Murch vs Lafayette vs Janney

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
OP here - also I wondered what it is like to live in these neighborhoods

Where are you coming from, OP? Easier to describe this if we know this.

OP again. Grew up in New England but am returning to US after years abroad in Europe & Asia. Don’t want to live in suburbia but have several kids...so that’s why I’m looking in NW. I’d say I’m fairly liberal and open-minded.

[Anonymous]

Hardest part is finding a house. Focus on that. They are all good schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
OP here - also I wondered what it is like to live in these neighborhoods

Where are you coming from, OP? Easier to describe this if we know this.

OP again. Grew up in New England but am returning to US after years abroad in Europe & Asia. Don’t want to live in suburbia but have several kids...so that’s why I’m looking in NW. I’d say I’m fairly liberal and open-minded.

I’ve got news for you: the parts of NW DC you’re considering are pretty suburban. Parts of close-in Bethesda and Arlington feel more urban that the areas zoned for Lafayette, Janney, and Murch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All are good schools. So is Hearst, and it is significantly smaller. Two classes per grade. So if you prefer a smaller school, I would go with Hearst.

Hearst is much improved but it’s not exactly Janney-tier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hearst!

Much better than it used to be, thanks to surging neighborhood enrollment.

Eaton is like Hearst.

[Anonymous]

Good to see this hasn't devolved into complete craziness.

Another vote for buy/rent the home you like. All three of these schools, plus some of the others people mentioned, are all fine.

[Anonymous]

Janney has a lot of students but that comes with perks such as an easy/convenient after-school program, lots of enrichment activities offered including three languages, great level of teaching support and staff, level-headed, reasonable principal, plus chickens!

Love being able to jump on the red line after drop-off, pick up groceries at Whole Foods or grab a book from the library, and now there's Target.

Wish there was more racial and SES diversity.

That all said, I've heard good things about Murch and might want to try it due to slightly better diversity.

[Anonymous]

Lafayette is huge. I believe it’s hovering around 950 kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What happened at the forum last night? We’re considering moving inbounds for Murch - please share.

LSAT sharing data and parents acting belligerent saying things like “You’re manipulating me!” It was not the thoughtful discussion I’d hope to see from the school community.

[Anonymous]

When the kids get to Deal, the Janney kids are the popular kids.

[Anonymous]

I live at an address (close to Reno Rd.) that could easily be zoned to any of these 3 schools, depending on the whims of DCPS. i.e., I have nearby neighbors whose kids attend all three, depending on exact street.

So I came here to say … pick the house you like with an eye on the micro neighborhood environment you want. The schools are so similar — the old 'distinction without a difference' thing. But the experience of living at, say, Arcadia Pl. NW, would be an appreciably different life than living at 43rd and Jenifer, at Chesterfield Pl., or 44th and BUtterworth. All these addresses have their advantages over the others but the day-to-day lived experience in each will be different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When the kids get to Deal, the Janney kids are the popular kids.

And the mean kids. Current 7th grade girls in particular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When the kids get to Deal, the Janney kids are the popular kids.

And the mean kids. Current 7th grade girls in particular.

Yes, sure. Let's believe the Hearst mom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When the kids get to Deal, the Janney kids are the popular kids.

And "popular," not in a good way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live at an address (close to Reno Rd.) that could easily be zoned to any of these 3 schools, depending on the whims of DCPS. i.e., I have nearby neighbors whose kids attend all three, depending on exact street.

So I came here to say … pick the house you like with an eye on the micro neighborhood environment you want. The schools are so similar — the old 'distinction without a difference' thing. But the experience of living at, say, Arcadia Pl. NW, would be an appreciably different life than living at 43rd and Jenifer, at Chesterfield Pl., or 44th and BUtterworth. All these addresses have their advantages over the others but the day-to-day lived experience in each will be different.

This is the right way to think about it. You’ll be fine in any of the three schools. Base your decision on the type of lifestyle you want: more walkable/dense, more quiet/suburban, or something in-between.