Resentful and annoyed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On the solutions end: One thing I don't see readily mentioned is the "make it work for you" option. The answers here are almost all premised on the idea that schools "are" ("unacceptable", whatever). If there is a place anywhere that proves that schools "aren't" static, the DC is it. Almost anyone can make any school what they want it to be. Get on it, get engaged! Approach people and be approachable. It's really not that difficult. And your kids and family stand to gain from it immensely on all fronts.

That's your 13th option and YOU are letting yourself be shut out if you don't put that on your list, sorry to say. And I speak from experience doing just that.

Can you share which school?

Could be any number of schools that you now feel "shut out" from but take Maury ES, Capitol Hill, 2007. In 2014, this city is literally studded with 'Maury 2007'. In fact, I'll bet you that most of them are today more acceptable than 'Maury 2007'.

It's not that simple. I would put Ludlow-Taylor and maybe a couple other schools nestled in what are rapidly becoming high-SES neighborhoods into the Maury 2007 category. What is most relevant is a critical mass of highly committed families who value education and are willing to supplement DCPS programs by contributing time in writing gramt applications and above donating all their own dollars. Maury 2007 did not become Maury 2014 without a neighborhood cash infusion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I can't move. My housing costs are $1200 a month for a family of 4. Tell me where in the city I could get somewhere to live for that price and a good school? I have lived here since long before I had children so it was not a consideration when I saw single.

People who throw around "can't you move" have no understanding of the reality of normal people who don't have incomes into six figures.

If you have lived there for so long then WHY did you have multiple kids when you didn't have a viable school option the entire time?
Most of us made the housing decisions years ago based on the knowledge that we would have kids someday. We scrimped and saved and bought in areas we didn't want to live in based on our future school needs. AND we only had one child. we didn't have a second because we couldn't afford to.
I kind of feel like you made your bed and now you want to complain about it.

NP here. You're a nasty mean person and also not being genuine. I moved into DC over 10 years ago well before kids. My DS was completely shut out for the lotteries the first time around. Then I got pissed and did my research. The following year we got in everywhere. It wasn't dumb luck it was "smart" luck. But, luck nonetheless. This is not how it should be and I couldn't imagine not having a second child due to the schools being shitty. Or make other life choices due to that reason. I also can't afford to up and leave and neither can most. So, that suggestion and the other bullshit about why didn't you think about the school district, etc... is just mean. None of us "newbies" moved in thinking about that. Try having empathy before you start yapping.

[Anonymous]

This works in elementary school. Not so much in middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what is your general WL number at the schools you want (Haynes, for example)?

I think there might be more movement in K than you might think. Lots apply to charters but end up going IB or private.

60s for IT and EL Haynes. Low hundreds for Mundo Verde and Two Rivers. Teens for Lee and Bridges. Most of those schools have 0-3 spots for K so no chance. Lee is really our only possibility, but given the way the lottery worked this year I'm only slightly hopeful of seeing much movement there.

I just spoke to the principal and she said that in previous years, they went into the 20s in their WL. But that was for PS3, so I'm not sure how relevant it is for K. But you should email or call her. She's gotten back to me twice already within the same day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was me a few years ago. Not the resentment part but the being shut out time and time again part. I also had a townhouse that was bought long long ago and moving wasn't impossible but would of been very difficult to do. So you know what I did? My kid went to a crappy school for K and 1. Its really not the end of the world. There are good teachers everywhere...even in schools that are failing. I dedicated myself to being an active parent, to volunteer, to get to know my teacher, to not write off the school or act above it, and I was honestly a little sad to leave when we did get into a charter. Yes some DCPS are very "bad" but having spent a lot of time in a "bad" school there is good to be found in any situation. Kindergarden isn't rocket science.

Signed by a Mom who's oldest child learned to read and write in a failing DCPS school.

I have to ditto this--I've been in public education in DC and the suburbs, as well as my husband. Our neighborhood schools are OK- just OK and the school we chose to enroll in initially was the worst of them all. My oldest got a fantastic teacher and really thrived. What the school lacked was resources. Don't be fooled into thinking the teachers are any better there. As the PP wrote, there are good teachers everywhere, and they have to love what they are doing to stay. We are now in a charter (a sought after charter) but we only got in because we moved my oldest in 3rd grade where there are more slots. That gave the youngest sibling (who got in nowhere, with high WL#s, preference and a spot. My oldest didn't suffer academically at the other school (he's performing above grade level).

Unfortunately, I think we read these message boards that are skewed heavily towards a few public schools and a few charters and think if we don't get in there, we're doomed and our kids will suffer. Its not likely. Keep in mind that what is great for one person's kids may not be great for yours. I've seen this with several friends who have had children in highly sought after DCPS and charters.

I'm not sure where you live and work, but I'm certain you can find a good fit for your children if you expand your search a little. And once you find a school- get involved to make it better!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SILVER SPRING

You must not read a lot. Unless you can afford the Chevy chase or whitman pyramid, you're in for an eye-opener about Silver spring schools. The class sized are too large and everyone is freaking out over there about the number of ELLs. Silver Spring is not Shangri-la

[Anonymous]

I hear you. I do think there's a case to be made for limiting the applications for charters from applicants who are IB for Deal and Wilson. Certainly I'd hate to see "controlled choice" applied EOTP and on the Hill and not have the charter applicant pool for kids with a solid MS/HS option curtailed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't lose sight of the long game. If you finally lottery into an acceptable school in K or First, you then have to start thinking about middle school. You should hope and pray yoir new school is IB for Deal, Hardy or Stuart-Hobson, or that there are more charter options than Latin and Basis.

There are more charter options for MS than Latin and Basis. DCUM is not the authority on all things educational in regards to DCPS and Charters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what is your general WL number at the schools you want (Haynes, for example)?

I think there might be more movement in K than you might think. Lots apply to charters but end up going IB or private.

60s for IT and EL Haynes. Low hundreds for Mundo Verde and Two Rivers. Teens for Lee and Bridges. Most of those schools have 0-3 spots for K so no chance. Lee is really our only possibility, but given the way the lottery worked this year I'm only slightly hopeful of seeing much movement there.

I just spoke to the principal and she said that in previous years, they went into the 20s in their WL. But that was for PS3, so I'm not sure how relevant it is for K. But you should email or call her. She's gotten back to me twice already within the same day.

Which principal? K is very different from PS3 though. In PS3 all spots are open, with the exception of some taken by siblings. For K, unless it's an expansion year, there are only places via attrition.

[Anonymous]

OP, you will certainly get into both Bridges and Lee. Even if Bridges is now expanded, there is a lot of attrition on from PK to K for families that choose to go to their IB school. When we were at Bridges, there were a huge population from WOTP and schools like Shepherd, Barnard, Takoma. I thought you were in 100s+. I will wager my top charter lottery ticket that you will get a call from both bridges and Lee by Mid June

[Anonymous]

yeah, your numbers aren't so bad compared to some folks i've seen

[Anonymous]

OP, I think you will get in somewhere. I was shut out with no WL less than 100. You will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is a 2 BR IB for Eaton:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/4403418499.html

I wouldn't be suprised if this craiglist listing is a rental scam. Most cheap rentals posted on craigslist are not legit. Anyway, OP, I sympathize with you, but the reality is that you can squeeze into a unit you can afford in a good school zone or take your chances with the lottery. That is why so many lower income folks leave DC. Not fair or right, IMO, but reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yeah, your numbers aren't so bad compared to some folks i've seen

My numbers are for K. Numbers for PK3 run a lot higher.

[Anonymous]

^^fair point, my bad!