In Boundary

[Anonymous]

How is in-boundary defined. DH and I are separating and will share custody. If kids mostly live with me can we use his address to qualify for in-boundary for a given school. I though this is what Rhee did to get her kids into Oyster. Obviously, this makes a difference as we are deciding how to split up our households.

[Anonymous]

Divorced parent here. As long as there is joint physical and/or legal custody, the child can go to either school regardless of what ratio of time they spend. The registration will ask if the in-boundary resident is "in control" of the child.

As long as one of you is in boundaries for a good school, you're okay. I recommend that whoever spends more time with the child be the one whose neighborhood school you use; it's good for drop-off, pick-up, and the child having neighborhood friends as classmates.

My child is with me 19/28 nights and 70% of school nights; she goes to my in boundary school rather than my ex's, where she spends so much less of her weekday time.

Hope this helps.

Sorry about the separation. You'll get through.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks PP that is very helpful. We are actually thinking of keeping kids and me in our MtP house. In boundary school is pretty bad, but we don't want to disrupt their entire lives. This whole process sucks. But, I was at least hoping that the one tiny positive would be if their dad rented a place in-boundary across the park, at least I wouldn't have to include OOB lottery and Charter School lotteries on the long list of SH*T I had to deal with.

Your point about pick-up and neighborhood friends are good ones, but selling the house right now is not an option. And, we can't really afford to rent a place big enough for kids and me across the park. (I think I am also still hoping the separation will not end in divorce, but I guess if he moves back in with me, then we have to deal with OOB issues). (rant, rant, rant, this really sucks.)

[Anonymous]

sorry to hear it,op. i am divorced. you got good and accurate advice from the pp. how old are your kids? i assume that you are in-bounds for bancroft? if you are going to have a residence in MtP for the foreseeable future, definitely consider the Capital City lottery and also Appletree for 3 and 4yos.

i think that if DH rents in a good district and the kids go to school there and live mostly in MtP, then all will be fine in the end. particularly if he rents in oyster, which is not too far away. or ross.

[Anonymous]

PP -- I'm intrigued by your suggestion of Ross. That would be pretty convenient from a pick-up drop off POV. I have not seem much about Ross on these forums.

[Anonymous]

You are also not far from Murch and there are tons of apartments in bounds on Connecticut. We go up RCP to Brandywine to Linnean to Davenport and it takes something like 5 minutes. We love the feeling of community and have been really pleased with the education our kids are getting. I think it's actually way closer than Ross unless Ross is convenient for your work, the traffic going to Dupont can be a pain. We have several friends who really like Ross but just wanted to throw another idea into the mix. I am sorry about the separation OP and hope that things work out for you and your family. I think that once your kids are in a school they stay regardless of where you move, double check on the DC website but I'm pretty sure of it. Also, any kids not yet in school get a sibling preference.

[Anonymous]

OP, I would look at the school's performance data. There is a HUGE difference between upper NW and Ross.

[Anonymous]

OP, I can't help you on the school issue, but I wish you the best in resolving your marital issues. My DH and I are in a similar situation (thinking of separating with very young kids) and it does suck more than I can express. I'm praying for my own miracle and will pray for yours too.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks to all pps for their support and encouragement!!