Reply to CMI vs YY for PK3?

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Reply to "CMI vs YY for PK3?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here. Thank you all. We are enrolled at CMI and now #3 on wait list for YY. We are not explicitly committed to Mandarin, but research demonstrates that learning another language has benefits. I'm really interested in the other qualities of the school though: how will it work for a shy, high achieving kid? MV was our first choice, and we'd accept in a heartbeat as my husband is a native Spanish speaker, but alas, we are #21 and won't get in :( [/quote]

Right, problem is your average YY kid doesn't exactly learn another language; they learn to write and recognize a lot of characters. It's an awkward subject at the school, but it's not uncommon for parents to find that a YY student who's been earning good grades in Chinese can barely communicate with native speakers from outside the school community (those not speaking textbook Mandarin slowly). Hiring native-speaking adults to supplement on a regular basis--the only thing that really works--is not a cheap or easy path to travel. If parents don't do this, most kids will struggle to speak and understand everyday Chinese even after years at YY. If you don't have the money or inclination to supplement, realize that your shy kid will be competing with outgoing, confident kids whose families host Mandarin-speaking au pairs year in and year out. Some YY kids shut down on Chinese, refusing to speak outside of class.

You could probably crack a Spanish immersion charter next year, or for K, if you keep playing the lottery. You could move in-boundary for Tyler or Oyster if you fail. Parents who are serious about Spanish but strike out out at MV and LAMB do move IB for Oyster. Some 2-bedroom apartments IB for Oyster rent for around 2K. Since hubbie is a native Spanish speaker (priceless), I'd go that route.
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YY parent here. What do you think YY could do differently while balancing the reality of 1) no preference for native speakers 2) public charter lottery composed of DC residents 3) the need for the children to meet learning objectives in English?[/quote]

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