Best source of info on area schools

[Anonymous]

New to the area with 3 yo twins. We are renting now but looking for home in NW DC, Arlington/FC, or Bethesda/Chevy Chase. I'm totally confused and overwhelmed trying to figure out how schools work around here - especially DC. We can't afford private but could maybe swing catholic and would prefer good public options.

Is there a guidebook, website, or resource that really lays it all out? Specifically what to do when? And I'm so confused by the wait lists and inbounded vs out of boundary options. I know of greatschools.com but I'm looking for something broader.

Thanks for your help!!

[Anonymous]

Check out myschooldc.org to get an overview of the public preschool/PK options and how you would apply. You can also find what the inboundary schools are at find.myschooldc.org. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New to the area with 3 yo twins. We are renting now but looking for home in NW DC, Arlington/FC, or Bethesda/Chevy Chase. I'm totally confused and overwhelmed trying to figure out how schools work around here - especially DC. We can't afford private but could maybe swing catholic and would prefer good public options.

Is there a guidebook, website, or resource that really lays it all out? Specifically what to do when? And I'm so confused by the wait lists and inbounded vs out of boundary options. I know of greatschools.com but I'm looking for something broader.

Thanks for your help!!

There will be a school fair in December where most of the charters and public schools have a booth. You can also go to the DCPS website to find out what your neighborhood school is and check the school's website for the next playdate. Also sign up to take a tour of the schools that you are most interested in learning more about while school is in session so you can get a general feel of the tone of the school.