APS Montessori Waitlist question

[Anonymous]

Question to the experienced parents -- hopefully get some guidance/input.

We have twins of pre-school age and recently got on #5 of the waitlist for Discovery montessori pre-K --

We've heard two theories:

1. Very likely to get in as #5, based on historical experience and because there will be two classes open for the new school year -- however, we may have to wait until July or even past September to know for sure.

2. Not so likely to get in as #5 -- because there are actually only a handful of available spots for pre-K. Although we are at #5 waitlist, we would need 2 spots to be open -- and the chance becomes slimmer as the handful of spots are divided into above/below income limit pools.

We have toured pre-schools in April/May and are already on the edge of signing up for another pre-school. It's going to be difficult to back out of the other pre-school past July/September. On the other hand, Discovery would be a much easier logistic choice.

So, our dilemma is whether we should wait for Discovery and hire a nanny in the interim? How do parents handle the interim period while on the waitlist? What's the chance of actually getting in as #5 on the waitlist?

Thank you in advance for your advice!

[Anonymous]

I can only offer my own experience on WL movement, which was 3 years ago we were #3 at Drew and #17 at Hoffman-Boston. We got off the Drew waitlist basically immediately, and did get off at Hoffman-Boston too, but I think not until August. We preferred Drew so that's where we wound up.

Knowing nothing about Discovery, I would imagine being #5/6 on the WL is a pretty good bet you'll get in, but I'm completely guessing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question to the experienced parents -- hopefully get some guidance/input.

We have twins of pre-school age and recently got on #5 of the waitlist for Discovery montessori pre-K --

We've heard two theories:

1. Very likely to get in as #5, based on historical experience and because there will be two classes open for the new school year -- however, we may have to wait until July or even past September to know for sure.

2. Not so likely to get in as #5 -- because there are actually only a handful of available spots for pre-K. Although we are at #5 waitlist, we would need 2 spots to be open -- and the chance becomes slimmer as the handful of spots are divided into above/below income limit pools.

We have toured pre-schools in April/May and are already on the edge of signing up for another pre-school. It's going to be difficult to back out of the other pre-school past July/September. On the other hand, Discovery would be a much easier logistic choice.

So, our dilemma is whether we should wait for Discovery and hire a nanny in the interim? How do parents handle the interim period while on the waitlist? What's the chance of actually getting in as #5 on the waitlist?

Thank you in advance for your advice!

No one can tell you this. If you put down a deposit on another preschool, you might get into Discovery and have to make a choice and potentially lose a deposte. If you forego the other preschools and don't get into Discovery, you may not have preschool at all for next year. Only you can decide which risk you're more comfortable with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can only offer my own experience on WL movement, which was 3 years ago we were #3 at Drew and #17 at Hoffman-Boston. We got off the Drew waitlist basically immediately, and did get off at Hoffman-Boston too, but I think not until August. We preferred Drew so that's where we wound up.

Knowing nothing about Discovery, I would imagine being #5/6 on the WL is a pretty good bet you'll get in, but I'm completely guessing.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Very helpful to at least know about the movement!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question to the experienced parents -- hopefully get some guidance/input.

We have twins of pre-school age and recently got on #5 of the waitlist for Discovery montessori pre-K --

We've heard two theories:

1. Very likely to get in as #5, based on historical experience and because there will be two classes open for the new school year -- however, we may have to wait until July or even past September to know for sure.

2. Not so likely to get in as #5 -- because there are actually only a handful of available spots for pre-K. Although we are at #5 waitlist, we would need 2 spots to be open -- and the chance becomes slimmer as the handful of spots are divided into above/below income limit pools.

We have toured pre-schools in April/May and are already on the edge of signing up for another pre-school. It's going to be difficult to back out of the other pre-school past July/September. On the other hand, Discovery would be a much easier logistic choice.

So, our dilemma is whether we should wait for Discovery and hire a nanny in the interim? How do parents handle the interim period while on the waitlist? What's the chance of actually getting in as #5 on the waitlist?

Thank you in advance for your advice!

No one can tell you this. If you put down a deposit on another preschool, you might get into Discovery and have to make a choice and potentially lose a deposte. If you forego the other preschools and don't get into Discovery, you may not have preschool at all for next year. Only you can decide which risk you're more comfortable with.

Understood and appreciate the input! I think hearing from parents with prior experience on the waitlist would be helpful for me to decide!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question to the experienced parents -- hopefully get some guidance/input.

We have twins of pre-school age and recently got on #5 of the waitlist for Discovery montessori pre-K --

We've heard two theories:

1. Very likely to get in as #5, based on historical experience and because there will be two classes open for the new school year -- however, we may have to wait until July or even past September to know for sure.

2. Not so likely to get in as #5 -- because there are actually only a handful of available spots for pre-K. Although we are at #5 waitlist, we would need 2 spots to be open -- and the chance becomes slimmer as the handful of spots are divided into above/below income limit pools.

We have toured pre-schools in April/May and are already on the edge of signing up for another pre-school. It's going to be difficult to back out of the other pre-school past July/September. On the other hand, Discovery would be a much easier logistic choice.

So, our dilemma is whether we should wait for Discovery and hire a nanny in the interim? How do parents handle the interim period while on the waitlist? What's the chance of actually getting in as #5 on the waitlist?

Thank you in advance for your advice!

Are you sure you want your kids going to public montessori in APS? I have heard the private options in Arlington are much better.

