DCPS PreK lottery recommendations for DC-newbies?

[Anonymous]

We are brand new to DC, living in a temporary apartment, and are trying to strategize for the DCPS PreK lottery (we have a child who will be 4 this spring). Right now we are located in-boundary for Murch, but we're not sure we can/want to stay in this neighborhood beyond the fall, and we haven't settled on any particular neighborhood as we search for a more permanent rental. Neighborhoods that seem like more affordable, long-term options to us include Shepard Park, 16th St. Heights, Takoma, Brookland, Capital Hill, Petworth, though maybe we could swing somewhere WofP if the school was awesome. Our goal is to secure a PreK-4 spot somewhere that we feel reasonably sure we'd want to stay enrolled for the duration of the time we are living in DC, which will likely be for 3-5 years (e.g. through elementary school - no need to worry about middle school). Our child had been thriving in a Montessori-inspired preschool, and going forward, we are looking for a caring and stable school community, dedicated teachers, at least decent school facilities, and in the upper grades, challenging academics.

We were really impressed by SWS, Capital Hill Montessori and Key, and feel like there is at least a slight possibility of getting into these schools through the lottery. But we are having a hard time with the rest of the list. Any recommendations for decent DCPS elementary schools at which we might have a shot at an OOB PreK-4 spot? What would you do if you were in our shoes? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I can't comment on everything but would like to point out that even if you move in the fall, you can claim in-boundary status and advantage for Murch. If you get a spot there on that basis, you'll simply have to turn around your enrollment forms very quickly. That said, if you then do move out of those boundaries, you'd have to apply again through the OOB lottery process for K, come school year 2014-15.

[Anonymous]

It's Capitol Hill. With an 'o' Just FYI.

[Anonymous]

Maury on the Hill - it's a long shot OOB, but a possibility

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't comment on everything but would like to point out that even if you move in the fall, you can claim in-boundary status and advantage for Murch. If you get a spot there on that basis, you'll simply have to turn around your enrollment forms very quickly. That said, if you then do move out of those boundaries, you'd have to apply again through the OOB lottery process for K, come school year 2014-15.

That's not accurate. Once you gain a seat you retain it even if you move to another boundary within the District (and if you move out of DC, technically you could retain it by paying tuition). You wouldn't need to reapply for K

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't comment on everything but would like to point out that even if you move in the fall, you can claim in-boundary status and advantage for Murch. If you get a spot there on that basis, you'll simply have to turn around your enrollment forms very quickly. That said, if you then do move out of those boundaries, you'd have to apply again through the OOB lottery process for K, come school year 2014-15.

That's not accurate. Once you gain a seat you retain it even if you move to another boundary within the District (and if you move out of DC, technically you could retain it by paying tuition). You wouldn't need to reapply for K

I think this is not totally accurate. my understanding is that if you move OOB it is at the discretion of the principal to keep the child in the school. we went to a school IB for pre-K and moved OOB in the summer between pre-K and K. I thought we had the right to stay, as you say, because we were already in. we were told that it was at the principal's discretion. our child was not kicked out lucklily. but at least in theory, the principal could have asked us to leave for our new IB school. if a school is very crowded and expects a big K class, the risk of being asked to leave may be higher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't comment on everything but would like to point out that even if you move in the fall, you can claim in-boundary status and advantage for Murch. If you get a spot there on that basis, you'll simply have to turn around your enrollment forms very quickly. That said, if you then do move out of those boundaries, you'd have to apply again through the OOB lottery process for K, come school year 2014-15.

That's not accurate. Once you gain a seat you retain it even if you move to another boundary within the District (and if you move out of DC, technically you could retain it by paying tuition). You wouldn't need to reapply for K

That is absolutely NOT true. You are misinformed. If your child attends based on an in-boundary status but then your family moves OOB you are NOT guaranteed to be able to stay at that previously in-bounds school. It's up to the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't comment on everything but would like to point out that even if you move in the fall, you can claim in-boundary status and advantage for Murch. If you get a spot there on that basis, you'll simply have to turn around your enrollment forms very quickly. That said, if you then do move out of those boundaries, you'd have to apply again through the OOB lottery process for K, come school year 2014-15.

