Feedback on Key?

[Anonymous]

We are considering moving into the Ballston / Courthouse area and would be slated for Key Immersion or Science Focus. Can anyone provide some feedback on Key? And how would it be to move a child into an immersion school 1/2 way through 2nd grade. Both my partner and I are native English speakers but I am bilingual with Spanish and he is very solid in it, so we could definitely offer support at home.

[Anonymous]

I don't think they let you come in after kindergarten, but do check with them. My understanding was that the immersion programs think a child is too far behind if they don't start Immersion right from kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

If you are in bounds, you would be allowed to enter at any time. They would probably want you to enroll your child in summer school - in fact, the deadline to enter the lottery (for out of bounds kids) is April 15 and if a child gets in (for K), they want you to enroll him/her in summer school on April 23. It's highly encouraged for the non-native spanish speakers. Parental support at home would be a big help. Starting in K, the kids learn Science and Math in Spanish (the rationale being that those are both subjects where not understanding every word is not hugely detrimental) and of course, Spanish language arts. Kids can pick it up fairly quickly. The program also strives to have 1/2 native English and 1/2 spanish speakers to have a balanced classroom, which I thought was an interesting fact. I do not have kids there (went to the info night last week as we're considering it for our child), but friends and neighbors do and they love the school. The school is also happy to give tours (if you miss or cannot make one of the tours already scheduled).