Tell me about Lafayette

[Anonymous]

We are moving into DC next summer and looking at Chevg Chase DC to buy. DS will be in first grade, with another child in preK. How is Lafayette? I understand they're going through renovations which will be finished by next year. What are class sizes like? How is the community? Parental involvement? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Class sizes are reasonably small. PK is capped at 20 (there are a finite number of seats, distributed by lottery). Most other classes at other grade levels are also around 20; looking at the distributed class lists, I think the biggest class this year is 23-24. The community is very friendly and there is as much (or as little) parent involvement as you'd like. Like everywhere, there are excellent teachers and less good teachers. From looking at the plans, the new building next year will be beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thanks. Anyone else??

[Anonymous]

Very happy at the school. We are involved and our son has usually had about 19 kids in his class.

[Anonymous]

Don't come to annonymous boards for this type of info. Go to the school, or school events and talk to parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Class sizes are reasonably small. PK is capped at 20 (there are a finite number of seats, distributed by lottery). Most other classes at other grade levels are also around 20; looking at the distributed class lists, I think the biggest class this year is 23-24. The community is very friendly and there is as much (or as little) parent involvement as you'd like. Like everywhere, there are excellent teachers and less good teachers. From looking at the plans, the new building next year will be beautiful.

What PP said. Another parent here - we are very happy and can't wait for the renovated building. The community is wonderful- close knit for a big school. I'd say there are Plenty of both sahm and wohms so I don't think it caters to any one kind of family. Not hugely diverse, if that is an issue for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't come to annonymous boards for this type of info. Go to the school, or school events and talk to parents.

People ask this all the time about charter schools. Why can't they ask about DCPS schools?

[Anonymous]

White and bland / just like the neighborhood. If you are OK with that you will love Lafayette.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:White and bland / just like the neighborhood. If you are OK with that you will love Lafayette.

Charming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't come to annonymous boards for this type of info. Go to the school, or school events and talk to parents.

why do you come to the forum?

[Anonymous]

If you are set on Lafayette, verify that your house is in bounds. Some of Chevy Chase is districted for Murch, another great school, but one that is about to start a massive, two-year renovation next year. We love Murch, but if I were moving to DC and starting school next year, I probably would pick Lafayette over Murch for this reason alone.

[Anonymous]

And some of Murch is re-zoned for Lafayette. Post recent Boundary Review process.

[Anonymous]

It's not all vanilla! Tons of International families. Off the top of my head: Ukranian, Thai, Danish, French, Canadian Swedish

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:White and bland / just like the neighborhood. If you are OK with that you will love Lafayette.

enjoy your shooty streets and playgrounds!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And some of Murch is re-zoned for Lafayette. Post recent Boundary Review process.

Yes--it's pretty simple now. North of Military Rd. is Lafayette.