Critique my list! (or give thoughts)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

You know that they can play the lottery in 5th too, right? They have even more options than you.

DCI has been discussed to death already, but not everyone is enamored enough with DCI to justify 6-8 years of inconvenience and sacrifice at the elementary level. If it’s a good enough school for your family, then that’s great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

Why don’t you tell us your current elementary and middle school feed then?

Because I can tell you for a fact that many families whose kids go to poorly performing IB schools get stress out more as their kid moves up in the higher grades from 1st/2nd on. Many friends have already bailed due to lottery luck, the achievement gap gets real fast, the behavior issues in the classroom intensifies, and middle school is just a few years away.

Prek, K not so much. But issues get real, really fast as you go up in grades and so does the stress. Fact.

OP, this is the kind of stressed out, anxiety you can avoid at a neighborhood DCPS. Join us and ignore the fear mongering, it’s lovely!

We’re in second in one of the schools on OP’s list, as an OOB family that is still walking distance. The differentiation is MUCH better than at the charters on OP’s list (except for LAMB and Yu Ying), and the behavioral issues are racist fear mongering. We’re not stressed and neither of our friends. We can plan and make decisions that are right for our families at the time, not hope that a decision we made for our preschooler still works for our middle schooler. Plus walking to school and friends houses. Can’t beat that!

I’m the PP above. Did you have a comprehension issue? The families I’m talking about above attend their neighborhood DCPS and are looking to get out. They are not at charters.

Yes, not all DCPS elementary schools are created equal. Luckily, OP and many of us have the good sense not to lump an entire school system into one and can evaluate each option individually. And OP and I are lucky to have many good options in the broader. Even if not EVERY option in the neighborhood is a good option. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water and all.

As someone who also lives in Ward 4 and has many friends and neighbors in middle elementary, you see this level of defensiveness often. They were thrilled when they “won” the lottery early, and are trying desperately to continue believing that their luck got them something better. But the weak academics, lack of DCPS resources, and crazy COVID policies become a harder pill to swallow as they get into upper grades. I see it ALL the time and I just nod and smile and wish them the best.

Ok but what if my IB DCPS is actively bad (we are there now), and we don't get into another DCPS OOB? We are putting charters on our lottery list as well because there's no guarantee we will get into a good DCPS.

Like what are you recommending? That OP only puts DCPS schools on her lottery list? What if there are decent charters that are much closer? Should she drive across town to attend a good DCPS over taking a spot at a decent charter that is walking distance? Also what if she only puts DCPS schools on her lottery list and gets in nowhere? Should she send her kid to the IB school they don't like over the charter they are currently happy with? You make no sense.

Or did you just come here to brag about how your kid got into a good DCPS that is near your house via the lottery. That's lucky. You were lucky. Not smart. Lucky.

Stop insulting other parents for doing the best they can with the breadcrumbs this city offers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

Why don’t you tell us your current elementary and middle school feed then?

Because I can tell you for a fact that many families whose kids go to poorly performing IB schools get stress out more as their kid moves up in the higher grades from 1st/2nd on. Many friends have already bailed due to lottery luck, the achievement gap gets real fast, the behavior issues in the classroom intensifies, and middle school is just a few years away.

Prek, K not so much. But issues get real, really fast as you go up in grades and so does the stress. Fact.

OP, this is the kind of stressed out, anxiety you can avoid at a neighborhood DCPS. Join us and ignore the fear mongering, it’s lovely!

We’re in second in one of the schools on OP’s list, as an OOB family that is still walking distance. The differentiation is MUCH better than at the charters on OP’s list (except for LAMB and Yu Ying), and the behavioral issues are racist fear mongering. We’re not stressed and neither of our friends. We can plan and make decisions that are right for our families at the time, not hope that a decision we made for our preschooler still works for our middle schooler. Plus walking to school and friends houses. Can’t beat that!

I’m the PP above. Did you have a comprehension issue? The families I’m talking about above attend their neighborhood DCPS and are looking to get out. They are not at charters.

Yes, not all DCPS elementary schools are created equal. Luckily, OP and many of us have the good sense not to lump an entire school system into one and can evaluate each option individually. And OP and I are lucky to have many good options in the broader. Even if not EVERY option in the neighborhood is a good option. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water and all.

