Seeking advice for PreK4 next year.

[Anonymous]

Looking for advice on PreK4 next year. Our daughter has been attending full-time preschool for the last two years at the same school, and we had intended to have it as our "safety" school for her PreK4 year next year, but just found out that we are wait-listed there. We are IB for Key, and are hoping that we will get one of the available slots for new families, but know that it is far from a sure thing. We had assumed that we would just stay at the school where our daughter has been for the last two years if we did not get into Key, but now that that might not be an option we are trying to figure out what to do. It seems like all of the other public schools that are even remotely convenient for us location-wise are impossible for OOB, and the majority of private schools have already closed their application process for next year. Any advice on schools in NW to put on our lottery list where we might have a somewhat decent chance? Do any OOB kids ever get into PreK4 at Lafayette? We are new to this, so big thanks in advance for any insights!

[Anonymous]

This link shows lottery results from last year:

http://enrolldcps.dc.gov/node/61

It looks like Lafayette took 54 siblings and 43 in-bound non siblings in the initial lottery, leaving 21 in-bound kids waitlisted.

If you combine with the waitlist data:

https://public.tableau.com/profile/aaron2446#!/vizhome/MSDCSeatsandWaitlistOfferData/MSDCPublicDisplay

You cans see that through October they had made 25 offers from the waitlist- which would suggest that at least a few OOB kids got in off the WL. Of course, people could have moved in bounds after the initial lottery and gotten those waitlist offers; not sure if there is a way to tell from the data who those offers went to.

The JCC does not have an actual admission deadline- it is just based on waitlist. Not sure of the chances but I understand that they had smaller classes last year since they were in a swing space during construction so they are expanding their classes this year.

[Anonymous]

Just to add, your odds are likely best at schools that do not have Pre-K3 as Pre-K4 slots go first to kids who were in Pre-K3 so there will be more slots availble if there are no continuing students

[Anonymous]

Stoddert? A friend of mine had her kid attend OOB PK-4th grade. They live nearby, but not in-bounds.
Kid is in 5th grade at a charter school now, so this is from a few years ago.

[Anonymous]

Your chances are slim to get into any upper NW PreK4 programs if you wind up with a lottery # that is not good enough to get into your local IB school (Key)

I would look at the private PreK 4 programs between your house and work and get on the list.

Communikids, St. Albans, St. Columbas.

I am shocked that where your child has been for the last 2 years does not have a spot for them for next year.

I think either BCDC or Communikids is opening up a new campus next year.

The program at AU?

[Anonymous]

What's your commute? Maybe we can recommend some DCPS or charters en route.

Sorry you're in this situation. It stinks. There must be some privates whose deadlines haven't past, though.

[Anonymous]

Many daycare centers, including those affiliated with a federal agency, have PK4 programs, and because of free preK in DC, they often have spots available. That might be worth looking into.

[Anonymous]

Lafayette will be even harder to get into as they are reducing a PK4 classroom next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This link shows lottery results from last year:

http://enrolldcps.dc.gov/node/61

It looks like Lafayette took 54 siblings and 43 in-bound non siblings in the initial lottery, leaving 21 in-bound kids waitlisted.

If you combine with the waitlist data:

https://public.tableau.com/profile/aaron2446#!/vizhome/MSDCSeatsandWaitlistOfferData/MSDCPublicDisplay

You cans see that through October they had made 25 offers from the waitlist- which would suggest that at least a few OOB kids got in off the WL. Of course, people could have moved in bounds after the initial lottery and gotten those waitlist offers; not sure if there is a way to tell from the data who those offers went to.

The JCC does not have an actual admission deadline- it is just based on waitlist. Not sure of the chances but I understand that they had smaller classes last year since they were in a swing space during construction so they are expanding their classes this year.

Next year they reduce the # of slots by 20%. No chance.

[Anonymous]

What preschool is kicking you out after 2 years??? That is appalling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stoddert? A friend of mine had her kid attend OOB PK-4th grade. They live nearby, but not in-bounds.
Kid is in 5th grade at a charter school now, so this is from a few years ago.

Less than 0 chance at Stoddert.

[Anonymous]

There are typically PreK spots at Annunciation (on Mass and Idaho)

[Anonymous]

Wait, your school of two years might has your daughter WAITLISTED for next year? How is that even possible?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, your school of two years might has your daughter WAITLISTED for next year? How is that even possible?

Right. What is the name of this horrible school that would do this???

[Anonymous]

OP here. We are def frustrated by the situation with the current school.Sigh...

Thanks for the responses so far. Our commute is from Palisades to Southwest. Bowen is near my office but it seems like it is rated pretty poorly? Looked into Comunikids, but seems like it is immersion only, right? Would love for her to learn Spanish but she has had very little exposure so I worry it would be a big jolt for her.

Is NCRC beyond the realm of possibility?