If you live in Dupont 20036, what are the public preschool and elementary school options?

[Anonymous]

Check the archives for info on SWW@FS. I know people there who love it.

[Anonymous]

Hi Op, I'm a SWWFS parent and am very happy with the school! I have a Prek4 student who will be in Kindergarten there next year. We are in bounds in 20037. The school is riding in popularity with long preschool waitlists, but the PP is right, you might have a shot by applying to round 2 and being behind the several IB's families that are on the list. The preschool classrooms are solid with lovely, experienced teachers. The upper grades are getting better and attracting more attention. My favorite part about the school is the close knit and welcoming community! Our HSA president was actually the former HSA president at Ross and is very adept at creating community. I see many of the same positive attributes that Ross has starting to build here!

Best of luck with your move! I think you'll find there are a number of families in Dupont and the surrounding neighborhoods who are choosing to stay in the city and send their kids to public schools. It's a very exciting time to live here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see the School without Walls @ Francis Stevens listed on the DCPS site. How is the school? Is it difficult to get a space in Prek (and does that start at 3)? My son will be 3 in July and we are seriously thinking of moving here so would truly appreciate your feedback and help! We are moving from an outer suburb to be near work and improve quality of life and time together - very excited to be back in the city!

OP, are you renting? If so, if I were you I would move IB for Ross. It will be good for as many years as you want to stay, and then you'll be moving for middle school. Or, you will be buying a house, and for most people that is not Dupont, unless you have a ton of money for the house and plan on private for middle and high schools.

If you don't get into Ross PK and prefer not to commute to MoCo daycare, do you work downtown? There are a number of good daycare centers downtown that you could look at.

[Anonymous]

I think SWW @ F-S is great. I have an older kid header there next year. Go for it!

[Anonymous]

Try also Kids'Corner at 2200 California.

[Anonymous]

Assuming you don't get into public preK this year, the preschool options are the DCJCC, the preschool at 1st presbyterian, and School for Friends. We're at the DCJCC and are very happy. I think all of those are great options. Most of the public PreK options around here are supposed to be pretty good, but by the time K rolls around, you can't count on too many of the schools.