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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'd be interested in any helpful intel on some of my down-ballot choices. Main priorities are just that a school is warm and child-friendly and not suuuper academic and just helps little kids learn to be people. Other priorities are quality aftercare and commute. We're on the Hill now but rent and can move easily (so also not tremendously concerned about after K), but school must be within at least a reasonable biking distance (&lt;10 mins) from a Metro. Because evidently I hate commuting more than I love my DC. ;)

1. Fancy Charter 1!
2. Fancy Charter 2!
3. Fancy Charter 3!
4. Peabody (IB)
5. Van Ness
6. Tyler
7. Miner
8. William E. Doar 
9. J.O. Wilson
10. Seaton
11. Langley
12. Langdon Montessori[/quote]

Tell us more about Doar.  I live near there so I'm curious.

Did you visit Langley and if so what did you think?  We are IB for Langley and feel positive about it-- enough to shorten our list to 9 schools.

I am also curious about Langdon-- tell us about it.  Do you know anyone who goes there?

[/quote]

Ha, that's why I need all you lovely people! I haven't visited 7-12, just know them from Ed Fest, one friend with a current kid happily at J.O. Wilson, and scouring the forums. I figure if we get in somewhere down list we can visit then and see what we think, or stick with our current daycare, which is great.

I was pretty impressed with Doar at Ed Fest though, and was surprised that so few folks on here seem to consider it. My DD likes to sit at her grandma's office desk and play "doing work," so while I'm sure she'd love a more traditional school, I think the early exposure to the arts would be good to expand her horizons, foster creativity, blah blah. Same with Tyler, which I did tour. Everyone seemed mostly interested in the immersion program, but I thought the "traditional" arts integration program sounded terrific and really fun!

What do you love about Langley? Maybe I'll bump it up. :)[/quote]

Langley, how do I love you, let me count the ways:

1) Principal!  Stellar.  Energetic, runs a tight ship, obviously great with kids, and has a real vision for the school.  She tables at the farmers' market sometimes-- she's really making the effort to reach out.  
2) Preschool teachers.  I have met two, both seemed great.  And I have talked with parents who have kids in each classroom, both are very satisfied.
3) Building and grounds.  Super nice auditorium, gym, spacious classrooms, garden, and rec center immediately adjacent.  
4) I like the idea of a math/science school, I think math and science education is extremely important.  I like the biology focus and I was impressed with the bigger kids' STEM curriculum.  They have a lot of neat programs that they're involved in, and partnership with McKinley Tech.  Preschool doesn't do much of that, but still, I like it.
5) Free aftercare!

I live in Eckington, not far from Doar, and I haven't ever met anyone who goes there or even has it on their list, so it's not on mine even though I love music.  And I don't really see how it's that convenient from the Hill.  I would move it down if I were you.  I'd probably leave your list as-is except move Doar to 12th and everything else up a spot.[/quote]

I also live close to Doar, or "WEDJ" as the school abbreviates the name. I don't know any parents nearby with kids who attend the school, or Noyes, or Imagine Hope Tolson, or DC Prep, all of which are in that same area. All the neighborhood parents I know have their kids in charters like Mundo Verde, Bridges, Lee, IT or DCPS like Seaton or Cleveland, or, if they are new to the lottery, are considering Langley as their safety school. That said, I love the idea of a performance art charter school and was impressed with W.E. Doar when I visited during one of their open houses. Walking into Doar reminded me of walking into the conservatory in college. Little bits of music peeped out from different hallways, yet it was quiet and peaceful at the same time. The building is modern and nice. The teachers seemed hip and artsy. The kids seemed happy. If I recall correctly, the ECE program uses a curriculum called "Splash" for their once a day lesson, but I was told that the teachers try to incorporate arts into everything (making songs and rhymes, etc.). The PK3 classes also have an arts hour every day (music/drama/dance), plus center play time, recess, nap, and meals. They told me that about 50% of WEDJ graduates go on to Duke Ellington for high school. They have lots of performances scheduled and I wanted to come back for one but the times didn't work for us. I noticed that last year WEDJ had a very small waitlist (like maybe 3 kids?) for PK3. If this year is similar to last year, I would imagine that unless you get into one of your higher ranked choices, you will probably get into WEDJ. Our lottery list is still in flux, but we will probably put it towards the bottom of our list, but above our in-bound (Noyes) which is our safety school.[/quote]

This is super helpful, thanks! I want to go visit if we get in of course, but that sounds like it would be a delightful ECE experience.[/quote]

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