Moving from Dallas - Need recommendations on best DC Spanish Immersion Schools.

[Anonymous]

There's also Tyler SI on the Hill.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Surprised someone would hear of Bruce-Monroe but not Powell. Powell did better on testing last year and median home prices and availability in Petworth is better than in Mt. Pleasant.

How long does Powell's immersion program continue? Doesn't it end fairly early like Bethune's?

I'm the PP who child attends Powell and I don't even know the answer.

[Anonymous]

At Powell, I believe they go 70% English 30% Spanish PS-PK and then 50%-50% for the remaining years (K-5) unless you choose a class that is English only. I don't know what to label that, but it is what I believe the program is.

[Anonymous]

Which Dallas school are you coming from and how long are you planning on staying?

Two words--middle school. That means Bancroft or Oyster-Adams. Bancroft currently feeds directly into Deal middle school which is arguably the highest performing DCPS middle school in the city. Oyster-Adams students currently have the option of Deal if they live in the O-A boundary. In essence, you can have a big middle school with International Baccalaureate program or a small, dual immersion middle school. Both feed into Wilson High School. Highest performing non-selective high school.

In theory the school boundaries will be shifting soon. But even if that happens, there will be some type of grandfathering to protect families in the current boundaries.

Bancroft and Oyster are the most diverse racially and socio-economically. Consider renting in boundary for either so that you have a sold backup to the whims of the charter lottery. During that year you can also lottery for the bilingual charter schools or decide if you want to buy near a neighborhood school.

Powell and Bruce-Monroe have similar in demographics and both feed into Columbia Heights Education Campus (CHEC). CHEC is middle and high school. Supposedly they will have a bilingual track.

Tyler has three different programs, Arts Integration and Autism in English and Spanish immersion. Only about 10% of students are Hispanic and it feeds to Eliot Hine MS and Eastern high school which have even fewer Latinos.

Clear as mud, right?

Check the VA public school forum for information on Alexandria.

GL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which Dallas school are you coming from and how long are you planning on staying?

Two words--middle school. That means Bancroft or Oyster-Adams. Bancroft currently feeds directly into Deal middle school which is arguably the highest performing DCPS middle school in the city. Oyster-Adams students currently have the option of Deal if they live in the O-A boundary. In essence, you can have a big middle school with International Baccalaureate program or a small, dual immersion middle school. Both feed into Wilson High School. Highest performing non-selective high school.

In theory the school boundaries will be shifting soon. But even if that happens, there will be some type of grandfathering to protect families in the current boundaries.

Bancroft and Oyster are the most diverse racially and socio-economically. Consider renting in boundary for either so that you have a sold backup to the whims of the charter lottery. During that year you can also lottery for the bilingual charter schools or decide if you want to buy near a neighborhood school.

Powell and Bruce-Monroe have similar in demographics and both feed into Columbia Heights Education Campus (CHEC). CHEC is middle and high school. Supposedly they will have a bilingual track.

Tyler has three different programs, Arts Integration and Autism in English and Spanish immersion. Only about 10% of students are Hispanic and it feeds to Eliot Hine MS and Eastern high school which have even fewer Latinos.

Clear as mud, right?

Check the VA public school forum for information on Alexandria.

GL

I second the suggestion to rent for a while, so you get easy access to the school of your choice and have time to explore neighborhoods and schools before making a permanent decision. If you go that route, look for rentals within Oyster-Adams boundary - there are many nice places and the school is one of the best public schools in the city, and the only top performing one offering bilingual ed.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your helpful comments and suggestions. One more question.

To attend Bancroft or another DC public school, do you have to live in boundary or can you apply for a transfer? If you live in boundary, are they required to admit you to the school? We are in a 50/50 dual language school just north of Dallas that sounds very similar in curriculum and socio-economics to these DC dual language schools.

[Anonymous]

If you live in boundary they have to take you

If you want to apply out of boundary you are put into a lottery based on spots available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for your helpful comments and suggestions. One more question.

To attend Bancroft or another DC public school, do you have to live in boundary or can you apply for a transfer? If you live in boundary, are they required to admit you to the school? We are in a 50/50 dual language school just north of Dallas that sounds very similar in curriculum and socio-economics to these DC dual language schools.

This thread may help you understand the process.





http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/331568.page

[Anonymous]

are you moving for this school year?

[Anonymous]

If we moved mid-year, would our chances of getting into the Dual schools be better or worse? I'm guessing my kids would have to be tested for fluency in both languages.

[Anonymous]

Move to Arlington & join the dual immersion programs at either Key or Claremont - both are great schools and there is an immersion middle school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we moved mid-year, would our chances of getting into the Dual schools be better or worse? I'm guessing my kids would have to be tested for fluency in both languages.

Testing isn't allowed for either Public or Charter schools. If you love inbounds for one of the DC public dual language schools you are guaranteed a spot either way. You will have a hard time getting into a Charter mid year but a public school has to take you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we moved mid-year, would our chances of getting into the Dual schools be better or worse? I'm guessing my kids would have to be tested for fluency in both languages.

Testing isn't allowed for either Public or Charter schools. If you love inbounds for one of the DC public dual language schools you are guaranteed a spot either way. You will have a hard time getting into a Charter mid year but a public school has to take you.

Let me add that Charters are all lottery and the dual language Charters are the most popular with 900+ on their waiting list. LAMB which is a dual Charter doesn't take kids passed the entry grade, however this may change once they move to the new location.

[Anonymous]

You want second grade and as the PP said LAMB and MV may have extra seats in your target grade once they move to the new location. The school is Called DCI which will be the middle and high school for 5 dual language charters.

[Anonymous]

I'm in bounds for Bruce Monroe and we are not even considering it for elem. we MIGHT for pre K. I can't believe you read anything positive that was accurate. Yes the scores are rising but the bar is so low. If you are whie and/or high SES you will be one of two or three in the entire school. There not 9 high SES kids around me and they all go to charters. BM is really "immersion" by default. The majority of kids are ESL to begin with so I think the school is trying rebrand themselves. I hope it continues to improve but when educated families in the neighborhood refuse to commit past age 5, that should tell you something.