Can non-bilingual older children enroll in Oyster-Adams?

[Anonymous]

What happens if a family moves into the Oyster-Adams zone when their kids are in upper elementary grades (or later), and noone in the family is Spanish-speaking? Could they enroll anyway? How long would it take for a relatively bright child to catch up enough to enable them to work alongside their peers? Right now our kids attend a private school, so it's not an immediate concern, but we are wondering if we would have any public back-up if we moved to Woodley Park and our finances were to change.

[Anonymous]

From their website:

"Oyster-Adams is a PK-8 academic program and with the expectation that all students who enroll in the primary years complete the full academic program through 8th grade. It is recommended that children enter the dual-language program no later than first grade so that they can build language skills in the early grades. Therefore, Oyster-Adams generally does not accept out-of-boundary students who are not at or near grade level in Spanish after first grade. In addition, in-boundary students must take and pass our Spanish language proficiency exam in order to enroll. If a student does not pass and/ or the parent would like the monolingual option, the in-boundary school of right is Francis Stevens at School without Walls. "

[Anonymous]

This must be a change. When I was there monolingual students come in at all grades. It's a pain as subjects such as math or science may be taught in the other tongue, but most could catch up with tutors.

[Anonymous]

Francis Stevens is a bit of a hike from Woodley Park as well??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Francis Stevens is a bit of a hike from Woodley Park as well??

Not really. And it's a much shorter distance than most DC students travel to get to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This must be a change. When I was there monolingual students come in at all grades. It's a pain as subjects such as math or science may be taught in the other tongue, but most could catch up with tutors.

I think it is a change. When we were house hunting many years ago, we visited the school and were told "don't worry about entering late, it will be fine." After we bought a house, we visited the school to register and were told that the admin was very concerned that our kid would not be successful. We were pretty annoyed at the bait and switch, but our kid did attend Oyster. First year was really hard, but it got easier and by end of 8th grade DC was scoring above grade level on Spanish testing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Francis Stevens is a bit of a hike from Woodley Park as well??

Not really. And it's a much shorter distance than most DC students travel to get to school.

But it’s not really neighborhood school walking distance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Francis Stevens is a bit of a hike from Woodley Park as well??

Not really. And it's a much shorter distance than most DC students travel to get to school.

But it’s not really neighborhood school walking distance.

And it doesn't need to be. If you look at the monolingual alternatives for the other dual-language schools this is typical or closer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Francis Stevens is a bit of a hike from Woodley Park as well??

Not really. And it's a much shorter distance than most DC students travel to get to school.

But it’s not really neighborhood school walking distance.

And it doesn't need to be. If you look at the monolingual alternatives for the other dual-language schools this is typical or closer.

Half the point of attending a public school is to able to walk to your neighborhood school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Francis Stevens is a bit of a hike from Woodley Park as well??

Not really. And it's a much shorter distance than most DC students travel to get to school.

But it’s not really neighborhood school walking distance.

And it doesn't need to be. If you look at the monolingual alternatives for the other dual-language schools this is typical or closer.

Half the point of attending a public school is to able to walk to your neighborhood school.

So what do you propose?

I’d like all the dual language schools to be city-wide / entry by lottery for all (1/2 English dominant/half Spanish) and not neighborhood schools at all b

[Anonymous]

I’m with you but you’ll still have the problem that the dual language schools don’t let you join the dual language program after 2nd grade because of program integrity not because of admissions processes.

[Anonymous]

Why is oyster able to keep no n Spanish speaking IB kids out but other DCPS immersion schools have to take everyone IB regardless of la gauge ability? Powell and BM definiteybhave to take any IB kid even if they don’t l wona
Single word in the opposite language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is oyster able to keep no n Spanish speaking IB kids out but other DCPS immersion schools have to take everyone IB regardless of la gauge ability? Powell and BM definiteybhave to take any IB kid even if they don’t l wona
Single word in the opposite language.

Starting this year all dual-language schools are following the Oyster model. Just look at wait list link and search by grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What happens if a family moves into the Oyster-Adams zone when their kids are in upper elementary grades (or later), and noone in the family is Spanish-speaking? Could they enroll anyway? How long would it take for a relatively bright child to catch up enough to enable them to work alongside their peers? Right now our kids attend a private school, so it's not an immediate concern, but we are wondering if we would have any public back-up if we moved to Woodley Park and our finances were to change.

The research on children coming to school with English as their second language suggests that it takes an average of 5 to 7 years for children to acquire academic literacy in their second language. Some children are faster, and some are slower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Francis Stevens is a bit of a hike from Woodley Park as well??

Not really. And it's a much shorter distance than most DC students travel to get to school.

But it’s not really neighborhood school walking distance.

And it doesn't need to be. If you look at the monolingual alternatives for the other dual-language schools this is typical or closer.

Half the point of attending a public school is to able to walk to your neighborhood school.

Obviously walking to your IB school is ideal, but it is simply not the case for many families. I live a mile from my IB---not exactly a walk I can do with my 3-year-old. If you can't walk and have to take the bus or drive, I don't see the big deal of doing that for one mile vs. two or three to get from Adams Morgan to SWW.