Inspired Teaching vs DC Bilingual

[Anonymous]

For PK3, we were matched with Inspired Teaching through the lottery and just got offered a spot from the waitlist at DC Bilingual (we were #17 on the waitlist originally). We live near U St, so the new DCB location is more of a pain than ITS, but we do like the idea of our son speaking Spanish fluently (and then being able to attend DCI). Based on our visits to ITS it seems like a wonderful school with a great school leadership. I'm sure there's no wrong choice here, but we do need to make one. Any advice or perspective?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Unless you have a strong preference for Spanish immersion, I'll choose ITS for the more convenient location.

-signed Yu Ying parent who drives past MV and ITS/Lee every morning and afternoon bc we really wanted Mandarin. The commuting is still painful.

[Anonymous]

I'd have a hard time turning down the DCI feed.

[Anonymous]

I'll take your spot at ITS!!! (we are too high on the WL for it to matter alas) I don't know that DCI would be the deal breaker. I think the high school positions are improving all around - BASIS for example.

[Anonymous]

I'd pick ITS (DCI has little to no appeal to me), but you ranked DC Bilingual higher for a reason.

[Anonymous]

Our child is thriving at DCB. We love it and have no complaints. . . except for the commute. There lies your decision.

[Anonymous]

We have friends at DCB who are leaving--it is extremely structured, especially for PK3/PK4. That made me not want to send my child there. I would go for ITS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd pick ITS (DCI has little to no appeal to me), but you ranked DC Bilingual higher for a reason.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Let us know what you decide OP! Good luck in your decision!

[Anonymous]

Definitely dc bilingual. I've heard not so great things about their upper elementary grades.

[Anonymous]

I don't know much about DCB but I'm a current ITS parent praying to the lottery goods to move my kids wait list number so we can leave ITS. If language is important to you at all ITS is NOT the place to be. We have a Spanish teacher but despite 2xweekly instructions my child has not learned anything. The only thing we get from Spanish class are coloring pages

Also, a lot of ITS teachers and families (in the older grades) are very unhappy with the ITS leadership. I know of at least 2 great teachers leaving and would not be surprised to see more departures. The principal just came back from maternity leave but she has a hell of a job to repair the damage done by the head of school who "covered" for her.

All in all, ITS is a great place to send your kid from pre-s-k but past those grades you may very well find yourself right back in the lottery madness if you want your child to be in a school with strong academics and teachers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know much about DCB but I'm a current ITS parent praying to the lottery goods to move my kids wait list number so we can leave ITS. If language is important to you at all ITS is NOT the place to be. We have a Spanish teacher but despite 2xweekly instructions my child has not learned anything. The only thing we get from Spanish class are coloring pages

Also, a lot of ITS teachers and families (in the older grades) are very unhappy with the ITS leadership. I know of at least 2 great teachers leaving and would not be surprised to see more departures. The principal just came back from maternity leave but she has a hell of a job to repair the damage done by the head of school who "covered" for her.

All in all, ITS is a great place to send your kid from pre-s-k but past those grades you may very well find yourself right back in the lottery madness if you want your child to be in a school with strong academics and teachers

We are a 3rd grade family and I couldn't disagree more. Yes there were some missteps this year (primarily issue with 4th grade), but we are extremely happy and wouldn't go elsewhere. Then again, we have not prioritized language from the beginning.

[Anonymous]

We're another ITS family- not sure what the PP is insinuating. We've found the head of school to be very responsive when she was covering for the Principal. (and in fact, more timely and action oriented than the Principal) She was open to discussing issues, delivered difficult messages to staff and vendors, and has been a constant presence at the school

Just shows that no school is perfect for all children- or their families. We each have unique experiences in the exact same shared environment.

(We are leaving ITS for an immersion program- difficult choice, but we've been trying for three years to get into an immersion program which is a priority for our family.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're another ITS family- not sure what the PP is insinuating. We've found the head of school to be very responsive when she was covering for the Principal. (and in fact, more timely and action oriented than the Principal) She was open to discussing issues, delivered difficult messages to staff and vendors, and has been a constant presence at the school

Just shows that no school is perfect for all children- or their families. We each have unique experiences in the exact same shared environment.

(We are leaving ITS for an immersion program- difficult choice, but we've been trying for three years to get into an immersion program which is a priority for our family.)

What rising grade are you leaving? Have friend high on WL for 1st.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think you need to decide if Spanish immersion is your priority above all else - are you going to keep lotterying for Mundo Verde/Stokes until you get in regardless of where you are this year? If the answer is yes, go for the immersion now. If not, I'd choose ITS as I think it's curriculum and pedagogy are stronger and more child-focused.

It's also worth considering that DCB may be absorbing a bunch of former CAPCS families this year so the transition in the fall could be challenging.