Seeking advice for PreK4 next year.

[Anonymous]

It's Amidon-Bowen and the PK there is fine. Definitely less rich and more diverse than Key but there is a mix of races and SES and the kids do interesting projects and activities, based on what I can see from the artwork and writing displayed on the walls. Free breakfast and lunch, nice playground, and a lot smaller requested contribution from the PTA (though feel free to give the $375 Key asks for!).

You could also look at Appletree Southwest and some of the federal daycares in SW (Smithsonian, HUD, House, HHS, FAA, USDA), which often have openings when kids get into public PK.

[Anonymous]

I'm confused, did you do something to make them angry? I've never heard of a school not guaranteeing current families a spot each year. They ask for re-enrollment forms before they offer spots to new families because they want to know who is staying and how many spots they will have available.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at Waterfront Academy?

[Anonymous]

Look into all the AppleTree schools that would be reasonable for your commute. Our DD did one year at AT Lincoln Park and she was very happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We are def frustrated by the situation with the current school.Sigh...

Thanks for the responses so far. Our commute is from Palisades to Southwest. Bowen is near my office but it seems like it is rated pretty poorly? Looked into Comunikids, but seems like it is immersion only, right? Would love for her to learn Spanish but she has had very little exposure so I worry it would be a big jolt for her.

Is NCRC beyond the realm of possibility?

Yes - NCRC is beyond realm of possibility.

[Anonymous]

NCRC’s preK program is fantastic! You didn’t say you were looking at private schools too. River school is lovely too. But I think admissions deadlines may be literally in days or already passed.

[Anonymous]

Most DC schools have decent ECE programs, even the schools that struggle with the later grades. Amidon-Bowen would probably be perfectly fine for a year of preschool.

I don't know your exact commute, but the preschool program at the Smithsonian, which I think is in the American History Museum building, is great. Other fed centers have PK programs, as well. Look at the centers near your office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's Amidon-Bowen and the PK there is fine. Definitely less rich and more diverse than Key but there is a mix of races and SES and the kids do interesting projects and activities, based on what I can see from the artwork and writing displayed on the walls. Free breakfast and lunch, nice playground, and a lot smaller requested contribution from the PTA (though feel free to give the $375 Key asks for!).

You could also look at Appletree Southwest and some of the federal daycares in SW (Smithsonian, HUD, House, HHS, FAA, USDA), which often have openings when kids get into public PK.

Why can't you return? Have you missed too many days and they are asking you not to?

[Anonymous]

OP again. Thanks for all of the additional responses! I work in a federal building but am not very impressed with the daycare here, so have not been considering it as an option. We will definitely look into Amidon-Bowen and Apple Tree (though it looks like the Southwest location does not have a building secured for next year). We are considering both public and private, but many of the private school admissions deadlines have passed. Happy to take any other recommendations!

We are not waitlisted at the current school because of anything we have done. We are waitlisted because they expanded the number of PK3 age classes this year, but did not expand the number of PK4 classes for next year to accommodate the increased number of kids. There are multiple current families, like us, who are waitlisted for next year. I think they are anticipating that a significant number of kids will drop out once the lottery results are released, but who knows.

[Anonymous]

OP once again. We have submitted an application to the Smithsonian program, but I assumed that our chances were pretty low. We applied a few years ago when our daughter was younger and did not get in then. Are the chances better for the older ages? Thanks again!!

[Anonymous]

We are really happy with our preschool program in a federal building. You might check them out. Small Savers. Its at 17 and G.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP once again. We have submitted an application to the Smithsonian program, but I assumed that our chances were pretty low. We applied a few years ago when our daughter was younger and did not get in then. Are the chances better for the older ages? Thanks again!!

Better for older ages. DC kids leave to go to preK, so spaces open up--I've known a couple of people who got in at PK who weren't Smithsonian employees. I'd look at your building's daycare, as well. Focus on the 4s classroom. Unless it's got bad administration, you might feel differently about the program now than you did when you kid was an infant and toddler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Thanks for all of the additional responses! I work in a federal building but am not very impressed with the daycare here, so have not been considering it as an option. We will definitely look into Amidon-Bowen and Apple Tree (though it looks like the Southwest location does not have a building secured for next year). We are considering both public and private, but many of the private school admissions deadlines have passed. Happy to take any other recommendations!

We are not waitlisted at the current school because of anything we have done. We are waitlisted because they expanded the number of PK3 age classes this year, but did not expand the number of PK4 classes for next year to accommodate the increased number of kids. There are multiple current families, like us, who are waitlisted for next year. I think they are anticipating that a significant number of kids will drop out once the lottery results are released, but who knows.

Honestly, that is appalling. Good grief I would be livid.

[Anonymous]

OP my kids go to HUD. I think you'll find the preschool classroom to not have a huge number of 4 year olds, but the teachers are nice and it will be fine.

[Anonymous]

A friend's kid goes to the daycare/preschool at the Dept. of Commerce, and they are really happy there. Her kid is 3 (post Sept. 30), and they will stay there next year if they don't have good luck in the PK3 lottery. They have trouble filling their PK classrooms. I would check it out.