As someone who also lives in Ward 4 and has many friends and neighbors in middle elementary, you see this level of defensiveness often. They were thrilled when they “won” the lottery early, and are trying desperately to continue believing that their luck got them something better. But the weak academics, lack of DCPS resources, and crazy COVID policies become a harder pill to swallow as they get into upper grades. I see it ALL the time and I just nod and smile and wish them the best.

Ok but what if my IB DCPS is actively bad (we are there now), and we don't get into another DCPS OOB? We are putting charters on our lottery list as well because there's no guarantee we will get into a good DCPS.

Like what are you recommending? That OP only puts DCPS schools on her lottery list? What if there are decent charters that are much closer? Should she drive across town to attend a good DCPS over taking a spot at a decent charter that is walking distance? Also what if she only puts DCPS schools on her lottery list and gets in nowhere? Should she send her kid to the IB school they don't like over the charter they are currently happy with? You make no sense.

Or did you just come here to brag about how your kid got into a good DCPS that is near your house via the lottery. That's lucky. You were lucky. Not smart. Lucky.

Stop insulting other parents for doing the best they can with the breadcrumbs this city offers.

If you’re in Ward 4, there are many “good” DCPS schools that perform as well or better than the charters of comparable distance. You probably drive past them on your way to your charter. That’s what evaluate each school individually. Don’t assume that the only good DCPS schools are across the park, and that any EOTP charter is better than any EOTP DCPS. And you can most likely get into that good DCPS in kindergarten or first by the latest. Luck has nothing to do with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

Why don’t you tell us your current elementary and middle school feed then?

Because I can tell you for a fact that many families whose kids go to poorly performing IB schools get stress out more as their kid moves up in the higher grades from 1st/2nd on. Many friends have already bailed due to lottery luck, the achievement gap gets real fast, the behavior issues in the classroom intensifies, and middle school is just a few years away.

Prek, K not so much. But issues get real, really fast as you go up in grades and so does the stress. Fact.

OP, this is the kind of stressed out, anxiety you can avoid at a neighborhood DCPS. Join us and ignore the fear mongering, it’s lovely!

We’re in second in one of the schools on OP’s list, as an OOB family that is still walking distance. The differentiation is MUCH better than at the charters on OP’s list (except for LAMB and Yu Ying), and the behavioral issues are racist fear mongering. We’re not stressed and neither of our friends. We can plan and make decisions that are right for our families at the time, not hope that a decision we made for our preschooler still works for our middle schooler. Plus walking to school and friends houses. Can’t beat that!

I’m the PP above. Did you have a comprehension issue? The families I’m talking about above attend their neighborhood DCPS and are looking to get out. They are not at charters.

Yes, not all DCPS elementary schools are created equal. Luckily, OP and many of us have the good sense not to lump an entire school system into one and can evaluate each option individually. And OP and I are lucky to have many good options in the broader. Even if not EVERY option in the neighborhood is a good option. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water and all.

As someone who also lives in Ward 4 and has many friends and neighbors in middle elementary, you see this level of defensiveness often. They were thrilled when they “won” the lottery early, and are trying desperately to continue believing that their luck got them something better. But the weak academics, lack of DCPS resources, and crazy COVID policies become a harder pill to swallow as they get into upper grades. I see it ALL the time and I just nod and smile and wish them the best.

Ok but what if my IB DCPS is actively bad (we are there now), and we don't get into another DCPS OOB? We are putting charters on our lottery list as well because there's no guarantee we will get into a good DCPS.

Like what are you recommending? That OP only puts DCPS schools on her lottery list? What if there are decent charters that are much closer? Should she drive across town to attend a good DCPS over taking a spot at a decent charter that is walking distance? Also what if she only puts DCPS schools on her lottery list and gets in nowhere? Should she send her kid to the IB school they don't like over the charter they are currently happy with? You make no sense.

Or did you just come here to brag about how your kid got into a good DCPS that is near your house via the lottery. That's lucky. You were lucky. Not smart. Lucky.

Stop insulting other parents for doing the best they can with the breadcrumbs this city offers.

