Anyone else disillusioned with the whole process?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any update, OP? Any progress on waitlists?

OP here, we actually did better this year than others. Here's how my waitlists stand right now.

1
Mann Elementary School [Not gonna happen]

Waitlisted - #70

2
Hyde-Addison Elementary School [Maybe]

Waitlisted - #41

3
Eaton Elementary School [Not happening]

Waitlisted - #76

4
Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School [Doubtful]

Waitlisted - #48

5
Stoddert Elementary School [Not happening]

Waitlisted - #50

6
Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS [Strong possible]

Waitlisted - #39

7
Washington Yu Ying PCS [Doubtful]

Waitlisted - #60

8
Shepherd Elementary School [Hail Mary]

Waitlisted - #26

10
E.L. Haynes PCS – Elementary School [Likely]

Waitlisted - #27

11
Two Rivers PCS at 4th Street [Doubtful]

Waitlisted - #51

12
Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS - 8th Street NE

Match (enrolled)

Shepherd is not even a hail mary. They have only made two offers from waitlist last 2 years.

[Anonymous]

OP are you in a position to buy at all? I saw this home come up in Shepherd Park for $859, but it looks like it's now pending--however, there are occasionally others in that price range.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/7405-Alaska-Ave-NW-20012/home/10022627?utm_source=myredfin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=listings_update&riftinfo=ZXY9ZW1haWwmbD0xODk1Njk0JnA9bGlzdGluZ191cGRhdGVzX2RhaWx5XzI0JmE9Y2xpY2smcz1mYXZvcml0ZXMmdD1pbWFnZSZlbWFpbF9pZD0xODk1Njk0XzE1NTkwMzQ5MzhfMSZ1cGRhdGVfdHlwZT0xMCZsaXN0aW5nX2lkPTEwODc3MTMyMiZwcm9wZXJ0eV9pZD0xMDAyMjYyNyZwb3NpdGlvbl9udW1iZXI9MA==

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What could DCPS do to keep you? What would they need to change?

Not OP, but I think DCPS is just not that attractive for black middle class families. I wish it weren't so. Some may luck into ITS or some other popular charter that has close to a critical mass of black middle class families. Others may lotto into Shepherd or Eaton or a couple other schools. If they're able to--and we're no longer talking middle-class, but upper middle class--they'll buy IB for these schools (my overall impression re: many UMC AA families is that many skip DCPS altogether, and go private or parochial).

One major factor, IMO, is that this city has a lot of fairly new-to-DC, highly educated, and fairly affluent white families who are often willing to try out gentrifying schools, and then there are a lot of AA families from multi-generational poverty that make up the bulk of the public school population. In schools with few middle class AA students, AA parents have legitimate concerns about peer influences and low expectations from teachers who may lump all black kids together and consider them a lost cause, or just have lower expectations for our kids. White families in these gentrifying schools will be largely insulated from these concerns, as it doesn't really affect their children to the same extent. It's just not worth it for many middle class AA families, and they may leave for Silver Spring/Bowie/Rockville/etc. after a while, if they didn't start out there in the first place.

I think there will continue to be a growing divide in the city, with middle class families of all stripes being squeezed out, unless there is a significant investment in affordable housing and in multi-family housing in a lot of the upper NW neighborhoods with attractive school options.

Huh, very interesting, thanks. I can see how middle class white parents wouldn't have the same kind of worries.

OP here, completely agree--this was exactly my point. We have a HHI of approximately 300k. Definitely not super high for the area but solidly middle class for DC. We live in Petworth and our IB is Truesdell. MY DC is smart and I fear a mix of low expectations and peer influences. Even at IT, the achievement gap between black and white students is considerable after 4th grade. We've considered private, but would prefer public. We just don't want our kids to be an experiment. Our best bets on the WL are probably Hyde Addison (upon looking at the WL historical data), IT and EL Haynes.

