Is the School Lottery System Transparent??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love how some people are wearing the lottery system as a badge of pride. You must be one of the people who got into a good school or didn't have your boundary changed from a rising school to an absolute POS.

The actual methodology used by the lottery system in DC is a solid system. It's transparent and fair. The issue is the DC schools themselves, not the system by which people apply to them. There are few schools that meet the overall quality standards that many people have for elementary, middle and high school in DC. As a result, lotterying into the handful that are deemed "high quality" is very difficult because many people are competing for few spaces.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love how some people are wearing the lottery system as a badge of pride. You must be one of the people who got into a good school or didn't have your boundary changed from a rising school to an absolute POS.

The actual methodology used by the lottery system in DC is a solid system. It's transparent and fair. The issue is the DC schools themselves, not the system by which people apply to them. There are few schools that meet the overall quality standards that many people have for elementary, middle and high school in DC. As a result, lotterying into the handful that are deemed "high quality" is very difficult because many people are competing for few spaces.

I meant to add that my child attends our IB school, which is currently classified as a "focus" school and which has a large percentage of English language learners and students who come from very low income and/or unstable home environments. We didn't lottery into any of the Highly Regarded Public Schools for either of the 3 years we have entered the lottery. So it's not that I think the system works great because Larla goes to Paradise Elementary School.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:May be moving to DC and am worried about the school situation. I have heard some of the lotteries are not truly blind. What is the deal with the school lotteries? So scary to move to a place where you're literally gambling with your child's education.

You are overstating the risk. If you want to go to a good school guaranteed, then buy or rent a home within the boundaries of a good school in Northwest DC. That way, you can try the lottery, but if you are not successful, you still receive a quality education by right.

Which neighborhoods are recommended with good in-bound schools for our budget ($450-550K)? See now why I would think we would be gambling with our child's education?

Tell us what kind of property you want to buy. If it has to be more than a 1BR+den condo, good luck. At that price range you will have a very tough time with schools unless you are willing to embrace a newly gentrifying school. This is what we did and I'm very happy with it. But you will have a really tough time buying ANYTHING in a good school district at that price.

Which neighborhood did you move to? We are open to exploring all neighborhoods.

I moved to Eckington 4 years ago, before I had a child. It's working out great-- the school (Langley) is already adequate for preschool, and will probably work out for us for early elementary too. Actually the more I learn about the school, the more I like it. And we have proximity to a lot of great charters too. So I would recommend Eckington if your child is a toddler, or Edgewood if you need a less expensive option and don't mind being off the metro. Wheatley has a great new principal too, so you could look into that if you're willing to be off the metro in Trinidad. Maybe also consider the Navy Yard and Waterfront areas-- Van Ness is a new school and it will probably be a good option.

Tell us the age of your child and we can help you more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:May be moving to DC and am worried about the school situation. I have heard some of the lotteries are not truly blind. What is the deal with the school lotteries? So scary to move to a place where you're literally gambling with your child's education.

You are overstating the risk. If you want to go to a good school guaranteed, then buy or rent a home within the boundaries of a good school in Northwest DC. That way, you can try the lottery, but if you are not successful, you still receive a quality education by right.

Which neighborhoods are recommended with good in-bound schools for our budget ($450-550K)? See now why I would think we would be gambling with our child's education?

Tell us what kind of property you want to buy. If it has to be more than a 1BR+den condo, good luck. At that price range you will have a very tough time with schools unless you are willing to embrace a newly gentrifying school. This is what we did and I'm very happy with it. But you will have a really tough time buying ANYTHING in a good school district at that price.

Which neighborhood did you move to? We are open to exploring all neighborhoods.

I moved to Eckington 4 years ago, before I had a child. It's working out great-- the school (Langley) is already adequate for preschool, and will probably work out for us for early elementary too. Actually the more I learn about the school, the more I like it. And we have proximity to a lot of great charters too. So I would recommend Eckington if your child is a toddler, or Edgewood if you need a less expensive option and don't mind being off the metro. Wheatley has a great new principal too, so you could look into that if you're willing to be off the metro in Trinidad. Maybe also consider the Navy Yard and Waterfront areas-- Van Ness is a new school and it will probably be a good option.

Tell us the age of your child and we can help you more.

We definitely want to be close to metro (walking distance). DC is 4. Are these areas you mentioned in NE, SE...?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:May be moving to DC and am worried about the school situation. I have heard some of the lotteries are not truly blind. What is the deal with the school lotteries? So scary to move to a place where you're literally gambling with your child's education.

This is pretty insulting OP.

How so? I'm just stating a fact regarding public/charter schools in DC.

