Language immersion results

[Anonymous]

My oldest got a great waitlist number many years ago and didn't get in until a month or so into 1st grade and we turned it down. It was too far. The interesting thing is that he had very low waitlist numbers for four programs and 1st grade was the best he could do (this was back during guaranteed sibling spots).

My youngest has waitlist numbers all over 100.

Zero chance for us. I feel really, really sad which is surprising because I said all along I doubt he will get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone come up with any alternatives for picking up a language if their kid didn’t get in to an immersion program? I know we’re not going to match that if we strike out again in 1st, but there must be other ways to get some meaningful exposure to foreign languages before middle school.

There are suturday schools available in several languages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try for the 1st grade lottery, OP!

Wondering, if that would be much more difficult for a kid to adapt when a whole year of K is missing in case if there was no target language exposure.

[Anonymous]

We're moving in from out of state where my kids have been attending Chinese immersion school for the past 4 years. We were waitlisted 8 & 16 for 4th grade and 26 & 37 for 2nd grade. I was told several weeks ago that there are zero 2nd grade spots open in Chinese programs as of now, and maybe 5 open in 4th grade between the two schools...so not looking great for us. I'm not seeing any other Chinese immersion opportunities in the area, but if anyone knows of private options or great tutors, please let me know. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone come up with any alternatives for picking up a language if their kid didn’t get in to an immersion program? I know we’re not going to match that if we strike out again in 1st, but there must be other ways to get some meaningful exposure to foreign languages before middle school.

There are ample Saturday schools and tutors in the area. However, some Saturday schools, like the one on Bradley Blvd in Potomac, are only set up for native speakers (their words... not mine) and do not teach the language (their words... not mine). They seem more focused on preserving their culture here (<---my summation). So yes there are quality options to learn a language outside of the immersion program but ask questions before signing up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone get in? Anyone feeling really sad like me?

We’re in the 100s for one and 200s for another. On the one hand, I expected this. On the other, I’m still crushed!

I really wanted this for my child. I learned 2 languages but never felt fluent and always wished I’d had a chance like this. 😢

What are the odds of a kindergarten child being invited if they are in the top 20 of the waitlist??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone come up with any alternatives for picking up a language if their kid didn’t get in to an immersion program? I know we’re not going to match that if we strike out again in 1st, but there must be other ways to get some meaningful exposure to foreign languages before middle school.

The lottery process sucks, but there are lots of ways to get exposure to other languages:

1. [for French anyway] Saturday School and camps/weekday classes at French Academy (locations in DC, MD, VA or online)
2. Many elementary schools have after-school clubs that include language classes; these are not as rigorous as #1 but can be a nice introduction to foreign language
3. Language learning apps for kids - we like Little Pim
4. Foreign-language kids' shows on Netflix or Amazon prime (or change the language settings)
5. Easy reader books that come with a CD so your kid can listen along

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Try for the 1st grade lottery, OP!

Wondering, if that would be much more difficult for a kid to adapt when a whole year of K is missing in case if there was no target language exposure.

In my experience, you couldn't tell which kids had started in K or 1 by the time they all left elementary school. They pick it up so quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone get in? Anyone feeling really sad like me?

We’re in the 100s for one and 200s for another. On the one hand, I expected this. On the other, I’m still crushed!

I really wanted this for my child. I learned 2 languages but never felt fluent and always wished I’d had a chance like this. 😢

What are the odds of a kindergarten child being invited if they are in the top 20 of the waitlist??

Pretty good! At least in the past, there was movement til about 30. Good luck!!!

[Anonymous]

I’m noticing there is an appeals process and I’m genuinely curious what a valid reason for an appeal would be. I really wanted it? Lol (cry).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone come up with any alternatives for picking up a language if their kid didn’t get in to an immersion program? I know we’re not going to match that if we strike out again in 1st, but there must be other ways to get some meaningful exposure to foreign languages before middle school.

There are ample Saturday schools and tutors in the area. However, some Saturday schools, like the one on Bradley Blvd in Potomac, are only set up for native speakers (their words... not mine) and do not teach the language (their words... not mine). They seem more focused on preserving their culture here (<---my summation). So yes there are quality options to learn a language outside of the immersion program but ask questions before signing up.

Yeah the couple families I know who send their kids to the Saturday programs (might be Bradley) have a parent who is a native speaker in that language and speak to their kids in that language at home. My oldest attended a Spanish immersion preschool and didn’t get a spot for K and considered something like this but ultimately didn’t seem worth the effort since neither DH or I are fluent, and they like weekend sports. The dual-immersion programs were announced only a couple years after we bought our house and it didn’t make sense to move. As it turns out we are now moving overseas for a couple years where the native language will be completely different. So even though I was disappointed to not get an immersion spot, maybe it worked out for the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m noticing there is an appeals process and I’m genuinely curious what a valid reason for an appeal would be. I really wanted it? Lol (cry).

The overall process is kind of fair. It'd be more equitable/fair if when enrolling your child they made you decline the option to be entered in the lottery. That way it'd be guaranteed that everyone knew about it because quite a few people don't know it is an option. MCPS does do a little bit of making it known as an option (just enough to win a lawsuit) but there are still many people who did not know it was an option. All of that to say that you need a "qualifying unique hardship" for a successful appeal and yes it is very vague for obvious reasons. The vagueness allows them the leeway to decide what they want to be lenient towards. What worked in an appeal this year may not work the following year. You probably know there have been lawsuits about it and here is one as an example https://wjla.com/news/local/federal-civil-rights-complaint-alleges-discrimination-in-montgomery-co-school-programs.

So go ahead and submit the appeal. The earlier and more "unique" the better and of course, good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m noticing there is an appeals process and I’m genuinely curious what a valid reason for an appeal would be. I really wanted it? Lol (cry).

The overall process is kind of fair. It'd be more equitable/fair if when enrolling your child they made you decline the option to be entered in the lottery. That way it'd be guaranteed that everyone knew about it because quite a few people don't know it is an option. MCPS does do a little bit of making it known as an option (just enough to win a lawsuit) but there are still many people who did not know it was an option. All of that to say that you need a "qualifying unique hardship" for a successful appeal and yes it is very vague for obvious reasons. The vagueness allows them the leeway to decide what they want to be lenient towards. What worked in an appeal this year may not work the following year. You probably know there have been lawsuits about it and here is one as an example https://wjla.com/news/local/federal-civil-rights-complaint-alleges-discrimination-in-montgomery-co-school-programs.

So go ahead and submit the appeal. The earlier and more "unique" the better and of course, good luck to you.

That sort of makes sense. We certainly don’t have a hardship. I agree that the process seems more or less fair although it could be more transparent. Is the appeals process where socioeconomic status and poverty gets considered? I don’t disagree with weighting that, but it wasn’t obvious to me how that information was gathered.

[Anonymous]

Did they tattoo their name on it

[Anonymous]

We tried a sibling appeal and it didn’t count :p