Pre-K In-bounds for Bancroft, ranking LAMB?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Not worried about additional rankings, if we don't get in we will continue with our private daycare/preschool which is Spanish immersion. I am not a native speaker, but am fluent, speak Spanish at work all day, and speak Spanish with our child. Child speaks as much or more Spanish than English, but would apply as English-dominant. More interested in whether people think LAMB vs Bancroft is worth it in the long-term, as we know Bancroft is well regarded, but think LAMB could be interesting, know we only really have a chance to get in now, and are curious about what people think about the differences, especially the differences between going to the neighborhood school vs one with kids from all over.

LAMB parent here, without any knowledge of Bancroft. I think your child is likely to do well with either school for the Spanish immersion. I think there are 2 factors beyond Spanish though - do you want Montessori and if you plan to stay at said school to MS, which choice would you prefer, Deal (isn't that Bancroft's feeder, but would that change by the time your child hits MS?) or DCI (which I know isn't guaranteed for LAMB at the point you enter MS, but I do think DCI will take steps to make this less of a concern in the future).

And if you take the LAMB spot, I hope that you stay for the long term, but I am not going to chastise you for leaving if it isn't the right school for you. I do agree that it is going to be hard to get into however; LAMB's applications are up 7% from last year, at an already very high application number.

One thing that LAMB does have over Bancroft, IMO, is a much better physical space. The LAMB campus is beautiful and big. Lots of room for kids to eat outside for lunch, as an example. But there is a lot to be said for a neighborhood school.

[Anonymous]

To OP and 12:31, I don't think the Spanish immersion or academics are better at LAMB, but would choose LAMB over a strong neighborhood school if I felt very strongly about Montessori. Having a slightly older child now who did a Montessori preschool, I'm glad that I didn't choose a Montessori elementary. Montessori can be amazing for the right kids, but you just don't know what kind of student your 3 year old will turn into. Mine thrived in Montessori as a young child, but now (I think) would struggle with some aspects of it. Bancroft would be the "safer" bet from a learning style perspective, plus the community in a neighborhood school is amazing. Like I said, I think LAMB is a good choice if you really want Montessori, but it doesn't seem like either OP or the PP are, so I personally wouldn't bother in their shoes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Not worried about additional rankings, if we don't get in we will continue with our private daycare/preschool which is Spanish immersion. I am not a native speaker, but am fluent, speak Spanish at work all day, and speak Spanish with our child. Child speaks as much or more Spanish than English, but would apply as English-dominant. More interested in whether people think LAMB vs Bancroft is worth it in the long-term, as we know Bancroft is well regarded, but think LAMB could be interesting, know we only really have a chance to get in now, and are curious about what people think about the differences, especially the differences between going to the neighborhood school vs one with kids from all over.

LAMB parent here, without any knowledge of Bancroft. I think your child is likely to do well with either school for the Spanish immersion. I think there are 2 factors beyond Spanish though - do you want Montessori and if you plan to stay at said school to MS, which choice would you prefer, Deal (isn't that Bancroft's feeder, but would that change by the time your child hits MS?) or DCI (which I know isn't guaranteed for LAMB at the point you enter MS, but I do think DCI will take steps to make this less of a concern in the future).

And if you take the LAMB spot, I hope that you stay for the long term, but I am not going to chastise you for leaving if it isn't the right school for you. I do agree that it is going to be hard to get into however; [b]LAMB's applications are up 7% from last year, at an already very high application number.

One thing that LAMB does have over Bancroft, IMO, is a much better physical space. The LAMB campus is beautiful and big. Lots of room for kids to eat outside for lunch, as an example. But there is a lot to be said for a neighborhood school.

Just curious how do you know this? Are the schools aware of how many applications they have before the lottery deadline?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Not worried about additional rankings, if we don't get in we will continue with our private daycare/preschool which is Spanish immersion. I am not a native speaker, but am fluent, speak Spanish at work all day, and speak Spanish with our child. Child speaks as much or more Spanish than English, but would apply as English-dominant. More interested in whether people think LAMB vs Bancroft is worth it in the long-term, as we know Bancroft is well regarded, but think LAMB could be interesting, know we only really have a chance to get in now, and are curious about what people think about the differences, especially the differences between going to the neighborhood school vs one with kids from all over.

