Anybody heard from Rock Spring or Mt. Olivet (Arlington)

[Anonymous]

When does Olivet require its deposits by? Might that present an opportunity for waitlist movement? Just trying to get a handle on how it works!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Got our rockspring waitlist number today. It's not too bad (not great, but not bad either compared to Olivet and others which are in double and triple digits).

But does the waitlist really move or no at Rockspring? I know it really doesn't move at Olivet.

Was actually confused by their note that the waitlist ordering (and therefore our number) isn't necessarily telling in terms of likelihood to get a spot because it did not include siblings, priority members etc.

I thought those priority people had a certain time period to apply in January before slots/waitlist was opened up to the general public?

But sounds like they then allow those who missed the deadline to go right to the top of the list even though they didn't apply originally? Does that sound accurate?

Guess I'm confused because Rockspring seems to do different from Olivet or others who only give priority status during priority registration (vs. after the open process has occurred). Those schools don't seem to bump the waitlist down if a priority person decided late in the game to apply. They only tend to bump based on mix for gender and age.

But seems rock spring is different? Thanks for any insight if you have!

you SHOULD be confused. we got our w/l # last nt and it definitely said that here is your #.."Please note, however, that this waitlist does not include any priority
applications (siblings of current members, alumni members, or church members) which will be used to fill any openings before we utilize the waitlist." that is a really weird way of doing things. 99% of the other places we went to do the priority pp 1st and then the newbies. seems backward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Got our rockspring waitlist number today. It's not too bad (not great, but not bad either compared to Olivet and others which are in double and triple digits).

But does the waitlist really move or no at Rockspring? I know it really doesn't move at Olivet.

Was actually confused by their note that the waitlist ordering (and therefore our number) isn't necessarily telling in terms of likelihood to get a spot because it did not include siblings, priority members etc.

I thought those priority people had a certain time period to apply in January before slots/waitlist was opened up to the general public?

But sounds like they then allow those who missed the deadline to go right to the top of the list even though they didn't apply originally? Does that sound accurate?

Guess I'm confused because Rockspring seems to do different from Olivet or others who only give priority status during priority registration (vs. after the open process has occurred). Those schools don't seem to bump the waitlist down if a priority person decided late in the game to apply. They only tend to bump based on mix for gender and age.

But seems rock spring is different? Thanks for any insight if you have!

you SHOULD be confused. we got our w/l # last nt and it definitely said that here is your #.."Please note, however, that this waitlist does not include any priority
applications (siblings of current members, alumni members, or church members) which will be used to fill any openings before we utilize the waitlist." that is a really weird way of doing things. 99% of the other places we went to do the priority pp 1st and then the newbies. seems backward.

Thanks PP- that was the same exact language in our note. What class are you applying to?

I agree it's quite odd (as is the notion of calling it a 'lottery' when its actually a selection process--i.e. no other true lotteries in Arlington require application with essay). I'd rather they call a spade a spade so we can avoid all the guesswork!

[Anonymous]

to the pp - we applied for the 2's class but i don't think we'd go. just a little far as we're in shirlington. super cute though!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
just got 19 waitlist number for mt olivet...should i give up now?

I wouldn't give up hope. I went through this application process last winter too hoping our then 2.5 year old would get in someplace for the '09-'10 school year. We were #26 on a wait list and got a call about 2 months into the school year.

[Anonymous]

PP- were you #26 on Olivet? Or another preschool? If so, do you mind sharing which one? Interested to know which schools move through the wait list vs. those that don't.

Kinhaven told us it woudl be unlikely that we'd get a spot (we were 25+ on the wait list). Which schools do move through the list?

[Anonymous]

My son currently attends Mt. Olivet (infant/toddler). Last year we were #5 on wait list but ultimately were offered a spot.

[Anonymous]

Re: Mt Olivet

When you are offered a spot (ie now) people have to pay a registration fee immediately. Theoretically if people don't pay it (because they are lazy and/or change plans etc or go with another preschool) there might be some movement now.

The next opportunity for movement would be in May when they expect the payment for the first month tuition (Sept) and again, if people have maybe changed their minds or made other plans (ie gotten off some other waitlist they want more) there might be movement then.

