Critique my list! (or give thoughts)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Insane to have LAMB but not stokes.

Stokes has fallen off a cliff in the last few years, including scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Insane to have LAMB but not stokes.

Not if they’re on the same neighborhood as LAMB and far from Stokes.

[Anonymous]

OP here: it’s been said a few times. We are a Sela family. Love the school. Not the location/building.

And the upper elementary classes are quite small. That could be a pro for some but I don’t think for us.

We are OK there for PK4 and even K if something doesn’t work out.

If we happen to get a great lottery number maybe a move happens.

I’ll move Shepherd #1, that’s ideal and really close to us (only Walter Reed in between).

And after the new posts about DCB I may move them down. We do know families who go there and they sure are COVID strict still.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

[Anonymous]

You will not get aftercare at LAMB. Just something to keep in mind. If you can accommodate that, keep it high on your list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

Why don’t you tell us your current elementary and middle school feed then?

Because I can tell you for a fact that many families whose kids go to poorly performing IB schools get stress out more as their kid moves up in the higher grades from 1st/2nd on. Many friends have already bailed due to lottery luck, the achievement gap gets real fast, the behavior issues in the classroom intensifies, and middle school is just a few years away.

Prek, K not so much. But issues get real, really fast as you go up in grades and so does the stress. Fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

Why don’t you tell us your current elementary and middle school feed then?

Because I can tell you for a fact that many families whose kids go to poorly performing IB schools get stress out more as their kid moves up in the higher grades from 1st/2nd on. Many friends have already bailed due to lottery luck, the achievement gap gets real fast, the behavior issues in the classroom intensifies, and middle school is just a few years away.

Prek, K not so much. But issues get real, really fast as you go up in grades and so does the stress. Fact.

OP, this is the kind of stressed out, anxiety you can avoid at a neighborhood DCPS. Join us and ignore the fear mongering, it’s lovely!

We’re in second in one of the schools on OP’s list, as an OOB family that is still walking distance. The differentiation is MUCH better than at the charters on OP’s list (except for LAMB and Yu Ying), and the behavioral issues are racist fear mongering. We’re not stressed and neither of our friends. We can plan and make decisions that are right for our families at the time, not hope that a decision we made for our preschooler still works for our middle schooler. Plus walking to school and friends houses. Can’t beat that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

Why don’t you tell us your current elementary and middle school feed then?

Because I can tell you for a fact that many families whose kids go to poorly performing IB schools get stress out more as their kid moves up in the higher grades from 1st/2nd on. Many friends have already bailed due to lottery luck, the achievement gap gets real fast, the behavior issues in the classroom intensifies, and middle school is just a few years away.

Prek, K not so much. But issues get real, really fast as you go up in grades and so does the stress. Fact.

OP, this is the kind of stressed out, anxiety you can avoid at a neighborhood DCPS. Join us and ignore the fear mongering, it’s lovely!

We’re in second in one of the schools on OP’s list, as an OOB family that is still walking distance. The differentiation is MUCH better than at the charters on OP’s list (except for LAMB and Yu Ying), and the behavioral issues are racist fear mongering. We’re not stressed and neither of our friends. We can plan and make decisions that are right for our families at the time, not hope that a decision we made for our preschooler still works for our middle schooler. Plus walking to school and friends houses. Can’t beat that!

So you still have not named your school and you don’t even go to your IB school. Got it.

And like you have kids at other charters so you can say for a fact that differentiation is better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

Why don’t you tell us your current elementary and middle school feed then?

Because I can tell you for a fact that many families whose kids go to poorly performing IB schools get stress out more as their kid moves up in the higher grades from 1st/2nd on. Many friends have already bailed due to lottery luck, the achievement gap gets real fast, the behavior issues in the classroom intensifies, and middle school is just a few years away.

Prek, K not so much. But issues get real, really fast as you go up in grades and so does the stress. Fact.

OP, this is the kind of stressed out, anxiety you can avoid at a neighborhood DCPS. Join us and ignore the fear mongering, it’s lovely!

We’re in second in one of the schools on OP’s list, as an OOB family that is still walking distance. The differentiation is MUCH better than at the charters on OP’s list (except for LAMB and Yu Ying), and the behavioral issues are racist fear mongering. We’re not stressed and neither of our friends. We can plan and make decisions that are right for our families at the time, not hope that a decision we made for our preschooler still works for our middle schooler. Plus walking to school and friends houses. Can’t beat that!

I’m the PP above. Did you have a comprehension issue? The families I’m talking about above attend their neighborhood DCPS and are looking to get out. They are not at charters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

Why don’t you tell us your current elementary and middle school feed then?

Because I can tell you for a fact that many families whose kids go to poorly performing IB schools get stress out more as their kid moves up in the higher grades from 1st/2nd on. Many friends have already bailed due to lottery luck, the achievement gap gets real fast, the behavior issues in the classroom intensifies, and middle school is just a few years away.

Prek, K not so much. But issues get real, really fast as you go up in grades and so does the stress. Fact.

OP, this is the kind of stressed out, anxiety you can avoid at a neighborhood DCPS. Join us and ignore the fear mongering, it’s lovely!

We’re in second in one of the schools on OP’s list, as an OOB family that is still walking distance. The differentiation is MUCH better than at the charters on OP’s list (except for LAMB and Yu Ying), and the behavioral issues are racist fear mongering. We’re not stressed and neither of our friends. We can plan and make decisions that are right for our families at the time, not hope that a decision we made for our preschooler still works for our middle schooler. Plus walking to school and friends houses. Can’t beat that!

