WWYD: E. L. Haynes, Cap City, LAMB

[Anonymous]

We got into E . L. Haynes but have good WL# for Cap City and LAMB. Of course we feel blessed.

Commute is not a problem since we are pretty close to all three schools (LAMB NE would be further away, but we go to Brookland regularly so that's not a problem.)

LAMB: We are not completely sold on Montessori (I'd prefer a stronger teacher role), but I know my child would absolutely love it. Moreover, I only hear amazing reviews of the school and the DCI option sound great.

HAYNES AND CAP CITY: We like the teaching model and the size of the schools, but I'm also hearing complains--on this site mostly--about poor class management and disappointing higher grades. We had chosen Cap City as our first choice because it's basically a block from our house and loved it when we visited.

I am doing further research on the schools, but most people I know had their kids in these school years ago, so I'm looking for a fresher perspective.

I don't know if we'll be ever faced with a decision, but if anyone has words of wisdom, I'd love to hear them.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

If you are not sold on Montessori or LAMB I would take the school that's a block from your house (when I ranked CC and Haynes I ranked according to proximity because had difficulty distinguishing). With LAMB you have to really want to do Montessori through 5th grade, and that is not for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Block from your house. For sure.

[Anonymous]

How would you feel about Montessori in the upper grades? If you have concerns, I would not choose LAMB.

[Anonymous]

Commute normally wouldn't be as big a factor for me, but the block from one's house would seal the deal.

[Anonymous]

In similar situation here - very high on Cap City wait list and like the commute options (it's not one block from us, but still good). I feel like you can't go wrong with Cap City unless you feel immersion is a MUST (not the case with me) or really want Montessori, but I actually think I like the expeditionary learning and inspired teaching approach at Cap City, IT, and Two Rivers the best of all the teaching models.

Plus, Cap City goes through high school...if you love it you can stay as long as you want!

[Anonymous]

Our DD is in K and her second year at Cap City, and our youngest starts next fall in PK3. We love it -- unbelievably caring and talented teachers, gorgeous building, great families. I would expect you'd hear much the same thing from families at ELH. As far as the upper grades, some valid concerns but important to view in context -- a lot of of them relate to Cap City's recent move and expansion -- which was going to be a challenge for the school no matter what as new students and staff adapted -- and the fact that the middle and high schools are still coming into their own. If anyone can crack the code for middle school and high school, I think Cap City can. From everything I've seen, the management and staff are qualified and motivated to make it work. I also think those upper grades will be helped as more long-term families stay, because they believe in it or feel they don't have options elsewhere, such as because of the tightening availability at other high performing middle and high schools. For now, since you'll be in the lower school for either ELH or CC, you've basically got a good thing for the next 8 years. I wouldn't worry too much right now about what comes after that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our DD is in K and her second year at Cap City, and our youngest starts next fall in PK3. We love it -- unbelievably caring and talented teachers, gorgeous building, great families. I would expect you'd hear much the same thing from families at ELH. As far as the upper grades, some valid concerns but important to view in context -- a lot of of them relate to Cap City's recent move and expansion -- which was going to be a challenge for the school no matter what as new students and staff adapted -- and the fact that the middle and high schools are still coming into their own. If anyone can crack the code for middle school and high school, I think Cap City can. From everything I've seen, the management and staff are qualified and motivated to make it work. I also think those upper grades will be helped as more long-term families stay, because they believe in it or feel they don't have options elsewhere, such as because of the tightening availability at other high performing middle and high schools. For now, since you'll be in the lower school for either ELH or CC, you've basically got a good thing for the next 8 years. I wouldn't worry too much right now about what comes after that.

OP here: This is very helpful. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

LAMB parent here - I would advise you to request that you do a class observation one morning at one of the two school sites. Also speak with the Principal or VP about your concerns. We have two kids at LAMB, and cannot say enough about how happy we are there.

[Anonymous]

My impression of Haynes is actually very positive because of all the schools where I know families, the ones I know at Haynes are all really different from each other (think one very conservative older couple, one flower childish, one mom who had her son as a teenager) but they all like it a lot.

Good luck with the choice!

[Anonymous]

None of the above. You should go to HRCS. Dual language, expeditionary learning, Reggio-inspired, small class sizes, uber parent involvement, diverse student population, central location right by metro.... What more could you ask for?

[Anonymous]

Just from a visit to Haynes and Capital City, I would say Capital City. Gorgeous facilities, much more organized, leadership seemed very on top of it and stable. There are some threads here about the leadership and/or communication at Haynes that have made me concerned about it, although those may just be rumors. The tour at Cap City was awesome - I'd see if you can get one. Ours was student-led and charming. Good luck with your decision! (I don't know anything about LAMB so didn't chime in.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:None of the above. You should go to HRCS. Dual language, expeditionary learning, Reggio-inspired, small class sizes, uber parent involvement, diverse student population, central location right by metro.... What more could you ask for?

Ok, we get it. Can you find a new joke now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:None of the above. You should go to HRCS. Dual language, expeditionary learning, Reggio-inspired, small class sizes, uber parent involvement, diverse student population, central location right by metro.... What more could you ask for?

OP here: I was just trying to forget we're #103,456 on the HRCS waitlist. But dear PP, you're right. How can I even pretend I'm a caring parent if I send my child to a school other than HRCS? He might still be 3 and still occasionally eating dog food, but I'm sure he senses this failure and despises me, and, most importantly, he KNOWS he won't perform well at any other school. I'll keep him home this year and re-apply next year. Meanwhile, I'll keep my fingers crossed for HRCS's secret mid-year lottery, where parents are picked to work at the school pro-bono and full-time in the hope of being allowed to enroll their child in five years.