Question for DC Public School parents--please read it may affect you

[Anonymous]

Except that I have been told repeatedly the opposite information ( although never by DCPS sources)

Again, I agree the rule makes sense, I just want everybody to know that it is the rule.

But I will mention that DC is a bit different from districts "all over the country". The in-bounds area for my school is about 5 blocks square...not easy to stay in-boundary if a move is needed. That's why it is important that people know the score...it affects major life choices.

[Anonymous]

No, it is confusing in that you must apply again THROUGH THE LOTTERY.

In the past, it was principal's discretion, which meant unless you brought extreme behavior problems to the classroom, you were in for good.

Now, it is possible that you could be denied a spot if you didn't get lucky in the lottery.

Here is a question for 825. Who is keeping records on HOW people got into the school? So let's say you lived in boundary 5 years ago and now don't. Is DCPS willing to follow the paper trail on this one? Sounds like a whole lot of work to me.

But I do love how they slid it in a footnote and seem to have DCPS adminstrators posting here on DCUM. As always, deftly handled by Rhee and her crew!

[Anonymous]

I don't believe anyone is being tracked down for having moved out of boundary unless there needs to be justification for transferring the student or suspicion that there was some hanky panky going on with the original in-boundary application.

And I pasted in the response to my e-mail asking for explanation from a DCPS employee...I can pretty much guarantee that they aren't posting here themselves or even reading it.

[Anonymous]

DCPS is kind of like an airline (United comes to mind) when it comes to procedure. Sure, there's lots of fine print and "rules" that can be enforced, but ultimately it's up to the gate agent (i.e. the principal) if you get on the flight or not. And it's always in the airline's financial interest to get butts in seats. Not a perfect analogy, but 825 sometimes feels like Ohare in a snowstorm at rush hour.

[Anonymous]

I like the airline comparison. When is the turbulence going to end?

[Anonymous]

Not sure why OP is confused. Of course you can't automatically stay at a school if you move out of bounds. Why would this be allowed? When you make the decision to move you need to conside which school's boundaries you are moving into and, if you don't like the school, what are your chances of getting in to your desired school through the out-of-bounds process.

[Anonymous]

Not OP. This is confusing because it has NEVER been this way before. "Why would this be allowed?" Can't answer "Why" just that it has always been this way. Clearly, you are new to DCPS.

[Anonymous]

We were in bounds for a certain school when our oldest started pre-k. By the time our third child arrived we needed a bigger house. We wanted to stay in bounds, but the perfect house was two blocks from our old one and not in-bounds for DC's school. Thankfully we were not kicked out of the school.

[Anonymous]

I question whether this policy has "always been this way." Can anyone produce anything in writing? Sounds like in the past, principals had discretion to make exceptions, and now the policy has been standardized. Sounds like a good thing to me. I'd rather know the policy going in and base my decisions on a standard (that is the norm in many other areas) than worry about whether the good will of an individual will keep my kids in their school (what if the principal leaves and the discretion shifts to a new principal with a differing view?). Good for DCPS for memorializing the policy in writing.

[Anonymous]

if you read the writing very carefully, you'll see that it is still at the principal's discretion. I don't believe that anyone will be checking residency of in-bound students each and every year. Only if a problem comes up...

Here are the relevant excerpts from DC Municipal Regulations:

2105.2 A student whose place of residence within the District of Columbia changes from one attendance zone to a different attendance zone shall be transferred to the school serving the attendance zone where the student's new place of residence is located. This requirement is subject to the exceptions set forth in §§ 2105.5 and 2105.7.

2105.3 Transfers due to change of address shall be effected by the principal of the school from which the student is being transferred.
...
2105.5 To provide for continuity of instruction, especially in the case of high school seniors scheduled to graduate the following June, the principal may authorize the continued attendance of the student at the school currently being attended for the remainder of the term or school year.
...
2105.7 The provisions of § 2106 [which governs the out-of-boundary lottery] may be applied to a student whose change of place of residence would require a transfer under this section. A student who meets the requirements of § 2106 for out-of-zone attendance may be allowed to remain at the school currently being attended notwithstanding his or her change of address.

[Anonymous]

Our school (Oyster) does check residency every year. Of course, the school has traditionally moved formerly in-bound students to out-of-boundary status when families move.

[Anonymous]

I think that this makes perfect sense, its prevents people from gaming the system by establishing residence just to get into a certain school. As for people who are moving, then school choice is just part of the equation - if you really like your in-bound school then perhaps you should not move.

[Anonymous]

I agree with11:25.

[Anonymous]

This is the original poster

"Perhaps you should not move"

Sure, even after kid 2 and 3 come along in a 900sqft residence? Please don't presume.

I know that I need to move. And I am happy now that I know the official and "unofficial" rules that I need to consider when I make that move.

AGAIN, what I was originally posting about was that the answers I was getting to this question were conflicting. Now I get it. I want to be sure that everyone gets it so nobody gets caught in the confusion.

[Anonymous]

OP, thank you for posting. I get why you are posting and it is helpful for people trying to figure this out. For all of those who say this has never and will never be enforced, that is your risk to take. I am like OP, I do not want the issue of what school my children will attend depending on the discretion of a principal who could change.

Also, many of the popular NW schools are getting more and more crowded, auditing the home addresses of their students who are registered as in boundary may at some point be a way to alleviate overcrowding.

To those who wonder if the schools know whether a student enrolled through the lottery or because of in-boundary, I would expect this record is kept. You have to provide evidence that you are in-boundary to enroll, why would they not keep this information in each student's file.