Ranking Mundo Verde & DC Bilingual for lottery (pre-K3)

[Anonymous]

I'm sure that's right that some of the 40 spots will go to sibs - for some reason I just got the impression that there would still be some decent number left (as opposed to Mundo Verde, where it sounded like there were expected to be very few spots left after sibling spots were taken).

And yeah, we do have a back-up plan - either the preschool where we're sending her now 2 mornings/week (one of the synagogue preschools), or one of the other private but not long-term ones (i.e., Broad Branch Montessori, De Colores, Communikids). We zone to Lafayette, so worst case is that we'll pay for private for the next one to two years, depending on the pre-K4 lottery there. If we got into a charter, we'd definitely send her there for the next year or two, and then would seriously consider keeping her there for the long-term, since the language immersion is a really big draw.

[Anonymous]

Wow, what confusion! I really liked the open house, but my one complaint was that I would have really liked to tour with someone who knew the PK program. Again, suspect it's just that my tour guide had it wrong. He DEFINITELY described the class we were in as a PK4 classroom, said there was only one, and talked about the switching back and forth.

[Anonymous]

Um, that is sort of comically confusing. Unfortunately, it was just me at the open house, so I can't ask my husband for confirmation. But they've definitely confirmed that there are two pre-K3 classes (which is good for all of us!), and I'm *pretty* sure I heard the part right about switching classrooms.

[Anonymous]

In any case, OP, your ranking does not affect your probability of getting in, so if you prefer one over the other, you should definitely put that one first. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks! This is all very helpful. And if other folks have thoughts about either school, I'd love to hear them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks! This is all very helpful. And if other folks have thoughts about either school, I'd love to hear them!

You should probably do a search of the archives, as a lot has already been written, especially about Mundo Verde. I personally love Mundo Verde, and I would answer any questions, but for fear of being called names I'm not going to to write an essay on why I love it. I know very little about DC Bilingual.

[Anonymous]

Fair point - I'll do that. And I promise not to call you names!

Also, a friend has pointed out that on the off chance that you get into two schools, you'll be bumped from the one you ranked lower, so the ranking order does have some impact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fair point - I'll do that. And I promise not to call you names!

Also, a friend has pointed out that on the off chance that you get into two schools, you'll be bumped from the one you ranked lower, so the ranking order does have some impact.

Yes - the ranking DEFINITELY affects your own outcome - you will only get into one school (if any), and you will not get a spot or on the waitlist at anything you ranked lower. So yes, you should rank the schools in the order of your preference. But putting a school as "#1" will not in itself increase your odds of getting in.

[Anonymous]

Dc bilingual teaches half the subjects in English and half in Spanish. So science was Spanish, math was English. I can't remember the rest. Does MV do a split like that?

Other differences to consider from what I remember from tours:

MV has a strong environmental focus
Mv is expeditionary learning

Dc bilingual seems to have an awesome nutrition program from the tour and a no junk food policy (why aren't more schools like that?)

Does anyone remember what DC bilingual uses for curriculum or learning philosophy?

[Anonymous]

MV also has a no junk food policy, and has integrated gardening and cooking classes to reinforce nutrition.

I believe that MV teaches all subjects in both languages in the upper grades, but I could be wrong as my child is not yet doing both English and Spanish (it is 90% Spanish through kindergarten).

[Anonymous]

Yes, MV does all subjects in both languages. However, different aspects of a subject are covered in each language. For example, word math problems in English and measurement in Spanish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dc bilingual teaches half the subjects in English and half in Spanish. So science was Spanish, math was English. I can't remember the rest. Does MV do a split like that?

Other differences to consider from what I remember from tours:

MV has a strong environmental focus
Mv is expeditionary learning

Dc bilingual seems to have an awesome nutrition program from the tour and a no junk food policy (why aren't more schools like that?)

Does anyone remember what DC bilingual uses for curriculum or learning philosophy?

I think many schools are like that, Mundo Verde is, Creative Minds has a whole nutrition and wellness policy (you can read their "snack policy" on their website).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dc bilingual teaches half the subjects in English and half in Spanish. So science was Spanish, math was English. I can't remember the rest. Does MV do a split like that?

Other differences to consider from what I remember from tours:

MV has a strong environmental focus
Mv is expeditionary learning

Dc bilingual seems to have an awesome nutrition program from the tour and a no junk food policy (why aren't more schools like that?)

Does anyone remember what DC bilingual uses for curriculum or learning philosophy?

I think many schools are like that, Mundo Verde is, Creative Minds has a whole nutrition and wellness policy (you can read their "snack policy" on their website).

Not PP, and I agree that some schools have a focus on this--but no one comes close to what DC Bilingual does, based on the open house I went to. DC Bilingual has a full-time nutritionist on staff that meets with families to do meal-planning. They cook all their meals in-house. It is such an integral part of their mission that you meet with her during the open house. It seemed really different at DCB than at other schools I went to, including Stokes, CM, and MV.

[Anonymous]

I think this is absolutely because of the demographic they are dealing with at DC Bilingual. I am married to someone who fits the demographic and trust me, this type of intervention is absolutely necessary to change historical eating patterns, nutrition, etc. I think it is great, but if you don't require that sort of intervention, I would not let the whole nutrition program sway your decision one way or the other, given how many other factors there are to weigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dc bilingual teaches half the subjects in English and half in Spanish. So science was Spanish, math was English. I can't remember the rest. Does MV do a split like that?

Other differences to consider from what I remember from tours:

MV has a strong environmental focus
Mv is expeditionary learning

Dc bilingual seems to have an awesome nutrition program from the tour and a no junk food policy (why aren't more schools like that?)

Does anyone remember what DC bilingual uses for curriculum or learning philosophy?

I think many schools are like that, Mundo Verde is, Creative Minds has a whole nutrition and wellness policy (you can read their "snack policy" on their website).

Not PP, and I agree that some schools have a focus on this--but no one comes close to what DC Bilingual does, based on the open house I went to. DC Bilingual has a full-time nutritionist on staff that meets with families to do meal-planning. They cook all their meals in-house. It is such an integral part of their mission that you meet with her during the open house. It seemed really different at DCB than at other schools I went to, including Stokes, CM, and MV.

This is what MV is aiming towards in the new building. It probaly won't happen in the first year to the full extent planned, but it is the overall goal and I anticipate it will be seen within 3 years if not sooner (depending only on fundraising efforts to fully equip the kitchen properly). The plan is to have the kids grow and cook the food that they eat (or at least some portion of it), and learn about nutrition in the process.