Lottery (and Waitlist) Swami 2019

[Anonymous]

Mundo Verde P St
Prek 4--26

Any shot?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am thrilled with our lottery results! I thank this forum for helping me understand how the system works and directing me towards the right resources to make my lists!

have PK3 and PK4 kids and am trying to decide between School-Within-School and Shining Stars Montessori.

We have a PK3 spot SWS with #3 on PK4 waiting list and a PK4 spot at SSM and #1 on waiting list for PK3.

I'm leaning towards SWS because its better for our work commute but in terms of day-to-day living with three young kids I'm wondering if Brookland is better. H Street/Capitol Hill have good access to the museums and restaurants but I'm not sure.

Any thoughts would be appreciated including if rolling the dice on SWS may be a losing bet. My girls are really close and I would strongly prefer they were at the same school. Thank you!!

Congrats on your good lottery number! I would talk to the front office person at SWS about the realistic odds of your pk4 kid getting off the waitlist at SWS. From what I have heard, there were a few pk4 kids waitlisted that have siblings already enrolled (not matched, but actually enrolled, thus they are higher on the waitlist than you. These families had an older child already at SWS and didn't have their pk3 child enrolled this year for various reasons). So, although #3 on the waitlist seems great, it may never move to a matched spot this year (and you are also competing with those other siblings for a K spot next year). This is an atypical year for Pk4 at SWS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SWS is a far better school than SSMA.

Enroll the PK4 at SSMA to preserve the option and enroll the Pk3 at SWS.

If you don't get the Pk4 in at SWS this year, you may well get them in next.

One year in different schools would be no fun, but I would not give up SWS for the turmoil at SSMA.

Thank you for the feedback. That's really helpful. We have about a month to find a place and sign a lease so the hunt is on. I thought Brookland might be a more family friendly and slightly more affordable area but seems like I should just find something close to the school. That way I could walk to work and to school and we could table having to move for the next 5 years.

I actually think the SWS neighborhood is more family friendly than Brookland. Pretty much every single person living there seems to have 1-2 kids under 5 and a dog! It is a little bit more expensive than Brookland, but since school zone doesn't matter to you, look for close-in in the Miner zone; you could be as close as 3 blocks from SWS and not paying any school IB premium.

Brookland is fantastically family-friendly, and quite a bit cheaper for a place with a lot of space and a yard. You get more bang for your buck.

That said, I don't think these schools are in the same league, unfortunately. See several threads about the issues with SSMA which are driving away parents. I would do what you can to secure the SWS spot. It's really hard though when you're not sure but have to sign a lease, for sure! You could still rent in Brookland and have the kids in 2 different schools for one year, assuming your SWS kid will pull in the other next year which would happen. They would only be apart for one year then. That type of sacrifice is probably worth it in the long run?

Here's hoping SSMA works out their issues this year because it could be such a great school!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am thrilled with our lottery results! I thank this forum for helping me understand how the system works and directing me towards the right resources to make my lists!

have PK3 and PK4 kids and am trying to decide between School-Within-School and Shining Stars Montessori.

We have a PK3 spot SWS with #3 on PK4 waiting list and a PK4 spot at SSM and #1 on waiting list for PK3.

I'm leaning towards SWS because its better for our work commute but in terms of day-to-day living with three young kids I'm wondering if Brookland is better. H Street/Capitol Hill have good access to the museums and restaurants but I'm not sure.

Any thoughts would be appreciated including if rolling the dice on SWS may be a losing bet. My girls are really close and I would strongly prefer they were at the same school. Thank you!!

Congrats on your good lottery number! I would talk to the front office person at SWS about the realistic odds of your pk4 kid getting off the waitlist at SWS. From what I have heard, there were a few pk4 kids waitlisted that have siblings already enrolled (not matched, but actually enrolled, thus they are higher on the waitlist than you. These families had an older child already at SWS and didn't have their pk3 child enrolled this year for various reasons). So, although #3 on the waitlist seems great, it may never move to a matched spot this year (and you are also competing with those other siblings for a K spot next year). This is an atypical year for Pk4 at SWS.

Hang in there on #3 at SWS. There's always unexpected turnover with families moving and we've had at least a few new kids join every year we've been there. If you enroll the younger child you could even move up on the PK4 waitlist. You'd almost certainly get a K seat as classrooms typically expand a few seats between PK4 and K. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2nd:
Shepherd Elementary School Waitlisted - #26
Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS Waitlisted - #50
Capital City PCS – Lower School Waitlisted - #28
E.L. Haynes PCS – Elementary School Waitlisted - #25

Any hope of getting an offer by October?

