Brookland area of DC? Help

[Anonymous]

DOes anyone have any knowledge about the elementary schools in Brookland? We are looking for affordable places to live in DC and I know some people love Brookland, but I realized I know nothing about the schools there. Anyone have any opinions? This area tends to be more ignored.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I have two friends who live in Brookland (they love it), but their kids go to charter schools.

[Anonymous]

Yeah - everyone who lives there either takes the housing savings and goes the private route, or prays and applies to charters. You should actively pursue both routes so you have a plan B should your first, or second, or third choices don't pull through!

[Anonymous]

Yu Ying is the new Chinese immersion charter that is starting up in Brookland. Because it's new there is probably still space for next year, and it might not be that difficult the year after as well since it will likely take a couple of years to establish a reputation. But it will only accept children through 2nd grade I think.

[Anonymous]

We plan to look in that neighborhood. It is a place where you can still buy a detached home and have a large yard. I've been on the Brookland Garden Tour a few times and really like the vibe. What about parochial schools in the neighborhood? Are there any good ones?

[Anonymous]

I don't know the details but there is some kind of upheaval regarding the elementary schools and Michelle Rhee's recent announcement of closings. The kids from one school will be moved to another while the first one is being renovated and then moved back to the newly renovated school and the second one will be closed -- something to that effect. People in Brookland do not seem to be happy about it, according to media reports.

In re parochial schools, St. Anselm's is near Brookland. Friends of ours send their son there and they really like it.

Good luck with your househunting. I love Brookland! We didn't move there because it wasn't convenient to work but I sure would like to relocate there.

[Anonymous]

Langdon isn't far from Brookland and is one of the only Blue Ribbon schools this side of the park.

[Anonymous]

Yu Ying only accepts children to 1st grade. I live in Brookland and love it, but for charters such as Yu Ying there are no really good elementary schools. Your best and closest bet would be Capitol Hill schools and other charters.

[Anonymous]

If you are interested in Yu Ying, please see below re: a Yu Ying information session cut from a recent email:

For people that have not yet been able to attend one, we will be holding 2 information sessions this month, they will be:

* Monday, July 7, 6:30PM at the Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011
* Wednesday, July 23, 6:30PM at the Martin Luther King Library, 901 G Street, NW Room A9

If you have not attended one, please join myself and Carmen Rioux Bailey the head of our Education Committee. And, please forward on the infosession information to any friends or neighbors who you think might be interested.

[Anonymous]

St. Anselm's is an excellent school, but it's boys only and starts at 6th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anselm's is considered to be one of the best private schools in the country. The average SAT scores blow away all other schools in this area.

[Anonymous]

I live in Brookland and like John Burroughs. Their test scores are great, the classes are small, the teachers are exceptional and the principal is a gem. They have a number of programs and active parents.

I don't get why so many people are fans of charter schools since so many of them have yet to prove that they provide students with a quality education. Charters don't seem to be held to the same standards as DCPS and that's unfair to students and taxpayers.

[Anonymous]

Burroughs' test scores are great? That's news to me.

[Anonymous]

I live in Brookland and its a fantastic community. Kids go to charters, private schools, public schools, and parachocial schools. A real mix, but enough options that its totally doable.

[chiommy]

I live in Brookland DC and it's one of the areas of DC that feels like it's a maryland suburb. I love the fact that it's a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown DC but is only about 10 mins train ride to metro center and 15 mins ride to dupont circle. I don't know about the public schools but my niece goes to St Anthony's school on 12th and Monroe and her parents have very positive things to say about the school. I also know she thrives in the school. Two charter schools are also setting up shop in DC in the fall right behind my house. Potomac lighthouse public charter school and the chinese immersion public charter school that has been actively discussed in this forum. Good luck and if you decide to move there, welcome to brookland.