If you’re in Ward 4, there are many “good” DCPS schools that perform as well or better than the charters of comparable distance. You probably drive past them on your way to your charter. That’s what evaluate each school individually. Don’t assume that the only good DCPS schools are across the park, and that any EOTP charter is better than any EOTP DCPS. And you can most likely get into that good DCPS in kindergarten or first by the latest. Luck has nothing to do with it.

No, they are not, Most people leave by third grade, but keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

You know that they can play the lottery in 5th too, right? They have even more options than you.

DCI has been discussed to death already, but not everyone is enamored enough with DCI to justify 6-8 years of inconvenience and sacrifice at the elementary level. If it’s a good enough school for your family, then that’s great.

They still have more options than you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

Why don’t you tell us your current elementary and middle school feed then?

Because I can tell you for a fact that many families whose kids go to poorly performing IB schools get stress out more as their kid moves up in the higher grades from 1st/2nd on. Many friends have already bailed due to lottery luck, the achievement gap gets real fast, the behavior issues in the classroom intensifies, and middle school is just a few years away.

Prek, K not so much. But issues get real, really fast as you go up in grades and so does the stress. Fact.

OP, this is the kind of stressed out, anxiety you can avoid at a neighborhood DCPS. Join us and ignore the fear mongering, it’s lovely!

We’re in second in one of the schools on OP’s list, as an OOB family that is still walking distance. The differentiation is MUCH better than at the charters on OP’s list (except for LAMB and Yu Ying), and the behavioral issues are racist fear mongering. We’re not stressed and neither of our friends. We can plan and make decisions that are right for our families at the time, not hope that a decision we made for our preschooler still works for our middle schooler. Plus walking to school and friends houses. Can’t beat that!

I’m the PP above. Did you have a comprehension issue? The families I’m talking about above attend their neighborhood DCPS and are looking to get out. They are not at charters.

Yes, not all DCPS elementary schools are created equal. Luckily, OP and many of us have the good sense not to lump an entire school system into one and can evaluate each option individually. And OP and I are lucky to have many good options in the broader. Even if not EVERY option in the neighborhood is a good option. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water and all.

As someone who also lives in Ward 4 and has many friends and neighbors in middle elementary, you see this level of defensiveness often. They were thrilled when they “won” the lottery early, and are trying desperately to continue believing that their luck got them something better. But the weak academics, lack of DCPS resources, and crazy COVID policies become a harder pill to swallow as they get into upper grades. I see it ALL the time and I just nod and smile and wish them the best.

Ok but what if my IB DCPS is actively bad (we are there now), and we don't get into another DCPS OOB? We are putting charters on our lottery list as well because there's no guarantee we will get into a good DCPS.

Like what are you recommending? That OP only puts DCPS schools on her lottery list? What if there are decent charters that are much closer? Should she drive across town to attend a good DCPS over taking a spot at a decent charter that is walking distance? Also what if she only puts DCPS schools on her lottery list and gets in nowhere? Should she send her kid to the IB school they don't like over the charter they are currently happy with? You make no sense.

Or did you just come here to brag about how your kid got into a good DCPS that is near your house via the lottery. That's lucky. You were lucky. Not smart. Lucky.

Stop insulting other parents for doing the best they can with the breadcrumbs this city offers.

If you’re in Ward 4, there are many “good” DCPS schools that perform as well or better than the charters of comparable distance. You probably drive past them on your way to your charter. That’s what evaluate each school individually. Don’t assume that the only good DCPS schools are across the park, and that any EOTP charter is better than any EOTP DCPS. And you can most likely get into that good DCPS in kindergarten or first by the latest. Luck has nothing to do with it.

No, they are not, Most people leave by third grade, but keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better.

+ 1. Lack of middle school feed means good students bail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

Why don’t you tell us your current elementary and middle school feed then?

Because I can tell you for a fact that many families whose kids go to poorly performing IB schools get stress out more as their kid moves up in the higher grades from 1st/2nd on. Many friends have already bailed due to lottery luck, the achievement gap gets real fast, the behavior issues in the classroom intensifies, and middle school is just a few years away.

Prek, K not so much. But issues get real, really fast as you go up in grades and so does the stress. Fact.