TROLL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:May be moving to DC and am worried about the school situation. I have heard some of the lotteries are not truly blind. What is the deal with the school lotteries? So scary to move to a place where you're literally gambling with your child's education.

You are overstating the risk. If you want to go to a good school guaranteed, then buy or rent a home within the boundaries of a good school in Northwest DC. That way, you can try the lottery, but if you are not successful, you still receive a quality education by right.

Which neighborhoods are recommended with good in-bound schools for our budget ($450-550K)? See now why I would think we would be gambling with our child's education?

Buy a condo west of Rock Creek Park.
But I hope you move to the 'burbs. We have no need for your self-righteous entitled attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:May be moving to DC and am worried about the school situation. I have heard some of the lotteries are not truly blind. What is the deal with the school lotteries? So scary to move to a place where you're literally gambling with your child's education.

This is pretty insulting OP.

How so? I'm just stating a fact regarding public/charter schools in DC.

TROLL.

DROLE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love how some people are wearing the lottery system as a badge of pride. You must be one of the people who got into a good school or didn't have your boundary changed from a rising school to an absolute POS.

The actual methodology used by the lottery system in DC is a solid system. It's transparent and fair. The issue is the DC schools themselves, not the system by which people apply to them. There are few schools that meet the overall quality standards that many people have for elementary, middle and high school in DC. As a result, lotterying into the handful that are deemed "high quality" is very difficult because many people are competing for few spaces.

I meant to add that my child attends our IB school, which is currently classified as a "focus" school and which has a large percentage of English language learners and students who come from very low income and/or unstable home environments. We didn't lottery into any of the Highly Regarded Public Schools for either of the 3 years we have entered the lottery. So it's not that I think the system works great because Larla goes to Paradise Elementary School.

I'm 11:09, and I do agree with you from a logical standpoint. The system is very transparent and as fair as such a system could be. But like any fair system, it creates winners and losers. I'm honestly more unhappy about our boundary change than the lottery results. But there's essentially three options if you want to live in the city: live in-boundary for a good school, get lucky and lottery into a good school, or go private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:May be moving to DC and am worried about the school situation. I have heard some of the lotteries are not truly blind. What is the deal with the school lotteries? So scary to move to a place where you're literally gambling with your child's education.

You are overstating the risk. If you want to go to a good school guaranteed, then buy or rent a home within the boundaries of a good school in Northwest DC. That way, you can try the lottery, but if you are not successful, you still receive a quality education by right.

Which neighborhoods are recommended with good in-bound schools for our budget ($450-550K)? See now why I would think we would be gambling with our child's education?

Tell us what kind of property you want to buy. If it has to be more than a 1BR+den condo, good luck. At that price range you will have a very tough time with schools unless you are willing to embrace a newly gentrifying school. This is what we did and I'm very happy with it. But you will have a really tough time buying ANYTHING in a good school district at that price.

Which neighborhood did you move to? We are open to exploring all neighborhoods.

I moved to Eckington 4 years ago, before I had a child. It's working out great-- the school (Langley) is already adequate for preschool, and will probably work out for us for early elementary too. Actually the more I learn about the school, the more I like it. And we have proximity to a lot of great charters too. So I would recommend Eckington if your child is a toddler, or Edgewood if you need a less expensive option and don't mind being off the metro. Wheatley has a great new principal too, so you could look into that if you're willing to be off the metro in Trinidad. Maybe also consider the Navy Yard and Waterfront areas-- Van Ness is a new school and it will probably be a good option.

Tell us the age of your child and we can help you more.

We definitely want to be close to metro (walking distance). DC is 4. Are these areas you mentioned in NE, SE...?

Forget it, I just looked up Eckington which looks nice! Any other recommended neighborhoods near metro? Thank you!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:May be moving to DC and am worried about the school situation. I have heard some of the lotteries are not truly blind. What is the deal with the school lotteries? So scary to move to a place where you're literally gambling with your child's education.

You are overstating the risk. If you want to go to a good school guaranteed, then buy or rent a home within the boundaries of a good school in Northwest DC. That way, you can try the lottery, but if you are not successful, you still receive a quality education by right.

Which neighborhoods are recommended with good in-bound schools for our budget ($450-550K)? See now why I would think we would be gambling with our child's education?

Buy a condo west of Rock Creek Park.
But I hope you move to the 'burbs. We have no need for your self-righteous entitled attitude.

Yes, only people who can afford to live in Upper NW are entitled to good schools. OP, please don't judge DC by DCUM posters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:May be moving to DC and am worried about the school situation. I have heard some of the lotteries are not truly blind. What is the deal with the school lotteries? So scary to move to a place where you're literally gambling with your child's education.

