For "competitive" preschools - honestly, who gets in?
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Anonymous
These don't work on a first come, first serve basis. They work more like admissions process for private school or college. Everyone applies at the same time and the school picks from a pool of applicants. Some schools do lotteries, but the ones mentioned here do not. FWIW, we go to one of these schools. There are a fair number of impressive types or "DC celebs," but most families we know are pretty typical for NW DC. By that I mean that there are lots of two lawyer families or someone that works on the Hill in a fairly prestigious job, and the parents all seem very well educated (that said, I don't really know whether they went to prestigious schools or anything), but not everyone works at the White House or runs their own lobbying boutique or something. Generally, the vast majority are very friendly as well. It does tend to skew older, though. DH and I are in our mid-thirties, and we're definitely among the younger. |
Anonymous
Thanks -- I know a lot of these are 3-day a week programs (some full day/some just mornings). Do most of these families also have a nanny, since I'm guessing both parents work full-time? |
Anonymous
| Yes, demographic tends to be kids with nannies or stay at home moms. Some programs are five days a week and offer after school programs, which might make it more manageable for working parents without nannies. It's definitely not the same as daycare. |
Anonymous
| No new updates? I am wondering if some calls are coming this week. |
Anonymous
Do most of the above mentioned schools call or send letters? Or email? |
Anonymous
| Letters typically. |
Anonymous
| So I've heard some Little Folks letters have been received. Any others? |
Anonymous
| Bump! |
Anonymous
| Many of the preschools have programs for 2 year olds so I wouldn't say that the starting age is 2.5 |
Anonymous
|
I don't actually think the parents' personalities matter all that much at most schools (I think Aidan is looking for a genuine commitment to Montessori, so that's different). They generally want a certain kind of kid.
We had zero connections and our DC got into every preschool to which we applied. It's not that hard. That said, there are a lot of "legacy kids" in her class. |
Anonymous
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We've only applied as a 2yo to preschool and got in most places - Montessori and play-based.
I assume Pre-K (4 yo) at the privates or day schools is a different ball-game, with their interviews, desire for commitment through grade 4-8, fundraisers and "fit" tests. |
Anonymous
| Any word from the "competitive" preschools today? I haven't heard anything. Feeling discouraged..... |
Anonymous
You'll hear. I heard LFS is having a welcome event for newly admitted families on Mar 4. |
Anonymous
| Did anyone get calls or emails this weekend? We didn't, but maybe that means rejection--or, hopefully, decisions haven't come out yet. |
Anonymous
| Has anyone heard from preschools? We've only heard from one..... |