PK4 - what do you think of this list?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also don't quite understand why you would list Peabody so low, except maybe for where you live. Unless you have some well thought out preferences for Montessori, I'd prefer Peabody over Logan Montessori for sure. If it's because you have some qualms about Watkins, I'd say take another look and keep in mind it'll be brand spanking new by the time your 1st grader gets there.

+1 Peabody would be first for me

OP here. The reason it is so low is because I have qualms about Watkins. It makes me nervous that the people in boundary for Watkins don't seem to be staying. And I would prefer a smaller school. If I'm going to send my kid to a borderline school I would prefer one that we can walk to. And if it's a hike I would prefer a school that might solve our middle school issue (eg MV).

But maybe I'm being irrational.

The only irrational things on your list is wasting spots with Maury and Brent. Fill those spots with DCI feeders and the fill in the middle with second tier charters such as inspired teaching and Lee Montessori. Delete CH montessori or put it at the bottom, above Van Ness and Miner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also don't quite understand why you would list Peabody so low, except maybe for where you live. Unless you have some well thought out preferences for Montessori, I'd prefer Peabody over Logan Montessori for sure. If it's because you have some qualms about Watkins, I'd say take another look and keep in mind it'll be brand spanking new by the time your 1st grader gets there.

+1 Peabody would be first for me

OP here. The reason it is so low is because I have qualms about Watkins. It makes me nervous that the people in boundary for Watkins don't seem to be staying. And I would prefer a smaller school. If I'm going to send my kid to a borderline school I would prefer one that we can walk to. And if it's a hike I would prefer a school that might solve our middle school issue (eg MV).

But maybe I'm being irrational.

Then why don't you have MV on your list? Also, ITS is only 6 or so blocks from MV and also has middle.

MV is on my list. I will look at ITS. -OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also don't quite understand why you would list Peabody so low, except maybe for where you live. Unless you have some well thought out preferences for Montessori, I'd prefer Peabody over Logan Montessori for sure. If it's because you have some qualms about Watkins, I'd say take another look and keep in mind it'll be brand spanking new by the time your 1st grader gets there.

+1 Peabody would be first for me

OP here. The reason it is so low is because I have qualms about Watkins. It makes me nervous that the people in boundary for Watkins don't seem to be staying. And I would prefer a smaller school. If I'm going to send my kid to a borderline school I would prefer one that we can walk to. And if it's a hike I would prefer a school that might solve our middle school issue (eg MV).

But maybe I'm being irrational.

How many parents of first-graders and second-graders at Watkins have you spoken to? Those two grades are majority IB.

[Anonymous]

Among the many issues Watkins had was the mismatch in the number of classes at Watkins per grade (5) compared to Peabody (4). This mismatch meant that OOB was a necessity. That feeder situation was fixed either this or last year (can't remember off the top of my head). The school will also be completed renovated this coming year. This has so far encouraged families to continue on to Watkins. The swing space situation for next year is concerning, although that won't affect your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Among the many issues Watkins had was the mismatch in the number of classes at Watkins per grade (5) compared to Peabody (4). This mismatch meant that OOB was a necessity. That feeder situation was fixed either this or last year (can't remember off the top of my head). The school will also be completed renovated this coming year. This has so far encouraged families to continue on to Watkins. The swing space situation for next year is concerning, although that won't affect your child.

Even with that information about right-sizing, the numbers don't seem to be adding up. If at least two grades are majority IB kids, how is the overall number of IB kids only 24%?

It would be interesting to see a grade by grade breakdown of IB% to see whether the popular wisdom of DCUM about Watkins 1st and 2nd grade is actually true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Among the many issues Watkins had was the mismatch in the number of classes at Watkins per grade (5) compared to Peabody (4). This mismatch meant that OOB was a necessity. That feeder situation was fixed either this or last year (can't remember off the top of my head). The school will also be completed renovated this coming year. This has so far encouraged families to continue on to Watkins. The swing space situation for next year is concerning, although that won't affect your child.

Even with that information about right-sizing, the numbers don't seem to be adding up. If at least two grades are majority IB kids, how is the overall number of IB kids only 24%?

It would be interesting to see a grade by grade breakdown of IB% to see whether the popular wisdom of DCUM about Watkins 1st and 2nd grade is actually true.

At the risk of going back down the rabbit hole on Watkins' IB wars - often what people mean as a shorthand for IB are kids from the Hill, who walk or bike to school, do SOTH on weekends. They discern that by eyeballing the #white and or their perceptions of high SES. A quick glance at Watkins 1st and 2nd grade may lead to this perception even if some of this group comes from IB for Ludlow-Taylor rather than the Cluster. Hence the numbers - although there is an uptick in the #IB this year after several of continue decline. They may similarly overlook the IB, African-American IB children, especially those qualifying for FARMs as part of this number.