OP, this is the kind of stressed out, anxiety you can avoid at a neighborhood DCPS. Join us and ignore the fear mongering, it’s lovely!

We’re in second in one of the schools on OP’s list, as an OOB family that is still walking distance. The differentiation is MUCH better than at the charters on OP’s list (except for LAMB and Yu Ying), and the behavioral issues are racist fear mongering. We’re not stressed and neither of our friends. We can plan and make decisions that are right for our families at the time, not hope that a decision we made for our preschooler still works for our middle schooler. Plus walking to school and friends houses. Can’t beat that!

I’m the PP above. Did you have a comprehension issue? The families I’m talking about above attend their neighborhood DCPS and are looking to get out. They are not at charters.

Yes, not all DCPS elementary schools are created equal. Luckily, OP and many of us have the good sense not to lump an entire school system into one and can evaluate each option individually. And OP and I are lucky to have many good options in the broader. Even if not EVERY option in the neighborhood is a good option. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water and all.

As someone who also lives in Ward 4 and has many friends and neighbors in middle elementary, you see this level of defensiveness often. They were thrilled when they “won” the lottery early, and are trying desperately to continue believing that their luck got them something better. But the weak academics, lack of DCPS resources, and crazy COVID policies become a harder pill to swallow as they get into upper grades. I see it ALL the time and I just nod and smile and wish them the best.

Ok but what if my IB DCPS is actively bad (we are there now), and we don't get into another DCPS OOB? We are putting charters on our lottery list as well because there's no guarantee we will get into a good DCPS.

Like what are you recommending? That OP only puts DCPS schools on her lottery list? What if there are decent charters that are much closer? Should she drive across town to attend a good DCPS over taking a spot at a decent charter that is walking distance? Also what if she only puts DCPS schools on her lottery list and gets in nowhere? Should she send her kid to the IB school they don't like over the charter they are currently happy with? You make no sense.

Or did you just come here to brag about how your kid got into a good DCPS that is near your house via the lottery. That's lucky. You were lucky. Not smart. Lucky.

Stop insulting other parents for doing the best they can with the breadcrumbs this city offers.

If you’re in Ward 4, there are many “good” DCPS schools that perform as well or better than the charters of comparable distance. You probably drive past them on your way to your charter. That’s what evaluate each school individually. Don’t assume that the only good DCPS schools are across the park, and that any EOTP charter is better than any EOTP DCPS. And you can most likely get into that good DCPS in kindergarten or first by the latest. Luck has nothing to do with it.

No, they are not, Most people leave by third grade, but keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better.

+ 1. Lack of middle school feed means good students bail.

At ours a percent leave at third, but enough stay. More leave at fifth for Latin/Basis or DCI feeders, and the fifth grade class gets small. But enough families have the money for private, so just do that or a mix of other middle schools if they whiff the fifth grade lottery. I think these things are pretty school specific though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

You know that they can play the lottery in 5th too, right? They have even more options than you.

DCI has been discussed to death already, but not everyone is enamored enough with DCI to justify 6-8 years of inconvenience and sacrifice at the elementary level. If it’s a good enough school for your family, then that’s great.

What inconvenience and sacrifice? Driving 15 minutes is nothing to have your kid learn another language, be with a higher performing peer group, be at a school with engaged parents, and have a high probability of not only a middle school but ALSO high school feed.

Reality is many charter families are not driving far. The ones that are doing 25 min p,is commute are outliers. I can tell you many families at ours bike their kid to school. IB families are driving their kids 5 minutes anyway because majority don’t live close enough to drive.

Middle school is THE most competitive seat in the city. Each year it gets more and more competitive as more families want to stay in the city. It’s already the hunger games now. In 6-8 years, your chance for a seat at a higher performing school is going to be significantly less than it is now. Many more families competing for seats.

Plan to go private or move because that is going to be the reality if you don’t have a good middle school feed. People can think DCPS EOTP middle schools may improve by then but I doubt it, especially as they continue to lower standards evrn more post COVID. I suggest you talk to the Capitol Hill crowd who have been waiting a long, long time……

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

You know that they can play the lottery in 5th too, right? They have even more options than you.

DCI has been discussed to death already, but not everyone is enamored enough with DCI to justify 6-8 years of inconvenience and sacrifice at the elementary level. If it’s a good enough school for your family, then that’s great.

