Dumb questions from mom of toddler regarding Arlington public elementary schools.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is only two so I haven't been really reading up on how school works yet- so please be kind. I understand that the school zones will be changing- as it is right now, Abingdon is our neighborhood school. If we wanted her to go to Claremont immersion school, we would have to apply to the lottery, we can't just choose that and be done? Same for the Montessori program? Does one have a much better chance of getting in than the other? Also as I understand it, the Montessori program still charges for the first two years based on your income. So we would be paying like $11K each for those two years, but then she could stay in the Montessori program through middle school (assuming she got in)?

Just want to have my info straight. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is only two so I haven't been really reading up on how school works yet- so please be kind. I understand that the school zones will be changing- as it is right now, Abingdon is our neighborhood school. If we wanted her to go to Claremont immersion school, we would have to apply to the lottery, we can't just choose that and be done? Same for the Montessori program? Does one have a much better chance of getting in than the other? Also as I understand it, the Montessori program still charges for the first two years based on your income. So we would be paying like $11K each for those two years, but then she could stay in the Montessori program through middle school (assuming she got in)?

Just want to have my info straight. Thanks.

You are correct. But keep in mind that there is a waitlist for preschool montessori, and two-thirds of the seats are reserved for families making less than 80k year.

[Anonymous]

Yep. Lottery for Claremont.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is only two so I haven't been really reading up on how school works yet- so please be kind. I understand that the school zones will be changing- as it is right now, Abingdon is our neighborhood school. If we wanted her to go to Claremont immersion school, we would have to apply to the lottery, we can't just choose that and be done? Same for the Montessori program? Does one have a much better chance of getting in than the other? Also as I understand it, the Montessori program still charges for the first two years based on your income. So we would be paying like $11K each for those two years, but then she could stay in the Montessori program through middle school (assuming she got in)?

Just want to have my info straight. Thanks.

Yes; but I'd clarify that there is tuition for preschool Montessori - once you reach the kindergarten age, it's part of the free public education system.