might buy a house in Barnaby Woods; are parents and children generally happy with Lafayette School?

[Anonymous]

Hi Folks,

My wife and I may make an offer on a house in Barnaby Woods. Our son -- who is 4 years old -- would attend Lafayette Elementary school next year.

We are looking for feedback from parents of children who are currently attending Lafayette. Are you generally satisfied? What are the pros and cons of this school?

A second question: given a choice between Lafayette, Stoddert and Janney, which would you pick and why?

Thanks for your help.

[Anonymous]

We live in the neighborhood and have been very happy with Lafayette (2 kids there now). The new building is great, we've had excellent teachers, and we're supportive of the principal. There are tours offered at least once a month--you should come check it out for yourself.

I think Janney and Stoddert are also excellent schools. Lafayette is the largest of the three, although Janney is also big. I would let your chioce of house drive the decision, as the real estate market in those three areas is pretty competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in the neighborhood and have been very happy with Lafayette (2 kids there now). The new building is great, we've had excellent teachers, and we're supportive of the principal. There are tours offered at least once a month--you should come check it out for yourself.

I think Janney and Stoddert are also excellent schools. Lafayette is the largest of the three, although Janney is also big. I would let your chioce of house drive the decision, as the real estate market in those three areas is pretty competitive.

Thanks very much for the feedback. After the expansion of the facilities, am I correct that the school is no longer over-crowded? Do you think there is any near-term risk that its enrollment will again swell beyond the school's capacity?

[Anonymous]

You've bought into what is generally considered the best (its certainly the highest testing) public elementary school in DC. Parents living out-of-boundary would CUT you to get a spot at that school. I would search the threads on DCUM to get an idea of some of the hurdles ie. crowding, construction issues that parents have been talking about.

[Anonymous]

I personally would not live in DC and live in the whitest part of the city and then send my kid to one of the whitest school. But if that's what you are after- you will find lots of like-minded folks at Lafayette and you will be happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally would not live in DC and live in the whitest part of the city and then send my kid to one of the whitest school. But if that's what you are after- you will find lots of like-minded folks at Lafayette and you will be happy.

We lived in Petworth for many years. We moved out after the second break-in into our home. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to my son. We miss the diversity -- but safety comes first.

[Anonymous]

Loved Barnaby woods but we went to Beauvoir due to overcrowding at Lafayette

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Loved Barnaby woods but we went to Beauvoir due to overcrowding at Lafayette

Any real or perceived crowding that may or may not have been true no longer exists at the new school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally would not live in DC and live in the whitest part of the city and then send my kid to one of the whitest school. But if that's what you are after- you will find lots of like-minded folks at Lafayette and you will be happy.

Chill. Lafayette is 30% minority.

[Anonymous]

We chose private school but LOVED Barnaby Woods when we lived there. We moved to CCMD and really miss Barnaby Woods. The neighborhood is beautiful and is full of great people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You've bought into what is generally considered the best (its certainly the highest testing) public elementary school in DC. Parents living out-of-boundary would CUT you to get a spot at that school. I would search the threads on DCUM to get an idea of some of the hurdles ie. crowding, construction issues that parents have been talking about.

Highest in testing? Not in all subjects.

[Anonymous]

Do you have to verify residency in boundary every year? In other words, if a family moves to a new neighborhood, can the child continue on at the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally would not live in DC and live in the whitest part of the city and then send my kid to one of the whitest school. But if that's what you are after- you will find lots of like-minded folks at Lafayette and you will be happy.

Chill. Lafayette is 30% minority.

In a city that is 35% white.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally would not live in DC and live in the whitest part of the city and then send my kid to one of the whitest school. But if that's what you are after- you will find lots of like-minded folks at Lafayette and you will be happy.

We are a minority family at Lafayette and totally satisfied by the level of diversity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have to verify residency in boundary every year? In other words, if a family moves to a new neighborhood, can the child continue on at the school?

You have to verify residency in every DCPS every year.