Any great DC public schools?

[Anonymous]

Looking for some help from DC public school moms. Moving to the city, probably going to downsize to a 2 bedroom. I’m open to moving any neighborhood (up to 400k) near a great public middle school. My son has been is a dual language program since kindergarten and enjoys speaking Spanish. He is also in special education and pulled out for math and reading. My first grader a typical learner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking for some help from DC public school moms. Moving to the city, probably going to downsize to a 2 bedroom. I’m open to moving any neighborhood (up to 400k) near a great public middle school. My son has been is a dual language program since kindergarten and enjoys speaking Spanish. He is also in special education and pulled out for math and reading. My first grader a typical learner.

Look in Maryland.

[Anonymous]

Or consider renting. You will not find a two-bedroom home in your price range near a great public middle school in DC.

[Anonymous]

MacFarland is the Spanish program middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MacFarland is the Spanish program middle school.

She said "great"--none of the McFarland feeders are producing anythign even approaching a strong or above grade cohort.

[Anonymous]

OP - use Redfin and do a search for condos in-bound for Deal Middle School and Hardy Middle School. Neither are dual-language, but they are probably the closest to 'great' you will find in the city.

Just doublecheck the boundary with the tool at this link http://dcatlas.dcgis.dc.gov/schools/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking for some help from DC public school moms. Moving to the city, probably going to downsize to a 2 bedroom. I’m open to moving any neighborhood (up to 400k) near a great public middle school. My son has been is a dual language program since kindergarten and enjoys speaking Spanish. He is also in special education and pulled out for math and reading. My first grader a typical learner.

Look in Maryland.

Unfortunately, I agree with this rec. I assume you're moving from TX or another low-cost area--the DC area is very expensive, and even if you're considering condos you'd need to increase your target price to be zoned for a good school.

You may want to check in the real estate forum, but I think they'll confirm that Silver Spring MD might be a better bet.

[Anonymous]

$400k is a below-average price for a 2br in DC. It will not get you much in a good school district.

If you want Spanish immersion, look in the Rock Creek Forest neighborhood of Maryland--something like https://www.redfin.com/MD/Silver-Spring/2412-Colston-Dr-20910/unit-C-202/home/146180942 is close to the Silver Spring metro and to DC itself. The elementary school has immersion (I don't know if they take everyone--you can ask on the Maryland schools page) and the high school is well-regarded. Not sure about the middle.

In DC, I don't think there's anything in your budget in-bounds for Oyster Adams (the highest-scoring bilingual school, which goes through 8th grade). You could enter the lottery for it and DC International but your odds are not good.

Here are a few 2brs that could work for you but the condo fees add to your monthly expenses.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/4200-Cathedral-Ave-NW-20016/unit-407/home/9958001

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/3018-Porter-St-NW-20008/unit-204/home/39976857

[Anonymous]

OP, I used to live in the Gables, a fantastic building right next to Oyster-Adams (a bilingual schools that goes through 8th grade). If you're at all interested in renting, they have beautiful, roomy two-bedroom/two-bath units there.

[Anonymous]

Why not try Powell? The first grade cohort is pretty good and perhaps you can find a condo in that price range or just rent in the Oyster boundary until you get lucky in the DC schools lottery for an immersion DCI elementary school until middle school.

[Anonymous]

OP, can you give a little more info about the special ed piece? There is a wide range of programs/services, etc. in DC area schools depending on what the student needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, can you give a little more info about the special ed piece? There is a wide range of programs/services, etc. in DC area schools depending on what the student needs.

If the child is doing fine in a dual language school with pullouts for 2 subjects, any DCPS will handle that in the neighborhood school. Those are Level 1 services that would not make him eligible for any specialized programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I used to live in the Gables, a fantastic building right next to Oyster-Adams (a bilingual schools that goes through 8th grade). If you're at all interested in renting, they have beautiful, roomy two-bedroom/two-bath units there.

Yes in bound for Oyster Adams is your best bet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I used to live in the Gables, a fantastic building right next to Oyster-Adams (a bilingual schools that goes through 8th grade). If you're at all interested in renting, they have beautiful, roomy two-bedroom/two-bath units there.

Yes in bound for Oyster Adams is your best bet.

Those 2 BR units are $3,900 per month fwiw

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, can you give a little more info about the special ed piece? There is a wide range of programs/services, etc. in DC area schools depending on what the student needs.

If the child is doing fine in a dual language school with pullouts for 2 subjects, any DCPS will handle that in the neighborhood school. Those are Level 1 services that would not make him eligible for any specialized programs.

Perhaps. But if the OP says the student is special ed, there are some schools that do that better than others. And it might make a difference when choosing between DC and Maryland.