Is DC right for us?

[Anonymous]

Hi OP here;

Daycare is taken care off which is why we needed a 3 bedroom. We will have live in help once the baby arrives.

With our jobs we needed care and all daycare around here had a year long or what not waiting list, live in help seems the next best route that we would have care for the baby when we need it.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will look at the different charter schools and the "lotto process.

[Anonymous]

Ok but why on earth did you buy a house without knowing the name of the school, even? No judgment on buying in an iffy school district, I did it myself and have no regrets. But it seems like you didn't even check.

[Anonymous]

Just have your live in help teach the child, then. DC even has an online charter so you don't have to figure out homeschooling.

[Anonymous]

Rhema and Our Redeemer churches are right in your neighborhood and don't have daycare wait lists usually. If they do it's far less than a year.

[Anonymous]

There are quite a number of daycare facilities (La Petite, St. Ann's) that don't have a year waiting list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree. Young Capitol Hill families routinely pay a million plus for houses in the Maury and Brent Districts these days without buying access to by-right middle and high school options that are measurably better than those in Michigan Park. I've never met any family who couldn't lottery into an acceptable 1st-5th grade program after 1-3 years of playing the schools lottery.

I have. Plenty.

[Anonymous]

Don't rule out schools until you actually see them for yourself. The schools you are concerned about have a lot of poor kids and very few white (non-Latino) kids. My white (non-Latino) daughter goes to one of those schools (not in your neighborhood), and she is learning, thriving socially, and having a great elementary experience at a Great Schools 4 school. Those ratings are often out of date and not applicable to your kid's specific experience.

Also, your child isn't born yet. You might find that what you and your wife expect that your child needs and what your child actually needs are different things. Focus on having the baby, then raising the baby, and think about schools when your baby is 2. DCPS does pre-k pretty well everywhere, so if it doesn't work, you are welcome to flee for the burbs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you think private schools cost $10K a year, start looking into daycare ASAP.

Everyone in your area who has moved in in the last 5-10 years goes to charters via lottery. You will likely, too. If it doesn't work out, you sell and move to the suburbs.

It's true. Really only religious based schools are near that number. Most are $30K but they do offer financial aid, like at Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

St Ann's and Rheema are excellent daycares and less expensive than the chains.

Join the Brookland kids yahoo group. Start going to new mom meet ups.

It will work out.

[Anonymous]

In answer to your initial question, I don't think DC is right for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have a budget that allowed you a $550k house, you could rent west of the park. but the schools are crowded and you will have less than 1600sf.

So here's what I'd do:
- don't worry for a few more years
- play the lottery
- if you don't get a good lottery draw, go to your neighborhood school for PK3 and PK4
- If by K you aren't in a school you like, rent or sell your house and move to a school you do like.

This. And after few years of renting, you might be able to move back to your house but continue at the school. We moved before 2nd grade but were allowed to continue at the school.

[Anonymous]

Bridges is up there, and they almost always go through their entire waitlist. I wouldn't hesitate to send my kids there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bridges is up there, and they almost always go through their entire waitlist. I wouldn't hesitate to send my kids there.

I don't think that's true anymore. Last year, I heard of people who started out at 150 and got in by the end of the summer. We started out around 90 this year and have not gotten a call. I think the school has gotten more attractive due to the new building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In answer to your initial question, I don't think DC is right for you.

I disagree, PP. They are EXACTLY like the many DC folks who stress about schools while kids are in utero

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In answer to your initial question, I don't think DC is right for you.

I disagree, PP. They are EXACTLY like the many DC folks who stress about schools while kids are in utero

lol TOO TRUE!