I’m the PP above. Did you have a comprehension issue? The families I’m talking about above attend their neighborhood DCPS and are looking to get out. They are not at charters.

Yes, not all DCPS elementary schools are created equal. Luckily, OP and many of us have the good sense not to lump an entire school system into one and can evaluate each option individually. And OP and I are lucky to have many good options in the broader. Even if not EVERY option in the neighborhood is a good option. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water and all.

As someone who also lives in Ward 4 and has many friends and neighbors in middle elementary, you see this level of defensiveness often. They were thrilled when they “won” the lottery early, and are trying desperately to continue believing that their luck got them something better. But the weak academics, lack of DCPS resources, and crazy COVID policies become a harder pill to swallow as they get into upper grades. I see it ALL the time and I just nod and smile and wish them the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

Why don’t you tell us your current elementary and middle school feed then?

Because I can tell you for a fact that many families whose kids go to poorly performing IB schools get stress out more as their kid moves up in the higher grades from 1st/2nd on. Many friends have already bailed due to lottery luck, the achievement gap gets real fast, the behavior issues in the classroom intensifies, and middle school is just a few years away.

Prek, K not so much. But issues get real, really fast as you go up in grades and so does the stress. Fact.

OP, this is the kind of stressed out, anxiety you can avoid at a neighborhood DCPS. Join us and ignore the fear mongering, it’s lovely!

We’re in second in one of the schools on OP’s list, as an OOB family that is still walking distance. The differentiation is MUCH better than at the charters on OP’s list (except for LAMB and Yu Ying), and the behavioral issues are racist fear mongering. We’re not stressed and neither of our friends. We can plan and make decisions that are right for our families at the time, not hope that a decision we made for our preschooler still works for our middle schooler. Plus walking to school and friends houses. Can’t beat that!

I’m the PP above. Did you have a comprehension issue? The families I’m talking about above attend their neighborhood DCPS and are looking to get out. They are not at charters.

Yes, not all DCPS elementary schools are created equal. Luckily, OP and many of us have the good sense not to lump an entire school system into one and can evaluate each option individually. And OP and I are lucky to have many good options in the broader. Even if not EVERY option in the neighborhood is a good option. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water and all.

As someone who also lives in Ward 4 and has many friends and neighbors in middle elementary, you see this level of defensiveness often. They were thrilled when they “won” the lottery early, and are trying desperately to continue believing that their luck got them something better. But the weak academics, lack of DCPS resources, and crazy COVID policies become a harder pill to swallow as they get into upper grades. I see it ALL the time and I just nod and smile and wish them the best.

LOL, you are a hypocrite. You say not to lump all DCPS schools together yet you are implying all charters are not good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

Why don’t you tell us your current elementary and middle school feed then?

Because I can tell you for a fact that many families whose kids go to poorly performing IB schools get stress out more as their kid moves up in the higher grades from 1st/2nd on. Many friends have already bailed due to lottery luck, the achievement gap gets real fast, the behavior issues in the classroom intensifies, and middle school is just a few years away.

Prek, K not so much. But issues get real, really fast as you go up in grades and so does the stress. Fact.

OP, this is the kind of stressed out, anxiety you can avoid at a neighborhood DCPS. Join us and ignore the fear mongering, it’s lovely!

We’re in second in one of the schools on OP’s list, as an OOB family that is still walking distance. The differentiation is MUCH better than at the charters on OP’s list (except for LAMB and Yu Ying), and the behavioral issues are racist fear mongering. We’re not stressed and neither of our friends. We can plan and make decisions that are right for our families at the time, not hope that a decision we made for our preschooler still works for our middle schooler. Plus walking to school and friends houses. Can’t beat that!

I’m the PP above. Did you have a comprehension issue? The families I’m talking about above attend their neighborhood DCPS and are looking to get out. They are not at charters.

Yes, not all DCPS elementary schools are created equal. Luckily, OP and many of us have the good sense not to lump an entire school system into one and can evaluate each option individually. And OP and I are lucky to have many good options in the broader. Even if not EVERY option in the neighborhood is a good option. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water and all.

As someone who also lives in Ward 4 and has many friends and neighbors in middle elementary, you see this level of defensiveness often. They were thrilled when they “won” the lottery early, and are trying desperately to continue believing that their luck got them something better. But the weak academics, lack of DCPS resources, and crazy COVID policies become a harder pill to swallow as they get into upper grades. I see it ALL the time and I just nod and smile and wish them the best.

LOL, you are a hypocrite. You say not to lump all DCPS schools together yet you are implying all charters are not good.

I did not. I said the charters on OP’s list (when compared with the DCPS options on OP’s list), with the exception of LAMB and Yu Ying. Scroll up and reread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Good point about MS/HS feed. My brain was so focused on "no feed" from current charter that, duh, same MS/HS if we got into Whittier/Takoma versus staying at the charter now. I feel like an idiot.

That changes things. No real reason to leave the charter to attend Whittier or Takoma unless we think those are better options until 5th grade, I guess.

While it sounds like Wells is in now way what you want now, it may be just what you want in 6 years, by the time your PK student gets there. And lots of kids go to selective high schools. Not saying it should be your only choice, just saying I wouldn't count it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

You know that they can play the lottery in 5th too, right? They have even more options than you.

[Anonymous]

Why not send your kid to Brightwood if that is your IB school?