What inconvenience and sacrifice? Driving 15 minutes is nothing to have your kid learn another language, be with a higher performing peer group, be at a school with engaged parents, and have a high probability of not only a middle school but ALSO high school feed.

Reality is many charter families are not driving far. The ones that are doing 25 min p,is commute are outliers. I can tell you many families at ours bike their kid to school. IB families are driving their kids 5 minutes anyway because majority don’t live close enough to drive.

Middle school is THE most competitive seat in the city. Each year it gets more and more competitive as more families want to stay in the city. It’s already the hunger games now. In 6-8 years, your chance for a seat at a higher performing school is going to be significantly less than it is now. Many more families competing for seats.

Plan to go private or move because that is going to be the reality if you don’t have a good middle school feed. People can think DCPS EOTP middle schools may improve by then but I doubt it, especially as they continue to lower standards evrn more post COVID. I suggest you talk to the Capitol Hill crowd who have been waiting a long, long time……

Typo above close enough to walk not drive

[Anonymous]

Yes, that is many of our plans. I think it’s just hard to understand that many families are just not interested in what DCI offers. Enjoy IB for all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

Why don’t you tell us your current elementary and middle school feed then?

Because I can tell you for a fact that many families whose kids go to poorly performing IB schools get stress out more as their kid moves up in the higher grades from 1st/2nd on. Many friends have already bailed due to lottery luck, the achievement gap gets real fast, the behavior issues in the classroom intensifies, and middle school is just a few years away.

Prek, K not so much. But issues get real, really fast as you go up in grades and so does the stress. Fact.

OP, this is the kind of stressed out, anxiety you can avoid at a neighborhood DCPS. Join us and ignore the fear mongering, it’s lovely!

We’re in second in one of the schools on OP’s list, as an OOB family that is still walking distance. The differentiation is MUCH better than at the charters on OP’s list (except for LAMB and Yu Ying), and the behavioral issues are racist fear mongering. We’re not stressed and neither of our friends. We can plan and make decisions that are right for our families at the time, not hope that a decision we made for our preschooler still works for our middle schooler. Plus walking to school and friends houses. Can’t beat that!

I’m the PP above. Did you have a comprehension issue? The families I’m talking about above attend their neighborhood DCPS and are looking to get out. They are not at charters.

Yes, not all DCPS elementary schools are created equal. Luckily, OP and many of us have the good sense not to lump an entire school system into one and can evaluate each option individually. And OP and I are lucky to have many good options in the broader. Even if not EVERY option in the neighborhood is a good option. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water and all.

As someone who also lives in Ward 4 and has many friends and neighbors in middle elementary, you see this level of defensiveness often. They were thrilled when they “won” the lottery early, and are trying desperately to continue believing that their luck got them something better. But the weak academics, lack of DCPS resources, and crazy COVID policies become a harder pill to swallow as they get into upper grades. I see it ALL the time and I just nod and smile and wish them the best.

Ok but what if my IB DCPS is actively bad (we are there now), and we don't get into another DCPS OOB? We are putting charters on our lottery list as well because there's no guarantee we will get into a good DCPS.

Like what are you recommending? That OP only puts DCPS schools on her lottery list? What if there are decent charters that are much closer? Should she drive across town to attend a good DCPS over taking a spot at a decent charter that is walking distance? Also what if she only puts DCPS schools on her lottery list and gets in nowhere? Should she send her kid to the IB school they don't like over the charter they are currently happy with? You make no sense.

Or did you just come here to brag about how your kid got into a good DCPS that is near your house via the lottery. That's lucky. You were lucky. Not smart. Lucky.

Stop insulting other parents for doing the best they can with the breadcrumbs this city offers.

If you’re in Ward 4, there are many “good” DCPS schools that perform as well or better than the charters of comparable distance. You probably drive past them on your way to your charter. That’s what evaluate each school individually. Don’t assume that the only good DCPS schools are across the park, and that any EOTP charter is better than any EOTP DCPS. And you can most likely get into that good DCPS in kindergarten or first by the latest. Luck has nothing to do with it.

