Waitlist...how much time to respond?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was happy but not ecstatic with my kids' school, I only entered the lottery for schools I knew I would leave if given the choice. Surprised everyone doesn't do it this way.

That was or approach, too. Otherwise situations like this arise and you just torture yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I was happy but not ecstatic with my kids' school, I only entered the lottery for schools I knew I would leave if given the choice. Surprised everyone doesn't do it this way.

That was or approach, too. Otherwise situations like this arise and you just torture yourself.

This is OP and yes, that was my plan also, with 2 schools on my wait list that I would definitely accept and I got carried away. This school is a better school than the one we currently attend, and was my top choice when we were starting PS, but I walk to my current school and we are involved in the community there and are happy with it. (There is high teacher turn over and a weak administration, which give me pause at current school.) Its a lottery only school also, so unfortunately if we leave, we leave. New school would be a 20 minute drive each way with very few neighbors attending, if any. I am struggling as to which matters more for the next 4 years, maybe more if we choose the new school. (And yes, PPs have the school right) And yes, I should also be enjoying my morning with my kids right now instead of googling reviews and doing this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I was happy but not ecstatic with my kids' school, I only entered the lottery for schools I knew I would leave if given the choice. Surprised everyone doesn't do it this way.

That was or approach, too. Otherwise situations like this arise and you just torture yourself.

This is OP and yes, that was my plan also, with 2 schools on my wait list that I would definitely accept and I got carried away. This school is a better school than the one we currently attend, and was my top choice when we were starting PS, but I walk to my current school and we are involved in the community there and are happy with it. (There is high teacher turn over and a weak administration, which give me pause at current school.) Its a lottery only school also, so unfortunately if we leave, we leave. New school would be a 20 minute drive each way with very few neighbors attending, if any. I am struggling as to which matters more for the next 4 years, maybe more if we choose the new school. (And yes, PPs have the school right) And yes, I should also be enjoying my morning with my kids right now instead of googling reviews and doing this!

Which PP is right? CMI or DCB? What is your current school? Did you see the link from Myschool DC saying the schools set the amount of time parents have to choose?

[Anonymous]

My vote is for staying put. That saying about the "devil you know" has some truth to it. Also, unlike trading in your car, you've got one big unknown in your equation: your child. Some are cut out to handle change like champs but most take quite some time to adjust. You'd want to be super sure about improvements to take the risk of the latter being an issue. I'm not sure I'd count "administrative issues" among the most critical improvements worth taking such risks.

(Why play the lottery if you aren't sure whether you'd take the spot? I find that weird and a smidgen immature.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I was happy but not ecstatic with my kids' school, I only entered the lottery for schools I knew I would leave if given the choice. Surprised everyone doesn't do it this way.

That was or approach, too. Otherwise situations like this arise and you just torture yourself.

This is OP and yes, that was my plan also, with 2 schools on my wait list that I would definitely accept and I got carried away. This school is a better school than the one we currently attend, and was my top choice when we were starting PS, but I walk to my current school and we are involved in the community there and are happy with it. (There is high teacher turn over and a weak administration, which give me pause at current school.) Its a lottery only school also, so unfortunately if we leave, we leave. New school would be a 20 minute drive each way with very few neighbors attending, if any. I am struggling as to which matters more for the next 4 years, maybe more if we choose the new school. (And yes, PPs have the school right) And yes, I should also be enjoying my morning with my kids right now instead of googling reviews and doing this!

Personally, I'd I were happy with a school and could walk there, I would stick with it. We didn't put either DCB or CMI on our lists because of commute. Let us know what you decide!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. I am waiting to hear back from myschoolDC as to timeframe but it's unfortunate that we have to make a decision so quickly. The fact that our number came up right before the start of school should't mean that we don't have the chance to make an informed decision.

As for my not knowing at this point, we have been to 2 open houses but these are largely geared toward kids entering PS, and the school has a new location this year. The open houses showed us very little of the old school building and classrooms, and were held while students were not there. So for me, going to get a feel for the school while it was in session would be immensely helpful. Without it I can't give the green light and that's unfortunate for both of my children.

Honey, you aren't going to get a good feel of the school for all of the reasons mentioned. As someone else suggested just decline the spot if you are truly happy at your child's school so a parent who really wants the spot can have it.