Re: growing divide in the city, sadly I think it's almost too late. Ten or more years ago the city should have upzoned large swaths of wealthy areas AND invested more in affordable housing. The city does not have enough housing, and limited housing supply has caused demand to go through the roof, along with prices. DC is headed towards become a rich-only city.

Resurrecting this thread...so is ITS a good option for middle class black families?

We are an upper middle class black family and absolutely LOVE ITS!

Thank you! What's differentiation look like there?

NP here, I have been a little underwhelmed by differentiation in math. Reading is well differentiated but I don't feel like my kid has been encouraged to the fullest in math. Science similarly feels like a low priority. Maybe that's just our teacher...

PP (black family). I would agree with your statement about in math in lower grades. My 5-PARCC scoring math AA kid has been well challenged in middle school where I think is appropriate. We shall see where the growth is when we get PARCC back this year but iReady growth this year has been solid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What could DCPS do to keep you? What would they need to change?

Not OP, but I think DCPS is just not that attractive for black middle class families. I wish it weren't so. Some may luck into ITS or some other popular charter that has close to a critical mass of black middle class families. Others may lotto into Shepherd or Eaton or a couple other schools. If they're able to--and we're no longer talking middle-class, but upper middle class--they'll buy IB for these schools (my overall impression re: many UMC AA families is that many skip DCPS altogether, and go private or parochial).

One major factor, IMO, is that this city has a lot of fairly new-to-DC, highly educated, and fairly affluent white families who are often willing to try out gentrifying schools, and then there are a lot of AA families from multi-generational poverty that make up the bulk of the public school population. In schools with few middle class AA students, AA parents have legitimate concerns about peer influences and low expectations from teachers who may lump all black kids together and consider them a lost cause, or just have lower expectations for our kids. White families in these gentrifying schools will be largely insulated from these concerns, as it doesn't really affect their children to the same extent. It's just not worth it for many middle class AA families, and they may leave for Silver Spring/Bowie/Rockville/etc. after a while, if they didn't start out there in the first place.

I think there will continue to be a growing divide in the city, with middle class families of all stripes being squeezed out, unless there is a significant investment in affordable housing and in multi-family housing in a lot of the upper NW neighborhoods with attractive school options.

Huh, very interesting, thanks. I can see how middle class white parents wouldn't have the same kind of worries.

OP here, completely agree--this was exactly my point. We have a HHI of approximately 300k. Definitely not super high for the area but solidly middle class for DC. We live in Petworth and our IB is Truesdell. MY DC is smart and I fear a mix of low expectations and peer influences. Even at IT, the achievement gap between black and white students is considerable after 4th grade. We've considered private, but would prefer public. We just don't want our kids to be an experiment. Our best bets on the WL are probably Hyde Addison (upon looking at the WL historical data), IT and EL Haynes.

Re: growing divide in the city, sadly I think it's almost too late. Ten or more years ago the city should have upzoned large swaths of wealthy areas AND invested more in affordable housing. The city does not have enough housing, and limited housing supply has caused demand to go through the roof, along with prices. DC is headed towards become a rich-only city.

Resurrecting this thread...so is ITS a good option for middle class black families?

We are an upper middle class black family and absolutely LOVE ITS!

Thank you! What's differentiation look like there?

NP here, I have been a little underwhelmed by differentiation in math. Reading is well differentiated but I don't feel like my kid has been encouraged to the fullest in math. Science similarly feels like a low priority. Maybe that's just our teacher...

What grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP are you in a position to buy at all? I saw this home come up in Shepherd Park for $859, but it looks like it's now pending--however, there are occasionally others in that price range.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/7405-Alaska-Ave-NW-20012/home/10022627?utm_source=myredfin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=listings_update&riftinfo=ZXY9ZW1haWwmbD0xODk1Njk0JnA9bGlzdGluZ191cGRhdGVzX2RhaWx5XzI0JmE9Y2xpY2smcz1mYXZvcml0ZXMmdD1pbWFnZSZlbWFpbF9pZD0xODk1Njk0XzE1NTkwMzQ5MzhfMSZ1cGRhdGVfdHlwZT0xMCZsaXN0aW5nX2lkPTEwODc3MTMyMiZwcm9wZXJ0eV9pZD0xMDAyMjYyNyZwb3NpdGlvbl9udW1iZXI9MA==

OP here, not this year but we plan on selling next year and buying there, 16th Street Heights or Michigan Park depending on how this all shakes out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What could DCPS do to keep you? What would they need to change?

Not OP, but I think DCPS is just not that attractive for black middle class families. I wish it weren't so. Some may luck into ITS or some other popular charter that has close to a critical mass of black middle class families. Others may lotto into Shepherd or Eaton or a couple other schools. If they're able to--and we're no longer talking middle-class, but upper middle class--they'll buy IB for these schools (my overall impression re: many UMC AA families is that many skip DCPS altogether, and go private or parochial).

One major factor, IMO, is that this city has a lot of fairly new-to-DC, highly educated, and fairly affluent white families who are often willing to try out gentrifying schools, and then there are a lot of AA families from multi-generational poverty that make up the bulk of the public school population. In schools with few middle class AA students, AA parents have legitimate concerns about peer influences and low expectations from teachers who may lump all black kids together and consider them a lost cause, or just have lower expectations for our kids. White families in these gentrifying schools will be largely insulated from these concerns, as it doesn't really affect their children to the same extent. It's just not worth it for many middle class AA families, and they may leave for Silver Spring/Bowie/Rockville/etc. after a while, if they didn't start out there in the first place.

I think there will continue to be a growing divide in the city, with middle class families of all stripes being squeezed out, unless there is a significant investment in affordable housing and in multi-family housing in a lot of the upper NW neighborhoods with attractive school options.

Huh, very interesting, thanks. I can see how middle class white parents wouldn't have the same kind of worries.

OP here, completely agree--this was exactly my point. We have a HHI of approximately 300k. Definitely not super high for the area but solidly middle class for DC. We live in Petworth and our IB is Truesdell. MY DC is smart and I fear a mix of low expectations and peer influences. Even at IT, the achievement gap between black and white students is considerable after 4th grade. We've considered private, but would prefer public. We just don't want our kids to be an experiment. Our best bets on the WL are probably Hyde Addison (upon looking at the WL historical data), IT and EL Haynes.

Re: growing divide in the city, sadly I think it's almost too late. Ten or more years ago the city should have upzoned large swaths of wealthy areas AND invested more in affordable housing. The city does not have enough housing, and limited housing supply has caused demand to go through the roof, along with prices. DC is headed towards become a rich-only city.

Resurrecting this thread...so is ITS a good option for middle class black families?

We are an upper middle class black family and absolutely LOVE ITS!

Thank you! What's differentiation look like there?

NP here, I have been a little underwhelmed by differentiation in math. Reading is well differentiated but I don't feel like my kid has been encouraged to the fullest in math. Science similarly feels like a low priority. Maybe that's just our teacher...

What grade?

Early elementary. Kid is on grade level in math, I just feel like it's a lot of worksheets, I can't recall much excitement about math or projects coming home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you in a position to buy at all? I saw this home come up in Shepherd Park for $859, but it looks like it's now pending--however, there are occasionally others in that price range.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/7405-Alaska-Ave-NW-20012/home/10022627?utm_source=myredfin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=listings_update&riftinfo=ZXY9ZW1haWwmbD0xODk1Njk0JnA9bGlzdGluZ191cGRhdGVzX2RhaWx5XzI0JmE9Y2xpY2smcz1mYXZvcml0ZXMmdD1pbWFnZSZlbWFpbF9pZD0xODk1Njk0XzE1NTkwMzQ5MzhfMSZ1cGRhdGVfdHlwZT0xMCZsaXN0aW5nX2lkPTEwODc3MTMyMiZwcm9wZXJ0eV9pZD0xMDAyMjYyNyZwb3NpdGlvbl9udW1iZXI9MA==

OP here, not this year but we plan on selling next year and buying there, 16th Street Heights or Michigan Park depending on how this all shakes out.

