What happens when you and your husband disagree about your lottery order?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

I really appreciate the thoughts on this thread, they've been helpful. And I'll satisfy everyone's curiosity - folks were correct, Priority B is commute.

Priority A is essentially school quality - we're looking for low(er) screens, engaged kids, differentiation in the higher grades (3+) as much as possible, and a good curriculum.

The school in question is Inspired Teaching, and we have no car and live in Columbia Heights. Our current list, in order, is Ross, Garrison, John Lewis, EL Haynes, and as I said, we still have a bunch of schools to visit.

All four of these other schools are a short bus ride away, and are not far from the bus stop - commute for all three would be under 30 mins TOTAL (door to door, factoring in waiting on the bus, slowness of the children, etc), and we could actually walk to Garrison. And getting between school and work is also manageable (we both work hybrid with offices downtown).

Inspired Teaching is a HAUL. It's a longer bus ride (and somewhat circuitous as you're going around the hospital) and then when you get off the bus, it's an 11 minute walk for an adult, and on the way home, that'd be a steep uphill. 11 minutes doesn't sound awful, but twice a day, every day? With elementary schoolers? And probably four times a day for us (there and back)? We'd have to leave at least 45-50 minutes, possibly more, and it just sounds so unpleasant.

Husband thinks we can make it work. I don't, and would much rather have the kids at Garrison or John Lewis. We split drop offs and pickups as it stands now.

This post is identifying as all get-out but whatever.

Yeah, if you don't have a car, I don't think ITDS will work. If you did have one, you might be able to work out a carpool or something.
I say that as an ITDS parent. Don't get me wrong, it's a great school, and it's well run.
Also, keep in mind that your chances of getting admitted to ITDS in the lottery are low unless you are high risk.
It took us until first grade to get in. Unless he's willing to do the bulk of the transport. Otherwise, getting your kid there and back will be a half time job.
Fortunately for us it's an easy 10-20 minute drive each way. it still gets tiring, but it's doable. If you did get a car, the drive from most parts of Columbia Heights would actually not be so bad.

[Anonymous]

Don’t do that long bus commute. Veto.

[Anonymous]

https://enrolldcps.dc.gov/node/61

Don't fight with your DH about a school you won't get into regardless. If this is for PK3, eyes wide open about your chances at Ross and Garrison.

[Anonymous]

OP to add - you can see why "just put it on the list but lower" isn't really a "compromise" - if we didn't get in to Garrison or John Lewis, we're not getting in to ITDS.

Re: Middle School - I actually love it as a middle school, when my longer-legged children could get there themselves. And we might even have a car by then. Plus, we've got three kids, so three lottery numbers - if we want it for middle school, we can cross that bridge in 4 years.

[Anonymous]

ITDS is not a good enough school for an annoying commute. JR feeder, yes people do it. ITDS I personally would not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP to add - you can see why "just put it on the list but lower" isn't really a "compromise" - if we didn't get in to Garrison or John Lewis, we're not getting in to ITDS.

Re: Middle School - I actually love it as a middle school, when my longer-legged children could get there themselves. And we might even have a car by then. Plus, we've got three kids, so three lottery numbers - if we want it for middle school, we can cross that bridge in 4 years.

It's only an option if your DH doesn't understand how the lottery works and would fall for it.

ITDS lottery admissions are basically attrition-dependent and vary widely year over year. I'm not sure how things go for Garrison with the new Euclid St Middle school-- how do you feel about that?

I think with three kids trying, you'll get ITDS eventually. You really only need one kid to have a good number one time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://enrolldcps.dc.gov/node/61

Don't fight with your DH about a school you won't get into regardless. If this is for PK3, eyes wide open about your chances at Ross and Garrison.

This is for K and 1st. Assuming we're willing to move schools in October (we are) and that one pulls the other in, we've got an 80+ percent chance each at Garrison and John Lewis, and a 50+ percent chance at ITDS, based on my calculations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://enrolldcps.dc.gov/node/61

Don't fight with your DH about a school you won't get into regardless. If this is for PK3, eyes wide open about your chances at Ross and Garrison.

This is for K and 1st. Assuming we're willing to move schools in October (we are) and that one pulls the other in, we've got an 80+ percent chance each at Garrison and John Lewis, and a 50+ percent chance at ITDS, based on my calculations.

OP again - and of course, Ross is a low probability shot, always.

[Anonymous]

Given the actual school, I think there's no harm in putting ITDS on the list somewhere with the caveat that if your kids go there, your husband does at least 80% of the transport.

If he's not willing to agree to that, then you can remove it from the list.

[Anonymous]

OP, I read your updates. You are right. Stick to your guns. And if you don't want to stick to your guns, agree only on the condition that he handles all pickups and drop-offs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://enrolldcps.dc.gov/node/61

Don't fight with your DH about a school you won't get into regardless. If this is for PK3, eyes wide open about your chances at Ross and Garrison.

This is for K and 1st. Assuming we're willing to move schools in October (we are) and that one pulls the other in, we've got an 80+ percent chance each at Garrison and John Lewis, and a 50+ percent chance at ITDS, based on my calculations.

OP again - and of course, Ross is a low probability shot, always.

OP, I love to do calculations too, but really really really, ITDS waitlists are highly variable and prior year data doesn't tell you that much.

Garrison means Euclid St Middle, do you like it?

[Anonymous]

Has he reviewed the ITDS school calendar for all the zillion days off and half days?

[Anonymous]

We turned down a (DCUM coveted) middle school based on commute. Here’s the thing: your husband may be considering commute on a perfect day and thinking it could work. Now imagine: illnesses, work travel, extracurriculars, doctor appointments, etc. it’s just not tenable, unless you’re thinking you may take steps to ameliorate it (moving or buying a car).

[Anonymous]

I'm also a very happy ITDS parent, but commute is king and that's one I wouldn't do.

I'd actually move to the ITDS neighborhood (including all the upheaval that entails) before taking on that commute. Though that may be a nonstarter (given transit and walkability there) if you don't have a car and plan to keep it that way.

[Anonymous]

Re Garrison and Euclid St middle, I don't know how old your older one(s) are, but if your kids are in the younger grades then there will be plenty of time to see how it goes with Euclid. Let's all hope it's a big success, but regardless you'll have plenty of time to see, and can lottery or move if need be (which is what a lot of Garrison parents used to always do, and people still went there and loved it - but hopefully that won't be necessary in the future).