Thanks for the lecture, but I live in Ward 5, where that is not the case. There’s a huge concentration of charters here and very weak DCPS schools, especially at the MS/HS level. I wish that wasn’t the case, and that we’d improved these DCPS instead of putting like 10 charters in a Brookland to siphon off kids. But it is the case, and if you have a child in a DCPS, you watch as all the families that give a damn about education leave the school as soon as they can.

So maybe consider your situation is specific to you, not universal to families in DC, and stop lecturing people when all you did was get lucky in the lottery and to have a decent DCPS walking distance from your house.

[Anonymous]

But if you’re being honest, the families that really care about education are leaving the charters too. The issue is with DC public schools, not charters vs DCPS. A charter may buy you a few more years, but it doesn’t get you rigor. Which is why many families don’t care about gaming out the middle school lottery by pre-K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, that is many of our plans. I think it’s just hard to understand that many families are just not interested in what DCI offers. Enjoy IB for all.

We can easily afford private too but have more options than you. We are going to try out DCI. I have been following the school, and it’s definitely getting better and better and on an upward trajectory for sure. We have a few years and the cohorts coming thru the feeders are getting stronger and stronger.

If it’s a good fit, it’s going to easily save us 100-300k total. That is not small change and money that can better be used for college.

We are not interested in moving WOTP with all the problems with DCPS middle/high school there and no interest in moving out of the city. You would be surprised how many families are like us in the feeders.

I realize some families can’t afford private and will have to move out of the city. But there are many families who could afford private, who are planing on going to DCI.

BTW we have had a great experience at our feeder with Spanish and loved that our DS is learning so much Spanish. DS is doing really well, scoring very high on MAP in Spanish and we don’t support at home since we don’t speak it at all. Spanish and the school has been a really good fit for our family. I absolutely don’t regret prioritizing both immersion and the middle/high school feed when I looked at school options in the earlier years. I recommend you do too OP. It’s also a big relief not having to play the lottery again for elementary too.

The other great thing about DCI is they have great facilities, lots of sports, clubs, and extracurriculars. It’s also not too small and not too big of a school. Much better in these options than what Latin and Basis offers. It’s similar to suburban schools that I went to and nice to give my kid the same experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, that is many of our plans. I think it’s just hard to understand that many families are just not interested in what DCI offers. Enjoy IB for all.

So your plan is to go private or move for MS? What a hypocrite, hahah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the Spanish DCI feeder schools now have a preference, not a guarantee. You may be of the opinion that a 60% chance is better than nothing, or you may not want to put all of your eggs in that year’s lottery results basket and want something with an actual guarantee locked in by mid-upper elementary. I wouldn’t want to deal with that scramble in sixth grade (especially since you wouldn’t have Latin and Basis as options anymore), but YMMV.

I’m guessing you’re somewhere like Sela and are lotterying primarily for the middle school. We’re in the same boat and are only lotterying for Hardy/Deal feeders. If we’re happy at our school now and only want to have to move once, then we’re just not interested in gambling on a preference. But again, YMMV.

If I were you, I would list Shepherd first, then the rest of the JR feeders in order of commute and preference. Some are very overcrowded and have very different vibes from others. You have a zero percent shot at Bancroft and probably a few others, but if you have the spots, then can’t hurt. Then Yu Ying and LAMB (because it has the best odds out of the Spanish feeders), then the rest IF you are comfortable with the preference/guarantee situation.

OP, list the Spanish immersion high with the feed to DCI than ones with no middle school feed. It’s 60% if every kid is going to go to DCI which they don’t so your chances are higher as some move out of the area, move out of DC, etc…. This especially if you don’t want to move out of the city.

I would estimate more like 70-80% chance for DCI. Compare that with your IB school if MacFarland, it’s 0% in my book. That is a huge difference and then you won’t have to stress out every year worrying about middle school because the years go by fast. In addition you get the benefits or your kid knowing Spanish. Then you see how things shake out with the lottery for 6th with a very good chance for DCI. Your kid won’t even remember your current school 6-8 months into starting the new school.