[Anonymous]

Your list looks very similar to mine last year. I put Logan very high due to location and we matched but decided against it after attending the three info sessions. It would of been fine I'm sure but I could tell it wasn't a good long term fit so we ended up doing daycare another year. I also applied to Maury and Brent as out of bounds; doing so is first year lottery naïveté. Save your picks for mathematical possibilities. Definitely include L-T, both two rivers and van ness in some order that makes sense to you. They are all good options and the commutes are very doable from the hill. YY, CMI, etc are amazing schools but I know I couldn't cross NY ave twice daily on a long term basis. *Personally* I wouldn't put them on my list unless I was willing to move for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also don't quite understand why you would list Peabody so low, except maybe for where you live. Unless you have some well thought out preferences for Montessori, I'd prefer Peabody over Logan Montessori for sure. If it's because you have some qualms about Watkins, I'd say take another look and keep in mind it'll be brand spanking new by the time your 1st grader gets there.

+1 Peabody would be first for me

OP here. The reason it is so low is because I have qualms about Watkins. It makes me nervous that the people in boundary for Watkins don't seem to be staying. And I would prefer a smaller school. If I'm going to send my kid to a borderline school I would prefer one that we can walk to. And if it's a hike I would prefer a school that might solve our middle school issue (eg MV).

But maybe I'm being irrational.

The only irrational things on your list is wasting spots with Maury and Brent. Fill those spots with DCI feeders and the fill in the middle with second tier charters such as inspired teaching and Lee Montessori. Delete CH montessori or put it at the bottom, above Van Ness and Miner.

DCI feeders (save YY) are second tier (or not tiered).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also don't quite understand why you would list Peabody so low, except maybe for where you live. Unless you have some well thought out preferences for Montessori, I'd prefer Peabody over Logan Montessori for sure. If it's because you have some qualms about Watkins, I'd say take another look and keep in mind it'll be brand spanking new by the time your 1st grader gets there.

+1 Peabody would be first for me

OP here. The reason it is so low is because I have qualms about Watkins. It makes me nervous that the people in boundary for Watkins don't seem to be staying. And I would prefer a smaller school. If I'm going to send my kid to a borderline school I would prefer one that we can walk to. And if it's a hike I would prefer a school that might solve our middle school issue (eg MV).

But maybe I'm being irrational.

The only irrational things on your list is wasting spots with Maury and Brent. Fill those spots with DCI feeders and the fill in the middle with second tier charters such as inspired teaching and Lee Montessori. Delete CH montessori or put it at the bottom, above Van Ness and Miner.

DCI feeders (save YY) are second tier (or not tiered).

LAMB is first tier too, but not in the common lottery. Sorry I still think learning another language kicks you into another tier over just a plain Montessori school or whatever ITS is all about. They're all great schools, sorry if that's not coming across.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will absolutely not get into Brent or Maury. You may get into Ludlow, but I'm not sure how much better Ludlow is compared to Watkins. Please go on a tour of Capitol Hill Montessori- it's a disaster. I've never met a parent who was truly happy. My friend is a special needs tutor who frequently works at CHML. She told me to run away far and fast. Mundo Verde is not a neighborhood school by any stretch, although I am guessing that you could take the Union Station Metro. If you're going that far i would consider other DCI feeders for a long term goal. What about Two Rivers Young? Too far?

MV is not a neighborhood school, that is very true. We definitely missed the neighborhood feel after DC finish d at Peabody and started at MV. However, we also live near Stanton and would point out a few considerations:
It is a very easy bike ride to MV.
On days when I forget DC's helmet for bike pick up I walk DC home. I think it is only about a 1.5 miles from our house.
There is a growing community of Capitol Hill families at MV and a Facebook group for organizing local gatherings etc.
if you want to try immersion, the earlier the better.

Just some info for consideration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also don't quite understand why you would list Peabody so low, except maybe for where you live. Unless you have some well thought out preferences for Montessori, I'd prefer Peabody over Logan Montessori for sure. If it's because you have some qualms about Watkins, I'd say take another look and keep in mind it'll be brand spanking new by the time your 1st grader gets there.

+1 Peabody would be first for me

OP here. The reason it is so low is because I have qualms about Watkins. It makes me nervous that the people in boundary for Watkins don't seem to be staying. And I would prefer a smaller school. If I'm going to send my kid to a borderline school I would prefer one that we can walk to. And if it's a hike I would prefer a school that might solve our middle school issue (eg MV).

But maybe I'm being irrational.

