Tough Decision - Stokes EE or ITS
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Anonymous
| I think I am about to have to make a decision I didn't want to make. We are under 5 on the waitlist for ITS. Currently enrolled at Stokes EE. I am thrilled about the opportunity to have my DC at Stokes, but not so much the commute. I know there are lots of threads on ITS, but wanted to hear more recent experiences from current parents. Are you happy at ITS? Do you still play the lottery every year? What are the pros/cons. I know they do offer some language, do you feel that it's adequate exposure? Do you supplement? |
Anonymous
| If you live close to ITS, it's a no brainer. The EE commute would kill your family with logistics. |
Anonymous
|
Your child will not become fluent in another language at ITS.
But they will be prepared for middle school -- and your nerves won't be shot from stressful commutes. If you are dreading it now... Your lottery luck may not be as good next year if you go with Stokes and decide it is too much. |
Anonymous
|
It does not sound like you're dead set on immersion, which is the only reason to choose Stokes EE over ITS in my opinion given that you clearly live closer to ITS.
My child doesn't attend ITS but everyone I know who does is happy with it. The only reason to take Stokes EE is: if language matters a lot to you, including willingness to make a commitment to supplement assuming you're not a native speaker, or, if you think you might eventually want to move closer to Stokes EE. |
Anonymous
|
We are an ITS family and have been very pleased with our experience. DC is thriving and is above grade level for most subjects.
The one thing I tell everyone going into the lottery is DO NOT underestimate commute. Our commute is doable (15-20 minutes, in the direction of work), but that means one of us has to drive every day, a small fender bender can double our commute, and even 15 minutes can be a lifetime when you're trying to get a tired kid home, dinner on the table, homework done, etc. |
Anonymous
| I would do ITS unless I had a strong commitment/interest in immersion. If you don't, you'll just get frustrated by the commute. |
Anonymous
How often do you have “small fender benders”? 
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Anonymous
NP - but she probably means someone else's small fender bender that ties up traffic. |
Anonymous
| We are at ITS (entering our 4th year) and haven’t even thought of the lottery since starting. (We transferred in). I agree with those who say if immersion isn’t a top priority, choose the school that your family can more easily manage on a day to day. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| We are entering our 8th year at ITS and haven’t played the lottery since. Love the school. |
Anonymous
What will you do for middle school? |
Anonymous
| NP, another ITS family — we are in upper elementary and planning to stay for middle school. |
Anonymous
| NP, entering 3rd year at ITS with 4th and 2nd graders, haven’t once thought about playing the lottery...and we have a 20-25 minute commute (partially on the way to work but not totally). The school is worth it. |
Anonymous
If they’re entering their 8th year they either already have a kid in MS at ITS or they have a rising 5th grader (middle school at ITS starts in 5th). |
Anonymous
We are already in middle school and love it. We are inbound for Deal/Wilson. |