Finally, the beginning of the school year is the other time for movement. Maybe something else has come up over the summer, or maybe they enroll and it doesn't work well for the child/family. I was told a lot of the people who get on the wait list for infant/toddler sometimes haven't even given birth yet and change their minds once baby comes...or they realize there are separation issues with a toddler and decide it isn't worth it.

I am the PP - in our case, the school year began and I wrote it off but was called in early October and offered a spot in the infant/toddler room. Actually, I previously confused our spot on that wait list with my daughter's spot on 4year old class - she was #5 for 4yo preschool class and did get a spot in the end but we had already made other plans; he was actually like #9 or #12 or something and moved up to #4 or 5 by the end of the summer but didn't think he'd get a spot.

I do remember Mt Olivet saying that there is most competition for 2 and 3 year old spots because that is when most people decide they want to put kids in preschool. Their web site actually says they are still accepting applications for wait list for 4 year olds...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:to the pp - we applied for the 2's class but i don't think we'd go. just a little far as we're in shirlington. super cute though!

Shirlington Poster- have you heard from RS on the 2's classes you applied to?

I applied for that class too but no word yet? Would assume they are done with their process but maybe not?

Let me know if you have gotten a number or communication. THANKS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1.5 class for rock spring. We're very excited. PP are you at rock spring?

PP- how old is your daughter (or son)? We are high up on the waitlist for 1.5 class, potentially still interested if the waitlist moves a bit, and just trying to gauge whether the class is an older class (closer to 2 age) or younger class (closer to 1.5 age).

We've got a slot at a 2s only class--where all the kids would actually be 2 (but ours would be youngest)--so trying to determine whether the other kids would be closer to age or not. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP- how old is your daughter (or son)? We are high up on the waitlist for 1.5 class, potentially still interested if the waitlist moves a bit, and just trying to gauge whether the class is an older class (closer to 2 age) or younger class (closer to 1.5 age).

We've got a slot at a 2s only class--where all the kids would actually be 2 (but ours would be youngest)--so trying to determine whether the other kids would be closer to age or not. Thanks!

Our son will be just past 18 months at the start of the school year at rock spring. I think they have two 1.5 and up classes. One class is on the younger side and the other is composed of the slightly older kids.

PP, is the 2s only slot at rock spring or somewhere else?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP- how old is your daughter (or son)? We are high up on the waitlist for 1.5 class, potentially still interested if the waitlist moves a bit, and just trying to gauge whether the class is an older class (closer to 2 age) or younger class (closer to 1.5 age).

We've got a slot at a 2s only class--where all the kids would actually be 2 (but ours would be youngest)--so trying to determine whether the other kids would be closer to age or not. Thanks!

Our son will be just past 18 months at the start of the school year at rock spring. I think they have two 1.5 and up classes. One class is on the younger side and the other is composed of the slightly older kids.

PP, is the 2s only slot at rock spring or somewhere else?

Thanks PP- helpful. Didn't realize they divide the classes like that--one older one younger. That is helpful. I was a bit concerned that our child would be a lot older in a class like that but sounds like its not the case.

Our 2s slot is actually not at RS...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:to the pp - we applied for the 2's class but i don't think we'd go. just a little far as we're in shirlington. super cute though!

Shirlington Poster- have you heard from RS on the 2's classes you applied to?

I applied for that class too but no word yet? Would assume they are done with their process but maybe not?

Let me know if you have gotten a number or communication. THANKS!

yeah, heard this wk that we're 40 something on the w/l. but then they said they have yet to open up to their preference kids! not into their process. we got an email a while ago saying "this is notification that we have your app" or something and then this wk they send the email w/the w/l # and stuff. super cute pgm, good luck!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:to the pp - we applied for the 2's class but i don't think we'd go. just a little far as we're in shirlington. super cute though!

Shirlington Poster- have you heard from RS on the 2's classes you applied to?

I applied for that class too but no word yet? Would assume they are done with their process but maybe not?

Let me know if you have gotten a number or communication. THANKS!

yeah, heard this wk that we're 40 something on the w/l. but then they said they have yet to open up to their preference kids! not into their process. we got an email a while ago saying "this is notification that we have your app" or something and then this wk they send the email w/the w/l # and stuff. super cute pgm, good luck!!

Agree-their process turns me off a bit relative to others....sorry to hear about your wait list spot (but i suppose 40 something is better than 100)!

[Anonymous]

pp-no worries, we wouldn't have gone anyway bc we got into our top choice. v cute program but just too far for us.