The only irrational things on your list is wasting spots with Maury and Brent. Fill those spots with DCI feeders and the fill in the middle with second tier charters such as inspired teaching and Lee Montessori. Delete CH montessori or put it at the bottom, above Van Ness and Miner.

DCI feeders (save YY) are second tier (or not tiered).

LAMB is first tier too, but not in the common lottery. Sorry I still think learning another language kicks you into another tier over just a plain Montessori school or whatever ITS is all about. They're all great schools, sorry if that's not coming across.

NP. It's debatable that kids are actually learning another language it's also unknown if some of these kids are lacking at other subjects. I wouldn't overlook the pains at MV just because it has Spanish but maybe that's just me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Among the many issues Watkins had was the mismatch in the number of classes at Watkins per grade (5) compared to Peabody (4). This mismatch meant that OOB was a necessity. That feeder situation was fixed either this or last year (can't remember off the top of my head). The school will also be completed renovated this coming year. This has so far encouraged families to continue on to Watkins. The swing space situation for next year is concerning, although that won't affect your child.

Even with that information about right-sizing, the numbers don't seem to be adding up. If at least two grades are majority IB kids, how is the overall number of IB kids only 24%?

It would be interesting to see a grade by grade breakdown of IB% to see whether the popular wisdom of DCUM about Watkins 1st and 2nd grade is actually true.

The 24% number is the number of IB kids who were in the school last year. It doesn't include the first graders that are in the school this year.

[Anonymous]

Save Brent for K lottery as they had a few OOB seats this past year and I would imagine Maury did as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also don't quite understand why you would list Peabody so low, except maybe for where you live. Unless you have some well thought out preferences for Montessori, I'd prefer Peabody over Logan Montessori for sure. If it's because you have some qualms about Watkins, I'd say take another look and keep in mind it'll be brand spanking new by the time your 1st grader gets there.

+1 Peabody would be first for me

OP here. The reason it is so low is because I have qualms about Watkins. It makes me nervous that the people in boundary for Watkins don't seem to be staying. And I would prefer a smaller school. If I'm going to send my kid to a borderline school I would prefer one that we can walk to. And if it's a hike I would prefer a school that might solve our middle school issue (eg MV).

But maybe I'm being irrational.

The only irrational things on your list is wasting spots with Maury and Brent. Fill those spots with DCI feeders and the fill in the middle with second tier charters such as inspired teaching and Lee Montessori. Delete CH montessori or put it at the bottom, above Van Ness and Miner.

DCI feeders (save YY) are second tier (or not tiered).

LAMB is first tier too, but not in the common lottery. Sorry I still think learning another language kicks you into another tier over just a plain Montessori school or whatever ITS is all about. They're all great schools, sorry if that's not coming across.

NP. It's debatable that kids are actually learning another language it's also unknown if some of these kids are lacking at other subjects. I wouldn't overlook the pains at MV just because it has Spanish but maybe that's just me.

Well that's Mundo verde, one of the DCI feeders. The same cannot be said about the others which are more established schools with proven track records. I think the fact that so many Capitol Hill families attend MV would be enough of a reason to overlook its present growing pains.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP in your neighborhood with older kids -- is LT your inbound? If so, I would put Peabody above it.

Thinking longer term, many families are happy with Watkins (your eldest could take the bus back to Peabody when your younger children attend) and LT is still a work in progress in the upper grades. I am yet to meet one family who makes it to 4th grade at Logan or Two Rivers who isn't desperate to get out. Maury or Brent would be better as older grade transfers (and Maury is farther away than it seems). I have no opinion on MV.

Thank you for the feedback! Peabody is our in-bound school.

PP -- since Peabody is your IB, I would move LT below Brent and Maury.

This advice is plain stupid. The only reason governing your rankings should be your preference for each of the school. Whether a school is your IB school should have absolutely no bearing on where on the list you place that school. Putting it at the bottom or at the top has no impact on your chances to get into any other school but it will impact whether you are or not taken off the list of schools in case you do get matched.

With all of this in mind, you're essentially asking us to weigh in on your selection and preferences.
- Preferences: How could we without knowing your criteria to establish those? It sounds like proximity is one so make sure you bring that to bear on your rankings. Take all of your criteria and "grade" each option according to them, weigh criteria you find very important higher (e.g. doubling the relevant score), then add up and rank accordingly.
- Selection: My impression is that you're playing the lottery for only the most popular choices (in and around Capitol Hill). You don't seem to be, but if you were desperate to get in somewhere, I would encourage you to swap out some "impossible" choices for some that are more likely to happen.

Since she's not desperate to get in anywhere, why not put some impossible choices in? Someone has to get in to those places.

Yes; IB people get into those places.