That's not accurate. Once you gain a seat you retain it even if you move to another boundary within the District (and if you move out of DC, technically you could retain it by paying tuition). You wouldn't need to reapply for K

That is absolutely NOT true. You are misinformed. If your child attends based on an in-boundary status but then your family moves OOB you are NOT guaranteed to be able to stay at that previously in-bounds school. It's up to the principal.

Whatever the "discretionary" part of it may be, in practice no one gets removed involuntarily.

[Anonymous]

I don't have time to search for it right now, but I distinctly recall a couple of different threads on this board where Murch families talk about how previously inbound families who moved OOB were NOT allowed to stay at the school. Perhaps those families were seen a problematic, but the point it, there is risk in starting out at inbounds and then moving out, if you how to stay, that is. If the administration values you then yeah, you'll probably get the go ahead to stay. In this situation, how would sibling preference work? Would the sibling of a student (who was previously inbounds but is now OOB) be given inboundary sibling preference or OOB sibling preference?

[Anonymous]

OP, If you can afford to rent inbounds for Key and Capitol Hill (as you suggest in your post), then you can afford to continue renting inbounds for Murch. And that is where I'd stay.

I'm guessing you live in a large apartment building right on Connecticut Ave? Then you're on the Red Line essentially and super convenient to downtown -- as convenient as you'd be in the vast majority of places in the Hill, actually, if you're at the Metro stop I think you are.

But entry into Murch preK is by no means a guarantee. Many people get put on the waitlist, but it does move.

Rental prices in the buildings from Chevy Chase Circle down to ~ Van Ness vary hugely, depending on the age of the building, whether it's condo, amenities, etc. I just looked myself for a 2-bedroom, so I know the area and the range well.

Alternatively, you can rent further down Connecticut Ave, still be on the Red Line, and be inbounds for Eaton (which will also have more preK applicants than slots).

Others can speak to preK strategy and not "wasting your picks." That's a very real consideration.

But I just want to tell you that unless you're planning on picking a rental in a really dangerous neighborhood that calls itself Capitol Hill but isn't, really, then you'd do well to just stay where you are located now.

[Anonymous]

you can also apply to the many good charter schools, see if you get it and then move based on that, or decide to stay put for another year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, If you can afford to rent inbounds for Key and Capitol Hill (as you suggest in your post), then you can afford to continue renting inbounds for Murch. And that is where I'd stay.

I'm guessing you live in a large apartment building right on Connecticut Ave? Then you're on the Red Line essentially and super convenient to downtown -- as convenient as you'd be in the vast majority of places in the Hill, actually, if you're at the Metro stop I think you are.

But entry into Murch preK is by no means a guarantee. Many people get put on the waitlist, but it does move.

Rental prices in the buildings from Chevy Chase Circle down to ~ Van Ness vary hugely, depending on the age of the building, whether it's condo, amenities, etc. I just looked myself for a 2-bedroom, so I know the area and the range well.

Alternatively, you can rent further down Connecticut Ave, still be on the Red Line, and be inbounds for Eaton (which will also have more preK applicants than slots).

Others can speak to preK strategy and not "wasting your picks." That's a very real consideration.

But I just want to tell you that unless you're planning on picking a rental in a really dangerous neighborhood that calls itself Capitol Hill but isn't, really, then you'd do well to just stay where you are located now.

I live on the Hill and while I'd recommend it, I had the same thought that Murch and the neighborhood are excellent rental options for families with a good stable school district.

[Anonymous]

You won't get into Key so don't waste a lottery spot on that. Unless you are IB for an ok Hill school you probably won't get in there either-- honestly, unless you are going to move IB for the school just stay where you are. Pre-k spots are hard to come by and those with good programs tend to even put IB families on the waitlists.

I will tell you (as we found out ourselves) that if you move IB after the lottery you are screwed for a pre-k spot at the good programs. Once the lottery is complete, even if you move in, have other kids in the school and beg the Principal you will still be added to the end of a very long (200+) waiting list.

[Anonymous]

agree with others that you should also try the charters' lotteries. if you get into a good charter, it is going to be much easier to find an affordable place to live becuase you are not forced to look in hte limited area IB for the school, and a lot of good charters are not too far from the neighborhood you mention in your message

[Anonymous]

Stay IB for Murch! I know it seems quiet/miles away from downtown, but it's a great area for kids and the school (and middle school) is great.