You are overstating the risk. If you want to go to a good school guaranteed, then buy or rent a home within the boundaries of a good school in Northwest DC. That way, you can try the lottery, but if you are not successful, you still receive a quality education by right.

Which neighborhoods are recommended with good in-bound schools for our budget ($450-550K)? See now why I would think we would be gambling with our child's education?

Tell us what kind of property you want to buy. If it has to be more than a 1BR+den condo, good luck. At that price range you will have a very tough time with schools unless you are willing to embrace a newly gentrifying school. This is what we did and I'm very happy with it. But you will have a really tough time buying ANYTHING in a good school district at that price.

Which neighborhood did you move to? We are open to exploring all neighborhoods.

I moved to Eckington 4 years ago, before I had a child. It's working out great-- the school (Langley) is already adequate for preschool, and will probably work out for us for early elementary too. Actually the more I learn about the school, the more I like it. And we have proximity to a lot of great charters too. So I would recommend Eckington if your child is a toddler, or Edgewood if you need a less expensive option and don't mind being off the metro. Wheatley has a great new principal too, so you could look into that if you're willing to be off the metro in Trinidad. Maybe also consider the Navy Yard and Waterfront areas-- Van Ness is a new school and it will probably be a good option.

Tell us the age of your child and we can help you more.

We definitely want to be close to metro (walking distance). DC is 4. Are these areas you mentioned in NE, SE...?

Forget it, I just looked up Eckington which looks nice! Any other recommended neighborhoods near metro? Thank you!!

You may still be able to get something in your price range around Brookland. Just be sure you're IB for Burroughs versus the other options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:May be moving to DC and am worried about the school situation. I have heard some of the lotteries are not truly blind. What is the deal with the school lotteries? So scary to move to a place where you're literally gambling with your child's education.

You are overstating the risk. If you want to go to a good school guaranteed, then buy or rent a home within the boundaries of a good school in Northwest DC. That way, you can try the lottery, but if you are not successful, you still receive a quality education by right.

Which neighborhoods are recommended with good in-bound schools for our budget ($450-550K)? See now why I would think we would be gambling with our child's education?

Tell us what kind of property you want to buy. If it has to be more than a 1BR+den condo, good luck. At that price range you will have a very tough time with schools unless you are willing to embrace a newly gentrifying school. This is what we did and I'm very happy with it. But you will have a really tough time buying ANYTHING in a good school district at that price.

Which neighborhood did you move to? We are open to exploring all neighborhoods.

I moved to Eckington 4 years ago, before I had a child. It's working out great-- the school (Langley) is already adequate for preschool, and will probably work out for us for early elementary too. Actually the more I learn about the school, the more I like it. And we have proximity to a lot of great charters too. So I would recommend Eckington if your child is a toddler, or Edgewood if you need a less expensive option and don't mind being off the metro. Wheatley has a great new principal too, so you could look into that if you're willing to be off the metro in Trinidad. Maybe also consider the Navy Yard and Waterfront areas-- Van Ness is a new school and it will probably be a good option.




+1 for Eckington: We moved to Eckington nearly 6 years ago. Although to be honest, there isn't much for sale right now in the $450K-550K range.
Tell us the age of your child and we can help you more.

[Anonymous]

Eckington rocks. Go Langley Tigers!

OP, tell us the minimum size property you are willing to buy. Eckington has gone up a lot, but if you're willing to branch out to Edgewood and Brookland, a 2BR condo or half-townhouse might be doable. Brookland has a new Middle School that is very promising-- their principal comes from one of the best elementaries in DC.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/330-Rhode-Island-Ave-NE-20002/unit-202/home/21647459 Here's a 2BR condo in Eckington for a mere $309K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eckington rocks. Go Langley Tigers!

OP, tell us the minimum size property you are willing to buy. Eckington has gone up a lot, but if you're willing to branch out to Edgewood and Brookland, a 2BR condo or half-townhouse might be doable. Brookland has a new Middle School that is very promising-- their principal comes from one of the best elementaries in DC.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/330-Rhode-Island-Ave-NE-20002/unit-202/home/21647459 Here's a 2BR condo in Eckington for a mere $309K.

760 sq. ft is too small. The smallest we'd go is 1,000 sq. ft. Just started researching Eckington and the row houses look nice. We'd likely try to buy one of those instead of a condo. I would hate to go above our budget but if we find something great, we may have to.

[Anonymous]

If you are only going to have one kid, you can rent a very small apartment in a safe school zone in NW DC.

If you need more space than that and if you want guaranteed excellent schools with that budget, you have to live in the suburbs. Maybe walkable to the VRE commuter train is more realistic for you.