Reply to Let's talk Second Tier Choices (PK specific, both PCS and DCPS)

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Hi everyone.  I've spent a lot of time going through the forum in the past few days, as I prep our cadre of PK3 applications for next year.  I've found a lot of fantastic information on almost all of the schools on our list, especially the "great" ones.  However, I'm conscious of the fact that there's no real choice in these matters--it's all up to the lottery, and so I'm not getting tied to any specific options until I know what those options might be.  Just trying to cast a wide net.

My son will be entering PK3 next year, so I am specifically interested in ONLY PREK programs.  Because of my husband's job, we know we will be leaving DC in two years, so I am less concerned about a school where he will stay "forever" than a school that we can be invested in immediately.  From some of the discussions on here, that leads me to believe we might actually have some more options, because I am totally in favor of taking a chance on a newer school that's only serving younger students, or on a program that's just starting, or on a program that (as of yet) has only proved successful for the younger grades.  We are involved parents looking to get involved in our school.  We value free play, creative learning, and social atmosphere over an over-advanced preschool curriculum.  That being said, my son is adventurous, bright, and already somewhat 'advanced' (what does that even mean in a 2-year-old?) because he's been in a montessori-method preschool this year.  Mostly, I'm looking for a place for him to be happy, safe, have fun, and learn about the world around him, hopefully with warm and engaged teachers, a diverse student population, and a decent school structure that values parental involvement.

The list of best/most popular/hardest to get into/great schools seems to be fairly agreed upon, and I'm certainly applying to them ([b]Stokes, EL Haynes, Two Rivers, Mundo Verde, Creative Minds, Bridges, Meridian, Peabody, Logan Montessori[/b]).  What I'm most interested in is OTHER choices--places where parents of small kids are happy and fulfilled, but perhaps not the first tier.  I'm especially interested in the schools that use Reggio-method, or have arts emphasis, as my son's very favorite thing above all others is art of any kind, and I think that might make sense for us.

We live in Ward 5 (Brookland) but are willing to go almost anywhere in the city.  Of course, schools that don't snarl me in traffic each morning would be preferred, if possible.

So...opinions on second tier options?  Just throwing some names out there--DC Prep, Friendship PCS, Imagine Hope, Potomac Lighthouse, WE Doar Jr, Shining Stars?  Or in terms of DCPS--Ludlow-Taylor, Walker Jones, Takoma EC, Burroughs?  I have already scanned the forum and read their reviews on greatschools, but I was hoping for some current feedback, as well as wondering what other parents are doing for your second-tier choices.

I appreciate your feedback.  Thanks![/quote]

Not sure about Meridian, but otherwise a solid list.  I'd Appletree, though.[/quote]

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