mann has a PTA funded (licensed with a teaching degree) co-teacher in the lower elementary grades.

In all grades for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mann has a PTA funded (licensed with a teaching degree) co-teacher in the lower elementary grades.

.

There will be a partner teacher in every class next year, for the first time. Mann PTA is amazing.