Where to start learning about DCPS?

[Anonymous]

New mom here! We are trying to decide if we're going to need to move somewhere with better schools for our son. We live in the Eastern Market area and absolutely can't afford private schools. I have no idea how to find out what schools he'd be in based on where we live, our chances of choosing a different school (sounds like there's a lottery?), and how to judge the quality of schools. Is there a good website about this stuff?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

http://dcps.dc.gov/portal/site/DCPS/

Plug your address into the DCPS website to find out your inboundary school.

Read the DCPS threads on this website. If your kid is under a year, what you're trying to do now is get familiarity with names and types of schools.

Join the Moms on the Hill yahoo group and read what people are saying about it.

Figure out your kid's birthday and what year it means you'll be applying for pre-school 3 slots.

Ask everyone you meet with school age kids (older siblings, strangers at the park, church), where kids go to school, what they like / dislike, how they decided

[Anonymous]

Agree with this poster. Find another Mom or Dad on the Hill and get invited to join the Moms on the Hill list. You will find lots of folks with strong opinions about their local elementary schools

[Anonymous]

Thanks! Is there a website operated independently (not by DCPS) that gives school info, rates schools, etc.?

[Anonymous]

Greatschool.org

[Anonymous]

slight correction:

http://www.greatschools.org/

[Anonymous]

http://www.greatschools.org/pdf/DC_School_Chooser_2010-2011.pdf

further link, this is a 140 page pdf doc that assembles info on each public, charter, private, parochial school in DC, on a 1/3 page profile. Info seems to be correct, but of limited depth. E.g., several schools stated as teaching French, but 2 are immersion, 2 have language as a weekly special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New mom here! We are trying to decide if we're going to need to move somewhere with better schools for our son. We live in the Eastern Market area and absolutely can't afford private schools. I have no idea how to find out what schools he'd be in based on where we live, our chances of choosing a different school (sounds like there's a lottery?), and how to judge the quality of schools. Is there a good website about this stuff?

Thanks!

2 questions: how old is your child and have you joined the MoTH (Moms on the Hill) list? You may be inbounds for the Montessori program at Watkins or the Reggio program at Peabody, both of which are highly sought after. As for the MoTH list, http://butterpies.com/whats-a-butterpie/moms-on-the-hill-moth/.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

The Reggio Program at Peabody is amazing. When I was a student teacher I got to observe/do Practicum there and it was great. You couldn't do better.