Should we move into Hearst district?

[Anonymous]

After being outbid on several houses in the Murch and Janney school districts, we realize that we have to expand our search. We are considering a house in the Hearst district. I hear good feedback on the school but am not able to learn much about aftercare and other activities (we really want our kids to have access to a Spanish program after school).

Can Hearst parents give me some feedback on the school and the after care options? We'd be starting our older child in pre-K in 2012.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/103536.page
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/131931.page

[Anonymous]

Hearst is becoming more and more of an IB school and in a few years will be on par with JKLM. It has a great new playground and is scheduled for renovations soon. Lots of new young families have moved into the neighborhood in recent years and intend to go public. Frankly, the neighborhood is a great compromise between city and suburban amenities.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for those posts. I'd actually read through them and was hoping for some other current comments, esp. about after care. Can any parents with kids at Hearst provide any additional insights?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

I have a son in kindergarten at Hearst. We used aftercare last year when he was in pre-k and he is part of aftercare this year as well. One of the nice things about the aftercare at Hearst is that some of the assistant teachers also work for the aftercare program. So there is a nice continuity from school to aftercare.

I think there is a good mix of activities in the aftercare program - cooking projects, art projects, story time and just time to play. The PTA also sponsoers some classes for families that contribute to the enrichment fund - like tennis, science club, spanish, art club, yoga and a few others. The kids seem to have fun and I think for what we pay my son receives good care and has a fun time after school with his friends.

We love Hearst! In my experience, there are lots of involved parents, good teachers, a great principal, and such a nice welcoming community. My son is doing great and we couldn't be happier.

[Anonymous]

We have been extremely pleased with Hearst aftercare. The provider -- Innes Enterprises -- does an excellent job of coordinating its program with what's going on in the classroom and the PTA's enrichment program, which is open to all students, whether they are enrolled in aftercare or not. The aftercare staff spends a lot of time developing new programs, so the kids are engaged and active. The older students usually spend the first part of aftercare getting their homework done. The staff really like the kids and the kids like them back! My son loves Hearst aftercare.