LAMB parent here, without any knowledge of Bancroft. I think your child is likely to do well with either school for the Spanish immersion. I think there are 2 factors beyond Spanish though - do you want Montessori and if you plan to stay at said school to MS, which choice would you prefer, Deal (isn't that Bancroft's feeder, but would that change by the time your child hits MS?) or DCI (which I know isn't guaranteed for LAMB at the point you enter MS, but I do think DCI will take steps to make this less of a concern in the future).

And if you take the LAMB spot, I hope that you stay for the long term, but I am not going to chastise you for leaving if it isn't the right school for you. I do agree that it is going to be hard to get into however; [b]LAMB's applications are up 7% from last year, at an already very high application number.

One thing that LAMB does have over Bancroft, IMO, is a much better physical space. The LAMB campus is beautiful and big. Lots of room for kids to eat outside for lunch, as an example. But there is a lot to be said for a neighborhood school.

"LAMB's applications are up 7% from last year, at an already very high application number." Just curious how do you know this? Are the schools aware of how many applications they have before the lottery deadline?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Not worried about additional rankings, if we don't get in we will continue with our private daycare/preschool which is Spanish immersion. I am not a native speaker, but am fluent, speak Spanish at work all day, and speak Spanish with our child. Child speaks as much or more Spanish than English, but would apply as English-dominant. More interested in whether people think LAMB vs Bancroft is worth it in the long-term, as we know Bancroft is well regarded, but think LAMB could be interesting, know we only really have a chance to get in now, and are curious about what people think about the differences, especially the differences between going to the neighborhood school vs one with kids from all over.

LAMB parent here, without any knowledge of Bancroft. I think your child is likely to do well with either school for the Spanish immersion. I think there are 2 factors beyond Spanish though - do you want Montessori and if you plan to stay at said school to MS, which choice would you prefer, Deal (isn't that Bancroft's feeder, but would that change by the time your child hits MS?) or DCI (which I know isn't guaranteed for LAMB at the point you enter MS, but I do think DCI will take steps to make this less of a concern in the future).

And if you take the LAMB spot, I hope that you stay for the long term, but I am not going to chastise you for leaving if it isn't the right school for you. I do agree that it is going to be hard to get into however; [b]LAMB's applications are up 7% from last year, at an already very high application number.

One thing that LAMB does have over Bancroft, IMO, is a much better physical space. The LAMB campus is beautiful and big. Lots of room for kids to eat outside for lunch, as an example. But there is a lot to be said for a neighborhood school.

Just curious how do you know this? Are the schools aware of how many applications they have before the lottery deadline?

This information was provided in the Executive Director's report to the Board. So they must be able to garner some information about lottery choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Not worried about additional rankings, if we don't get in we will continue with our private daycare/preschool which is Spanish immersion. I am not a native speaker, but am fluent, speak Spanish at work all day, and speak Spanish with our child. Child speaks as much or more Spanish than English, but would apply as English-dominant. More interested in whether people think LAMB vs Bancroft is worth it in the long-term, as we know Bancroft is well regarded, but think LAMB could be interesting, know we only really have a chance to get in now, and are curious about what people think about the differences, especially the differences between going to the neighborhood school vs one with kids from all over.

LAMB parent here, without any knowledge of Bancroft. I think your child is likely to do well with either school for the Spanish immersion. I think there are 2 factors beyond Spanish though - do you want Montessori and if you plan to stay at said school to MS, which choice would you prefer, Deal (isn't that Bancroft's feeder, but would that change by the time your child hits MS?) or DCI (which I know isn't guaranteed for LAMB at the point you enter MS, but I do think DCI will take steps to make this less of a concern in the future).

And if you take the LAMB spot, I hope that you stay for the long term, but I am not going to chastise you for leaving if it isn't the right school for you. I do agree that it is going to be hard to get into however; LAMB's applications are up 7% from last year, at an already very high application number.

One thing that LAMB does have over Bancroft, IMO, is a much better physical space. The LAMB campus is beautiful and big. Lots of room for kids to eat outside for lunch, as an example. But there is a lot to be said for a neighborhood school.

I haven’t seen LAMB’s space, but Bancroft just had a gorgeous new renovation. What about LAMB’s physical space is superior?

