I would add Eaton and Hearst to your lists, above ITDS and below Garrison and JL. They are equally annoying commutes but much better schools than ITDS, so maybe that would help clarify the decision. I'm a longtime DC parent and know people at every school on your list except EL Haynes. |
Well it would negate the commute issue! |
| We are an ITDS family and live on the other side of N Capitol but only commute by car. We see others who are religious bike commuters - there are protected bike lanes that can take you practically door to door if you/your husband are willing to take that on. The commute is a total drag but our IB middle school is not an option for us and haven't gotten a Latin spot. |
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As to your issue, if the commute does not work the school should not be considered.
As to your original prompt. I’m a husband. When my wife disagreed with my middle school rankings, I deferred to her choice. The (low) odds of getting into either of our preferred schools wasn’t worth a fight/dispute/etc. |
What will you do if one gets into ross and the other doesn't get off the wait-list? |
Throwing this out here now, but if one kid does get off the waitlist and the other doesn’t, call the principal. I know some principals are willing to add a sibling when they otherwise wouldn’t. But they don’t know where the sibling is on the list so just call and let them know. |
| this is easy. underestimating the commute for a popular school option is a classic lottery mistake. dont do it unless you would if you got a spot seriously consider getting a car. even as egalitarian parents, you might not have exactly the same work/commute complications. |
I have a feeling you will actually love Garrison or John Lewis (just something about this post and others you have posted, and families I know at that school). You may have a middle school situation on your hands but you can deal with that later. |
| To me, the solution for this is so simple. Rank it first, and if you actually get it, then buy a car. I would not discount a solid middle school pathway, but that’s me. |
| Make him do the commute. Now, while the weather sucks. Make him walk up the hill with the kids in the dark! MAKE HIM! Suffering is the only way he will learn. |
| ITDS is not worth the commute. The end. |
| Go to the school that is logistically easiest for your life. Truly. The minor differences in academics will pale in comparison to it being easy to get to/from and be (hopefully) close to friends. |
| He should do the commute everyday for a week before the lottery. Then he can decide if he still wants to do that for years. |
100%. Our principal just filled a PK3 spot practically mid-year (family moved), which they never do… because they knew it was a sibling and promised the family back in August they’d fill it as soon as possible. Other grades have less strict class limits, so more likely to happen right away. |
| Op, we are in adams Morgan and looking at ITDS too but it seems impossible with the commute. We have a car but I prefer not to drive it as looking for street parking back at adams Morgan can easily add 20 min. |