That makes sense. However, I would encourage you to not wait too too long. In case considering neighborhoods around Walter Reed--Shepherd Park, northern Brightwood, Takoma--these seem to be appreciating fast these days. We planned on waiting a year to buy in SP, but found something "cheap" in our price range off-season, so we jumped in early. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you in a position to buy at all? I saw this home come up in Shepherd Park for $859, but it looks like it's now pending--however, there are occasionally others in that price range.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/7405-Alaska-Ave-NW-20012/home/10022627?utm_source=myredfin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=listings_update&riftinfo=ZXY9ZW1haWwmbD0xODk1Njk0JnA9bGlzdGluZ191cGRhdGVzX2RhaWx5XzI0JmE9Y2xpY2smcz1mYXZvcml0ZXMmdD1pbWFnZSZlbWFpbF9pZD0xODk1Njk0XzE1NTkwMzQ5MzhfMSZ1cGRhdGVfdHlwZT0xMCZsaXN0aW5nX2lkPTEwODc3MTMyMiZwcm9wZXJ0eV9pZD0xMDAyMjYyNyZwb3NpdGlvbl9udW1iZXI9MA==

OP here, not this year but we plan on selling next year and buying there, 16th Street Heights or Michigan Park depending on how this all shakes out.

That makes sense. However, I would encourage you to not wait too too long. In case considering neighborhoods around Walter Reed--Shepherd Park, northern Brightwood, Takoma--these seem to be appreciating fast these days. We planned on waiting a year to buy in SP, but found something "cheap" in our price range off-season, so we jumped in early. Good luck!

Agree. Once Walter Reed is complete, I expect the appreciation will only continue. Looks like OP has a good shot of ITS so there's that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you in a position to buy at all? I saw this home come up in Shepherd Park for $859, but it looks like it's now pending--however, there are occasionally others in that price range.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/7405-Alaska-Ave-NW-20012/home/10022627?utm_source=myredfin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=listings_update&riftinfo=ZXY9ZW1haWwmbD0xODk1Njk0JnA9bGlzdGluZ191cGRhdGVzX2RhaWx5XzI0JmE9Y2xpY2smcz1mYXZvcml0ZXMmdD1pbWFnZSZlbWFpbF9pZD0xODk1Njk0XzE1NTkwMzQ5MzhfMSZ1cGRhdGVfdHlwZT0xMCZsaXN0aW5nX2lkPTEwODc3MTMyMiZwcm9wZXJ0eV9pZD0xMDAyMjYyNyZwb3NpdGlvbl9udW1iZXI9MA==

OP here, not this year but we plan on selling next year and buying there, 16th Street Heights or Michigan Park depending on how this all shakes out.

That makes sense. However, I would encourage you to not wait too too long. In case considering neighborhoods around Walter Reed--Shepherd Park, northern Brightwood, Takoma--these seem to be appreciating fast these days. We planned on waiting a year to buy in SP, but found something "cheap" in our price range off-season, so we jumped in early. Good luck!

Agree. Once Walter Reed is complete, I expect the appreciation will only continue. Looks like OP has a good shot of ITS so there's that.

