Key

[Anonymous]

So, my family moved to DC after leaving South Carolina back in the summer. I have three children. Mary-12 (almost 13), Sarah-3 (almost 4!), and J.D.-2.

When we moved, we made sure to look at every school we possibly could. We applied to so many schools for Mary, and finally got her settled into one. (private)

Now, It's time for me to consider what to do for Sarah... She's in a daycare right now that we absolutely LOVE, but I want to get her into school. I'm not sure if we should go private at this point in time or public... On one hand, I feel like if we don't get her into a private school NOW that she will never have the chance to get into one. On the other hand, I feel like saving the tuition money until she's in 6th grade would be really great for us.

Anyways, We are zoned for Key Elementary School. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about the school and what your thought are. I know that I have to get her application in on February 1st, because it is first-come, first-serve. (Which I am greatful for in one way...) They have 40 spots open for their four-year-old class. I'm just not sure if it's a good fit.

So does anyone have an opinion on the school?

[Anonymous]

Key is a great school; among the best elementary schools in the District. Save your tuition money and go for it. Children CAN get into the private schools later on; in fact, many NWDC families choose public elementary and move to private later on.

[Anonymous]

Well that most certainly makes me feel better.

Any other thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Make sure you stay on top of the preK regisrtation because it is changing this year and its not totally clear how it will be handled. It is not first come first served- its a lottery and it will be handled by DCPS (as opposed to the individual school). I beleive there will be a time span of a few weeks and everyone who registers during that time will be eligible for the lottery. Don't miss it because after that it will be very hard to find a preK slot. After preK, you are guaranteed a slot in your zoned elementary school. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

They're changing it?

I wasn't aware of that. o.o

I read that some schools do lotery while others do first-come first-serve.

I'll definitely check that out.

[Anonymous]

Key Elementary is in the Palisades neighborhood. Channel 9 featured this story about a month ago. Key was my number one pick until I heard about this and remembered the large field of astro-turf on which the children play....Please read this for yourself....

http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=79269&catid=187

[Anonymous]

That's quite the lovely thought...

It looks like that if my daughter gets into a private school, I might be having to put her in there after all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's quite the lovely thought...

It looks like that if my daughter gets into a private school, I might be having to put her in there after all.

I understand your concern. Before ditching Key outright and spending $25,000 per year on a school that is no better academically, you might want to do research on whether this ranking actually poses any risk to children. If it were actually toxic, one would think that the city would have to close it. Instead, they're pointing to it as a model school.

FWIW I am not affiliated with Key. I'm an Oyster parent (and very happy), but I know that this is an excellent school worthy of your consideration.

[Anonymous]

OP here:

I'm still considering Key... and I did read the article that it isn't necessarily problematic... but I still don't want to take any risks... especially health wise.

I'm just going to wait it out and see. My daughter may have no choice but Key, or she might not even have the option of Key.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here:

I'm still considering Key... and I did read the article that it isn't necessarily problematic... but I still don't want to take any risks... especially health wise.

I'm just going to wait it out and see. My daughter may have no choice but Key, or she might not even have the option of Key.

The article is about *air* quality -- quite doubtful it's measurably different at your neighborhood school than in your part of the neighborhood. If you're really concerned about it (and you shouldn't be) then the right course of action isn't to send your kids to private school, it's to move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here:

I'm still considering Key... and I did read the article that it isn't necessarily problematic... but I still don't want to take any risks... especially health wise.

I'm just going to wait it out and see. My daughter may have no choice but Key, or she might not even have the option of Key.

The article is about *air* quality -- quite doubtful it's measurably different at your neighborhood school than in your part of the neighborhood. If you're really concerned about it (and you shouldn't be) then the right course of action isn't to send your kids to private school, it's to move.

Oh I disagree. I live far enough away from Key that the air quality can change.

Plus, students spend so much of their time at school. If I can even put her in a better environment for 8 hours out of the day... Hey that's 1/3 of the day in better air quality.

I'm not too concerned, but I'm still thinking that private might be the better way to go. My other daughter never entered the public school system and I'm not sure if it would be fair on my younger daughter to do differently for her.

[Anonymous]

I went on the Key tour yesterday and, wow, air quality aside, it has easily the nicest physical plant of any DCPS I've seen (which include most of the elementary schools west of the park) -- big, bright classrooms, great gym, great outdoor space, great library, the full package. I honestly can't imagine how a private elementary school could have a nicer physical facility.

The only thing that gave me pause about Key was how focused on testing the whole place felt. The principal mentioned test scores a couple of times in his presentation, and a couple of teachers mentioned them spontaneously during our small group tour. Graphic test result breakdowns were posted outside of each classroom. As a non-fan of NCLB, I found the sharp testing focus more than a little disturbing. Can anyone convince me that my perception was inaccurate? TIA!

[Anonymous]

Before ditching Key outright and spending $25,000 per year on a school that is no better academically

Not a very supportable statement and, in many people's opinion, utterly inaccurate. Lots of kids in the Key District go to privates that parents think are far superior academically to Key, or any public for that matter. I live in the Key School District.

[Anonymous]

PP how do you know that a private school is far superior academically than a public school? What are the criteria that parents use to determine this?

I personally struggle with making a choice between public vs. private but have a hard time getting an answer that is not just based on parents' own individual preferences.

[Anonymous]

Re: quantifying private school- it is not possible. They do not take the same tests (which is why many parents choose private) so they can't be compared in that regard. Anecdotally, my kids are in private and I find that when I talk w/parents in top DCPS schools at the same level we seem to be doing the exact same work but with smaller classes. And we have more art, music and physical activity.