4th grade wait list movement

[Anonymous]

I have a rising 4th grader who is happy at our IB school. Every year, we play the lottery out of curiosity, but she's never broken the top 10 wait list for any school since we got into our IB, so it's never been an issue. This year, she was <20 on the wait lists at Eaton, Lafayette, Hearst and Murch. Over the past few weeks, the lists have been moving, such that she's now #6 at Eaton, #10 at Hearst and #12 at Murch and Lafayette.

When she was 3/4 and in the lottery, I would have been delighted to see these numbers, but my gut sense is that it's not enough movement. DD is understandably concerned about where she will go to school next year. Does anyone at any of these schools have insights or prognostications about whether she will clear any of these lists? I know it's impossible to tell, but it seems like Eaton being in a swing space is helpful. Her original number there was #17, so she's gone up 11 spots, which I did not think was possible in March when the initial results were released.

Also if folks just have thoughts about these schools for upper elementary, I am all ears.

TIA!

[Anonymous]

Have you reviewed the history data that MSDC publishes? https://public.tableau.com/profile/aaron2446#!/vizhome/MSDCSeatsandWaitlistOfferData/MSDCPublicDisplay

[Anonymous]

Sorry, but your kid is not getting into any of these schools. Go ahead and get ready for the new year at your IB.

[Anonymous]

I have reviewed the data and my initial feeling was that people were removing themselves from the list, rather than being offered seats, but the August offers numbers haven't come out yet, so who knows.

As for the "sorry, but..." poster, we are ready for 4th grade where we are and have no concerns with that. Switching schools offers a better middle school feed, but that's not essential.

It seems a lot more plausible to me that 11 people would remove themselves from the list entirely than that 11 people would decline a spot at one of these schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have reviewed the data and my initial feeling was that people were removing themselves from the list, rather than being offered seats, but the August offers numbers haven't come out yet, so who knows.

As for the "sorry, but..." poster, we are ready for 4th grade where we are and have no concerns with that. Switching schools offers a better middle school feed, but that's not essential.

It seems a lot more plausible to me that 11 people would remove themselves from the list entirely than that 11 people would decline a spot at one of these schools.

You literally wrote in your OP "DD is understandably concerned about where she will go to school next year." If you are happy where you are, why keep stressing your kid out and playing the lottery? When the IB school stops working, apply elsewhere or move.

[Anonymous]

OP may want a better MS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP may want a better MS.

If the elementary school is fine, why assume the MS won't be? Or, keep playing the lottery every year but know that it's stressing your kid out. Or, rent IB for Deal when the time comes.

[Anonymous]

Anyone who lotteries for 4th grade, with a single digit number, isn’t removing themselves from the WL.

Everyone outside the Wilson feeder schools wants the same, better MS options as you.

[Anonymous]

Stay the course, outside chance she will get into Eaton. 4th and 5th grades are both solid there, and she could build a foundation of friendships to lead into middle school.

Obviously, even though you are willing to stay at IB, there was a reason you talked together about a move. I'd even consider moving if the movement was to change the first weeks of school.

(FWIW, our IB school has had more than 5 4th grade students move inbounds since the end of the school year.)

[Anonymous]

OP here. DD is fine either way. She just wants to know. We agreed that it’s her decision. The middle school feed is better for her in any of these schools, but we are not wedded to this area long term and may move before middle school.

Either way, I’m glad to remember that this board is often a bunch of snippy jerks who can’t answer an innocent question without taking the opportunity to be rude. Have a great night.

[Anonymous]

This was our list for my 4th grader who ended up getting into Bancroft so other schools were removed.


Inactive School Selections
SCHOOL NAME STATUS
Hearst Elementary School Removed myself from waitlist
Lafayette Elementary School Removed
Janney Elementary School Removed
Murch Elementary School Removed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was our list for my 4th grader who ended up getting into Bancroft so other schools were removed.


Inactive School Selections
SCHOOL NAME STATUS
Hearst Elementary School Removed myself from waitlist
Lafayette Elementary School Removed
Janney Elementary School Removed
Murch Elementary School Removed

Does your 4th grader already know Spanish? Curious how it works out otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was our list for my 4th grader who ended up getting into Bancroft so other schools were removed.


Inactive School Selections
SCHOOL NAME STATUS
Hearst Elementary School Removed myself from waitlist
Lafayette Elementary School Removed
Janney Elementary School Removed
Murch Elementary School Removed

Does your 4th grader already know Spanish? Curious how it works out otherwise.

Hi, yes, he’s coming from another DCPS immersion school where he’s been in since PK4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have reviewed the data and my initial feeling was that people were removing themselves from the list, rather than being offered seats, but the August offers numbers haven't come out yet, so who knows.

As for the "sorry, but..." poster, we are ready for 4th grade where we are and have no concerns with that. Switching schools offers a better middle school feed, but that's not essential.

It seems a lot more plausible to me that 11 people would remove themselves from the list entirely than that 11 people would decline a spot at one of these schools.

You literally wrote in your OP "DD is understandably concerned about where she will go to school next year." If you are happy where you are, why keep stressing your kid out and playing the lottery? When the IB school stops working, apply elsewhere or move.

New poster- are you limited in the amount of times you can play the lottery? The answer to that is no. What is your problem?

Also I did not read anything about the IB school not working. Jerk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a rising 4th grader who is happy at our IB school. Every year, we play the lottery out of curiosity, but she's never broken the top 10 wait list for any school since we got into our IB, so it's never been an issue. This year, she was <20 on the wait lists at Eaton, Lafayette, Hearst and Murch. Over the past few weeks, the lists have been moving, such that she's now #6 at Eaton, #10 at Hearst and #12 at Murch and Lafayette.

When she was 3/4 and in the lottery, I would have been delighted to see these numbers, but my gut sense is that it's not enough movement. DD is understandably concerned about where she will go to school next year. Does anyone at any of these schools have insights or prognostications about whether she will clear any of these lists? I know it's impossible to tell, but it seems like Eaton being in a swing space is helpful. Her original number there was #17, so she's gone up 11 spots, which I did not think was possible in March when the initial results were released.

Also if folks just have thoughts about these schools for upper elementary, I am all ears.

TIA!

For upper elementary - Murch is known for having a really strong 5th grade teaching team.