PP here. Yes, there's ITS--however, OP would still need to figure out a path for high school, even if ITS is an option for middle school. Buying IB for Deal/Wilson might lend some peace of mind even if she did get into ITS. I think there are a few ITS families here in SP, along with LAMB, YY, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you in a position to buy at all? I saw this home come up in Shepherd Park for $859, but it looks like it's now pending--however, there are occasionally others in that price range.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/7405-Alaska-Ave-NW-20012/home/10022627?utm_source=myredfin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=listings_update&riftinfo=ZXY9ZW1haWwmbD0xODk1Njk0JnA9bGlzdGluZ191cGRhdGVzX2RhaWx5XzI0JmE9Y2xpY2smcz1mYXZvcml0ZXMmdD1pbWFnZSZlbWFpbF9pZD0xODk1Njk0XzE1NTkwMzQ5MzhfMSZ1cGRhdGVfdHlwZT0xMCZsaXN0aW5nX2lkPTEwODc3MTMyMiZwcm9wZXJ0eV9pZD0xMDAyMjYyNyZwb3NpdGlvbl9udW1iZXI9MA==

OP here, not this year but we plan on selling next year and buying there, 16th Street Heights or Michigan Park depending on how this all shakes out.

That makes sense. However, I would encourage you to not wait too too long. In case considering neighborhoods around Walter Reed--Shepherd Park, northern Brightwood, Takoma--these seem to be appreciating fast these days. We planned on waiting a year to buy in SP, but found something "cheap" in our price range off-season, so we jumped in early. Good luck!

Agree. Once Walter Reed is complete, I expect the appreciation will only continue. Looks like OP has a good shot of ITS so there's that.

PP here. Yes, there's ITS--however, OP would still need to figure out a path for high school, even if ITS is an option for middle school. Buying IB for Deal/Wilson might lend some peace of mind even if she did get into ITS. I think there are a few ITS families here in SP, along with LAMB, YY, etc.

OP here. Honestly, we are trying to do free elementary because we considering private in middle or high school, depending on what options we have. We are mentally and financially preparing for that now.

[Anonymous]

I think people are starting to realize that "choice" is really "chance." I hope DC shifts back to a commitment to neighborhood schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you in a position to buy at all? I saw this home come up in Shepherd Park for $859, but it looks like it's now pending--however, there are occasionally others in that price range.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/7405-Alaska-Ave-NW-20012/home/10022627?utm_source=myredfin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=listings_update&riftinfo=ZXY9ZW1haWwmbD0xODk1Njk0JnA9bGlzdGluZ191cGRhdGVzX2RhaWx5XzI0JmE9Y2xpY2smcz1mYXZvcml0ZXMmdD1pbWFnZSZlbWFpbF9pZD0xODk1Njk0XzE1NTkwMzQ5MzhfMSZ1cGRhdGVfdHlwZT0xMCZsaXN0aW5nX2lkPTEwODc3MTMyMiZwcm9wZXJ0eV9pZD0xMDAyMjYyNyZwb3NpdGlvbl9udW1iZXI9MA==

OP here, not this year but we plan on selling next year and buying there, 16th Street Heights or Michigan Park depending on how this all shakes out.

That makes sense. However, I would encourage you to not wait too too long. In case considering neighborhoods around Walter Reed--Shepherd Park, northern Brightwood, Takoma--these seem to be appreciating fast these days. We planned on waiting a year to buy in SP, but found something "cheap" in our price range off-season, so we jumped in early. Good luck!

Agree. Once Walter Reed is complete, I expect the appreciation will only continue. Looks like OP has a good shot of ITS so there's that.

PP here. Yes, there's ITS--however, OP would still need to figure out a path for high school, even if ITS is an option for middle school. Buying IB for Deal/Wilson might lend some peace of mind even if she did get into ITS. I think there are a few ITS families here in SP, along with LAMB, YY, etc.

I doubt OP would want to send her child to Wilson based on her posts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think people are starting to realize that "choice" is really "chance." I hope DC shifts back to a commitment to neighborhood schools.

