siblings offered spot at Mundo Verde

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. This is a very tough decision. I am fluent in three languages (English is my third language) and used to be fluent in a 4th but lost a lot of it due to no longer using it. My kids only know English and I would love for them to know at least one other language but I know making the move will be very tough and perhaps even traumatizing for the kids, who do not respond well to big changes.

Ah, okay, this is helpful context.

First, how much outside supplementation do you plan to do if you switch to an immersion school? If exposure was your goal, I wouldn't worry. But if you expect anything more than basic conversational skills, you have to put in outside effort. Particularly at the charters because there isn't a preference for native speakers. Don't uproot your children unless you're realistic and comfortable with the level of fluency immersion kids achieve in these schools, both with and without outside supplementation.

Second, there is no longer a guarantee at DCI, which is the middle and high school feeder for the charters. People debate this strongly, but there's probably about 50/50 shot at DCI from MV, maybe less if it gets more popular and fewer people at feeders choose Latin and Basis over DCI. Balance that against leaving a "beloved" DCPS with a middle that is making "great strides."

Third, you will not get a spot at Oyster for either grade. You can check the historic waitlist data for that. They usually make 0 offers for both grades, last year was the first year since 2015 they made any offers and it was 2 for K and 4 for 1st. That was likely a fluke and I wouldn't count on it again. Same with Bancroft and Marie Reed, if you listed those. They make 0-3 offers for those grades and they're usually to kids with sibling preference, i.e., not your kids. If it's your kindergartener with the good WL number, you may get an offer at DCB this year since they're expanding that grade. You will probably get an offer at Stokes, plus MV8 and LAMB SD if you listed those schools. LAMB doesn't usually fill seats after K, so I don't think your 1st grader would get an offer or be pulled off the waitlist from the K offer. I would go through the historic waitlist data for all of your schools and familiarize yourself with how many offers the immersion DCPS schools make versus the charters. https://public.tableau.com/views/MSDCSeatsandWaitlistOfferData/MSDCPublicDisplay?%3Aembed=y&%3AshowVizHome=no&%3Adisplay_count=y&%3Adisplay_static_image=y

What is your current DCPS? I'd be very hesitant to move kids from a school that you are happy with to either Stokes or MV, unless you feel very strongly about the language exposure and have realistic expectations about how strong the language instruction is. Likely your DCPS has stronger academics as well, so consider that versus the language exposure as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. This is a very tough decision. I am fluent in three languages (English is my third language) and used to be fluent in a 4th but lost a lot of it due to no longer using it. My kids only know English and I would love for them to know at least one other language but I know making the move will be very tough and perhaps even traumatizing for the kids, who do not respond well to big changes.

Ah, okay, this is helpful context.

First, how much outside supplementation do you plan to do if you switch to an immersion school? If exposure was your goal, I wouldn't worry. But if you expect anything more than basic conversational skills, you have to put in outside effort. Particularly at the charters because there isn't a preference for native speakers. Don't uproot your children unless you're realistic and comfortable with the level of fluency immersion kids achieve in these schools, both with and without outside supplementation.

Second, there is no longer a guarantee at DCI, which is the middle and high school feeder for the charters. People debate this strongly, but there's probably about 50/50 shot at DCI from MV, maybe less if it gets more popular and fewer people at feeders choose Latin and Basis over DCI. Balance that against leaving a "beloved" DCPS with a middle that is making "great strides."

Third, you will not get a spot at Oyster for either grade. You can check the historic waitlist data for that. They usually make 0 offers for both grades, last year was the first year since 2015 they made any offers and it was 2 for K and 4 for 1st. That was likely a fluke and I wouldn't count on it again. Same with Bancroft and Marie Reed, if you listed those. They make 0-3 offers for those grades and they're usually to kids with sibling preference, i.e., not your kids. If it's your kindergartener with the good WL number, you may get an offer at DCB this year since they're expanding that grade. You will probably get an offer at Stokes, plus MV8 and LAMB SD if you listed those schools. LAMB doesn't usually fill seats after K, so I don't think your 1st grader would get an offer or be pulled off the waitlist from the K offer. I would go through the historic waitlist data for all of your schools and familiarize yourself with how many offers the immersion DCPS schools make versus the charters. https://public.tableau.com/views/MSDCSeatsandWaitlistOfferData/MSDCPublicDisplay?%3Aembed=y&%3AshowVizHome=no&%3Adisplay_count=y&%3Adisplay_static_image=y

What is your current DCPS? I'd be very hesitant to move kids from a school that you are happy with to either Stokes or MV, unless you feel very strongly about the language exposure and have realistic expectations about how strong the language instruction is. Likely your DCPS has stronger academics as well, so consider that versus the language exposure as well.

