Pre-K 3: Free in DC, but seems like a real lack of schools, especially in NW!

[MaryamFamily]

Hi everyone. I tried to look in forums but couldn't find any post on this.
I have an almost-2 year old daughter and of course am happy about the free pre-K 3 program in DC.
However, I am really confused by the lack of pre-K 3 programs offered. There are none in Ward 3. (Search at My School DC: http://find.myschooldc.org)
I would have to enter a lottery for a school in another ward, meaning that none of the preferences in the lottery system such as sibling already attending (our second child will be born soon!), proximity, and in-boundary would apply?
Is there something I'm missing, or do most people just pay for private preschool/stay with daycare or nannies longer?
Our daughter is cared for with an extra-awesome nanny share arrangement so we could just try to stick with that. But with a 2nd child coming and limited resources a free pre-K 3 program would be ideal.
Thank you for sharing any experience and wisdom!

[Anonymous]

The schools in upper Nw are already over crowded. There is no room to house PK3.

[Anonymous]

You get what you pay for.

[Anonymous]

free pk3 is offered for areas that are struggling DCPS figures in the more affluent areas they don't need free Pre-K 3

[Anonymous]

If you are willing to travel, there are more spots than applicants for PK3. But that may mean traveling tonwards 7 and 8. Otherwise, you do what everyone else does - pay for a spot in a private program.

[Anonymous]

As a Maryland resident I'm happy to hear this

Glad to know I'm not missing out on much

[Anonymous]

Yeah... This is well known. Either pay for private or lottery into a school in another Ward.

[Anonymous]

https://www.myschooldc.org/find-schools/school-options-outside-my-school-dc

^ there are free options outside the programs at elementary schools. Communikids is one in ward 3

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:free pk3 is offered for areas that are struggling DCPS figures in the more affluent areas they don't need free Pre-K 3

Also the ward 3 schools are overcrowded already so they need the space for higher grades.

[Anonymous]

Yes, people who want preschool in Ward 3 for a first child typically pay for private school up until Kindergarten, since there are no PreK 3 programs in neighborhood schools and PK4 programs tend to be full of siblings.
You could also do a co-op program for a very low cost over what you spend on the nanny. Though I don’t know how to figure out the nanny share; I’m sure someone’s already done this and can advise you.
You could also try to lottery into one of the schools that’s within reasonable distance; for example I know a family in upper NW that lotteried into LAMB’s Missouri Ave campus, which is a reasonable commute.

[Anonymous]

I feel your pain, OP. We live in Ward 3 in a one bedroom apartment - we live here because the schools are great and we are both close to work. We both work for nonprofits and would probably be considered poor according to what most DCUMs make (HHI less than 100K combined). We would love a free pre-K option in Ward 3 but there just isn't a demand for it. So we suck it up and realize we're going to be doing daycare until DS gets into K. Then maybe we'll consider having another child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel your pain, OP. We live in Ward 3 in a one bedroom apartment - we live here because the schools are great and we are both close to work. We both work for nonprofits and would probably be considered poor according to what most DCUMs make (HHI less than 100K combined). We would love a free pre-K option in Ward 3 but there just isn't a demand for it. So we suck it up and realize we're going to be doing daycare until DS gets into K. Then maybe we'll consider having another child.

There is definitely demand. DC arguably doesn't have the space to accommodate the demand, but also adding capacity in UNW, which is largely wealthy especially compared to the rest of DC, isn't a high priority.

[Anonymous]

There are lots of PK3 spots that go unclaimed every year— they’re just not in Ward 3. If you’re willing to travel, you can have them. PK3 across DC is uniformly excellent, so it’s a matter of deciding whether to pay for private, or go across town.

[Anonymous]

The program was originally funded through Federal Head Start Grants - and much if it still is.

There are not any schools in Upper NW that are Title 1.

Now - PreK 4 is a different thing. All elementary schools have a program. For Ward 3 the programs are mostly filled with siblings - but a nice bonus for when your youngest is ready for PreK4.

[Anonymous]

Ward 3, y’all gettin played. No summer school programs, no charters, no PS-3, no outdoor pools, and overcrowded MS/HS schools with kids from all eight wards. Keep sending in those taxes though!

Love,

The Rest of the City