Post Lottery Application Luck 2025-2026 School year

[Anonymous]

I would consider JO Wilson. Which might even be your IB, I don't know. We did JOW for the early grades and had a good experience there. It's not perfect but it's way better than a lot of people in the neighborhood give it credit for, and we dearly loved most of our teachers there. They are in a swing space through the next year, but there's a bus from their K street campus and also the commute to the swing space is probably better than whatever your current commute is. Plus if you stayed, they'll be in a brand new school as of the 2026-2027 school year.

I'd also consider Watkins and Payne, though they will be harder to get into with a post-lottery app. JOW will be easier due to the swing space.

Oh you could also add Brent and pray that their move to a swing space next year results in some late attrition that nabs you a spot. But that's still a long shot and I bet other people are banking on the same thing, so I still think JOW is your best option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would consider JO Wilson. Which might even be your IB, I don't know. We did JOW for the early grades and had a good experience there. It's not perfect but it's way better than a lot of people in the neighborhood give it credit for, and we dearly loved most of our teachers there. They are in a swing space through the next year, but there's a bus from their K street campus and also the commute to the swing space is probably better than whatever your current commute is. Plus if you stayed, they'll be in a brand new school as of the 2026-2027 school year.

I'd also consider Watkins and Payne, though they will be harder to get into with a post-lottery app. JOW will be easier due to the swing space.

Oh you could also add Brent and pray that their move to a swing space next year results in some late attrition that nabs you a spot. But that's still a long shot and I bet other people are banking on the same thing, so I still think JOW is your best option.

Meant to also add that Two Rivers often adds kids late (like even into the school year). Though full disclosure I think this is because TR is going downhill and people are fleeing. But again, it's probably fine for your kids current grades, and then you could lottery next year. I'd add both campuses (4th street and Young) though I think Young is easier to get a spot at.

[Anonymous]

Not OP, but added JO Wilson post-lottery for PK4 and was offered a seat within 24 hours.

My guess is that in-bound parents may be avoiding dealing with the swing space so there is room now that may not be there next lottery year when they’re in a brand new building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not OP, but added JO Wilson post-lottery for PK4 and was offered a seat within 24 hours.

My guess is that in-bound parents may be avoiding dealing with the swing space so there is room now that may not be there next lottery year when they’re in a brand new building.

Not really. JO is easy to get into almost any year.

Send your kid to the close IB so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of the commute. Then lottery into it when swing space is done if you are interested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would consider JO Wilson. Which might even be your IB, I don't know. We did JOW for the early grades and had a good experience there. It's not perfect but it's way better than a lot of people in the neighborhood give it credit for, and we dearly loved most of our teachers there. They are in a swing space through the next year, but there's a bus from their K street campus and also the commute to the swing space is probably better than whatever your current commute is. Plus if you stayed, they'll be in a brand new school as of the 2026-2027 school year.

I'd also consider Watkins and Payne, though they will be harder to get into with a post-lottery app. JOW will be easier due to the swing space.

Oh you could also add Brent and pray that their move to a swing space next year results in some late attrition that nabs you a spot. But that's still a long shot and I bet other people are banking on the same thing, so I still think JOW is your best option.

Meant to also add that Two Rivers often adds kids late (like even into the school year). Though full disclosure I think this is because TR is going downhill and people are fleeing. But again, it's probably fine for your kids current grades, and then you could lottery next year. I'd add both campuses (4th street and Young) though I think Young is easier to get a spot at.

TR always worked the waitlist all the way through the year, even when it was truly sought after and highly regarded. Not to say it isn't in freefall, but the fact that they work their WLs through year is NOT a data point in support of that conclusion.

Proceed...

[Anonymous]

Second the suggestion for Thomson, which is on L between 12th and 13th, so near Farragut North and West and Metro Center plus a ton of bus lines.

I am biased cause my kid is there, but I think it's awesome and since fewer people work downtown, it's got plenty of room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would consider JO Wilson. Which might even be your IB, I don't know. We did JOW for the early grades and had a good experience there. It's not perfect but it's way better than a lot of people in the neighborhood give it credit for, and we dearly loved most of our teachers there. They are in a swing space through the next year, but there's a bus from their K street campus and also the commute to the swing space is probably better than whatever your current commute is. Plus if you stayed, they'll be in a brand new school as of the 2026-2027 school year.

I'd also consider Watkins and Payne, though they will be harder to get into with a post-lottery app. JOW will be easier due to the swing space.

Oh you could also add Brent and pray that their move to a swing space next year results in some late attrition that nabs you a spot. But that's still a long shot and I bet other people are banking on the same thing, so I still think JOW is your best option.

Meant to also add that Two Rivers often adds kids late (like even into the school year). Though full disclosure I think this is because TR is going downhill and people are fleeing. But again, it's probably fine for your kids current grades, and then you could lottery next year. I'd add both campuses (4th street and Young) though I think Young is easier to get a spot at.

TR always worked the waitlist all the way through the year, even when it was truly sought after and highly regarded. Not to say it isn't in freefall, but the fact that they work their WLs through year is NOT a data point in support of that conclusion.

Proceed...

Yeah, I always thought that was good of them to do. It's not *that* hard to incorporate new students mid-year, DCPS boundary schools have to do it and so do most public schools in this country, because they're mostly by-residence. And if people move to DC off-cycle they should still have options.