Has anyone on EL Haynes waitlists gotten a call/email?

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure it's not the school's core mission to offer a couple years of "public school experience" to kids who otherwise would be in private and very likely will flee for same by 3rd grade at the latest. The kids whose families have problems getting paperwork in on time are *exactly* the kids who benefit the most from attending E.L. Haynes and thus would be hurt the most if displaced by kids whose families are already holding private school contracts. (Flame away, DCUMs.)

[Anonymous]

Sound fair. They should just change all of the enrollment dates to late October...to be really fair.

[Anonymous]

I think this goes to the point I made above. To me, it's a mixed message. They suggest that the waitlist is tied to this May 27 deadline, which is fine, but most charters dont tie their waitlist to things like this. But, then when you call and ask about the deadline, they are surprised that you are expecting that to be a hard deadline when the wait list moves. I would have been fine if they just said, "yeah, the deadline will move throughout the summer, just keep checking." Isnt that what is happening with all the schools? Long story short, I empathize with what others are saying.

[Anonymous]

Any Updates?

[Anonymous]

They suggest that the waitlist is tied to this May 27 deadline, which is fine, but most charters dont tie their waitlist to things like this. But, then when you call and ask about the deadline, they are surprised that you are expecting that to be a hard deadline when the wait list moves.

The waitlist is tied to the May 27 deadline. If all people who are expected to enroll by May 27 complete their paperwork, then no movement will happen on the waitlist. The waitlist may move during the summer or early weeks of school due to people who completed enrollment paperwork not actually enrolling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last year my DC had a good wl number (lower 20s). Only one or two spots moved after the May deadline. The list doesn't move until after the school year begins in August. Then moves again after DCPS starts a month later. We got the call in October, but this year will be tougher due to the limited spots and number of returning students or siblings committed. If you really want ELH, your best bet is to secure a spot for fall that you wouldn't mind leaving if you get the call. Then try to enjoy your summer.

If the waitlist doesnt move because students are accepting and no spots have opened up, that is fine. But, that is not the message you get when you call the school. They indicate that they havent even processed WLs yet. It is now June 6 and, IMO, that is pretty ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the waitlist doesnt move because students are accepting and no spots have opened up, that is fine. But, that is not the message you get when you call the school. They indicate that they havent even processed WLs yet. It is now June 6 and, IMO, that is pretty ridiculous.

OP here. I totally agree. It does seem weird that as at June 3 which was the day I called, they hadn't started going through their waitlists. I was told that they were giving their families a little more time to turn in their forms but how much time do these families need to make up their minds? I was told to check back this week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the waitlist doesnt move because students are accepting and no spots have opened up, that is fine. But, that is not the message you get when you call the school. They indicate that they havent even processed WLs yet. It is now June 6 and, IMO, that is pretty ridiculous.

OP here. I totally agree. It does seem weird that as at June 3 which was the day I called, they hadn't started going through their waitlists. I was told that they were giving their families a little more time to turn in their forms but how much time do these families need to make up their minds? I was told to check back this week.

Thanks, yeah, we called today and were told to check back later this week as well.

[Anonymous]

We got into ELH (PK-3) off the waitlist this year. The WL moved exactly one spot from the lottery until the first day of school. It then moved, in fits and starts, approximately one slot per day for approximately twenty days. (I suspect there will be less movement this year because there were so few slots open for non-siblings to start with.)

[Anonymous]

PP here. Thanks for the info. Yeah, I wouldnt be surprised that it doesnt move much at all, especially right now. I am just surprised that they are so opaque about giving information. For instance, if the reason that the WLs arent moving is because of siblings, which seems very much to be the case, than why should it be so hard to track down families and get commitments? Sorry, I know I am beating this to death, but I dont see why it should be 2 months after the lottery before ELH processes its WL.

[Anonymous]

it is a multiple step process.

1. The lottery occurs and the winners are notified
2. The winners have a period of time (~2 weeks) to complete a letter of intent
Given that the class was filled with siblings, I would expect that there would not be any movement here - 1st chance to "work the W/L"

3. A few weeks later they need to provide proof of residency / proof of age (I beleive this is the May 27th deadline)
Now that the May 27th date has come and gone, they probably have a handful of families who have not compelted the required paperwork. They are giving these families extensions. After they give their current families every reasonable opportunity, they will start the next round of working the waitlist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm pretty sure it's not the school's core mission to offer a couple years of "public school experience" to kids who otherwise would be in private and very likely will flee for same by 3rd grade at the latest. The kids whose families have problems getting paperwork in on time are *exactly* the kids who benefit the most from attending E.L. Haynes and thus would be hurt the most if displaced by kids whose families are already holding private school contracts. (Flame away, DCUMs.)

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it is a multiple step process.

1. The lottery occurs and the winners are notified
2. The winners have a period of time (~2 weeks) to complete a letter of intent
Given that the class was filled with siblings, I would expect that there would not be any movement here - 1st chance to "work the W/L"

3. A few weeks later they need to provide proof of residency / proof of age (I beleive this is the May 27th deadline)
Now that the May 27th date has come and gone, they probably have a handful of families who have not compelted the required paperwork. They are giving these families extensions. After they give their current families every reasonable opportunity, they will start the next round of working the waitlist.

Not trying to be difficult, but how do you know that is what happens? That is not at all what they said when you call them. If they would have told me what you just said, I wouldnt be complaining. No one has said those words to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it is a multiple step process.

1. The lottery occurs and the winners are notified
2. The winners have a period of time (~2 weeks) to complete a letter of intent
Given that the class was filled with siblings, I would expect that there would not be any movement here - 1st chance to "work the W/L"

3. A few weeks later they need to provide proof of residency / proof of age (I beleive this is the May 27th deadline)
Now that the May 27th date has come and gone, they probably have a handful of families who have not compelted the required paperwork. They are giving these families extensions. After they give their current families every reasonable opportunity, they will start the next round of working the waitlist.

Not trying to be difficult, but how do you know that is what happens? That is not at all what they said when you call them. If they would have told me what you just said, I wouldnt be complaining. No one has said those words to me.

I am not part of the administration at EL Haynes. I know how it happens at other charters from my personal experience and made a bunch of assumptions given the information that has been posted. Some charters are better than others at explaining the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it is a multiple step process.

1. The lottery occurs and the winners are notified
2. The winners have a period of time (~2 weeks) to complete a letter of intent
Given that the class was filled with siblings, I would expect that there would not be any movement here - 1st chance to "work the W/L"

3. A few weeks later they need to provide proof of residency / proof of age (I beleive this is the May 27th deadline)
Now that the May 27th date has come and gone, they probably have a handful of families who have not compelted the required paperwork. They are giving these families extensions. After they give their current families every reasonable opportunity, they will start the next round of working the waitlist.

Not trying to be difficult, but how do you know that is what happens? That is not at all what they said when you call them. If they would have told me what you just said, I wouldnt be complaining. No one has said those words to me.

I am not part of the administration at EL Haynes. I know how it happens at other charters from my personal experience and made a bunch of assumptions given the information that has been posted. Some charters are better than others at explaining the process.

Thanks. I hear you. I think it is a communication issue.