I think ITS could happen.

Actually Cap City is better shot. They made 39 offers for 2nd, ITS only made 30. Do people just guess on these or are you actually using any data for your guesses?

That was based on my personal exoerience w ITS and I have none for CC so can't speak to it.

So your personal experience for 2nd grade is that you got a call in the 50s in the waitlist? What year was that? 2015-2016 they called 18 from WL. 2016-2017 they called 19 from waitlist. 2017-2018 they called 18 kids thru Oct in 2nd grade. 2018-2019 they called 31.

I would think actual data would be more helpful. PP, I don't think you have a shot at either schools listed. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2nd:
Shepherd Elementary School Waitlisted - #26
Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS Waitlisted - #50
Capital City PCS – Lower School Waitlisted - #28
E.L. Haynes PCS – Elementary School Waitlisted - #25

Any hope of getting an offer by October?

I think ITS could happen.

Actually Cap City is better shot. They made 39 offers for 2nd, ITS only made 30. Do people just guess on these or are you actually using any data for your guesses?

That was based on my personal exoerience w ITS and I have none for CC so can't speak to it.

So your personal experience for 2nd grade is that you got a call in the 50s in the waitlist? What year was that? 2015-2016 they called 18 from WL. 2016-2017 they called 19 from waitlist. 2017-2018 they called 18 kids thru Oct in 2nd grade. 2018-2019 they called 31.

I would think actual data would be more helpful. PP, I don't think you have a shot at either schools listed. Good luck.

Not gonna out myself but we got an offer and our initial number was about 20 higher than the total number of WL offers made. That is why I say "could happen".

[Anonymous]

Looking for Swami advice - currently
#3 on Hyde waitlist for PK4 (in boundary)

However, it seems this is a competitive year for Hyde given that they widened the boundary. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Appletree Lincoln Park #48 for Pk 3??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking for Swami advice - currently
#3 on Hyde waitlist for PK4 (in boundary)

However, it seems this is a competitive year for Hyde given that they widened the boundary. Thoughts?

Really? Surprised they would have changed the boundary ahead of the 2022 review process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking for Swami advice - currently
#3 on Hyde waitlist for PK4 (in boundary)

However, it seems this is a competitive year for Hyde given that they widened the boundary. Thoughts?

Really? Surprised they would have changed the boundary ahead of the 2022 review process.

Yes - part of a 2014 decision that now takes effect after the Hyde renovation is done.
https://www.stoddert.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Stoddert-ES-Boundary-Change-Letter_Feb-2019.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am thrilled with our lottery results! I thank this forum for helping me understand how the system works and directing me towards the right resources to make my lists!

have PK3 and PK4 kids and am trying to decide between School-Within-School and Shining Stars Montessori.

We have a PK3 spot SWS with #3 on PK4 waiting list and a PK4 spot at SSM and #1 on waiting list for PK3.

I'm leaning towards SWS because its better for our work commute but in terms of day-to-day living with three young kids I'm wondering if Brookland is better. H Street/Capitol Hill have good access to the museums and restaurants but I'm not sure.

Any thoughts would be appreciated including if rolling the dice on SWS may be a losing bet. My girls are really close and I would strongly prefer they were at the same school. Thank you!!

Congrats on your good lottery number! I would talk to the front office person at SWS about the realistic odds of your pk4 kid getting off the waitlist at SWS. From what I have heard, there were a few pk4 kids waitlisted that have siblings already enrolled (not matched, but actually enrolled, thus they are higher on the waitlist than you. These families had an older child already at SWS and didn't have their pk3 child enrolled this year for various reasons). So, although #3 on the waitlist seems great, it may never move to a matched spot this year (and you are also competing with those other siblings for a K spot next year). This is an atypical year for Pk4 at SWS.

Thank you- this is really helpful! I had spoken with the school but am going to go in-person this week and try to better understand all the intricacies. We are also hustling to find a place to rent and sign a lease but still don't think we can meet residency requirements because we won't have a dc licences or utility bill by 5/1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SWS is a far better school than SSMA.

Enroll the PK4 at SSMA to preserve the option and enroll the Pk3 at SWS.

If you don't get the Pk4 in at SWS this year, you may well get them in next.

One year in different schools would be no fun, but I would not give up SWS for the turmoil at SSMA.

Thank you for the feedback. That's really helpful. We have about a month to find a place and sign a lease so the hunt is on. I thought Brookland might be a more family friendly and slightly more affordable area but seems like I should just find something close to the school. That way I could walk to work and to school and we could table having to move for the next 5 years.