[Anonymous]

I think if the choice is close between your neighborhood school and another, you should go with your neighborhood school every time. It’s so nice to have close by friends and be able to walk to school. It’s a huge benefit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Not worried about additional rankings, if we don't get in we will continue with our private daycare/preschool which is Spanish immersion. I am not a native speaker, but am fluent, speak Spanish at work all day, and speak Spanish with our child. Child speaks as much or more Spanish than English, but would apply as English-dominant. More interested in whether people think LAMB vs Bancroft is worth it in the long-term, as we know Bancroft is well regarded, but think LAMB could be interesting, know we only really have a chance to get in now, and are curious about what people think about the differences, especially the differences between going to the neighborhood school vs one with kids from all over.

LAMB parent here, without any knowledge of Bancroft. I think your child is likely to do well with either school for the Spanish immersion. I think there are 2 factors beyond Spanish though - do you want Montessori and if you plan to stay at said school to MS, which choice would you prefer, Deal (isn't that Bancroft's feeder, but would that change by the time your child hits MS?) or DCI (which I know isn't guaranteed for LAMB at the point you enter MS, but I do think DCI will take steps to make this less of a concern in the future).

And if you take the LAMB spot, I hope that you stay for the long term, but I am not going to chastise you for leaving if it isn't the right school for you. I do agree that it is going to be hard to get into however; LAMB's applications are up 7% from last year, at an already very high application number.

One thing that LAMB does have over Bancroft, IMO, is a much better physical space. The LAMB campus is beautiful and big. Lots of room for kids to eat outside for lunch, as an example. But there is a lot to be said for a neighborhood school.

I haven’t seen LAMB’s space, but Bancroft just had a gorgeous new renovation. What about LAMB’s physical space is superior?

I didn't know that Bancroft had a renovation. That's great! LAMB has a lot of outdoor space with their new campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LAMB is a great school. Don’t lottery if you’re going to leave. That just screws other kids.

Seriously. That spot usually doesn’t get back-filled by another kid your kid’s age who really wanted LAMB because they don’t accept hardly any kids after PK3.

This is LAMB's fault, not the posters. None of us know at preK3 what we want long term for our children and the lottery system is built around that fact.

LAMB backfills any spots through Kinder and stops taking new kids at 1st grade. So if someone wants to try LAMB for PK3/PK4 and then moves to the IB for Kinder, that spot is fully usable for someone else. LAMB (and the other charters) can't test for Spanish proficiency. This policy means that it can control for kids coming in at later grades without any Spanish knowledge.

Oh noes! DCPS takes kids without any English knowledge...

They wouldn’t have to do this if pushy poor parenting causes these poor kids to go to school where they are completely lost and don’t understand what’s happening. These parents think they’re giving their kids an opportunity, whereas actually doing some research would prove to them that this is a bad idea. I tutor these poor kids who are not only fully lost in Spanish but are now behind in English and math as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LAMB is a great school. Don’t lottery if you’re going to leave. That just screws other kids.

Seriously. That spot usually doesn’t get back-filled by another kid your kid’s age who really wanted LAMB because they don’t accept hardly any kids after PK3.

This is LAMB's fault, not the posters. None of us know at preK3 what we want long term for our children and the lottery system is built around that fact.

LAMB backfills any spots through Kinder and stops taking new kids at 1st grade. So if someone wants to try LAMB for PK3/PK4 and then moves to the IB for Kinder, that spot is fully usable for someone else. LAMB (and the other charters) can't test for Spanish proficiency. This policy means that it can control for kids coming in at later grades without any Spanish knowledge.

Except the kid that they admit will be behind, versus the kid who was admitted in pk3 whose spot OP’s kid took. It’s just thoughtless.

So, so behind.

And even if their kid has a small understanding of Spanish, it is typically still not enough.

I genuinely believe it is racism- if “the help” speaks Spanish, surely it can’t be that hard! Toss in little Mason and Regan in first or second or third grade! They’ll pick it up in no time. They won’t. And you as a parent will ruin their self esteem and hold them back in other subjects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LAMB is a great school. Don’t lottery if you’re going to leave. That just screws other kids.

