Capital Language Services vs. DCPS aftercare

[Anonymous]

Our school will be offering 2 aftercare options for next year – Capital Language Services and normal DCPS aftercare. The CLS option is about $100 more per month (and we’ve got two kids to consider, so this would add up) but seems to offer camps on off days. I’ve been trying to decide which to go with. Does anyone have any experience with both options they could offer, or does it really vary by school (Takoma Education Campus, if that is relevant)?

[Anonymous]

It varies by school. If you do a search you will find some very unhappy Lafayette parents that had CLS for the first time last year. However at Murch, where I am a parent, while there is more of a "it's fine" attitude and a more favorable opinion.

However, it's my understanding that how the programs were set up at each school was different and so that's part of the reason you can't compare the two.

Also as a Murch parent I'm a little unhappy that they've expanded again because I don't want to lose the staff we had.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It varies by school. If you do a search you will find some very unhappy Lafayette parents that had CLS for the first time last year. However at Murch, where I am a parent, while there is more of a "it's fine" attitude and a more favorable opinion.

However, it's my understanding that how the programs were set up at each school was different and so that's part of the reason you can't compare the two.

Also as a Murch parent I'm a little unhappy that they've expanded again because I don't want to lose the staff we had.

Thanks for responding. I know it might vary by school, but are the camp days included in the monthly fee or is that extra (at least for your school)?

[Anonymous]

The camps are extra and are a godsend.

We use them for the DCPS holidays. He knows the space, the staff, the schedule, etc. and the other kids.

[Anonymous]

Has CLS been at Takoma before?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It varies by school. If you do a search you will find some very unhappy Lafayette parents that had CLS for the first time last year. However at Murch, where I am a parent, while there is more of a "it's fine" attitude and a more favorable opinion.

However, it's my understanding that how the programs were set up at each school was different and so that's part of the reason you can't compare the two.

Also as a Murch parent I'm a little unhappy that they've expanded again because I don't want to lose the staff we had.

Things have changed at Lafayette as well. There was a rough start when CLS came to Lafayette last year, but I and most other parents I know who use it are happy now.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, all. One other question if anyone has any comments about how things are done in their school. For CLS it looks like we have a choice between a Spanish option and no spanish. For a preK kid with no previous spanish exposure, would it be too much to both be starting school and try to put them in the spanish group? Basically, is it more class, or do they give the kids time to run around and play as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has CLS been at Takoma before?

No, this is their first year at Takoma

[Anonymous]

As you compare prices make sure you take into account the "extras". I think for once-a-week Spanish it is $10 a month extra, if you want to do an "add" on special (for example, art), it is $50 a month for one class, $60 for two, etc. Supply fee of $70 per year. You don't need to sign up for these extras (but supply fee is required) but as I was registering I was surprised to find these were additional costs. Just something to keep in mind as you compare the pricing.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, another Lafayette parent here, who's been really pretty happy with CLS aftercare, and the days off camps. Our kids always have a blast, CLS has been very accommodating if we have a change in plans, and they have an option for (most) federal holidays too. At Lafayette, they've hired a bunch of high school students, which I think is great too (my kids LOVE their helpers)

[Anonymous]

Another Lafayettr parent quite happy with both cls and the price for what we get (compared to a few previous aftercare providers at other schools).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, all. One other question if anyone has any comments about how things are done in their school. For CLS it looks like we have a choice between a Spanish option and no spanish. For a preK kid with no previous spanish exposure, would it be too much to both be starting school and try to put them in the spanish group? Basically, is it more class, or do they give the kids time to run around and play as well?

If you look at their website, they spell out the schedule. IIRC, the kids get 45 minutes of "recess" before the class part starts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, all. One other question if anyone has any comments about how things are done in their school. For CLS it looks like we have a choice between a Spanish option and no spanish. For a preK kid with no previous spanish exposure, would it be too much to both be starting school and try to put them in the spanish group? Basically, is it more class, or do they give the kids time to run around and play as well?

It seems like a gazillion years ago (ha!) when my kids did CLS language after school (Murch). At the time, Murch did not have foreign language instruction. The kids managed the after school part just fine, and they did get time to play on the playground and run around, but double check your program specifics. I wanted to add, that after this daily after school experience through elementary and the normal Deal IB language program, my DCs tested off the charts at private high school placement, literally, and so took a different language in high school which now gives them two foreign language proficiencies. So in my experience it also was effective language instruction for my kids.

[Anonymous]

CLS is currently at Takoma Educational Campus, which is a very diverse school, however their afterschool enrollment doesn't reflect this. It is very disappointing and we don't understand why. It is a Title One school and we hope it's not because of cost. Our child is no longer at Takoma EC, but we noticed this last year and speaking with parents and staff, so far the same this year also. Some parents advise that it is very expensive and the information requested for financial aid is very invasive...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CLS is currently at Takoma Educational Campus, which is a very diverse school, however their afterschool enrollment doesn't reflect this. It is very disappointing and we don't understand why. It is a Title One school and we hope it's not because of cost. Our child is no longer at Takoma EC, but we noticed this last year and speaking with parents and staff, so far the same this year also. Some parents advise that it is very expensive and the information requested for financial aid is very invasive...

Um, it's probably because of cost. Also, not every family needs aftercare (if they're done with work early enough in the day, if they have a relative who can pick the kids up, if they work nights, etc.) and for those who speak Spanish already it may not make sense to pay extra for Spanish classes.