Primer on the DC school process for a new mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like OP feels the need to make a real estate decision in the short run.

If I knew her IRL I'd tell her to go snuggle her infant, or take a nap. Please don't borrow stress by thinking about preschool for a 5 month old.

Chill, OP! Being older in the class has been awesome for my October birthday boy. Not a problem at all. Also, some DCPS schools combine PK3 and PK4, or offer Montessori, so you could try to choose one of those.

You lose nothing by staying in DC. And you might get a great charter, especially if you're into language immersion, which is harder to find in the suburbs. Researching this now will just fil your head with outdated information. When your son is 3, you will not care at all whether the school was good back when he was a baby, right? So get yourself a basic understanding and then you don't need to think about it until 2019.

[Anonymous]

When kids turns 4 put house on the market and move to Virginia or Maryland

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone -- sounds like I mostly just need to chill out. We love our neighborhood and living here, and the only thing at all appealing about the suburbs is the idea of better public schools.

I think part of my anxiety is based on the fact that a bunch of things seem up in the air. I'm beginning a clerkship soon (partially to have a period to "reset" and think about my career goals a bit more) and would need to decide whether to go back to biglaw next year after it ends. I'd rather not, but also want to have school options (private, financial ability to move, etc) so money plays at least some role. Anyway, none of these decisions have to be made this month, but I feel like they'll sneak up on me sooner than I think!

[Anonymous]

If you own a home IB for Raymond, you could afford a condo in just about any MoCo school cluster, and a house in some of them. I wouldn't worry too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like OP feels the need to make a real estate decision in the short run.

If I knew her IRL I'd tell her to go snuggle her infant, or take a nap. Please don't borrow stress by thinking about preschool for a 5 month old.

Chill, OP! Being older in the class has been awesome for my October birthday boy. Not a problem at all. Also, some DCPS schools combine PK3 and PK4, or offer Montessori, so you could try to choose one of those.

You lose nothing by staying in DC. And you might get a great charter, especially if you're into language immersion, which is harder to find in the suburbs. Researching this now will just fil your head with outdated information. When your son is 3, you will not care at all whether the school was good back when he was a baby, right? So get yourself a basic understanding and then you don't need to think about it until 2019.

+You lose by leaving DC. Other states have earlier deadline than DC so discussing is moot. Also, they don't even start school at 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone -- sounds like I mostly just need to chill out. We love our neighborhood and living here, and the only thing at all appealing about the suburbs is the idea of better public schools.

I think part of my anxiety is based on the fact that a bunch of things seem up in the air. I'm beginning a clerkship soon (partially to have a period to "reset" and think about my career goals a bit more) and would need to decide whether to go back to biglaw next year after it ends. I'd rather not, but also want to have school options (private, financial ability to move, etc) so money plays at least some role. Anyway, none of these decisions have to be made this month, but I feel like they'll sneak up on me sooner than I think!

I had a similar situation and it was really tough to feel so unsettled! Hang in there-- it will all work our just fine and a year of paying for preschool is perfectly reasonable to buy yourself some time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone -- sounds like I mostly just need to chill out. We love our neighborhood and living here, and the only thing at all appealing about the suburbs is the idea of better public schools.

I think part of my anxiety is based on the fact that a bunch of things seem up in the air. I'm beginning a clerkship soon (partially to have a period to "reset" and think about my career goals a bit more) and would need to decide whether to go back to biglaw next year after it ends. I'd rather not, but also want to have school options (private, financial ability to move, etc) so money plays at least some role. Anyway, none of these decisions have to be made this month, but I feel like they'll sneak up on me sooner than I think!

I had a similar situation and it was really tough to feel so unsettled! Hang in there-- it will all work our just fine and a year of paying for preschool is perfectly reasonable to buy yourself some time.

And welcome to parenthood

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone -- sounds like I mostly just need to chill out. We love our neighborhood and living here, and the only thing at all appealing about the suburbs is the idea of better public schools.

I think part of my anxiety is based on the fact that a bunch of things seem up in the air. I'm beginning a clerkship soon (partially to have a period to "reset" and think about my career goals a bit more) and would need to decide whether to go back to biglaw next year after it ends. I'd rather not, but also want to have school options (private, financial ability to move, etc) so money plays at least some role. Anyway, none of these decisions have to be made this month, but I feel like they'll sneak up on me sooner than I think!

I had a similar situation and it was really tough to feel so unsettled! Hang in there-- it will all work our just fine and a year of paying for preschool is perfectly reasonable to buy yourself some time.

Moving to burbs would mean paying 1-2 years more than staying in DC. OP, you need to do more research.

[Anonymous]

October is a great birth month for boy. In public school he will be one of the oldest, in private school he'll be the top half age-wise. Don't start early (even if anyone allowed it). No matter what group of kids he starts with there will be students at his level, whatever that turn out to be, so stick with on-time age-mates.

One way to start early/get more time in school is to go to a 3-year Montessori program before starting K.