[Anonymous]

Past year's experience probably isn't a great measure to go off of. They didn't take anyone from the lottery for the lower elementary montessori program for next year and they're not planning to expand the program in the next couple of years given the Henry move, so people who lottery into the primary montessori program will be less inclined to give up their spots knowing it probably means giving up montessori for elementary school. Also, Drew and Hoffman-Boston are not good comparison points because those school have several more montessori classes than Discovery.

Where did you hear that Discovery will have two classes next year? Next year's budget only provided for one Montessori teacher and one Montessori assistant at Discovery, so unless they're switching a class there from another school, I'd be surprised if there are two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question to the experienced parents -- hopefully get some guidance/input.

We have twins of pre-school age and recently got on #5 of the waitlist for Discovery montessori pre-K --

We've heard two theories:

1. Very likely to get in as #5, based on historical experience and because there will be two classes open for the new school year -- however, we may have to wait until July or even past September to know for sure.

2. Not so likely to get in as #5 -- because there are actually only a handful of available spots for pre-K. Although we are at #5 waitlist, we would need 2 spots to be open -- and the chance becomes slimmer as the handful of spots are divided into above/below income limit pools.

We have toured pre-schools in April/May and are already on the edge of signing up for another pre-school. It's going to be difficult to back out of the other pre-school past July/September. On the other hand, Discovery would be a much easier logistic choice.

So, our dilemma is whether we should wait for Discovery and hire a nanny in the interim? How do parents handle the interim period while on the waitlist? What's the chance of actually getting in as #5 on the waitlist?

Thank you in advance for your advice!

Are you sure you want your kids going to public montessori in APS? I have heard the private options in Arlington are much better.

What may be the differences? I’ve heard great things about the APS program?

[Anonymous]

Ive heard that there is little movement on WL at Discovery.

[Anonymous]

They do separate lotteries for the income pools, so you're not behind four kids who might qualify for the lower-income seats instead, you're behind four students hoping to get one of 5-6 upper-income seats at Discovery. You pretty much need a full turnover of that group to get both of your kids in, and the odds of that happening are very low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Past year's experience probably isn't a great measure to go off of. They didn't take anyone from the lottery for the lower elementary montessori program for next year and they're not planning to expand the program in the next couple of years given the Henry move, so people who lottery into the primary montessori program will be less inclined to give up their spots knowing it probably means giving up montessori for elementary school. Also, Drew and Hoffman-Boston are not good comparison points because those school have several more montessori classes than Discovery.

Where did you hear that Discovery will have two classes next year? Next year's budget only provided for one Montessori teacher and one Montessori assistant at Discovery, so unless they're switching a class there from another school, I'd be surprised if there are two.

So basically, APS held a lottery for elementary Montesorri, but only accepted applicants from APS primary preschool, who are guaranteed admission and don't need to lottery in? What is the point of holding a lottery if not a single entrant is selected?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They do separate lotteries for the income pools, so you're not behind four kids who might qualify for the lower-income seats instead, you're behind four students hoping to get one of 5-6 upper-income seats at Discovery. You pretty much need a full turnover of that group to get both of your kids in, and the odds of that happening are very low.

Thanks - that’s what I thought as well - another thought was that because lottery parents had probably casted a wide net - so it really depends which one turns out to be the best logistic choice. So in that case the four families may be getting better seats elsewhere and forgo Discovery. Hence another reason I wanted to see historical trend.

Appreciate all the input above!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They do separate lotteries for the income pools, so you're not behind four kids who might qualify for the lower-income seats instead, you're behind four students hoping to get one of 5-6 upper-income seats at Discovery. You pretty much need a full turnover of that group to get both of your kids in, and the odds of that happening are very low.

Thanks - that’s what I thought as well - another thought was that because lottery parents had probably casted a wide net - so it really depends which one turns out to be the best logistic choice. So in that case the four families may be getting better seats elsewhere and forgo Discovery. Hence another reason I wanted to see historical trend.

Appreciate all the input above!

The school has only been open for three years, there’s not much historical trend to get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Past year's experience probably isn't a great measure to go off of. They didn't take anyone from the lottery for the lower elementary montessori program for next year and they're not planning to expand the program in the next couple of years given the Henry move, so people who lottery into the primary montessori program will be less inclined to give up their spots knowing it probably means giving up montessori for elementary school. Also, Drew and Hoffman-Boston are not good comparison points because those school have several more montessori classes than Discovery.

Where did you hear that Discovery will have two classes next year? Next year's budget only provided for one Montessori teacher and one Montessori assistant at Discovery, so unless they're switching a class there from another school, I'd be surprised if there are two.

One of the two classrooms is being transferred from McKinley. So only seeing the budget for one makes sense there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question to the experienced parents -- hopefully get some guidance/input.

We have twins of pre-school age and recently got on #5 of the waitlist for Discovery montessori pre-K --

We've heard two theories:

1. Very likely to get in as #5, based on historical experience and because there will be two classes open for the new school year -- however, we may have to wait until July or even past September to know for sure.

2. Not so likely to get in as #5 -- because there are actually only a handful of available spots for pre-K. Although we are at #5 waitlist, we would need 2 spots to be open -- and the chance becomes slimmer as the handful of spots are divided into above/below income limit pools.

We have toured pre-schools in April/May and are already on the edge of signing up for another pre-school. It's going to be difficult to back out of the other pre-school past July/September. On the other hand, Discovery would be a much easier logistic choice.

So, our dilemma is whether we should wait for Discovery and hire a nanny in the interim? How do parents handle the interim period while on the waitlist? What's the chance of actually getting in as #5 on the waitlist?

Thank you in advance for your advice!

Are you sure you want your kids going to public montessori in APS? I have heard the private options in Arlington are much better.

What’s wrong with public Montessori at APS?