Oyster OOB for 3rd grade--chance of admission?

[Anonymous]

Can any current Oyster parents answer this question? As we do every year, we will apply for an English-dominant out-of-boundary spot for our child, who will be entering third grade next year. School administrators acknowledge that there are far fewer applicants for English-dominant OOB spots by third grade, since most children don't have enough Spanish at that point to keep up. Our child happens to, thanks to several years in a private immersion program. Any idea on our chances of getting an OOB spot in this year's lottery?

[Anonymous]

No real estimate, I'm afraid. In the past, the old principal might have circumvented the lottery and offered you a spot if she liked the looks of you (according to what two of these moms have told me themselves). Of course, that kind of corruption was part of the reason she was removed.

You could ask if they might consider using some kind of fluency assessment in your child's favor. It's certainly worth applying, but I recommend having a plan B ready.

[Anonymous]

They discourage familes to come in at that age... unless they can test at grade level in both Spanish and English. Talk to the new principal as some kids move out of the area mid year

[Anonymous]

We'd like to buy (or rent, as buying may be out of the question) in Oyster-Adams. If we succeed in finding an in-boundary residence, will our non-Spanish-speaking 3rd grader be eligible for Oyster? And if so, how does the school handle an in-boundary child in a higher grade (above K) with no Spanish?

Am I to assume that if we remain out of boundary, our 3rd grader with no Spanish has NO chance of getting in to Oyster?

[Anonymous]

16:17 here-- If you buy or rent in-boundary, your third grader will be in. If tutoring in Spanish is needed, it will be provided. Honestly, the administration has no business discouraging any student whose family is prepared to support his/her academic success! I know they'll ask you to consider any necessary catch-up work in Spanish very seriously, but the principal should not discourage you.

Out-of-boundary, there's not much of a chance as far as I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:School administrators acknowledge that there are far fewer applicants for English-dominant OOB spots by third grade, since most children don't have enough Spanish at that point to keep up. Our child happens to, thanks to several years in a private immersion program. Any idea on our chances of getting an OOB spot in this year's lottery?

Have you tried going through Office of Bilingual Education? http://www.k12.dc.us/offices/obe/index.htm Since your child has Spanish language skills already, the OBE should help make sure you get DC into an appropriate program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We'd like to buy (or rent, as buying may be out of the question) in Oyster-Adams. If we succeed in finding an in-boundary residence, will our non-Spanish-speaking 3rd grader be eligible for Oyster? And if so, how does the school handle an in-boundary child in a higher grade (above K) with no Spanish?

Am I to assume that if we remain out of boundary, our 3rd grader with no Spanish has NO chance of getting in to Oyster?

Bilingual parent here. Being eligible for Oyster is different from being prepared for it. It may be asking a lot of a child at the third grade level with NO Spanish to begin an intensive program. Bilingual programs (I know from first-hand experience) are not right for every child. Especially those with little support or exposure to the second language outside of school.

While Oyster is a great school, it's not right for every child. Even if you are in boundary. I know someone who have moved very bright (dare I say gifted) child out of the school despite admin support. The boy said it just wasn't fun for him and he could speak English with his friends anyway. Nobody in his family speaks Spanish. This was two years after his mother rented in boundary, and carried another mortgage, and had to prove residence with all kinds of forms.

Not to discourage anyone from bilingual ed, I'm a huge supporter and practioner, but it may not be the best choice for your child.

There are lots of opportunities for bilingual enrichment, for parents and kids, that could supplement a good English program.

Best of luck

[Anonymous]

Thanks 13:03, that's exactly what I needed to hear.

Our situation is that I want my younger child (now in preschool) to start in Oyster, but the older child will have to be in Oyster too if we move in-boundary. Both are gifted. My third grader is very good at languages (had some French and Spanish), but we are not bilingual.

How do the kids at Oyster do who are not from Spanish-speaking families? Do they struggle at Oyster if they don't speak Spanish outside of school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks 13:03, that's exactly what I needed to hear.

Our situation is that I want my younger child (now in preschool) to start in Oyster, but the older child will have to be in Oyster too if we move in-boundary. Both are gifted. My third grader is very good at languages (had some French and Spanish), but we are not bilingual.

How do the kids at Oyster do who are not from Spanish-speaking families? Do they struggle at Oyster if they don't speak Spanish outside of school?

There are lots of kids at Oyster whose parents don't speak any Spanish. In fact I don't think that the Chancellor speaks Spanish, and her kids attend.

The question of entering in 3d grade is a different one. That would certainly be harder than K. But I know that the school offers support, and a bilingual education is still a wonderful thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both are gifted. My third grader is very good at languages (had some French and Spanish), but we are not bilingual.

With TRI-lingual skills and gifted status, maybe it's worth checking out WIS. Yes it's private and crazy expensive, but maybe the funds for moving would make more sense longer-term if applied to WIS. Personally we prefer Oyster but lots of bilingual friends love WIS too. There's no real way of knowing how a child will react to a bilingual environment from a monolingual background. But vast majority do just fine. Otherwise Oyster wouldn't be as popular as it is. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks 13:03, that's exactly what I needed to hear.

Our situation is that I want my younger child (now in preschool) to start in Oyster, but the older child will have to be in Oyster too if we move in-boundary. Both are gifted. My third grader is very good at languages (had some French and Spanish), but we are not bilingual.

How do the kids at Oyster do who are not from Spanish-speaking families? Do they struggle at Oyster if they don't speak Spanish outside of school?

We don't speak Spanish, and our child is a strong student in both languages. The Spanish teachers are very willing to mentor any child who is working hard and will certainly make allowances for a slow start, which probably won't be so slow given your child's previous language experience. It's worth pointing out that when the Adams takeover was finalized, former Adams students were invited to attend Oyster-Adams and promised Spanish support to make this possible. Also, one of Michelle Rhee's daughters started in third grade last year.