Houston Elementary (Ward 7, Northeast) to offer Spanish immersion for PK3

[Anonymous]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/one-dc-school-is-turning-to-spanish-immersion-to-help-its-students-learn-english/2016/03/07/afb8684a-e20c-11e5-8d98-4b3d9215ade1_story.html

I have no idea why they didn't publicize this more before the lottery closed--seems unfortunate for people who want immersion and for those who aren't interested (not every kid will do well in a situation where teachers alternate days in the classroom). The Post article is also not clear about the school's planning for future grades--will they also alternate language by day, have some subjects in each language, be full immersion, etc.? Will there be a thematic feeder to bilingual education in middle school?

With that said, people who love immersion and get waitlisted at all the schools they selected in the PK3 lottery may want to get on the post-lottery waitlist for Houston. They didn't have any waitlist after Round 1 last year so there's probably a good chance of getting in.

Weirdly enough, the DCPS school profile shows they use Fillmore Arts Center. I can't imagine they bus the kids all the way across town but maybe the artists come to them?

[Anonymous]

Have you ever been to Houston Elementary?

Right. Didn't think so. Not exactly the sort of place gentrifiers are clamoring to send their snowflakes.

[Anonymous]

I have been there. The program would not benefit us as it starts next fall and we are in pk 3 now. If I were eligible and lived closer it would be on my list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/one-dc-school-is-turning-to-spanish-immersion-to-help-its-students-learn-english/2016/03/07/afb8684a-e20c-11e5-8d98-4b3d9215ade1_story.html

I have no idea why they didn't publicize this more before the lottery closed--seems unfortunate for people who want immersion and for those who aren't interested (not every kid will do well in a situation where teachers alternate days in the classroom). The Post article is also not clear about the school's planning for future grades--will they also alternate language by day, have some subjects in each language, be full immersion, etc.? Will there be a thematic feeder to bilingual education in middle school?

With that said, people who love immersion and get waitlisted at all the schools they selected in the PK3 lottery may want to get on the post-lottery waitlist for Houston. They didn't have any waitlist after Round 1 last year so there's probably a good chance of getting in.

Weirdly enough, the DCPS school profile shows they use Fillmore Arts Center. I can't imagine they bus the kids all the way across town but maybe the artists come to them?

I wondered why this took so long to post considering there is so much chatter on these boards about dual-language, no one interested in crossing the great divide I guess. That being the "Anacostia River"! I hope it's a success, but worry that they won't have enough teachers who specialize in remedial education on staff to help support those struggling in English.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/one-dc-school-is-turning-to-spanish-immersion-to-help-its-students-learn-english/2016/03/07/afb8684a-e20c-11e5-8d98-4b3d9215ade1_story.html

I have no idea why they didn't publicize this more before the lottery closed--seems unfortunate for people who want immersion and for those who aren't interested (not every kid will do well in a situation where teachers alternate days in the classroom). The Post article is also not clear about the school's planning for future grades--will they also alternate language by day, have some subjects in each language, be full immersion, etc.? Will there be a thematic feeder to bilingual education in middle school?

With that said, people who love immersion and get waitlisted at all the schools they selected in the PK3 lottery may want to get on the post-lottery waitlist for Houston. They didn't have any waitlist after Round 1 last year so there's probably a good chance of getting in.

Weirdly enough, the DCPS school profile shows they use Fillmore Arts Center. I can't imagine they bus the kids all the way across town but maybe the artists come to them?

I wondered why this took so long to post considering there is so much chatter on these boards about dual-language, no one interested in crossing the great divide I guess. That being the "Anacostia River"! I hope it's a success, but worry that they won't have enough teachers who specialize in remedial education on staff to help support those struggling in English.

that "great divide" is actually a pretty horrible commute if you don't live there and have to back track downtown after drop off. I live in Petworth and for me to get across the city and then back to my job woudl easily add an hour in the morning and also in the evening. Not everthing is a class/race issue, sometimes its just horrible DC traffic.

[Anonymous]

sure. But there are plenty of people who don't live in Petworth and/or don't work downtown, or people who are willing to trek a long distance for immersion.

look at how far people are willing to travel for various charters, most of which don't offer Spanish: http://www.dcpcsb.org/sites/default/files/Binder3.pdf

Parents who get their kids from the Hill to Bridges or Two Rivers Young or the DCI feeders each day wouldn't face any worse traffic than if they went to Houston (and it would probably be easier by metro than most of those schools). It may not be many people's first choice, but if the option is $15,000 for another year of day care because you didn't get any of your lottery picks vs. a small immersion class that requires a bit more of a commute, Houston is going to look pretty good to some families.