Kindergarten WL—Rochambeau might open another K classroom

[Anonymous]

An FYI that some families might find helpful. We were waitlisted at the schools we applied to for Kindergarten next year (Sidwell, Primary Day).

We expanded our search trying to find schools that might still have openings. We just discovered and toured Rochambeau. We were very impressed by it (and liked it even more than our previous top choice). Very “academic,” but the kids still looked like they were having so much fun and really enjoyed playing and learning in the classroom. Really neat field trips and class trips to Canada and Paris starting in 4th and 5th grade (sadly parents don’t chaperone). I was also shocked by how (relatively) low the tuition was compared to the other schools we looked at. Bussing available from all over the MD and DC area (not sure about VA).

They are technically full for Kindergarten as of now, but are considering opening another classroom. We’re going to apply in hopes they do open one. Knowing it was a tough admissions year, I wanted to share in case others are still looking for a spot for Kindergarten (and realizing this is totally self-serving in hopes of drumming up interest so they do open the classroom).

[Anonymous]

That's awesome! My kid is going to WIS, but my neighbor's son is headed to Rochambeau and they love it! The immersion experience truly does something magical!

Also, I only got to go to my elementary school because they had too much demand and added a class. In some ways it is lightly noticeable that classrooms are always being shifted about to make space every year as the school grows, BUT I definitely think the good will definitely outweigh any growing pains you notice on this one!

[Anonymous]

Just curious if anyone knows why this year is tough admissions wise. I thought birth rates have gone down and the economy not being great would have helped make it easier, but I'm seeing this thought around a lot. (I know this should probably be it's own question thread but also I like the idea of keeping on option for parents in this situation at the top).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just curious if anyone knows why this year is tough admissions wise. I thought birth rates have gone down and the economy not being great would have helped make it easier, but I'm seeing this thought around a lot. (I know this should probably be it's own question thread but also I like the idea of keeping on option for parents in this situation at the top).

Birth rates going down is helping parents of babies and preschoolers. Your rising K is part of DC metro baby boom - lots of kids born 2019-2022 around here even with covid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious if anyone knows why this year is tough admissions wise. I thought birth rates have gone down and the economy not being great would have helped make it easier, but I'm seeing this thought around a lot. (I know this should probably be it's own question thread but also I like the idea of keeping on option for parents in this situation at the top).

Birth rates going down is helping parents of babies and preschoolers. Your rising K is part of DC metro baby boom - lots of kids born 2019-2022 around here even with covid

I thought the decline in birth rates started in 2017 and continued through covid in DC...

[Anonymous]

Possible hypotheses:

- Decline in public schools/public school confidence generally
- more people moving in who are not ideologically inclined toward public school
- fewer parents moving to suburbs for public school/valuing urban lifestyle but not DCPS
- not actually a change but some segment of parents always feel like it was a tough year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Possible hypotheses:

- Decline in public schools/public school confidence generally
- more people moving in who are not ideologically inclined toward public school
- fewer parents moving to suburbs for public school/valuing urban lifestyle but not DCPS
- not actually a change but some segment of parents always feel like it was a tough year

Yea, I feel like Kindergarten is a tough year cause people genuinely don't understand how early you need to start looking/prepping or what goes into getting in at that age...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's awesome! My kid is going to WIS, but my neighbor's son is headed to Rochambeau and they love it! The immersion experience truly does something magical!

Also, I only got to go to my elementary school because they had too much demand and added a class. In some ways it is lightly noticeable that classrooms are always being shifted about to make space every year as the school grows, BUT I definitely think the good will definitely outweigh any growing pains you notice on this one!

+1

[Anonymous]

Did they say when they would decide for adding the new class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did they say when they would decide for adding the new class?

Following

[Anonymous]

Rochambeau is a great school, but academically demanding. Non-French speaking families need to be ready to support French language outside of the classroom.

[Anonymous]

OP, don’t do trips, no proper supervision. Scandal regarding Paris trip (elementary grade children) this year… parents made to sign “non-truths” for school to shift blame to elementary school children…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Possible hypotheses:

- Decline in public schools/public school confidence generally
- more people moving in who are not ideologically inclined toward public school
- fewer parents moving to suburbs for public school/valuing urban lifestyle but not DCPS
- not actually a change but some segment of parents always feel like it was a tough year

Yea, I feel like Kindergarten is a tough year cause people genuinely don't understand how early you need to start looking/prepping or what goes into getting in at that age...

No, one of the schools we applied to told us that they had the most applicants for K that they had ever had.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Possible hypotheses:

- Decline in public schools/public school confidence generally
- more people moving in who are not ideologically inclined toward public school
- fewer parents moving to suburbs for public school/valuing urban lifestyle but not DCPS
- not actually a change but some segment of parents always feel like it was a tough year

Yea, I feel like Kindergarten is a tough year cause people genuinely don't understand how early you need to start looking/prepping or what goes into getting in at that age...

No, one of the schools we applied to told us that they had the most applicants for K that they had ever had.

Did they give any insight as to why?