Picks for the Lottery

[Anonymous]

The visit is a good chance to reality-check the commute and parking/dropoff routine.

Our IB Title I had a real warmth and charm that I had not anticipated, nor did I know of the level of enthusiasm among the parents until I visited. We ended up matching elsewhere but the Open House definitely raised my estimation of it, and if something went awry at our charter I would be glad to attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really liked Stoddert and Mann. Didn't care for Eaton and Lamb.

Unless you are IB, why do you go to the Open Houses for these schools? Shooting for the tiny (1-2 number possibility of upper elementary?) Don't waste an OOB PK4 slot on Stoddert, Mann and Eaton?

Stoddert and Lamb were for my older kid few years ago. DC got in Stoddert prek4 with no problem. I went to Eaton with a friend because it's her IB school. She decided to move IB to Mann.
We live IB to Mann and I think our chances for prk4 are pretty good. If we don't get in, I can stay home one more year. I don't think 4 open houses for 2 kids is overdoing it. 3 of them are literally 5 minutes from each other. Why Lamb? Both my kids speak Spanish, but our lottery numbers where really bad.
I know more parents who are renters than I know home owners. While moving is pain, it's doable.
I met a parent who said that she was more impressed with Eaton than Oyster. Told her to check out Stoddert and Mann if Eaton impressed her so. Seems like she was choosing a school first and then a place to live.

[Anonymous]

I was less than impressed with MV. Pleasantly surprised by Lee and ITS.

[Anonymous]

I was less than impressed with MV. Pleasantly surprised by Lee and ITS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really liked Stoddert and Mann. Didn't care for Eaton and Lamb.

Unless you are IB, why do you go to the Open Houses for these schools? Shooting for the tiny (1-2 number possibility of upper elementary?) Don't waste an OOB PK4 slot on Stoddert, Mann and Eaton?

Stoddert and Lamb were for my older kid few years ago. DC got in Stoddert prek4 with no problem. I went to Eaton with a friend because it's her IB school. She decided to move IB to Mann.
We live IB to Mann and I think our chances for prk4 are pretty good. If we don't get in, I can stay home one more year. I don't think 4 open houses for 2 kids is overdoing it. 3 of them are literally 5 minutes from each other. Why Lamb? Both my kids speak Spanish, but our lottery numbers where really bad.
I know more parents who are renters than I know home owners. While moving is pain, it's doable.
I met a parent who said that she was more impressed with Eaton than Oyster. Told her to check out Stoddert and Mann if Eaton impressed her so. Seems like she was choosing a school first and then a place to live.

What turned you off about Eaton?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was less than impressed with MV. Pleasantly surprised by Lee and ITS.

Why were you surprised with Lee and ITS? Did you have lower expectations with ITS and Lee than MV? Why were you underwhelmed with MV?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really liked Stoddert and Mann. Didn't care for Eaton and Lamb.

Unless you are IB, why do you go to the Open Houses for these schools? Shooting for the tiny (1-2 number possibility of upper elementary?) Don't waste an OOB PK4 slot on Stoddert, Mann and Eaton?

Stoddert and Lamb were for my older kid few years ago. DC got in Stoddert prek4 with no problem. I went to Eaton with a friend because it's her IB school. She decided to move IB to Mann.
We live IB to Mann and I think our chances for prk4 are pretty good. If we don't get in, I can stay home one more year. I don't think 4 open houses for 2 kids is overdoing it. 3 of them are literally 5 minutes from each other. Why Lamb? Both my kids speak Spanish, but our lottery numbers where really bad.
I know more parents who are renters than I know home owners. While moving is pain, it's doable.
I met a parent who said that she was more impressed with Eaton than Oyster. Told her to check out Stoddert and Mann if Eaton impressed her so. Seems like she was choosing a school first and then a place to live.

Hmm I felt the same way. I liked Eaton more than Oyster. We went charter and left the area.

[Anonymous]

MV down, Bridges up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really liked Stoddert and Mann. Didn't care for Eaton and Lamb.

Unless you are IB, why do you go to the Open Houses for these schools? Shooting for the tiny (1-2 number possibility of upper elementary?) Don't waste an OOB PK4 slot on Stoddert, Mann and Eaton?

In our case, we are entering the lottery for 1st grade, we have fewer than 12 choices, so we're not wasting a spot, and we are open to moving. Plus, it's useful to have a point of comparison.

[Anonymous]

What was it about MV Open House that was underwhelming for you? I didn't go, but I've heard others say that MV just kinda phoned it in because they know that they are going to be a popular top choice no matter what. Was that your experience as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What was it about MV Open House that was underwhelming for you? I didn't go, but I've heard others say that MV just kinda phoned it in because they know that they are going to be a popular top choice no matter what. Was that your experience as well?

I met one really nice MV staff member at EdFest and she was there and just as friendly. All other staff seemed put out having to deal with the Open House and even very reasonable questions (I understand the "will my child get massaged kale at lunch questions" garner an eye roll but not basic questions about the goals for preschoolers).

Even more off putting for me, was seeing/feeling a sense of chaos in the school. Kids running up and down staircases, lots of kids roaming the sidewalks to and from recess, etc. That might be just what some parents want and like but it's not what I wanted for myself or my kids.