Lottery selections for 6th grader and 3rd grader

[Anonymous]

I posted before about moving from out of state mid-school year, so our first lottery is for 17-18 school year. I've only used School Digger for ratings - I have no clue what to do otherwise. I live near Eastern Ave and Riggs Rd, in-boundary is LaSalle.

3rd grader

KIPP Lead
KIPP Heights
KIPP Promise
KIPP Quest
KIPP Spring
EL Haynes
Capital City
Creative Minds
Center City Brightwood
CC Petworth
CC Trinidad
CC Capitol Hill


5th grader

BASIS
Washington Latin
KIPP in above order
EL Haynes
Capital City
Creative Minds
Capital City in above order


Is this an effective lottery list? I'm still attempting to find a good rental WOTP so that I don't have to worry about this lottery until high school.

[Anonymous]

You really need to go on more than just ratings. I am going through the process as well, moving from out of state with a current 4th grader. The advantage I have is that I lived in and taught in DC previously, and I know the climate and am familiar with many of the schools.

For charters, start at this site: http://www.dcpcsb.org/find-a-school

Dig deep. Sure, look at test scores, but also look at demographics, etc. I look for diversity. I'm not going to send her to a school that is 99% black or a school that is 99% white. Basis and Latin are my top choices as well, but Basis makes me nervous. It is a LOT of work, LOTS of homework, very rigorous. I have a bright child, but can she keep up with that? I don't know. Don't rule out public schools. The top schools in the city are more likely to be publics than charters. Of course, the worst schools in the city are more likely to be publics as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You really need to go on more than just ratings. I am going through the process as well, moving from out of state with a current 4th grader. The advantage I have is that I lived in and taught in DC previously, and I know the climate and am familiar with many of the schools.

For charters, start at this site: http://www.dcpcsb.org/find-a-school

Dig deep. Sure, look at test scores, but also look at demographics, etc. I look for diversity. I'm not going to send her to a school that is 99% black or a school that is 99% white. Basis and Latin are my top choices as well, but Basis makes me nervous. It is a LOT of work, LOTS of homework, very rigorous. I have a bright child, but can she keep up with that? I don't know. Don't rule out public schools. The top schools in the city are more likely to be publics than charters. Of course, the worst schools in the city are more likely to be publics as well.

OP here.
I'll follow your advice and have some questions too. So if they get into an elementary school out of boundary, will I need to keep applying to the lottery to keep them in the school? If not, will I need to apply for my other two kids to follow my eldest when they leave elementary? I just really would like to be able to get them in a school they can stay in at least until 9th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You really need to go on more than just ratings. I am going through the process as well, moving from out of state with a current 4th grader. The advantage I have is that I lived in and taught in DC previously, and I know the climate and am familiar with many of the schools.

For charters, start at this site: http://www.dcpcsb.org/find-a-school

Dig deep. Sure, look at test scores, but also look at demographics, etc. I look for diversity. I'm not going to send her to a school that is 99% black or a school that is 99% white. Basis and Latin are my top choices as well, but Basis makes me nervous. It is a LOT of work, LOTS of homework, very rigorous. I have a bright child, but can she keep up with that? I don't know. Don't rule out public schools. The top schools in the city are more likely to be publics than charters. Of course, the worst schools in the city are more likely to be publics as well.

Yes. Also look at the "style" of the school. You have KIPP as a top choice, however I would not send my kids to a KIPP for several reasons. Those reasons may not even be a blip on your radar, or you may be a fan of their style. Ratings only tell you so much, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You really need to go on more than just ratings. I am going through the process as well, moving from out of state with a current 4th grader. The advantage I have is that I lived in and taught in DC previously, and I know the climate and am familiar with many of the schools.