BTW if you are happy where you live, the commute to WOTP can be a big hassle for school and then going back with rush hour trying to get downtown. Not something to take lightly.

lol, speaking like someone that had good lottery luck early. After striking out for years in a row, it would be the opposite of stress relieving to wait until sixth for a one-time roll of the dice. You’ll probably win, but if you don’t then you’re really and truly out of luck. “Sorry Larla you don’t get to go to middle school with all of your friends, instead we’re going to pack up and move to Maryland in the next three months.” Particularly not for mediocre academic quality at the elementary and middle/high school levels. No thank you!

Why don’t you tell us your current elementary and middle school feed then?

Because I can tell you for a fact that many families whose kids go to poorly performing IB schools get stress out more as their kid moves up in the higher grades from 1st/2nd on. Many friends have already bailed due to lottery luck, the achievement gap gets real fast, the behavior issues in the classroom intensifies, and middle school is just a few years away.

Prek, K not so much. But issues get real, really fast as you go up in grades and so does the stress. Fact.

OP, this is the kind of stressed out, anxiety you can avoid at a neighborhood DCPS. Join us and ignore the fear mongering, it’s lovely!

We’re in second in one of the schools on OP’s list, as an OOB family that is still walking distance. The differentiation is MUCH better than at the charters on OP’s list (except for LAMB and Yu Ying), and the behavioral issues are racist fear mongering. We’re not stressed and neither of our friends. We can plan and make decisions that are right for our families at the time, not hope that a decision we made for our preschooler still works for our middle schooler. Plus walking to school and friends houses. Can’t beat that!

I’m the PP above. Did you have a comprehension issue? The families I’m talking about above attend their neighborhood DCPS and are looking to get out. They are not at charters.

Yes, not all DCPS elementary schools are created equal. Luckily, OP and many of us have the good sense not to lump an entire school system into one and can evaluate each option individually. And OP and I are lucky to have many good options in the broader. Even if not EVERY option in the neighborhood is a good option. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water and all.

As someone who also lives in Ward 4 and has many friends and neighbors in middle elementary, you see this level of defensiveness often. They were thrilled when they “won” the lottery early, and are trying desperately to continue believing that their luck got them something better. But the weak academics, lack of DCPS resources, and crazy COVID policies become a harder pill to swallow as they get into upper grades. I see it ALL the time and I just nod and smile and wish them the best.

Ok but what if my IB DCPS is actively bad (we are there now), and we don't get into another DCPS OOB? We are putting charters on our lottery list as well because there's no guarantee we will get into a good DCPS.

Like what are you recommending? That OP only puts DCPS schools on her lottery list? What if there are decent charters that are much closer? Should she drive across town to attend a good DCPS over taking a spot at a decent charter that is walking distance? Also what if she only puts DCPS schools on her lottery list and gets in nowhere? Should she send her kid to the IB school they don't like over the charter they are currently happy with? You make no sense.

Or did you just come here to brag about how your kid got into a good DCPS that is near your house via the lottery. That's lucky. You were lucky. Not smart. Lucky.

Stop insulting other parents for doing the best they can with the breadcrumbs this city offers.

If you’re in Ward 4, there are many “good” DCPS schools that perform as well or better than the charters of comparable distance. You probably drive past them on your way to your charter. That’s what evaluate each school individually. Don’t assume that the only good DCPS schools are across the park, and that any EOTP charter is better than any EOTP DCPS. And you can most likely get into that good DCPS in kindergarten or first by the latest. Luck has nothing to do with it.

Thanks for the lecture, but I live in Ward 5, where that is not the case. There’s a huge concentration of charters here and very weak DCPS schools, especially at the MS/HS level. I wish that wasn’t the case, and that we’d improved these DCPS instead of putting like 10 charters in a Brookland to siphon off kids. But it is the case, and if you have a child in a DCPS, you watch as all the families that give a damn about education leave the school as soon as they can.

So maybe consider your situation is specific to you, not universal to families in DC, and stop lecturing people when all you did was get lucky in the lottery and to have a decent DCPS walking distance from your house.

This. But also what is "good" to one family may not be to others. Ee live in DC where demanding advanced classes, rigor and classroom management is "racist" and a violation of some perversion of "equity". What is "good" for you may be completely unacceptable for me. That doesn't make me a bad human or you dumb, we just have different standards and expectations. Stop imposing your definition of good on other people.