I hope so. I am a charter parent and the #1 thing I want is a good by-right middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you in a position to buy at all? I saw this home come up in Shepherd Park for $859, but it looks like it's now pending--however, there are occasionally others in that price range.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/7405-Alaska-Ave-NW-20012/home/10022627?utm_source=myredfin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=listings_update&riftinfo=ZXY9ZW1haWwmbD0xODk1Njk0JnA9bGlzdGluZ191cGRhdGVzX2RhaWx5XzI0JmE9Y2xpY2smcz1mYXZvcml0ZXMmdD1pbWFnZSZlbWFpbF9pZD0xODk1Njk0XzE1NTkwMzQ5MzhfMSZ1cGRhdGVfdHlwZT0xMCZsaXN0aW5nX2lkPTEwODc3MTMyMiZwcm9wZXJ0eV9pZD0xMDAyMjYyNyZwb3NpdGlvbl9udW1iZXI9MA==

OP here, not this year but we plan on selling next year and buying there, 16th Street Heights or Michigan Park depending on how this all shakes out.

That makes sense. However, I would encourage you to not wait too too long. In case considering neighborhoods around Walter Reed--Shepherd Park, northern Brightwood, Takoma--these seem to be appreciating fast these days. We planned on waiting a year to buy in SP, but found something "cheap" in our price range off-season, so we jumped in early. Good luck!

Agree. Once Walter Reed is complete, I expect the appreciation will only continue. Looks like OP has a good shot of ITS so there's that.

PP here. Yes, there's ITS--however, OP would still need to figure out a path for high school, even if ITS is an option for middle school. Buying IB for Deal/Wilson might lend some peace of mind even if she did get into ITS. I think there are a few ITS families here in SP, along with LAMB, YY, etc.

I doubt OP would want to send her child to Wilson based on her posts.

PP here--many black families in SP have opted out of Wilson in recent years, and instead do private/parochial, Walls, etc. However, as privates get more expensive, and Wilson's reputation improves, I think that will change over time. I'm AA and have an early elem. child myself, and I expect Wilson will be a good option when it's time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you in a position to buy at all? I saw this home come up in Shepherd Park for $859, but it looks like it's now pending--however, there are occasionally others in that price range.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/7405-Alaska-Ave-NW-20012/home/10022627?utm_source=myredfin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=listings_update&riftinfo=ZXY9ZW1haWwmbD0xODk1Njk0JnA9bGlzdGluZ191cGRhdGVzX2RhaWx5XzI0JmE9Y2xpY2smcz1mYXZvcml0ZXMmdD1pbWFnZSZlbWFpbF9pZD0xODk1Njk0XzE1NTkwMzQ5MzhfMSZ1cGRhdGVfdHlwZT0xMCZsaXN0aW5nX2lkPTEwODc3MTMyMiZwcm9wZXJ0eV9pZD0xMDAyMjYyNyZwb3NpdGlvbl9udW1iZXI9MA==

OP here, not this year but we plan on selling next year and buying there, 16th Street Heights or Michigan Park depending on how this all shakes out.

That makes sense. However, I would encourage you to not wait too too long. In case considering neighborhoods around Walter Reed--Shepherd Park, northern Brightwood, Takoma--these seem to be appreciating fast these days. We planned on waiting a year to buy in SP, but found something "cheap" in our price range off-season, so we jumped in early. Good luck!

Agree. Once Walter Reed is complete, I expect the appreciation will only continue. Looks like OP has a good shot of ITS so there's that.

PP here. Yes, there's ITS--however, OP would still need to figure out a path for high school, even if ITS is an option for middle school. Buying IB for Deal/Wilson might lend some peace of mind even if she did get into ITS. I think there are a few ITS families here in SP, along with LAMB, YY, etc.

I doubt OP would want to send her child to Wilson based on her posts.

PP here--many black families in SP have opted out of Wilson in recent years, and instead do private/parochial, Walls, etc. However, as privates get more expensive, and Wilson's reputation improves, I think that will change over time. I'm AA and have an early elem. child myself, and I expect Wilson will be a good option when it's time.

OP here. Agreed. I would be open to it and haven't eliminated it from the list but, for now, we are preparing for private just in case. If things changed, we've just stacked a lot of money for college.