Takoma or Two Rivers for preschool?

[Anonymous]

We're in-bounds for Takoma (TEC), so it's an unpleasant commute for Two Rivers (2R). The new TEC facilities seem much nicer, along with the neighborhood and playground area. Of course, looking down the road a couple years, if we opt for TEC, we may well be looking for another school. DC is academically advanced, but hasn't had as much social time with peers as many other kids around.

Thoughts? Decision is weighing hard on us. TIA

[Anonymous]

close to home may be better, allow you to participate better in school activities

[Anonymous]

Two Rivers, especially because you mentioned the need for social time around peers. I know a family within walking distance from Takoma, and they go to Two Rivers. Love it.

You can metro there very easily on the red line.

[Anonymous]

The commute would get me down. Do you work anywhere near TR?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The commute would get me down. Do you work anywhere near TR?

OP here. I am quite concerned about that. DH would generally drop DC off on way to work - meaning get off metro to walk DC to school, then reboard metro for the remainder of his commute. I will remain a SAHM to my infant and will have to drag the baby to and from 2R (or TEC) for pickup - whether by metro or driving - most likely a mix.

While 2R likely offers more opps (and actually required volunteer time) to get involved, I question whether we would do much, since we'll probably have a hard enough time just with the basics of our lives, without extra trips to school after hours and such. And parking near 2R seems virtually nonexistent. It would be nice to go to the local school and put more into our local community, but 2R seems to be far and away better, academically, in elementary school years.

[Anonymous]

We chose Takoma over IT for PS-3. Love the facilities, liked the teachers a lot, love how close to home it is, had great experiences with administration, and are very comfortable with it for PS thru at least K. I'm really excited about it and feel like its going to be a great neighborhood school soon. Hope to see you there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The commute would get me down. Do you work anywhere near TR?

OP here. I am quite concerned about that. DH would generally drop DC off on way to work - meaning get off metro to walk DC to school, then reboard metro for the remainder of his commute. I will remain a SAHM to my infant and will have to drag the baby to and from 2R (or TEC) for pickup - whether by metro or driving - most likely a mix.

While 2R likely offers more opps (and actually required volunteer time) to get involved, I question whether we would do much, since we'll probably have a hard enough time just with the basics of our lives, without extra trips to school after hours and such. And parking near 2R seems virtually nonexistent. It would be nice to go to the local school and put more into our local community, but 2R seems to be far and away better, academically, in elementary school years.

20:42 here. I'm the mom of a charter student, so I'm all about charters. But remember: this is just for a 3 year old. And you have an infant. And the TR commute is really far from Takoma area. If I were you, I'd take the TEC spot. As you intuit, being more involved in a neighborhood school means you can ensure a better experience for your child.

[Anonymous]

I am a 2R parent, and I love the school, but in your case, I'd probably go with TC. One of the down sides of charter school is that you never get the experience of walking to school in your neighborhood and getting to know your neighbors (kids and adults). If I had this option, especially for ps-3-I'd take it. Also, commuting everyday with an infant gets old quick. They always seem to be hungry or napping when pick up time rolls around.

[Anonymous]

What are your plans for 1st grade?

I know - it is 3 years away - but you need to consider what does TEC offer vs 2R? You will be there before you know it.

How many of your neighbors are sending their kids to TEC for upper elementary?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are your plans for 1st grade?

I know - it is 3 years away - but you need to consider what does TEC offer vs 2R? You will be there before you know it.

How many of your neighbors are sending their kids to TEC for upper elementary?

Currently, the upper elementary is heavily populated with out-of-bounds kids. But it seems like lots of neighborhood parents are interested in or already sending kids to preschool and low grades. So in three years there will probably be more neighborhood children. That said, though there are a ton of kids in TPK, I'm not sure I've seen as many school-aged kids on the DC side. There seem to be mostly tiny ones living in the zone for TPK (Shepherd Park, on the other hand, seems to have more school aged kids to fill their elementary school). So there's good potential for the younger ones to attend.

