How hard is it to get into Bethune for PK3?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Probably less hard after the critical article published about Bethune preschool in yesterday’s Washington city paper.

Had to search to find that... This is rough.

https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/news/article/20987453/different-regulations-govern-dcs-publicly-funded-prek-programs

Wow. This is exactly why we turned down a PK3 offer from Bethune in favor of a DCPS that wasn't popular on DCUM, but where we ended up having an excellent experience. I knew DCPS would have more oversight, better standards, and better paid teachers than any charter. I'd always pick DCPS over a mediocre charter such as Bethune.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not understand why anyone who was not living in abject poverty and truly had no other choices would put their child at Bethune.

I did, a couple of years ago - I lived nearby and it offered spanish language instruction over my in-bound school (Burroughs, which totally would have been a better option). At the time though it kind of felt like six of one, half a dozen of the other. We stayed one year. To the PP who said Mr. McKay was responsive - well, he might be, but his mother, the Executive Director, certainly was not with any of the safety or academic concerns that many members of our class raised throughout the year.

[Anonymous]

There are two campuses, which one are people talking about here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are two campuses, which one are people talking about here?

Both really - its the same administration, same issues...

The article refers to the 16th Street campus. I'm the PP at 10:00 on 1/5, and my experience was with the Brookland campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not understand why anyone who was not living in abject poverty and truly had no other choices would put their child at Bethune.

I'm a parent of a second year Bethune student (16th street campus) and have had a wonderful experience with the school. Sure, there are minor hiccups once in a while, but my PK child is happy, excited to go to school, loves her teachers, and insists on staying in aftercare because she has so much fun. She has truly flourished academically and made great friends. I've found Mr. McKay to be very open and responsive, and seen him address and respond to challenging circumstances in a timely and diplomatic manner. The teachers are very responsive by email/text and always willing to speak in person as well.

The small size of the 16th Street campus is appealing to us, as there is a strong sense of community, and it was an easy transition from daycare. We also appreciate the diversity of the school, as well as the Spanish instruction. We did have another choice for PK3 last year, and I'm happy that we went with Bethune.

[Anonymous]

+1.

[Anonymous]

It is hard NOT to get in.

[Anonymous]

I want to put in a good word for Bethune at 16th Street too. Our son went there for PreK3, and it was a really good fit for him. He wasn't ready for a bigger classroom at that point (he would have been too disruptive) and the smaller size was nice. The parents I met are fantastic, and because it's a newer community there are small glitches. We did move our son only because he got into a program we were really hoping for; had we not, we would have stayed with Bethune.