Lottery Debrief

Anonymous
Really curious how it worked out for most of you.

How'd you rank? Where'd you ultimately end up?

Those of you who didn't pull magic numbers, did you get into a "safety" and will you attend?
Anonymous
We had about 5 long-shot schools and 5 mediocre schools listed for K. We got into none and have not received any calls (we will not be receiving any...too low a #). We have no option but to attend in-boundary or move. I was unhappy.
Anonymous
Sorry pp. You going IB and trying again next year or moving?
Anonymous
We had 9 schools on our list - 3 charters and 6 DCPS, including our in bound school. Matched at our last-ranked DCPS (not our IB school). Got calls from two DCPS including IB school. Turned them down because we feel that our prospects are better at the school where we were matched than the two that called us. If matched school doesn't work out for PK4 this year, we can go to IB school next year, but I'd love to not move schools again for a few years.
Anonymous
We got into our safety for PK3--our unpopular IB school. We were wait listed with some very high #s (a few over 400). Really glad we applied to our IB school.
Anonymous
Matched at my #1 choice for K - MV.
Anonymous
My twins matched at their JKLMM IB PK, which was our first choice. So I was happy.
Anonymous
We applied to 12 schools. At least half were schools that I didn't think were particularly popular and we had a shot at. But this was for K and there aren't many spots for K at many schools.

We weren't matched anywhere in the lottery. I was disappointed because prior to the lottery we were given the impression that we'd have 12 separate chances to get in, but really our luck with any of those choices depended on a single draw. As far as I could tell we were about at the midway point in most of the waitlists that we joined (probably in the top 45 percent).

But, by the end of May we were offered spots at Lee, Bridges and Shining Stars. We're going to Lee and happy with it.

Unfortunately we know many others who still don't have options for K.
Anonymous
Interesting thread. Anyone else?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Sorry pp. You going IB and trying again next year or moving?


We are going IB. It will be fine. We were just hoping to settle in at a longer term option sooner.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sorry pp. You going IB and trying again next year or moving?


We are going IB. It will be fine. We were just hoping to settle in at a longer term option sooner.


Which IB school?
Anonymous
Didn't get into our desired K, but got into non-common lottery charter that we think we will be happy with. But this was our third year of lotteries and we were desperate to stop paying for pre-school.
Anonymous
I'll play, and honestly. Hi friends who have seen my list. I think those of us who "played" this year may have advice for next year.

PK3, initial list in preference order follow. We made a preference for environment, classroom environment based on tours, and convenience. For now, our IB is not an option. It is code orange and falling.

ITS
MV
CHML
Two Rivers PCS
Lee Montessori
School-Within-School
Thomson Elementary School
Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School
Capital City PCS – Lower School
School Without Walls @ Francis-Stevens
Bridges PCS
E.L. Haynes PCS – Kansas Avenue (Elementary School)

We were shut out in the initial lottery, with numbers ranging from the mid-teens to the upper 100s. We applied to all the non-lottery schools, with waitlist numbers from the mid-teens to the low 400s

In Round 2, we applied to Burroughs, Seaton, Bethune,AT: CH and AT: LP.

We have since received admission calls from Ludlow-Taylor, Seaton, Bridges, and 2 out of lottery.

We LOVED L-T and until we didn't get an aftercare spot at L-t and with sibling concerns seen below, chose out of lottery "HRCS" spot. (PS, I hate HRCS designation)

We realize our numbers were better than many, but our lesson learned was that even "ok" numbers may shut you out from your top preference. It's great to have options. Things we may have taken in account if you are going on lessons learned :
- Did we "waste" spots with SWW-FS and Thomson having no-preference? They each are 95% IB. Could we have used those spots elsewhere?
- Proximity with two working parents is so important. Did we miss opportunities?
- Are we missing a chance to be on the edge of what we think is a phenomenal school, L-T? Basically, our ONLY con is that we have a sibling, and I fear he won't be able to get in two years from now. The secret will be out and there will be no chances for OOB families.



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Anonymous
Excellent - this is the kind if info I am curious about. Thanks pp. No judging rankings people!!!
Anonymous
For 5th grade, we ranked Latin PCS first, and BASIS second. Didn't put any other schools on the list.

Landed a spot at BASIS, and got a WL number something like 286 at Latin. Realized we didn't want BASIS after all and declined that spot.

To this day, I still don't understand whether DS is, or is not, currently on the waitlist for Latin. Does the fact that we got a "match" for our #2 pick (BASIS) mean that the #286 WL position at #1 choice Latin? Note that I understand the Latin waitlist will not actually move 286 spaces; I just wonder if DS is still on it since he passed on BASIS/second choice.

He'll go to IB Deal or private for 6th.
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