For those of you in-boundary for a terrible DCPS elementary, and who are bummed about that ...

[Anonymous]

My neighborhood school is probably worst off academically than most of the poster's in-boundary schools. My plan is to go charter (first) with OOB as the next option. I really want language immersion so we'd have to travel more than a few blocks to find that anyway. I think we will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Bought pre-kid(s) thinking we'd be gone after 5 years, so I never even looked at schools. It's year 6. Still considering moving to MoCo for K, but housing prices are a concern both with selling the current house and affording something new. The possibilities are starting to look really slim for moving in the next 1.5 - 2 years. Plus, I really don't want to make the same mistake in MoCo!

So yeah - "stuck" is a great word to describe my sentiments. But, we got DS into great charter for pre-k so I'm no longer in panic mode. (However, really not looking forward to the PS lottery for our other child this spring!!)
In-bound schools not an option and I think any private school we could afford wouldn't be any better than the charter.

[Anonymous]

I've always put my trust in getting in a better school OOB. Our in-boundary school is not and will probably never be an option even though it's a stone's throw from our house. I wasn't thinking about schools when we moved, but more about what was in my price range in a particular area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My neighborhood school is probably worst off academically than most of the poster's in-boundary schools. My plan is to go charter (first) with OOB as the next option. I really want language immersion so we'd have to travel more than a few blocks to find that anyway. I think we will be fine.

I wonder if we are zoned for the same school...? My idea was also charter then OOB, but have you seen how long the waitlists are? It's crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've always put my trust in getting in a better school OOB. Our in-boundary school is not and will probably never be an option even though it's a stone's throw from our house. I wasn't thinking about schools when we moved, but more about what was in my price range in a particular area.

What specifically is wrong with your in-boundary school? Is it the quality of educational opportunities, the quality of the teaching staff, or the children who go to the school? Have you been inside the school? Have you met the principal or the early childhood teachers? It might be a lot better than you think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've always put my trust in getting in a better school OOB. Our in-boundary school is not and will probably never be an option even though it's a stone's throw from our house. I wasn't thinking about schools when we moved, but more about what was in my price range in a particular area.

What specifically is wrong with your in-boundary school? Is it the quality of educational opportunities, the quality of the teaching staff, or the children who go to the school? Have you been inside the school? Have you met the principal or the early childhood teachers? It might be a lot better than you think.

You're probably right about the school itself, but I'd prefer my dc not come home swearing like a sailor or being a victim of the bullying I've witnessed of those walking home from school. Of all the children on our block, only one child I know attends the school and his parents actually live in Maryland and use grandma's address.

[Anonymous]

But, we got DS into great charter for pre-k so I'm no longer in panic mode. (However, really not looking forward to the PS lottery for our other child this spring!!)
In-bound schools not an option and I think any private school we could afford wouldn't be any better than the charter.

Most charters have sibling preference, so when you get one child in, you're set for the whole family. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I've always been holding out in winning the lottery. But since that hasn't panned out yet (they say you have to play to win) I thank my lucky stars that we got into Yu Ying the first year. We would've already moved to MoCo or continued our dreaded commute across the city to the OOB school we were in at the time.

[Anonymous]

Our in boundary school (Bruce Monroe Elementary) was so bad they demolished it. It was never an option anyway. Our plan is to do the charter and OOB lotteries for DC 1 (currently 19 months) at ages 3 and 4, and if that doesn't pan out, we have a year to move. Keeping an eye on HD Cooke though.

As for the original question, we were newly married, childless and schools just weren't on our radar screen at the time.

[Anonymous]

By the time your child is ready, there will be many more options. Go and visit schools, and open houses this Fall to see what's available. It's much better than you would think if you read these boards.

Anonymous wrote:Our in boundary school (Bruce Monroe Elementary) was so bad they demolished it. It was never an option anyway. Our plan is to do the charter and OOB lotteries for DC 1 (currently 19 months) at ages 3 and 4, and if that doesn't pan out, we have a year to move. Keeping an eye on HD Cooke though.

As for the original question, we were newly married, childless and schools just weren't on our radar screen at the time.

[Anonymous]

You have to take a chance on a new charter or up and coming traditional DCPS. That's how people get in -- BEFORE it's hot. Lke people who bought google stock way back when, or Microsoft in the 90s. Of course now that the facilities are together, the programs have a history, there are 100s of applicants. Find the new one, get a spot, make it work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've always put my trust in getting in a better school OOB. Our in-boundary school is not and will probably never be an option even though it's a stone's throw from our house. I wasn't thinking about schools when we moved, but more about what was in my price range in a particular area.

What specifically is wrong with your in-boundary school? Is it the quality of educational opportunities, the quality of the teaching staff, or the children who go to the school? Have you been inside the school? Have you met the principal or the early childhood teachers? It might be a lot better than you think.

You're probably right about the school itself, but I'd prefer my dc not come home swearing like a sailor or being a victim of the bullying I've witnessed of those walking home from school. Of all the children on our block, only one child I know attends the school and his parents actually live in Maryland and use grandma's address.

Good point. The swearing and bullying usually isn't an issue in early childhood. I don't know of a single Pre-K, Kindergarten or primary teacher that allow students to swear. That kind of thing doesn't manifest until about 3rd or 4th grade.

[Anonymous]

The worst thing that came out of our child's mouth after completing Kindergarten and first grade at the in-boundary school was "dang" which was actually pretty comical. He's now in college with no ill effects.

[Anonymous]

20:52 here. The kids at the school are fine and I don't regret moving here, however, I don't want DD to "check out" of school long before she hits middle school. I am not that pressed to get into schools with the highest test scores, but these have got to be as low as they get for the city. Not cool with low expectations for my kiddo.

I attended JO Wilson as a kid, and it's not a superstar school on this board, but I loved it and was well prepared for MS, HS (SWW) and even college. I've always been good at math, thanks to really good math teachers early on from elementary. JO Wilson also had an excellent French teacher/program back then. My old teachers still remember my name and family when I see them. I don't see that experience at my in-boundary school for DD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:20:52 here. The kids at the school are fine and I don't regret moving here, however, I don't want DD to "check out" of school long before she hits middle school. I am not that pressed to get into schools with the highest test scores, but these have got to be as low as they get for the city. Not cool with low expectations for my kiddo.

I attended JO Wilson as a kid, and it's not a superstar school on this board, but I loved it and was well prepared for MS, HS (SWW) and even college. I've always been good at math, thanks to really good math teachers early on from elementary. JO Wilson also had an excellent French teacher/program back then. My old teachers still remember my name and family when I see them. I don't see that experience at my in-boundary school for DD.

My ds starts J.O. Wilson on Monday. Go Cardinals!