It depends what your DCPS option is. But Stokes and MV are wonderful schools, and the path to dci is a bonus. Also, as to DCI feeders, I expect that DCI will expand its MS/HS in order to accommodate the expanded elementary school enrollment. At least they've talked about doing this in the past, so if demand continues, t should be a reality by the time your kids reach MS/HS. Plus, you can always go back to your DCPS - you typically only get a shot at DCI through a feeder, and then usually only in the very early grades. And the DCI feeders don't have "weaker academics" than the popular DCPS schools. They just generally have more socioeconomic diversity than the coveted WOTP schools.

[Anonymous]

If your kids aren't keen on it and don't like big change, I wouldnt move from a beloved DCPS, unless it was Oyster. The charter immersion schools aren't worth it IMO, unless language is your very first concern. There are other afterschool language classes and such you could use to address that concern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. This is a very tough decision. I am fluent in three languages (English is my third language) and used to be fluent in a 4th but lost a lot of it due to no longer using it. My kids only know English and I would love for them to know at least one other language but I know making the move will be very tough and perhaps even traumatizing for the kids, who do not respond well to big changes.

Ah, okay, this is helpful context.

First, how much outside supplementation do you plan to do if you switch to an immersion school? If exposure was your goal, I wouldn't worry. But if you expect anything more than basic conversational skills, you have to put in outside effort. Particularly at the charters because there isn't a preference for native speakers. Don't uproot your children unless you're realistic and comfortable with the level of fluency immersion kids achieve in these schools, both with and without outside supplementation.

Second, there is no longer a guarantee at DCI, which is the middle and high school feeder for the charters. People debate this strongly, but there's probably about 50/50 shot at DCI from MV, maybe less if it gets more popular and fewer people at feeders choose Latin and Basis over DCI. Balance that against leaving a "beloved" DCPS with a middle that is making "great strides."

Third, you will not get a spot at Oyster for either grade. You can check the historic waitlist data for that. They usually make 0 offers for both grades, last year was the first year since 2015 they made any offers and it was 2 for K and 4 for 1st. That was likely a fluke and I wouldn't count on it again. Same with Bancroft and Marie Reed, if you listed those. They make 0-3 offers for those grades and they're usually to kids with sibling preference, i.e., not your kids. If it's your kindergartener with the good WL number, you may get an offer at DCB this year since they're expanding that grade. You will probably get an offer at Stokes, plus MV8 and LAMB SD if you listed those schools. LAMB doesn't usually fill seats after K, so I don't think your 1st grader would get an offer or be pulled off the waitlist from the K offer. I would go through the historic waitlist data for all of your schools and familiarize yourself with how many offers the immersion DCPS schools make versus the charters. https://public.tableau.com/views/MSDCSeatsandWaitlistOfferData/MSDCPublicDisplay?%3Aembed=y&%3AshowVizHome=no&%3Adisplay_count=y&%3Adisplay_static_image=y

What is your current DCPS? I'd be very hesitant to move kids from a school that you are happy with to either Stokes or MV, unless you feel very strongly about the language exposure and have realistic expectations about how strong the language instruction is. Likely your DCPS has stronger academics as well, so consider that versus the language exposure as well.

It depends what your DCPS option is. But Stokes and MV are wonderful schools, and the path to dci is a bonus. Also, as to DCI feeders, I expect that DCI will expand its MS/HS in order to accommodate the expanded elementary school enrollment. At least they've talked about doing this in the past, so if demand continues, t should be a reality by the time your kids reach MS/HS. Plus, you can always go back to your DCPS - you typically only get a shot at DCI through a feeder, and then usually only in the very early grades. And the DCI feeders don't have "weaker academics" than the popular DCPS schools. They just generally have more socioeconomic diversity than the coveted WOTP schools.

LOL. Demand + Talking = a building and a school appears!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would pull them for Oyster for sure, and Stokes maybe, but not MV.

Stokes has been a disaster with IPL. The kids will be way behind and teachers will have many challenges. I would not choose Stokes.

At least Oyster and MV offered more robust IPL. MV also has summer camp to catch up kids.

If there is any chance you will be staying long term, I would definitely make the move.