For charters, start at this site: http://www.dcpcsb.org/find-a-school

Dig deep. Sure, look at test scores, but also look at demographics, etc. I look for diversity. I'm not going to send her to a school that is 99% black or a school that is 99% white. Basis and Latin are my top choices as well, but Basis makes me nervous. It is a LOT of work, LOTS of homework, very rigorous. I have a bright child, but can she keep up with that? I don't know. Don't rule out public schools. The top schools in the city are more likely to be publics than charters. Of course, the worst schools in the city are more likely to be publics as well.

OP here.
I'll follow your advice and have some questions too. So if they get into an elementary school out of boundary, will I need to keep applying to the lottery to keep them in the school? If not, will I need to apply for my other two kids to follow my eldest when they leave elementary? I just really would like to be able to get them in a school they can stay in at least until 9th grade.

No, if they get in OOB, you don't need to reapply in the lottery every year. Your youngest get sibling preference from the older sibling, provided that sibling attends the school they're applying to. They will need to apply via lottery, but will get sibling preference. Otherwise, once they're in a school, they can stay in that school until they age out of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. Also look at the "style" of the school. You have KIPP as a top choice, however I would not send my kids to a KIPP for several reasons. Those reasons may not even be a blip on your radar, or you may be a fan of their style. Ratings only tell you so much, though.

Yeah... After searching these forums, I see some comments that are causing me to question KIPP and Basis for my boys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. Also look at the "style" of the school. You have KIPP as a top choice, however I would not send my kids to a KIPP for several reasons. Those reasons may not even be a blip on your radar, or you may be a fan of their style. Ratings only tell you so much, though.

Yeah... After searching these forums, I see some comments that are causing me to question KIPP and Basis for my boys.

yes read read read. I think KIPP is off. Likely Basis (for me). But you should go visit the schools too (sorry, I don't member if you are long distance) because DCUM gets things wrong.

[Anonymous]

Use learndc.org -- search for each school. You can go deep into demographics and test scores by grade.

Make a list and then do open houses. BASIS allows student shadow days prior to the lottery if you can get to DC.

[Anonymous]

Comparing KIPP and Creative Minds is like oranges and apples. KIPP is very strict on rules, but still chaos ensues in some ways. Creative Minds is a whole other mindset.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Use learndc.org -- search for each school. You can go deep into demographics and test scores by grade.

Make a list and then do open houses. BASIS allows student shadow days prior to the lottery if you can get to DC.

Sorry - I should've clarified that we're here in DC now. Have our drivers licenses and vehicle registration done.
And thank you for that resource. I've been scouring the internet all day.

[Anonymous]

I would have Inspired Teaching (don't see listed, but they go through 8th and only about 5-6 minute further drive from Creative Minds), Creative Minds, Two Rivers (don't see but may be too far) on the top of the list for both. Then Latin, Basis for 5th grader (or do you mean 6th?, you wrote both). If 6th grader, know that Basis and Latin will be very, very hard but good chances for Inspired, Creative, and Two Rivers.

[Anonymous]

Bridges would be a good location for you, I think. Your 3rd grader would have a good chance at Watkins, Brent and Maury. Jefferson Middle School deserves a look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bridges would be a good location for you, I think. Your 3rd grader would have a good chance at Watkins, Brent and Maury. Jefferson Middle School deserves a look.

This would be a hell of a commute unless OP already commutes to Capitol Hill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would have Inspired Teaching (don't see listed, but they go through 8th and only about 5-6 minute further drive from Creative Minds), Creative Minds, Two Rivers (don't see but may be too far) on the top of the list for both. Then Latin, Basis for 5th grader (or do you mean 6th?, you wrote both). If 6th grader, know that Basis and Latin will be very, very hard but good chances for Inspired, Creative, and Two Rivers.

Sorry, 5th grader currently, going to 6th next year.

And thank you. I didn't see Inspired Teaching anywhere and didn't know about them - I will look them up! I also thought about Two Rivers and can include them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bridges would be a good location for you, I think. Your 3rd grader would have a good chance at Watkins, Brent and Maury. Jefferson Middle School deserves a look.

Thank you. I'll check the commute too (currently am not commuting to Capitol Hill as PP mentioned with regard to transporting kids).