Seriously. That spot usually doesn’t get back-filled by another kid your kid’s age who really wanted LAMB because they don’t accept hardly any kids after PK3.

This is LAMB's fault, not the posters. None of us know at preK3 what we want long term for our children and the lottery system is built around that fact.

LAMB backfills any spots through Kinder and stops taking new kids at 1st grade. So if someone wants to try LAMB for PK3/PK4 and then moves to the IB for Kinder, that spot is fully usable for someone else. LAMB (and the other charters) can't test for Spanish proficiency. This policy means that it can control for kids coming in at later grades without any Spanish knowledge.

Oh noes! DCPS takes kids without any English knowledge...

They wouldn’t have to do this if pushy poor parenting causes these poor kids to go to school where they are completely lost and don’t understand what’s happening. These parents think they’re giving their kids an opportunity, whereas actually doing some research would prove to them that this is a bad idea. I tutor these poor kids who are not only fully lost in Spanish but are now behind in English and math as well.

You forgot to add that then these parents will blame the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LAMB is a great school. Don’t lottery if you’re going to leave. That just screws other kids.

Seriously. That spot usually doesn’t get back-filled by another kid your kid’s age who really wanted LAMB because they don’t accept hardly any kids after PK3.

This is LAMB's fault, not the posters. None of us know at preK3 what we want long term for our children and the lottery system is built around that fact.

LAMB backfills any spots through Kinder and stops taking new kids at 1st grade. So if someone wants to try LAMB for PK3/PK4 and then moves to the IB for Kinder, that spot is fully usable for someone else. LAMB (and the other charters) can't test for Spanish proficiency. This policy means that it can control for kids coming in at later grades without any Spanish knowledge.

Oh noes! DCPS takes kids without any English knowledge...

I don’t even understand this comment

So refusing to take kids that are harder to serve is a luxury that some schools have and some don't. Think of that when you're patting yourselves on the back for being so much better. Or poor LAMB just can't handle the challenge.

WTF are you talking about? LAMB would kill for a bunch of Spanish dominant kids.

I think Pp is talking about LAMB not wanting kids with no Spanish background after K since it
Will be hard for LAMB to serve them.

Soooooo hard for poor LAMB. DCPS has to take kids who speak no English, in all grade levels, all year round. Why is it doable for DCPS and not for LAMB?

you sound super salty

Do you have an actual answer though?

I have an answer for you- that is an entirely different program. ELL is taught by special teachers and is a unique curriculum.

You are so ignorant.

Sorry your kid didn’t get accepted into any bilingual schools.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone from LAMB know why the 50% drop between 4th and 5th grade last year? This info comes from the OSSE audit data.

[Anonymous]

Yeah a sign of a good dual language program is that you do not let non Spanish speakers in after Kindergarten, but I actually heard a parent at our school whose child was let in in 2nd I think say that it was racism in Arlington when they didnt let her child in. It's really hard to have these conversations with so much nuance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LAMB is a great school. Don’t lottery if you’re going to leave. That just screws other kids.

Seriously. That spot usually doesn’t get back-filled by another kid your kid’s age who really wanted LAMB because they don’t accept hardly any kids after PK3.

This is LAMB's fault, not the posters. None of us know at preK3 what we want long term for our children and the lottery system is built around that fact.

LAMB backfills any spots through Kinder and stops taking new kids at 1st grade. So if someone wants to try LAMB for PK3/PK4 and then moves to the IB for Kinder, that spot is fully usable for someone else. LAMB (and the other charters) can't test for Spanish proficiency. This policy means that it can control for kids coming in at later grades without any Spanish knowledge.

Oh noes! DCPS takes kids without any English knowledge...

They wouldn’t have to do this if pushy poor parenting causes these poor kids to go to school where they are completely lost and don’t understand what’s happening. These parents think they’re giving their kids an opportunity, whereas actually doing some research would prove to them that this is a bad idea. I tutor these poor kids who are not only fully lost in Spanish but are now behind in English and math as well.

You forgot to add that then these parents will blame the school.

Exactly. It’s the schools fault their kid doesn’t magically pick up Spanish. Never mind that the parents made zero effort and only care about bragging about their kids “language proficiency”. Spare me. Good for lamb for holding firm. Not that I believe lamb really cares about retaining students either….