+1 I will make the move. It is very unlikely to get an offer from Oyster in K or 1st. After this year I don’t think stokes is worth it anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would pull them for Oyster for sure, and Stokes maybe, but not MV.

Stokes has been a disaster with IPL. The kids will be way behind and teachers will have many challenges. I would not choose Stokes.

At least Oyster and MV offered more robust IPL. MV also has summer camp to catch up kids.

If there is any chance you will be staying long term, I would definitely make the move.

+1 I will make the move. It is very unlikely to get an offer from Oyster in K or 1st. After this year I don’t think stokes is worth it anymore.

I really don't understand this line of thinking. Schools will be back full time in the fall, why would a school that was good before the pandemic suddenly become bad after the pandemic because of how they handled the pandemic? Truly trying to understand because I hear this a lot and it would be one thing if DL showed the quality of teaching or curriculum to be sub par, but if the administration was fine before, wouldn't they be fine after?

[Anonymous]

Anyone heard anything about Oyster adding another K class this year...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. This is a very tough decision. I am fluent in three languages (English is my third language) and used to be fluent in a 4th but lost a lot of it due to no longer using it. My kids only know English and I would love for them to know at least one other language but I know making the move will be very tough and perhaps even traumatizing for the kids, who do not respond well to big changes.

Ah, okay, this is helpful context.

First, how much outside supplementation do you plan to do if you switch to an immersion school? If exposure was your goal, I wouldn't worry. But if you expect anything more than basic conversational skills, you have to put in outside effort. Particularly at the charters because there isn't a preference for native speakers. Don't uproot your children unless you're realistic and comfortable with the level of fluency immersion kids achieve in these schools, both with and without outside supplementation.

Second, there is no longer a guarantee at DCI, which is the middle and high school feeder for the charters. People debate this strongly, but there's probably about 50/50 shot at DCI from MV, maybe less if it gets more popular and fewer people at feeders choose Latin and Basis over DCI. Balance that against leaving a "beloved" DCPS with a middle that is making "great strides."

Third, you will not get a spot at Oyster for either grade. You can check the historic waitlist data for that. They usually make 0 offers for both grades, last year was the first year since 2015 they made any offers and it was 2 for K and 4 for 1st. That was likely a fluke and I wouldn't count on it again. Same with Bancroft and Marie Reed, if you listed those. They make 0-3 offers for those grades and they're usually to kids with sibling preference, i.e., not your kids. If it's your kindergartener with the good WL number, you may get an offer at DCB this year since they're expanding that grade. You will probably get an offer at Stokes, plus MV8 and LAMB SD if you listed those schools. LAMB doesn't usually fill seats after K, so I don't think your 1st grader would get an offer or be pulled off the waitlist from the K offer. I would go through the historic waitlist data for all of your schools and familiarize yourself with how many offers the immersion DCPS schools make versus the charters. https://public.tableau.com/views/MSDCSeatsandWaitlistOfferData/MSDCPublicDisplay?%3Aembed=y&%3AshowVizHome=no&%3Adisplay_count=y&%3Adisplay_static_image=y

What is your current DCPS? I'd be very hesitant to move kids from a school that you are happy with to either Stokes or MV, unless you feel very strongly about the language exposure and have realistic expectations about how strong the language instruction is. Likely your DCPS has stronger academics as well, so consider that versus the language exposure as well.

It depends what your DCPS option is. But Stokes and MV are wonderful schools, and the path to dci is a bonus. Also, as to DCI feeders, I expect that DCI will expand its MS/HS in order to accommodate the expanded elementary school enrollment. At least they've talked about doing this in the past, so if demand continues, t should be a reality by the time your kids reach MS/HS. Plus, you can always go back to your DCPS - you typically only get a shot at DCI through a feeder, and then usually only in the very early grades. And the DCI feeders don't have "weaker academics" than the popular DCPS schools. They just generally have more socioeconomic diversity than the coveted WOTP schools.

They also have MUCH less socioeconomic diversity than many EOTP elementaries and have almost identical PARCC scores with much easier populations. That means the quality of teaching is lower since those DCPS schools (I compared Powell and Bruce Monroe to MV and Stokes when I was researching schools, but I'm sure it holds true at others) can get the same scores with harder populations. Agree that it really depends on OP's DCPS, but she said she's happy there and optimistic about the middle school. And she should not "traumatize" (her words) her kids moving them once, let alone twice, unless she's SURE it's worth it. Some kids can switch schools easily, some can't. Doesn't sound like OP's kids are the type that can try out a school for a year or two then switch back without a lot of hardship on them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Problem is we absolutely looooove their current DCPS, which is a wonderful school. Also one sibling has single digit WL numbers at Oyster, Stokes, and most other bilingual schools, which is the only reason why I entered them in the lottery. If not for bilingualism, there's really no reason we should leave our beloved and wonderful DCPS. What do you think?

