Is Latin really all that and a bag of chips?

[Anonymous]

How are all these Capitol Hill families getting there? Are there carpools or organized clusters of kids metro/bussing together? I'm over in Southwest and we have a couple of years before middle school but trying to plan ahead. Basis is ideal since its just the other side of the Mall. But for either of the Latins I just don't know how I'd get my kid there and home every day without it being me sitting in the car 60-90 minutes round trip (I am fully remote so it would be to home-school-home twice a day).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are all these Capitol Hill families getting there? Are there carpools or organized clusters of kids metro/bussing together? I'm over in Southwest and we have a couple of years before middle school but trying to plan ahead. Basis is ideal since its just the other side of the Mall. But for either of the Latins I just don't know how I'd get my kid there and home every day without it being me sitting in the car 60-90 minutes round trip (I am fully remote so it would be to home-school-home twice a day).

There's a bus. It's roughly 2k for the year and has several stops [at least the Hill route does]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are all these Capitol Hill families getting there? Are there carpools or organized clusters of kids metro/bussing together? I'm over in Southwest and we have a couple of years before middle school but trying to plan ahead. Basis is ideal since its just the other side of the Mall. But for either of the Latins I just don't know how I'd get my kid there and home every day without it being me sitting in the car 60-90 minutes round trip (I am fully remote so it would be to home-school-home twice a day).

The school runs buses that pick up at a variety of locations throughout the city. Which is what makes it so appealing to many of the CH parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are all these Capitol Hill families getting there? Are there carpools or organized clusters of kids metro/bussing together? I'm over in Southwest and we have a couple of years before middle school but trying to plan ahead. Basis is ideal since its just the other side of the Mall. But for either of the Latins I just don't know how I'd get my kid there and home every day without it being me sitting in the car 60-90 minutes round trip (I am fully remote so it would be to home-school-home twice a day).

There’s a bus from eastern market for Latin 1. There’s also a bus somewhere on the Hill for Latin 2 (I’m just not sure where).

[Anonymous]

We are a Latin family from a Deal feeder. Definitely lots of Cap Hill families. We really love it and it’s a great fit for our child. Great, in depth education by teachers who are very invested in the kids. Nothing is perfect, buts it’s been head and shoulders above our experience with our DCPS elementary school both socially and academically. I agree with those saying it attracts a more laid back crowd and I think this is true.

[Anonymous]

The commute to either Latin from Capitol Hill seems kind of rough, even with the buses. How do the kids cope? What do they do with all that time? I've read here that older kids often take Metro and walk from Ft Totten but that seems like a pretty long walk too after a decent Metro ride.

I used to have a similar sort of commute to my job and found it pretty soul crushing. Probably the thing that gives me the biggest pause with either Latin.

[Anonymous]

I'll say it - as someone that lives close to the Latins and has a lousy middle school (there are a LOT of us) and didn't get a slot, it is such a bummer to hear about all these people leaving their excellent WOTP/Capitol Hill schools/feeders to grab all the Latin spots.

[Anonymous]

I live between Fort Totten metro and the school and see tons of students walking past daily.

I've been here since before the school opened and it's a great addition to the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll say it - as someone that lives close to the Latins and has a lousy middle school (there are a LOT of us) and didn't get a slot, it is such a bummer to hear about all these people leaving their excellent WOTP/Capitol Hill schools/feeders to grab all the Latin spots.

+ 1 It sucks not to be able to have your kid attend a school within walking distance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The commute to either Latin from Capitol Hill seems kind of rough, even with the buses. How do the kids cope? What do they do with all that time? I've read here that older kids often take Metro and walk from Ft Totten but that seems like a pretty long walk too after a decent Metro ride.

I used to have a similar sort of commute to my job and found it pretty soul crushing. Probably the thing that gives me the biggest pause with either Latin.

Are you for real? These are MS and HS kids. They can *cope*. DS walks to Ft Totten Metro to and fro with his friends every day and navigates the bus system. He's finnnnnneee.

For us, Latin 2nd has exceeded our expectations for our DS. Coming from a charter that over promised and under delivered, I was wary of all the Latin hype. But my son's development and progress has been driven by and supported by strong teachers and a supportive culture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll say it - as someone that lives close to the Latins and has a lousy middle school (there are a LOT of us) and didn't get a slot, it is such a bummer to hear about all these people leaving their excellent WOTP/Capitol Hill schools/feeders to grab all the Latin spots.

There are three Capitol Hill middle schools. Even the very best one of those three has a single class (less than 25 students) per grade getting a 4 or 5 on the Math PARCC.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps "soul-crushing" had to do with the fact that you were at work and not a kid going to school?

Sure, it makes for a long day (home to bus, bus to school, and the reverse) but they get to ride the bus with their friends and blow off some post-school steam. Some kids will chat, some will participate in typical MS bus antics, some will listen to music.

I grew up in the suburbs and took a bus to my middle school across town. I find it really unusual to be able to walk to both an ES and then a MS.

Anonymous wrote:The commute to either Latin from Capitol Hill seems kind of rough, even with the buses. How do the kids cope? What do they do with all that time? I've read here that older kids often take Metro and walk from Ft Totten but that seems like a pretty long walk too after a decent Metro ride.

I used to have a similar sort of commute to my job and found it pretty soul crushing. Probably the thing that gives me the biggest pause with either Latin.

[Anonymous]

We've been truly happy at Latin - and not just because of where families come from. Kid is learning a lot (light years above her DCPS ES), teachers are highly engaged, admin has created a welcoming and warm school community.

And our choice wasn't Latin vs. not-so-great option. Our choice was Latin vs. excellent suburban school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've been truly happy at Latin - and not just because of where families come from. Kid is learning a lot (light years above her DCPS ES), teachers are highly engaged, admin has created a welcoming and warm school community.

And our choice wasn't Latin vs. not-so-great option. Our choice was Latin vs. excellent suburban school.

Are you a DC resident or how are you in bounds for an excellent suburban school??

[Anonymous]

Same people fighting over Brent boundaries and whatever are sending their kids to Latin.

+1 for the Latin neighbors.