Van Ness Elementary parents?

[Anonymous]

I'm a prospective PK3 parent and was impressed on a recent visit to the school. The head of school seems fantastic and the facilities are gorgeous. I'd love to hear how current parents are feeling about it. I know it's the school's first year, and we're only a few months into the school year, but what do you think so far? Pros/cons?

[Anonymous]

We live in Capitol Quarter, and our daughter will be going to Van Ness Elementary next year for PS3. Although we don't have a kid at the school yet, many of our Capitol Quarter neighbors do, and so far they absolutely love the school. What I get from them is that the early childhood education teachers really know how to work with the kids, and the kids look forward to going to school each day. The families I know also love the fact that the vast majority of families really support the school, and seem committed to making it an excellent elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Not many cons to a PK program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a prospective PK3 parent and was impressed on a recent visit to the school. The head of school seems fantastic and the facilities are gorgeous. I'd love to hear how current parents are feeling about it. I know it's the school's first year, and we're only a few months into the school year, but what do you think so far? Pros/cons?

I missed the first open house, glad to hear it looked good. What parts did you see? A friend of a friend has a child there in K and I think she's happy with the school. I will ask her to come here and post.

[Anonymous]

The open house was great - we saw all populated parts of the school. Though much of the school is still under construction, what is already filled in is very nice.

[Anonymous]

There seems to be a good number of families with 3 year olds planning on sending their kids to Van Ness for PS3 that live in Capitol Quarter now. I counted at least 10 that came out for our child's birthday party.

[Anonymous]

What curriculum are they using?

[Anonymous]

What is the oldest grade at the school currently?

[Anonymous]

They use Creative Curriculum for PK3 and PK4, and the regular DCPS curriculum with no special approaches (dual language, Reggio, etc.) after that. This year the oldest grade is K and they will add one grade a year after that until it's PK3-5.

[Anonymous]

Right, so in the 2016 - 2017 School Year, Van Ness will have PS3, PK4, Kindergarten, and 1st grade. Also, the school will have been completely renovated.

[Anonymous]

Van Ness PK parent here. Very pleased with program, physical condition of school, teachers, other students, playground, etc. etc. No complaints.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a prospective PK3 parent and was impressed on a recent visit to the school. The head of school seems fantastic and the facilities are gorgeous. I'd love to hear how current parents are feeling about it. I know it's the school's first year, and we're only a few months into the school year, but what do you think so far? Pros/cons?

I missed the first open house, glad to hear it looked good. What parts did you see? A friend of a friend has a child there in K and I think she's happy with the school. I will ask her to come here and post.

I'm the parent mentioned here- we are also very pleased with the school and happy with our decision to enroll our child. I'm not sure if the first poster had a chance to meet them at the open house, but the specials teachers ( PE, art, music) are really wonderful and that part of the program has been such a pleasant surprise.