[Anonymous]

OP here. First grade will most likely not be TEC, which is a major root of the dilemma... Friends in the know react as of we won the jackpot by getting a seat at 2R, so I feel a bit moronic or naive not to take it... As for neighbors, we don't know any kids, at any grade level, attending TEC. Also a concern... And I don't love that the school doesn't have a balanced representation from our community. Clearly many or most families who have the means and a choice are not sending their kids there. That said, I am a big believer in local, public school... also a big believer in a great education. Those goals seem quite at odds, beyond the first couple years, at TEC. Still, with that said, the convenience of the local, better-facilities school for early years remains tempting... I just worry whether we'd "hit the jackpot" again in a few years.

[Anonymous]

OP again... 9:48, you make great points, and I do keep hearing that the neighborhood families are becoming more interested. I wish I knew a little more about that. I often hear the principal is great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. First grade will most likely not be TEC, which is a major root of the dilemma... Friends in the know react as of we won the jackpot by getting a seat at 2R, so I feel a bit moronic or naive not to take it... As for neighbors, we don't know any kids, at any grade level, attending TEC. Also a concern... And I don't love that the school doesn't have a balanced representation from our community. Clearly many or most families who have the means and a choice are not sending their kids there. That said, I am a big believer in local, public school... also a big believer in a great education. Those goals seem quite at odds, beyond the first couple years, at TEC. Still, with that said, the convenience of the local, better-facilities school for early years remains tempting... I just worry whether we'd "hit the jackpot" again in a few years.

We have similar concerns. As "big believer's in local, public school" we are sending our child, who would/will be on your child's class. Neighborhood schools do not change unless neighbors utilize them, and we've been really disappointed to see neighbors fail to to do. So we are. Some might say we're using DC as a test-case, but honestly, TEC is a good preschool and has great potential if people just get on board. We don't feel anxious about this decision at all, as three/four years is a long time to find an alternative if necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. First grade will most likely not be TEC, which is a major root of the dilemma... Friends in the know react as of we won the jackpot by getting a seat at 2R, so I feel a bit moronic or naive not to take it... As for neighbors, we don't know any kids, at any grade level, attending TEC. Also a concern... And I don't love that the school doesn't have a balanced representation from our community. Clearly many or most families who have the means and a choice are not sending their kids there. That said, I am a big believer in local, public school... also a big believer in a great education. Those goals seem quite at odds, beyond the first couple years, at TEC. Still, with that said, the convenience of the local, better-facilities school for early years remains tempting... I just worry whether we'd "hit the jackpot" again in a few years.

We have similar concerns. As "big believer's in local, public school" we are sending our child, who would/will be on your child's class. Neighborhood schools do not change unless neighbors utilize them, and we've been really disappointed to see neighbors fail to to do. So we are. Some might say we're using DC as a test-case, but honestly, TEC is a good preschool and has great potential if people just get on board. We don't feel anxious about this decision at all, as three/four years is a long time to find an alternative if necessary.

^I'm 9:48 and 9:58. Sorry about the typos!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. First grade will most likely not be TEC, which is a major root of the dilemma... Friends in the know react as of we won the jackpot by getting a seat at 2R, so I feel a bit moronic or naive not to take it... As for neighbors, we don't know any kids, at any grade level, attending TEC. Also a concern... And I don't love that the school doesn't have a balanced representation from our community. Clearly many or most families who have the means and a choice are not sending their kids there. That said, I am a big believer in local, public school... also a big believer in a great education. Those goals seem quite at odds, beyond the first couple years, at TEC. Still, with that said, the convenience of the local, better-facilities school for early years remains tempting... I just worry whether we'd "hit the jackpot" again in a few years.

So what is the plan for 1st grade and beyond?

Getting into a closer charter? Moving to a stronger public neighborhood school through OOB lottery? Moving?

I would not bet on the 1st two choices. If you are planning to move - than I would say for the next 3 years going to TEC is worth it. If not, I would take the 2R spot. Last year and this year there were quite a few charters that were new or expanded that opened up a lot of space for children in the city. I do not see a similar pipeline of charters to provide additional supply over the next 2 years.