Bethune for prek3?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got bad lottery number for 22-23 school year and were looking to get our child into any spanish immersion. Mary Mcleod Bethune Day Academy (MMBDA) was our last choice based on ridiculous postings on DC Urban Mom. We were wrong to listen to the nonsense- people on these forums are elitist and ignorant (lack knowledge) to make an informed opinion. Unless someone says they are a parent of child attending, take their post for a grain of salt.

My child loves PK3 at MMBDA 16th St. Campus. We are a non-spanish speaking family and our 3 year old understands basic commands, colors, numbers, and objects in spanish. I am actually surprised how much they know and they corrects us in spanish when we say something in english . Too funny, gotta love 3 years olds. Ms. Garcia is their the teacher, who is amazing with the children and our little one loves her. They cannot wait to go to school everyday and is happy when we are picking them up! At the beginning of the school year there were PK3 A/B (2 classes), which merged into 1 classroom. The class size grew by a few students, and the school added additional teachers in the room. We didn't see an impact on learning or behavior. Ms. Mamiam is the school principal and is very active in the community. She is outside EVERYDAY when students let out to speak to parents. We use class dojo as an app to communicate with school staff. We get updated pictures of activities all day long, to include nap time. The staff responds almost immediately. There is an active PTO who really cares about the school, and isn't over overboard. Before care is at 7 AM and last pick up is a 6 PM- cost $100 per week for after and before care combined- Super Cheap. All children's food is free. If we are running behind they do serve breakfast, lunch, and snack on the way out of school (you have the option to send meals in). They make it really EASY FOR BUSY PARENTS. This place is a little gem.

Yes, our little one loves it and lots of support from staff. We have a running chatroom with all parents who come together for play dates and parents night out. Great community

I forgot to mention, there is free summer school until the following next school year for returning students.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to type this out. Can I ask what your plan is for after prek? Our inbound is not great so trying to think beyond just prek. Thanks again!

We also loved Bethune for PK3 and are sad we won't be able to stay. Unfortunately, the commute is just too hard for our family. If we lived closer to the school, or even worked in the city, we would probably stay long-term. I have honestly been surprised and impressed by the school. Our child has grown and developed both social-emotionally and acadmeically more than I expected. Ms. Mamiam is excellent and the teachers and staff are wonderful. Everyone knows our child's name and arriving in the morning is always such a pleasure. It is a great group of kids and parents. The PK3 parents have organized socials both for kids and parents-night-out gatherings, which I think is great. I would not discount Bethune 16th Street as a long-term option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were matched at Bethune. I put it as our last choice only because of the Spanish component. Wouldn’t be a long term option for us. Any thoughts? I haven’t even seen the space yet. Not particularly excited about it. ;(

Your child will enjoy it, ours can’t wait to go to school every day. We also enjoy the drop off situation. It is the easiest in the city, without a doubt.

[Anonymous]

What does your commute look like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does your commute look like?

We are not walking distance and have to use our vehicle to drop off. The school uses an existing alley that runs behind homes that lead to the parking lot for drop off. It is one big loop where about 5 cars unload at a time and then repeats. It is quick and efficient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does your commute look like?

We are not walking distance and have to use our vehicle to drop off. The school uses an existing alley that runs behind homes that lead to the parking lot for drop off. It is one big loop where about 5 cars unload at a time and then repeats. It is quick and efficient.

+1 to all of the good things said above about MMB 16th St and especially the quick and efficient car dropoff process. Our DD was there for PK3 and it was a wonderful experience. We are now at a different charter (DCI feeder), no regrets but miss MMB every day and still keep in touch with her teacher and friends from the school. One of the things I miss most about MMB is how easy dropoff and pickup is. I didn't realize how rare that is, but dropoff and pickup is a time consuming nightmare at our current charter and at many bigger schools, it seems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got bad lottery number for 22-23 school year and were looking to get our child into any spanish immersion. Mary Mcleod Bethune Day Academy (MMBDA) was our last choice based on ridiculous postings on DC Urban Mom. We were wrong to listen to the nonsense- people on these forums are elitist and ignorant (lack knowledge) to make an informed opinion. Unless someone says they are a parent of child attending, take their post for a grain of salt.

