Lafayette Elementary: kindergarten?

[Anonymous]

Are there any parents of current lafayette students who can share their impressions of the school? We're most likely sending our son there next year and I just want to be sure I know what is going on there and what I should keep an eye out for at the open house. (Other option is Blessed Sacrament, but we'd prefer to do public for a few years, at least.)

I'd also love to hear from other prospective parents who managed to attend the Nov 24 open house. I can't get there until January.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Do you have specific questions? All 3 of my kids have gone there, had three different K teachers and we were quite pleased. As in all schools some teachers are stronger than others, but most people seem happy with Kindergarten in general.

[Anonymous]

Different poster here, with two years to go until K at Lafayette.

My big concern, after peering into the space through the windows, is how open it is, with no walls between the different classes. How do the teachers keep it from being chaotic and overwhelmingly noisy?

[Anonymous]

OP here. My problem is that I know nothing about kindergarten, so I don't even know enough to ask specific questions! And I'm trying to compare a private vs a public, so there is different information available.

I guess I'm interested in the quality of the teachers, the size of the classes and the general happiness level of the kids there. Did you feel that your children learned things in K? I'm understanding that Lafayette is more "academic," while BS seems to be more play-based. Can the teachers handle a wide variety of ability levels? (DS has an October bday and will be relatively old for his class. Based on what he's doing now, he may be reading or ready to read once he gets to K.)

It also sounds like your kids were there for more than just K. Are you happy with the teaching & curriculum in the early primary grades, as well? What do you wish they'd change at the school?

I'm just trying to get my sea legs with this school stuff without it affecting DS negatively, so if there's anything else that's important to consider for at this stage, let me know what it is!

MANY THANKS!

[Anonymous]

Two of my 3 DC have gone through Lafayette kindergarten - different teachers but both had really good experiences. Lafayette is an "open class space" school, but the noise isn't overwhelming. I think the staff has done a great job of making the space work. So our plans are for number 3 to go there in 3 years.

[Anonymous]

21:04 here - Yes, the space is open, but it is surprising how little it seems to make a difference to the great majority of kids. Having volunteered a lot in the classrooms, it is also surprising to me how little I could hear the other classes. The space is large and 2 of the Kindergartens are now out of the main Kindergarten space on on the 1st grade side. One of the things I've come to really love about Lafayette is the open space - it is a very warm environment and kids of all ages seem to really know each other well. I would say that all but 1 of the teachers are considered to be very strong. The weakest one is well-liked by the kids but not the parents. I did not find it overwhelmingly academic; having had my kids in a play-based preschool and feeling very strongly about play-based programs I found a good mix of academic and play. What I really like is how often the kids go outside or just take a few minutes during the day to do things like yoga to take the edge off. The music/art/movement teacher is very good and the kids seem to love her. My youngest is now in 1st grade and has been having a great year. The first grade 'team' is also very strong. Lafayette has a few weaker years (I think 2nd is considered to be not as strong, but there has been some improvement). We've been satisfied with all but one of the teachers are kids have had. One thing that can be frustrating is that the principal (who has lots of great qualities) is totally supportive of the teachers to the point that she won't do much when there is a weak one. That has been my only complaint.

[Anonymous]

Go to Blessed Sacrament.

[Anonymous]

PP, why do you recommend BS? What qualities of its K classes are better than Lafayette's? I'd like to hear your experiences with both.

[Anonymous]

OP,
Did you verify the birthday cutoff? I thought it was September 30.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I didn't verify the birthday -- DS is an October bday and while he's a pretty sharp kid, I have no interested in sending him early.

15:57, I'm also interested in the reasoning behind your Blessed Sacrament recommendation.

[Anonymous]

12:11 here. That's why I asked. I can't find it on the DCPS website. Call Lafayette and you will get an answer!

[Anonymous]

For pre-k, look here -- under "schools," then "enrollment," then "preschool, pre-k and headstart enrollment" -- no clear statement for K, but it should be 5 by Sept 30.

http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/Schools/Enrollment+and+Registration/Pre-school%2C+Pre-kindergarten%2C+and+Head+Start+Enrollment#2

Who is eligible for pre-kindergarten programs?

DC Municipal Regulations state that children must turn four years old by September 30 to be eligible to apply to pre-kindergarten programs for that school year.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone tell me when the next Lafayette Open House is??

[Anonymous]

www.dcps.dc.gov

look under schools and click open houses.

[Anonymous]

From the Lafayette website:

http://www.lafayettehsa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1&Itemid=52

Visit Lafayette

You are welcome to visit Lafayette, see the facility, observe classes in session, and ask questions. A morning Open House begins with a welcome from Principal Lynn Main, followed by a guided tour of the school. A parent representative will also be available to help answer your questions. Open Houses will be offered at 9:00 a.m. on the following Tuesdays in 2009 - 2010:

September 22
October 27
November 24
January 19
January 26
February 23
March 23
April 27
May 25

There is no need to register in advance. Please enter through the front doors, sign in at the front desk to your left, and meet up in the library. If you cannot attend an Open House, please call the school at 282-0116 to arrange a visit. We look forward to seeing you!