Is oob Powell worth a lottery slot?

[Anonymous]

Trying to finalize our lottery rankings and we don't even have Powell on there right now because I assumed it was an impossibility (last year they waitlisted in-boundaries students for PK-3). Is anything changing this year that would make it worthwhile as a pick in the lottery?

[Anonymous]

Nope. Don't waste a pick. If they didn't get through their IB families last year, they won't even touch the OOBs.

[Anonymous]

Something that has changed is that they reset boundaries for Powell and Raymond. It's *possible* that there are a couple blocks that can claim OOB proximity to Powell over Raymond (though probably not many houses). That would bring more competition.

[Anonymous]

Powell is adding 40 PK3 slots for 2015.

[Anonymous]

I think they are adding one class (15 students).

[Anonymous]

They are adding one class. They will be all mixed so 17 students per class. So, total spots for 3-yr olds would be 51 probably. Powell is dual language so the siblings have preference over inbound. Then inbound, then OOB with proximity. There are at least 15 known siblings coming in.

[Anonymous]

I get the impression from reading here that a lot of people want to know more about Powell and apply there.

Part of the reason you don't get a lot of replies is that Powell is essentially closed to out-of-bounds families at the entry grades with an inbounds wait list of 40-something for PK3 last year - on par with the highest-demand schools. I have personal knowledge of inbounds families who waited and waited for a seat to be offered for PK3 and never received one.

So nobody feels the need to promote the school. Families living inbounds and really considering Powell are probably touring the school Tuesday mornings (if you haven't, do so).

Families from out-of-bounds are crossing their fingers and hoping the buzz subsides (fat chance as DCPS grows).

The sad truth is that the school is growing up with the grades and will be full as soon as the facility modernizations are completed.

Also (on a point not raised on this thread) due to demand (and general disgust), no one feels any real need to defend the school, its staff or Principal-of-the-Year, or answer veiled questions about whether Central American parents or their kids are a threat to your children.

On the primary question, out-of-boundary families would have to have more luck than last year to get in. Game that out as you see fit, e.g., put it high expecting to not get in or put it low expecting the same, but it's just the way it is.

AND - may I just add this? Powell has many positives that other schools have too, that you just need to see firsthand. Take tours and meet leaders and staff and parents and jump in. DCPS will be better if everyone jumps in.

[Anonymous]

We were in the 50's for their PK3 list last year. We ended up at Bridges, but hope to get in for PK4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were in the 50's for their PK3 list last year. We ended up at Bridges, but hope to get in for PK4.

Anything wrong with Bridges, other than not being bilingual?

[Anonymous]

this link indicates that Powell will have 46 PK3 spots and 20 PK4 spots.


http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/Files/downloads/Learn-About-Schools/Enrollment/DCPS%20SY1516%20Seats.pdf

[Anonymous]

Slightly off topic but want to share! My DC's teaching fellow at ITS is a lead teacher at Powell and she is phenomenal. Anyone would be lucky to have her as a teacher so I say go for it!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Slightly off topic but want to share! My DC's teaching fellow at ITS is a lead teacher at Powell and she is phenomenal. Anyone would be lucky to have her as a teacher so I say go for it!!

Yes, she is awesome! We had her last year.

[Anonymous]

OP, at this point in the lottery game you should use a lottery spot on Powell if you're interested in it. period. When you come to DCUM less than a week before the lottery closes to ask if a school is worth a lottery pick, you can't trust the answers. At this point, people have a vested interest and each less family that doesn't use a lottery spot on Powell (or whatever school) is one less competitor. So it's easy to tr ad dissuade you with a "snow ball's chance in hell" response in hopes of scaring you off. Yes, Powell waitlisted a bunch of inboundary families last year. But boundaries changed, there's another class and the recent baby boom flucuates year to year. Just pick the schools you want and stop worrying about whether you have a shot (unless all 12 of your lottery picks fall into that "highly unlikely" category...then you might have a problem).