Seems to be a lot easier to get into HRCS as 1st or 2nd grader

[Anonymous]

Now that October WL data is out, I am heartened to see that people do get into some HRCS later. Not the highest of the high, but plenty of respectable schools. Does anyone know why this is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now that October WL data is out, I am heartened to see that people do get into some HRCS later. Not the highest of the high, but plenty of respectable schools. Does anyone know why this is?

Many fewer people applying, so even though only a few spots may open up, much less competition.

[Anonymous]

People at some of those charters see that it is all smoke and mirrors and bail to their neighborhood / private schools opening up spots for the next round of families to figure it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that October WL data is out, I am heartened to see that people do get into some HRCS later. Not the highest of the high, but plenty of respectable schools. Does anyone know why this is?

Many fewer people applying, so even though only a few spots may open up, much less competition.

And I bet more people decline WL offers because they realize they are fine with where they were for K or 1st and don't want to make "grass is greener" transitions forever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that October WL data is out, I am heartened to see that people do get into some HRCS later. Not the highest of the high, but plenty of respectable schools. Does anyone know why this is?

Many fewer people applying, so even though only a few spots may open up, much less competition.

See this chart - applicants by grade. https://ms-dc.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/2016-lottery-number-of-applications-by-grade.pdf

[Anonymous]

Wow.. thank you OP, I suddenly feel much less depressed about our chances in the future! Is it crazy to feel like convenient IB now, HRCS later, is the best of both worlds?

[Anonymous]

The moral of this story is to keep trying. But if you get lucky for Pk3 or Pk4, don't assume your luck will hold.

Yes people do get off wait lists for later years - 4 people even got in OOB for Deal this year. But it's nothing you can or should count on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow.. thank you OP, I suddenly feel much less depressed about our chances in the future! Is it crazy to feel like convenient IB now, HRCS later, is the best of both worlds?

Don't rule out that you may be grow to love your IB and decide not to leave. Been 3 years at our IB and have no plans to stray.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow.. thank you OP, I suddenly feel much less depressed about our chances in the future! Is it crazy to feel like convenient IB now, HRCS later, is the best of both worlds?

Don't rule out that you may be grow to love your IB and decide not to leave. Been 3 years at our IB and have no plans to stray.

+1. I was very disappointed when we matched with our IB, but it's going well and I feel like staying for PK4 or maybe even K would be fine. DD's teacher is outstanding and I feel like I really underestimated her.

[Anonymous]

There are also a lot of families who move out of DC and/or to bigger houses in the K-2nd realm and fewer moving in. So that both opens spots at the charters and decreases the number of people applying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now that October WL data is out, I am heartened to see that people do get into some HRCS later. Not the highest of the high, but plenty of respectable schools. Does anyone know why this is?

It's easier to get into the better DCPS's in the higher grades, too. Partly it's attrition to privates, and otherwise moving to MoCo or FFX.

Free PS/PK is a big draw for a lot of families. The school may not be worth pursuing long term, but it's better than paying for daycare. However once you're in K, and making friends in 1st & 2nd, you'll start to get the trickle down from testing grades. DC is a small town with high expectations and most schools don't make the cut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that October WL data is out, I am heartened to see that people do get into some HRCS later. Not the highest of the high, but plenty of respectable schools. Does anyone know why this is?

It's easier to get into the better DCPS's in the higher grades, too. Partly it's attrition to privates, and otherwise moving to MoCo or FFX.

Free PS/PK is a big draw for a lot of families. The school may not be worth pursuing long term, but it's better than paying for daycare. However once you're in K, and making friends in 1st & 2nd, you'll start to get the trickle down from testing grades. DC is a small town with high expectations and most schools don't make the cut.

I have observed this too. Part of it is just normal attrition or the many DC state/military families moving. There are a lot of people making it work in smallish condo or half townhouse, and that gets pretty old. A few years of free preschool, a little further along in their careers, and they can afford a house, so naturally they'll choose the burbs or a Wilson feeder. Also, families move for their oldest child, and when they do, they take younger sibs with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that October WL data is out, I am heartened to see that people do get into some HRCS later. Not the highest of the high, but plenty of respectable schools. Does anyone know why this is?

It's easier to get into the better DCPS's in the higher grades, too. Partly it's attrition to privates, and otherwise moving to MoCo or FFX.

Free PS/PK is a big draw for a lot of families. The school may not be worth pursuing long term, but it's better than paying for daycare. However once you're in K, and making friends in 1st & 2nd, you'll start to get the trickle down from testing grades. DC is a small town with high expectations and most schools don't make the cut.

I have observed this too. Part of it is just normal attrition or the many DC state/military families moving. There are a lot of people making it work in smallish condo or half townhouse, and that gets pretty old. A few years of free preschool, a little further along in their careers, and they can afford a house, so naturally they'll choose the burbs or a Wilson feeder. Also, families move for their oldest child, and when they do, they take younger sibs with them.

Agreed. Also, when people move to DC with kids already in or near testing grades, say grade 2 or above, they tend to look for higher scoring IB schools than couples who are pre-kids or with infants. Because after grade 2 or so there is no more "maybe it will improve" and they don't have multiple shots at the lottery because school quality matters immediately. So most "gentrifier" enrollment at up and coming schools is people starting at PK, getting comfortable with it, and being happy with the progress that is often slow but is indeed progress. Not many joining half way through. I think this dynamic applies to charters also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that October WL data is out, I am heartened to see that people do get into some HRCS later. Not the highest of the high, but plenty of respectable schools. Does anyone know why this is?

It's easier to get into the better DCPS's in the higher grades, too. Partly it's attrition to privates, and otherwise moving to MoCo or FFX.

Free PS/PK is a big draw for a lot of families. The school may not be worth pursuing long term, but it's better than paying for daycare. However once you're in K, and making friends in 1st & 2nd, you'll start to get the trickle down from testing grades. DC is a small town with high expectations and most schools don't make the cut.

I have observed this too. Part of it is just normal attrition or the many DC state/military families moving. There are a lot of people making it work in smallish condo or half townhouse, and that gets pretty old. A few years of free preschool, a little further along in their careers, and they can afford a house, so naturally they'll choose the burbs or a Wilson feeder. Also, families move for their oldest child, and when they do, they take younger sibs with them.

Agreed. Also, when people move to DC with kids already in or near testing grades, say grade 2 or above, they tend to look for higher scoring IB schools than couples who are pre-kids or with infants. Because after grade 2 or so there is no more "maybe it will improve" and they don't have multiple shots at the lottery because school quality matters immediately. So most "gentrifier" enrollment at up and coming schools is people starting at PK, getting comfortable with it, and being happy with the progress that is often slow but is indeed progress. Not many joining half way through. I think this dynamic applies to charters also.

Exactly. Schools grow, but children grow faster. Still, i think entering PK3 parents can count on some improvement and it's fine to take 3 or 4 years to play the lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People at some of those charters see that it is all smoke and mirrors and bail to their neighborhood / private schools opening up spots for the next round of families to figure it out.

This is what we did due to commute. The academics wasn't all that great to justify staying.