I actually think the SWS neighborhood is more family friendly than Brookland. Pretty much every single person living there seems to have 1-2 kids under 5 and a dog! It is a little bit more expensive than Brookland, but since school zone doesn't matter to you, look for close-in in the Miner zone; you could be as close as 3 blocks from SWS and not paying any school IB premium.

Brookland is fantastically family-friendly, and quite a bit cheaper for a place with a lot of space and a yard. You get more bang for your buck.

I think after considering all other things (we have some high waitlist numbers for PK4 spots at other schools near SWS, we will just look for housing by SWS. We have had the yard and hate it so trying to find something without that but we do need parking so let's see if the housing lottery is as good to us.

That said, I don't think these schools are in the same league, unfortunately. See several threads about the issues with SSMA which are driving away parents. I would do what you can to secure the SWS spot. It's really hard though when you're not sure but have to sign a lease, for sure! You could still rent in Brookland and have the kids in 2 different schools for one year, assuming your SWS kid will pull in the other next year which would happen. They would only be apart for one year then. That type of sacrifice is probably worth it in the long run?

Here's hoping SSMA works out their issues this year because it could be such a great school!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am thrilled with our lottery results! I thank this forum for helping me understand how the system works and directing me towards the right resources to make my lists!

have PK3 and PK4 kids and am trying to decide between School-Within-School and Shining Stars Montessori.

We have a PK3 spot SWS with #3 on PK4 waiting list and a PK4 spot at SSM and #1 on waiting list for PK3.

I'm leaning towards SWS because its better for our work commute but in terms of day-to-day living with three young kids I'm wondering if Brookland is better. H Street/Capitol Hill have good access to the museums and restaurants but I'm not sure.

Any thoughts would be appreciated including if rolling the dice on SWS may be a losing bet. My girls are really close and I would strongly prefer they were at the same school. Thank you!!

Congrats on your good lottery number! I would talk to the front office person at SWS about the realistic odds of your pk4 kid getting off the waitlist at SWS. From what I have heard, there were a few pk4 kids waitlisted that have siblings already enrolled (not matched, but actually enrolled, thus they are higher on the waitlist than you. These families had an older child already at SWS and didn't have their pk3 child enrolled this year for various reasons). So, although #3 on the waitlist seems great, it may never move to a matched spot this year (and you are also competing with those other siblings for a K spot next year). This is an atypical year for Pk4 at SWS.

Thank you- this is really helpful! I had spoken with the school but am going to go in-person this week and try to better understand all the intricacies. We are also hustling to find a place to rent and sign a lease but still don't think we can meet residency requirements because we won't have a dc licences or utility bill by 5/1.

Are you not already living in DC? Where are you located now?

Please be kind to the office staff. They (at schools everywhere) are getting a barrage of questions/phone calls/requests/forms right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi Swami. Any chance of moving on these for PK4?

1 Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS - 8th Street NE Waitlisted - #72
2 E.W. Stokes – Brookland (Spanish Language Program) Waitlisted - #136
3 Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS - P Street NW Waitlisted - #148
4 DC Bilingual PCS Waitlisted - #166
5 E.W. Stokes – Brookland (French Language Program) Waitlisted - #88
6 Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS Waitlisted - #90
7 Washington Yu Ying PCS Waitlisted - #150
8 School-Within-School Waitlisted - #209
9 Two Rivers PCS at Young Waitlisted - #59

Swami is apparently caught up in the College games, so we're going to have to help each other until .....

For this list, I say "no". You won't get anywhere. Possibly try your neighborhood school? Looks like you're in NE. Maybe try Langdon, Bunker Hill or Burroughs???

Langley and Seaton are both reasonably accessible via the 80-bus or G8, and both are not too hard to get into for PK4.

I wouldn't count out Mundo 8th. I think they're going to burn through their list pretty quickly.

You think MV8 is going to get through 148 on their waitlist? I know there's a lot of uncertainty, but that seems nuts! We're in the 130's for Pre-K 3 and I'll eat my shoe if we get an offer.

[Anonymous]

Swami me please! I am assuming the chances of getting into anything but Langley of the WL are basically zero.


1. ITS - #133
2. TR 4th - #143
3. Lee Brookland - #102
4. E.L. Haynes - #78
5. Seaton - #54
6. Langdon Montessori - #28
7. CHM@Logan - #117
8. CMI - #73
9. Langley - #17
10. TR Young - #59
11. Burroughs - Match (enrollment pending)