Redshirting and Language Immersion

[Anonymous]

My son had an end-of-August birthday and we held him back. We decided it was better for him (especially in middle and high school when puberty hits, when driving, etc.) to be one of the oldest rather than one of the youngest. We considered applying to the immersion programs both years to increase our chances, but then we thought if we got in the first year we'd feel compelled to send him even though we thought it was better to wait. So we held him back and only applied the second year and he got in our top choice! And he has done absolutely wonderfully-- I don't think being 5 or 6 makes a difference. I am glad he got in though, because I did worry he'd be bored in an English-speaking kindergarten as one of the oldest. That hasn't been a problem at all in the language immersion school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it is MCPS, apply both years. The language immersion lottery is a bear-- my DD is #365 on the waitlist, but there are only 50 spots. Sucks.

Interesting. I was told by MCPS that there were a total of 363 applicants for the Spanish immersion lottery, which is the most popular. The top # should be 313.

I wouldn't trust MCPS on that. I am one very disgruntled parent who is paying for private while my neighbors kids get to go to language immersion program for free.

This is part of the MCPS marketing. We're all supposed to buy the line that MCPS is all wonderful schools, but guess what? They are desperately overcrowded, the downcounty consortium is nothing special, and the highly-touted immersion programs are impossible to get into. It feels like a rip-off!

That's why we live in Arlington!

As for timing, I don't think it would make a difference. Mid-September would mean that your son will almost certainly be the youngest in the class. If he's ready, send him

Where in Arlington? What school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it is MCPS, apply both years. The language immersion lottery is a bear-- my DD is #365 on the waitlist, but there are only 50 spots. Sucks.

Interesting. I was told by MCPS that there were a total of 363 applicants for the Spanish immersion lottery, which is the most popular. The top # should be 313.

I wouldn't trust MCPS on that. I am one very disgruntled parent who is paying for private while my neighbors kids get to go to language immersion program for free.

This is part of the MCPS marketing. We're all supposed to buy the line that MCPS is all wonderful schools, but guess what? They are desperately overcrowded, the downcounty consortium is nothing special, and the highly-touted immersion programs are impossible to get into. It feels like a rip-off!

That's why we live in Arlington!

As for timing, I don't think it would make a difference. Mid-September would mean that your son will almost certainly be the youngest in the class. If he's ready, send him

Where in Arlington? What school?

Claremont Immersion Elementary School. Arlington has 2 dual immersion schools, Claremont and Key. Most families who want immersion for their kids are able to get it in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP above. I realize the plural of anecdote is not data, but I know of a family that moved to Arlington specifically to get into Key and in fact did so with no problems. I hear they love it, too!