Message
Very helpful all, thanks so much! Good points and lots to think about. Appreciate it.
Sorry can someone help, I am not understanding this and am applying from out of the country (we are moving in this summer). If our top choices in the lottery are very high (like in the 250+) then, would it help if I re-ranked a higher number school up to my top choice?
Hello! I was a long time DC and Silver spring resident before moving to live and work in the Middle East 9 years ago. I had my two daughters overseas, and I'll be moving back this summer to the area with the girls. I flew 14 hours back to DC last week, and did a whirlwind tour - seeing 12 schools (elementary and pre-schools) in MD and DC. Despite being busy, all schools I contacted except 1 gave me tours and talked with me outside of their usual tour dates/times, for which I am really grateful and impressed! I saw Mann, Eaton and Lafayette, and was really impressed by each.
However, my dilemma this: my daughter turns 5 in early September, thus making her eligible for KG in DCPS, where as in MCPS she would wait a year. I have never been in a rush and would love for her to take another year in pre-school, but the problem is obviously affording to live in these neighbourhoods and paying another private school tuition. I applied for out of boundary in the pre-K lottery for several schools, but we have no chance of course. I applied to a few pre-schools in Silver Spring, and also St. Columbas, United Methodist Chevy Chase, and the Metropolitan Community Church pre-school behind Mann. all seem great.
What I'm wondering is if anyone has been in a similar situation.. did you send them as the youngest in the KG, and how did the school help them? If you kept them back in the Pre-K so they were the oldest, were they bored?
Help!
However, my dilemma this: my daughter turns 5 in early September, thus making her eligible for KG in DCPS, where as in MCPS she would wait a year. I have never been in a rush and would love for her to take another year in pre-school, but the problem is obviously affording to live in these neighbourhoods and paying another private school tuition. I applied for out of boundary in the pre-K lottery for several schools, but we have no chance of course. I applied to a few pre-schools in Silver Spring, and also St. Columbas, United Methodist Chevy Chase, and the Metropolitan Community Church pre-school behind Mann. all seem great.
What I'm wondering is if anyone has been in a similar situation.. did you send them as the youngest in the KG, and how did the school help them? If you kept them back in the Pre-K so they were the oldest, were they bored?
Help!
Hello! I was a long time DC and Silver spring resident before moving to live and work in the Middle East 9 years ago. I had my two daughters overseas (I'm american, husband is Egyptian so our girls are bi-cultural) and I'll be moving back this summer to the area (husband staying to work) with the girls. I flew 14 hours back to DC last week, and did a whirlwind tour - seeing 12 schools (elementary and pre-schools) in MD and DC. Despite being busy, all schools I contacted except Rosemary Hills gave me tours and talked with me outside of their usual tour dates/times, for which I am really grateful and impressed. Here are my overall impressions below, would love to hear from anyone who has any advice, insight or other options I may not have thought of. Additionally and as a side note, I'm looking to rent so if you know anyone who wants a nice family for an august 1 move in, let me know!
My oldest daughter will be 6 (first grade) and youngest turns 5 in early September so still Pre-K.
1) Woodlin: Principal seemed very nice and was generous with her time. Met PTA parents on the way out- seemed very cool, happy and involved. Kids seemed happy in class and teachers were happy to talk to me if the kids were elsewhere and they had time. My biggest concern here was class size and the trailer space, but she mentioned they try to keep it low in the lower grades. Overall seems like a great community school and family crowd. I think I can afford the area.
Rock Creek Forest: Took a tour with Principal, who was also very nice and welcoming, despite clearly being busy. I found her knowledgeable and professional, and stated her commitment to both the English and Spanish programs being good, but that unity and "one school" was the goal and the reality. The new school looked very nice, and walking through the halls and in the library, the kids seemed very happy. Think I can afford this area as well and love its proximity to downtown SS.
Takoma Park ES: Again, thought highly of the principal who seemed very capable, as well as honest and balanced about the school's strengths and challenges. Kids and teachers looked pretty happy here, but it's apparent that they are bursting at the seams, and I think they are losing another extra room (computer lab?) to make room for another classroom. One seeming plus here is that they have an outsourced pre-K in the actual building (although it would appear they need the room for themselves!) so I could get both my girls there. Does anyone have experience with this at this school?
Silver Spring Day School: This lovely little pre-school up on Colesville road and University blvd just blew me away. I loved the director, staff and their philosophy. The kids seemed really happy, and I believe in the co-op model. Any insight appreciated.
Evergreen Montessori: Wow, this school seemed excellent and loved the director and head of admissions. I am even considering taking a much cheaper and smaller apartment to send both my girls there for the year transition, but obviously that would entail moving them. Just can't afford this one for the long term...
I have a pretty good view of all of these as you can tell, but haven't been able to talk to any parents yet and even only just found out about this forum recently. We are also looking at Mann and Eaton in DC, so have a lot of important choices.
Thanks for any input/advice!
My oldest daughter will be 6 (first grade) and youngest turns 5 in early September so still Pre-K.
1) Woodlin: Principal seemed very nice and was generous with her time. Met PTA parents on the way out- seemed very cool, happy and involved. Kids seemed happy in class and teachers were happy to talk to me if the kids were elsewhere and they had time. My biggest concern here was class size and the trailer space, but she mentioned they try to keep it low in the lower grades. Overall seems like a great community school and family crowd. I think I can afford the area.
Rock Creek Forest: Took a tour with Principal, who was also very nice and welcoming, despite clearly being busy. I found her knowledgeable and professional, and stated her commitment to both the English and Spanish programs being good, but that unity and "one school" was the goal and the reality. The new school looked very nice, and walking through the halls and in the library, the kids seemed very happy. Think I can afford this area as well and love its proximity to downtown SS.
Takoma Park ES: Again, thought highly of the principal who seemed very capable, as well as honest and balanced about the school's strengths and challenges. Kids and teachers looked pretty happy here, but it's apparent that they are bursting at the seams, and I think they are losing another extra room (computer lab?) to make room for another classroom. One seeming plus here is that they have an outsourced pre-K in the actual building (although it would appear they need the room for themselves!) so I could get both my girls there. Does anyone have experience with this at this school?
Silver Spring Day School: This lovely little pre-school up on Colesville road and University blvd just blew me away. I loved the director, staff and their philosophy. The kids seemed really happy, and I believe in the co-op model. Any insight appreciated.
Evergreen Montessori: Wow, this school seemed excellent and loved the director and head of admissions. I am even considering taking a much cheaper and smaller apartment to send both my girls there for the year transition, but obviously that would entail moving them. Just can't afford this one for the long term...
I have a pretty good view of all of these as you can tell, but haven't been able to talk to any parents yet and even only just found out about this forum recently. We are also looking at Mann and Eaton in DC, so have a lot of important choices.
Thanks for any input/advice!