younger child and charter school- preference?

[Anonymous]

I have information that my office will be moving to DC but not for another year. We currently aren't in DC (currently suburbs) but would consider moving into DC. Say the office moves in a year, when my older child is entering Kindergarten and my younger is entering Preschool. If my younger child was given a seat at a charter school, is there any preference for the older child? (Asking since there are more preschool seats than seats for older kids.) I think preference works for younger sibs but what if only the younger gets a seat?

I know its a ways off, but schools aren't tip top where we are living either, so we are currently examining options for housing for the near term which also hinges on future considerations so any general information would be helpful.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the preference works both ways.

[Anonymous]

but ...... preference only works if there is a spot. You may initially wind up on a waitlist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:but ...... preference only works if there is a spot. You may initially wind up on a waitlist.

So, its possible my younger child could get a spot and my older child could get waitlisted, and it boils down to if there aren't any seats, there just aren't any seats, right? I would think there isn't a lot of movement in kindergarten so those seats are hard to get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:but ...... preference only works if there is a spot. You may initially wind up on a waitlist.

So, its possible my younger child could get a spot and my older child could get waitlisted, and it boils down to if there aren't any seats, there just aren't any seats, right? I would think there isn't a lot of movement in kindergarten so those seats are hard to get.

Yes, that's what it boils down to. Whether there are seats in any grade from year to year depends on the school. And, of course, you could get a great master number and get in everywhere, or a lousy one and be shut out everywhere.

The only 'sure thing' is to move in-bounds for a DCPS school you like for K and above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:but ...... preference only works if there is a spot. You may initially wind up on a waitlist.

So, its possible my younger child could get a spot and my older child could get waitlisted, and it boils down to if there aren't any seats, there just aren't any seats, right? I would think there isn't a lot of movement in kindergarten so those seats are hard to get.

Yes, but your older child could get in the following year as a sibling. Only you can decide if it's worth the wait.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:but ...... preference only works if there is a spot. You may initially wind up on a waitlist.

So, its possible my younger child could get a spot and my older child could get waitlisted, and it boils down to if there aren't any seats, there just aren't any seats, right? I would think there isn't a lot of movement in kindergarten so those seats are hard to get.

Yes, but your older child could get in the following year as a sibling. Only you can decide if it's worth the wait.

Ok, got it- so the initial year, there very likely wouldn't be a seat for kindergarten in the same school (assuming we got a preschool seat anyway- I know that is tough too) but if we had an alternate option for that year for the kindergartner, then the preference (for the older sib) kicks in the next school year.

Is this in writing anywhere? I think in the past I've seen info on sibling preference but always assumed it was for the younger. And I see how it works somewhat differently for an older child when the younger gets in.

Thanks everyone. This is helpful.

[Anonymous]

Just remember that for a few charter schools there comes a point/grade where new students are not admitted...period. Not for K, but a bit older...don't recall the specifics, but I think LAMB and YuYing are two of them that stop accepting new students at a certain age/grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:but ...... preference only works if there is a spot. You may initially wind up on a waitlist.

So, its possible my younger child could get a spot and my older child could get waitlisted, and it boils down to if there aren't any seats, there just aren't any seats, right? I would think there isn't a lot of movement in kindergarten so those seats are hard to get.

Yes, but your older child could get in the following year as a sibling. Only you can decide if it's worth the wait.

Ok, got it- so the initial year, there very likely wouldn't be a seat for kindergarten in the same school (assuming we got a preschool seat anyway- I know that is tough too) but if we had an alternate option for that year for the kindergartner, then the preference (for the older sib) kicks in the next school year.

Is this in writing anywhere? I think in the past I've seen info on sibling preference but always assumed it was for the younger. And I see how it works somewhat differently for an older child when the younger gets in.

Thanks everyone. This is helpful.

There is a good FAQ on myschooldc.org which covers preferences but won't have every scenario detailed. You should also call the MySchoolDC staff there and talk it through. They are really good and helpful -- and more reliable that what you will learn here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:but ...... preference only works if there is a spot. You may initially wind up on a waitlist.

So, its possible my younger child could get a spot and my older child could get waitlisted, and it boils down to if there aren't any seats, there just aren't any seats, right? I would think there isn't a lot of movement in kindergarten so those seats are hard to get.

Yes, but your older child could get in the following year as a sibling. Only you can decide if it's worth the wait.

Ok, got it- so the initial year, there very likely wouldn't be a seat for kindergarten in the same school (assuming we got a preschool seat anyway- I know that is tough too) but if we had an alternate option for that year for the kindergartner, then the preference (for the older sib) kicks in the next school year.

Is this in writing anywhere? I think in the past I've seen info on sibling preference but always assumed it was for the younger. And I see how it works somewhat differently for an older child when the younger gets in.

Thanks everyone. This is helpful.

There is a good FAQ on myschooldc.org which covers preferences but won't have every scenario detailed. You should also call the MySchoolDC staff there and talk it through. They are really good and helpful -- and more reliable that what you will learn here.

Thank you- I didn't realize there were people there who would be available for questions. This will all send me in the right direction. I appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just remember that for a few charter schools there comes a point/grade where new students are not admitted...period. Not for K, but a bit older...don't recall the specifics, but I think LAMB and YuYing are two of them that stop accepting new students at a certain age/grade.

At Yu Ying, pretty much the only way to get in as a K-2nd student, is to have your younger sibling ride you in. BTW, that's practically impossible, since almost all of the PS3 group are sibling preference. The best odds into Yu Ying as an outsider is the extra class they add for PK4 (PS3 is 3 classes, but they add one for PK4). After that, you'll probably only get in if your little sister gets lucky. It may be the best ES in the city, and it has a Great Wall built around it.

[Anonymous]

To get sibling preference, must both siblings list the school? E.g., if Yu Ying would be a wasted spot for DD6 so it isn't on her list at all, can DD2 list it, get in for PK3, and pull in DD6?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To get sibling preference, must both siblings list the school? E.g., if Yu Ying would be a wasted spot for DD6 so it isn't on her list at all, can DD2 list it, get in for PK3, and pull in DD6?

If DD2 gets a spot at YY for PK3, you could then add it to DD6's post-lottery list. But you will be ranked below any kids of the same preference category (sibling accepted) who listed it among their lottery picks and wound up waitlisted.

[Anonymous]

What is DD6?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is DD6?

A daughter who is 6 years old.