My child loves PK3 at MMBDA 16th St. Campus. We are a non-spanish speaking family and our 3 year old understands basic commands, colors, numbers, and objects in spanish. I am actually surprised how much they know and they corrects us in spanish when we say something in english . Too funny, gotta love 3 years olds. Ms. Garcia is their the teacher, who is amazing with the children and our little one loves her. They cannot wait to go to school everyday and is happy when we are picking them up! At the beginning of the school year there were PK3 A/B (2 classes), which merged into 1 classroom. The class size grew by a few students, and the school added additional teachers in the room. We didn't see an impact on learning or behavior. Ms. Mamiam is the school principal and is very active in the community. She is outside EVERYDAY when students let out to speak to parents. We use class dojo as an app to communicate with school staff. We get updated pictures of activities all day long, to include nap time. The staff responds almost immediately. There is an active PTO who really cares about the school, and isn't over overboard. Before care is at 7 AM and last pick up is a 6 PM- cost $100 per week for after and before care combined- Super Cheap. All children's food is free. If we are running behind they do serve breakfast, lunch, and snack on the way out of school (you have the option to send meals in). They make it really EASY FOR BUSY PARENTS. This place is a little gem.

I forgot to mention, there is free summer school until the following next school year for returning students.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to type this out. Can I ask what your plan is for after prek? Our inbound is not great so trying to think beyond just prek. Thanks again!

We were there a few years ago for pre-K. I echo others in saying it's a lovely experience for young kids, and very well insulated from the reputation for drama you hear about at the Bethune Brookland campus. When we were there, almost everyone left after pre-K. Families were either there because they lived IB for a Ward 3 DCPS that didn't offer pre-K (so went to their IB at kinder) or were neighborhood families committed to Spanish and didn't have good lottery luck. Those families either ended up at DCI feeders or local immersion DCPS schools (Powell and Bruce Monroe mostly).

I hear the kindergarten and lower elementary classes are growing, so that may be a viable option for families now. I do think that it wouldn't be great for MOST kids by second grade or so because it's just such a small campus and as such can't support all of the clubs, extracurriculars, etc. that older kids do. If you have a child that thrives in a small, intimate environment and isn't looking for a ton of extras at school, then don't write off 16th St.

[Anonymous]

This thread has been helpful, but curious if there are any parents with a more recent experience from the 24/25 SY willing to share?

[Anonymous]

My kiddo attended for PreK3 only (we moved) but we LOVED it. Bethune does the PreK years really well. Two teachers per classroom per language, bathrooms in the classroom with toilets appropriately sized for that age. Bethune is a real gem of a school.

[Anonymous]

What were the classroom ratios and hours like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kiddo attended for PreK3 only (we moved) but we LOVED it. Bethune does the PreK years really well. Two teachers per classroom per language, bathrooms in the classroom with toilets appropriately sized for that age. Bethune is a real gem of a school.

I don't know... if tiny toilets are in your top two reasons for loving a school, I'm not sure it's a gem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kiddo attended for PreK3 only (we moved) but we LOVED it. Bethune does the PreK years really well. Two teachers per classroom per language, bathrooms in the classroom with toilets appropriately sized for that age. Bethune is a real gem of a school.

I don't know... if tiny toilets are in your top two reasons for loving a school, I'm not sure it's a gem.

PP here. I'm only replying since you obviously needed attention today. There, I see you.

[Anonymous]

Have they figured out if they were moving or not? When we were there (2023/2024) the teachers were great, the administrators were struggling. I wouldn’t count on it as an option beyond pk3 or pk4. I also don’t think they use the resources they have in the best way and are very disorganized. If you can put up with the disorganization and chaos, it’s a nice small school. But I wouldn’t rank it above most of the other bilingual schools. For example, we think Powell is much better

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread has been helpful, but curious if there are any parents with a more recent experience from the 24/25 SY willing to share?

They moved locations to Takoma, I think. So make sure the new location works for you.

[Anonymous]

PP asking for more recent experiences here: Love Powell but the chances are so low given we are not in boundary and no sibling. Given the number of spaces in PK3 and historical waitlist data, I’ve heard it’s nearly impossible. New location of Bethune (Takoma) is a 3 min drive. It just can’t be beat especially for my non morning DD, and the snarl of traffic that is DCB for example. It seems the takeaway is the same, great for early years but don’t count on it as a long term solution. When trying to balance my list with realistic options, I think it has to be included in a somewhat favorable spot. Thanks everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What were the classroom ratios and hours like?

For hours, it’s like most, 8-3. But aftercare is guaranteed, onsite with same teachers at a very reasonable rate. Also have before care.