You answered your question. You entered them in the lottery for bilingualism. Don't let your guilt overwhelm your gut.

[Anonymous]

I would switch for Oyster but not the others. But I do know several families who were able to lottery jnto Oyster from MV in mid elementary -- they were not happy with the academics at MV, but knowing Spanish helped them lottery into Oyster (which I think doesn't take kids who don't know Spanish after a certain grade?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would switch for Oyster but not the others. But I do know several families who were able to lottery jnto Oyster from MV in mid elementary -- they were not happy with the academics at MV, but knowing Spanish helped them lottery into Oyster (which I think doesn't take kids who don't know Spanish after a certain grade?)

Do you know which years and for which grades they lotteried into Oyster? From what I can tell last year they made an unusual number of offers, presumably because of the pandemic, but aside from that there are sometimes a few in 4th and 5th only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would pull them for Oyster for sure, and Stokes maybe, but not MV.

Stokes has been a disaster with IPL. The kids will be way behind and teachers will have many challenges. I would not choose Stokes.

At least Oyster and MV offered more robust IPL. MV also has summer camp to catch up kids.

If there is any chance you will be staying long term, I would definitely make the move.

+1 I will make the move. It is very unlikely to get an offer from Oyster in K or 1st. After this year I don’t think stokes is worth it anymore.

I really don't understand this line of thinking. Schools will be back full time in the fall, why would a school that was good before the pandemic suddenly become bad after the pandemic because of how they handled the pandemic? Truly trying to understand because I hear this a lot and it would be one thing if DL showed the quality of teaching or curriculum to be sub par, but if the administration was fine before, wouldn't they be fine after?

Don’t you think that how they handle the pandemic is a reflection of how good the administration is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would pull them for Oyster for sure, and Stokes maybe, but not MV.

Stokes has been a disaster with IPL. The kids will be way behind and teachers will have many challenges. I would not choose Stokes.

At least Oyster and MV offered more robust IPL. MV also has summer camp to catch up kids.

If there is any chance you will be staying long term, I would definitely make the move.

+1 I will make the move. It is very unlikely to get an offer from Oyster in K or 1st. After this year I don’t think stokes is worth it anymore.

I really don't understand this line of thinking. Schools will be back full time in the fall, why would a school that was good before the pandemic suddenly become bad after the pandemic because of how they handled the pandemic? Truly trying to understand because I hear this a lot and it would be one thing if DL showed the quality of teaching or curriculum to be sub par, but if the administration was fine before, wouldn't they be fine after?

Don’t you think that how they handle the pandemic is a reflection of how good the administration is?

It depends on what you mean by "good." If they were good at running an in-person school pre-pandemic, then presumably they'll be the same after. If they have misplaced priorities that are no longer relevant post-pandemic, then who cares? And even if they're worse than you could tell before, if the pre-pandemic communication was acceptable and the teachers aren't fleeing due to mismanagement, then who cares? I guess I just don't understand what kind of administrative issues would make you leave a school you were happy at previously, assuming the classroom experience will be the same as it was in the before times. Again, genuine question because we're considering these schools and I don't know whether mismanaging a pandemic is indicative of how the school experience will be over the next 5-7 years.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely wait for Oyster. We moved inbounds during K year and have been there (now in middle school). Kids have joined the class in every grade we've been- 1-5th, so it does happen. This year in particular there seems to be a lot of flux.

Suerte!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would definitely wait for Oyster. We moved inbounds during K year and have been there (now in middle school). Kids have joined the class in every grade we've been- 1-5th, so it does happen. This year in particular there seems to be a lot of flux.

Suerte!

But are they kids who moved to the neighborhood or who got in OOB through the lottery?

OP, it sounds like a lot of hassle for kids who hate change and love their current schools. If you are fluent in two other languages, why not start working with your kids to learn one of them and really go all-in (camps, aftercare, au pair, long summer trip where the language is spoken with kids enrolled in camp, books and TV in that language, etc.)?

On the other hand if you try LAMB and don't like it they can always go back to their IB DCPS, even partway through the year. So keep that in mind if you do decide to go for LAMB.