When is the immersion lottery posted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curious about the first grade numbers, specifically Page. I know most schools don’t draw much into the waitlist, but I think there is more movement generally for Page due to location? (We have a really low waitlist number but I now it’s no guarantee for first grade.)

I don’t have info about Page but it varies so much both because of the number of available spaces / initial offers and also whether anyone drops in the fall, both of which can have big impacts. I wonder if they’d tell you how far they got last year, though.

Yes you can ask how far they got last year - good luck, it’s a great program with one of the best principals in MCPS!

[Anonymous]

Has anyone asked how many applications they got this year? I know it can vary quite a bit. I don't know for sure but I wouldn't be surprised if that is correlated to waitlist movement. (More applications, maybe some of them less serious, more movement?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have kids in 2 different immersion programs? We did not get our younger child into their siblings school, but they did get a spot in another program (different language). I wish they could prioritize keeping siblings together because the differences in bus routes is a lot for our family to manage. It kind of screws over our youngest.

My kids are 3rd and 7th and are going through two completely separate immersion pathways, but in the same language. Nearly all siblings of my 7th grader eventually got into the same school as the older child--they just apply for the lottery each year. Removing sibling preference is silly as 99% of my 7th grader's younger siblings eventually get into the same school (just not mine!!)

[Anonymous]

Aside for those starting immersion programs -- There have been a few of us parents asking MCPS for guidance on the immersion programs as they relate to the new regional program boundaries. They assured a friend of mine that they would provide guidance before lottery results were out. However, that is not the case. They have said they are discussing changes to the immersion programs and pathways but nothing is finalized yet. So, be aware that even if you enroll now, things may change and you may not be able to continue down the road. Maybe they will grandfather people in???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aside for those starting immersion programs -- There have been a few of us parents asking MCPS for guidance on the immersion programs as they relate to the new regional program boundaries. They assured a friend of mine that they would provide guidance before lottery results were out. However, that is not the case. They have said they are discussing changes to the immersion programs and pathways but nothing is finalized yet. So, be aware that even if you enroll now, things may change and you may not be able to continue down the road. Maybe they will grandfather people in???

I certainly don’t know but I’m guessing that if rising K and up are affected, it will be middle school pathways. I’m sorry they didn’t have guidance before lottery results were out, but those of us in the lower grades already are probably similarly affected.

I didn’t apply for the lottery this year but I wonder if the uncertainty could result in more declines /WL movement.

[Anonymous]

Do we think they will eliminate immersion all together? Or simply make you stay in your own region (which I’m all for if they spread out the programs).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do we think they will eliminate immersion all together? Or simply make you stay in your own region (which I’m all for if they spread out the programs).

I would be very surprised by the former and I think the latter is possible.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think they have enough immersion teachers for 6 regions k-5.

My outsider guess is this successful full immersion program will continue as is and because there are not enough immersion teachers they will continue as is. Both Chinese half immersion programs should be open to the county for equity.

[Anonymous]

One way immersion is a huge, long-standing success for MCPS. It’s definitely not going anywhere. The program is fantastic and if you are lucky to be invited and the logistics work for your family - welcome to one of the best perks of MCPS. IMO, the goal should be program expansion - replicating something so successful in other schools should’ve happened a long time ago!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One way immersion is a huge, long-standing success for MCPS. It’s definitely not going anywhere. The program is fantastic and if you are lucky to be invited and the logistics work for your family - welcome to one of the best perks of MCPS. IMO, the goal should be program expansion - replicating something so successful in other schools should’ve happened a long time ago!

Agree. I agree about the challenges expanding, but it seems like Spanish could get more sections and/or schools.

[Anonymous]

When do second round invitations usually go out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One way immersion is a huge, long-standing success for MCPS. It’s definitely not going anywhere. The program is fantastic and if you are lucky to be invited and the logistics work for your family - welcome to one of the best perks of MCPS. IMO, the goal should be program expansion - replicating something so successful in other schools should’ve happened a long time ago!

I think it has good results because it is opt-in. The kids who attend all have parents that are super on top of things and willing to deal with the commute. And if the kid doesn't do well with immersion they can just go back to the home school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When do second round invitations usually go out?

It has varied. It’s possible there will be some next week, but sometimes they take longer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think they have enough immersion teachers for 6 regions k-5.

My outsider guess is this successful full immersion program will continue as is and because there are not enough immersion teachers they will continue as is. Both Chinese half immersion programs should be open to the county for equity.

They should minimally move 1 Spanish program up county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think they have enough immersion teachers for 6 regions k-5.

My outsider guess is this successful full immersion program will continue as is and because there are not enough immersion teachers they will continue as is. Both Chinese half immersion programs should be open to the county for equity.

They should minimally move 1 Spanish program up county.

Thats a good point. The last program they chose to put at Page but its lacking in upcounty.