Just enterred the lottery for my twins and . . .the suspense is going to be tough

[Anonymous]

Unless we get into our top choice right away (which is highly unlikely), the wait from March 3rd until August will be tough - even though we'd be fine with our 6th choice where we will get in. The idea that we might be getting calls from the other schools at any time is going to be hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless we get into our top choice right away (which is highly unlikely), the wait from March 3rd until August will be tough - even though we'd be fine with our 6th choice where we will get in. The idea that we might be getting calls from the other schools at any time is going to be hard.

How old are your twins? There are plenty of good charter schools (many of which are better than DCPS) that you might have better odds with. And, since you can enter as many as you want you might very well have a choice (or several) in a shorter time frame than you think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless we get into our top choice right away (which is highly unlikely), the wait from March 3rd until August will be tough - even though we'd be fine with our 6th choice where we will get in. The idea that we might be getting calls from the other schools at any time is going to be hard.

How old are your twins? There are plenty of good charter schools (many of which are better than DCPS) that you might have better odds with. And, since you can enter as many as you want you might very well have a choice (or several) in a shorter time frame than you think?

They just turned 3 - we are only looking on the Hill. We aren't applying to 2Rivers because its so competitive at the PreSchool level. For a while, I was really thinking about Appletree - I think it would be better for those first two years than other options - but I want something with the option to continue into kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless we get into our top choice right away (which is highly unlikely), the wait from March 3rd until August will be tough - even though we'd be fine with our 6th choice where we will get in. The idea that we might be getting calls from the other schools at any time is going to be hard.

How old are your twins? There are plenty of good charter schools (many of which are better than DCPS) that you might have better odds with. And, since you can enter as many as you want you might very well have a choice (or several) in a shorter time frame than you think?

They just turned 3 - we are only looking on the Hill. We aren't applying to 2Rivers because its so competitive at the PreSchool level. For a while, I was really thinking about Appletree - I think it would be better for those first two years than other options - but I want something with the option to continue into kindergarten.

Considering how easy it is to get shut out in the OOB lottery, why would you not apply to other programs? Sure, your odds of getting in to Two Rivers are low, but OTOH it's not like it costs you anything. You can apply to as many charters as you like - there's no fee involved, it's just a one page form. And it's a better school than any of the Hill schools anyway (no, we are not at Two Rivers, I've just done a LOT of research). Why would you not even bother?? You should also apply to Appletree and Bridges. They're also better than the Hill pre-schools. Of course, if your commute is more important than school quality then you should definitely stay on the Hill.

BTW, your kids aren't eligible for Stokes until next year (Pre-K), but here's something special Stokes has to offer that DCPS can't compete with:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/health-1/yes-you-can-teach-kids-to-eat.html

[Anonymous]

OP, why would you not apply to Two Rivers b/c it is so competitive. The application takes about 2 minutes to fill out and you have an equal chance of getting in as any other person applying. I really don't get this attitude -- and I'm venting at you b/c I have friends who have said similar things about various charters....).

You realize you best chance of getting in is in PS even if the odds are low b/c there are more spots in PS.

I got in off the lottery at a charter that had only 6 open spots last year. I'm glad I "wasted" the 30 second to fill out my name and address on that application.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
BTW, your kids aren't eligible for Stokes until next year (Pre-K), but here's something special Stokes has to offer that DCPS can't compete with:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/health-1/yes-you-can-teach-kids-to-eat.html

This is INCORRECT. Stokes DOES OFFER PS-3. The 3 and 4 year olds are combined in one classroom (or more accurately, there are two mixed age classrooms, one for French and one for Spanish). So, your 3 year old is eligible for Stokes as long as they turn 3 by Sept. 30, 2011. The mixed-age classroom is good a good way to handle kids who are are a wide range of different levels when the enter school.

And, yes, the lunch program is amazing. And, the after school program is better than anything I saw at other Charters (and WAY better than DCPS options).

[Anonymous]

OP, have you checked out the yahoo group for DCTwins? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dctwins/

The practices for twins' enrollment sometimes differs between charters. Double check. AppleTree won't admit one without the other. Believe it or not, some charters will take one and waitlist the other(s). DCPS tries to keep twins at the same school, but that's more for Kinder+, but they're not legally obligated to accomodate preschool/pre-K.

Good luck OP!

[Anonymous]

pp here. lots of typos. sorry.

[Anonymous]

OP here. 2Rivers only has one class for 3 year olds and it is entirely populated by sibling, for Prek 4 it is not impossible to get into expecially if you wait it out through the summer.

I don't know if I think it is a better school that Hill options. I think the curriculum is better for sure. However, the playground is shamefully small. This may sound like something that doesn't matter, but my older child and one of my twins have so much energy - it would almost be like seeing monkeys in cages at the zoo - pretty depressing. I also don't think it has the same level of community as many of the Hill elementary schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. 2Rivers only has one class for 3 year olds and it is entirely populated by sibling, for Prek 4 it is not impossible to get into expecially if you wait it out through the summer.

I don't know if I think it is a better school that Hill options. I think the curriculum is better for sure. However, the playground is shamefully small. This may sound like something that doesn't matter, but my older child and one of my twins have so much energy - it would almost be like seeing monkeys in cages at the zoo - pretty depressing. I also don't think it has the same level of community as many of the Hill elementary schools.

Have you considered Stokes? The playground, and school generally, is beautiful. And, I think there are more PS-3 slots (not tons mind you) but more than zero. And, the reverse commute up North Capitol street might not be too bad in the morning.

[Anonymous]

Stokes would be our first choice except I commute to Bailey's Crossroads so I really need the kids in school in the neighborhood. I did really think about Stokes - its probably the only school I'd think about leaving the neighborhood for. I honestly don't think we have 30 minutes budge room in our days. We know 2 Stokes families well and they love the school. I do think we would look out of the neighborhood later for middle school, but right now I can't see it.

[Anonymous]

don't know if I think it is a better school that Hill options. I think the curriculum is better for sure. However, the playground is shamefully small. This may sound like something that doesn't matter, but my older child and one of my twins have so much energy - it would almost be like seeing monkeys in cages at the zoo - pretty depressing. I also don't think it has the same level of community as many of the Hill elementary schools.

i live on the hill, too. i didn't apply for 2 Rivers b/c the location is not only inconvenient, it's also an eye-sore. i'm not convinced it's any better than the DCPS my son currently attends (which he loves dearly and we walk to and from everyday). i'm glad to have so many choices, but charters aren't for everyone.

good luck!

[Anonymous]

I would concur with posters who say go ahead and apply to any and all charters you would be willing to commute too, even if you don't think you will get in. We got call backs from most of our charters well into August, and sometimes the schools add extra classes at the last minute.
Unless you don't mind paying the daycare bill another year. We have some folks at our DD#2's daycare who have found that despite the expense the center is the best quality option for their family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would concur with posters who say go ahead and apply to any and all charters you would be willing to commute too, even if you don't think you will get in. We got call backs from most of our charters well into August, and sometimes the schools add extra classes at the last minute.
Unless you don't mind paying the daycare bill another year. We have some folks at our DD#2's daycare who have found that despite the expense the center is the best quality option for their family.

Also, odds are very good that there are other families who could use a carpool, or there's just someone who could help you out. I drive a couple of my DD's classmates to pre-school at their charter every day. She likes the company, and I think it must be good karma, right?