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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My question for years has been when is a waitlist too long? Some schools have more on the WL than they do seats. Assuming it isn't a Janney situation (only PK4 and no more room), what is the plan?[/quote]

It depends.  Ultimately, they will not add preschoolers unless they can continue to serve those children (factoring in attrition) through 5th, no matter how long the WL is.  Some schools have room to grow and want to grow, so they may motivate to add a room as soon as possible.  Not all waitlisters are the same.  Siblings and IB are most likely to matriculate.  Post lottery OOB adds are the least-- if ther were that interested in the school it would have been one of their 12 lottery picks.  So it is not a number, but more of a judgment call.[/quote]

Sorry that it wasn't clear, I was talking about IB WL. I think we might be nearing a tipping point in a few of the districts where something needs to be done. [/quote]

If many low-income kids are being denied PK3 (or PK4) seats, then something will be done. That's what the early action program is for -- making sure the most in-need students can get these seats. It's also why Van Ness lost that designation -- because its IB population is skewing higher SES.

Keep in mind all these wait lists are as of 3/31 and don't reflect any movement at all. The initial enrollment deadline period isn't over, and many of the people on these wait lists are also on WL at charter schools and might get in somewhere. Gotta wait until schools starts next year to reach conclusions about whether there is a need for more.

The charters are adding significant preschool capacity for 18-19 -- looks like at least an additional 100-150 seats on the way. [/quote]

And this is another reason why DCPS is in trouble. None of this is mutually exclusive. You are right in that most of the areas effected are not in "in-need areas" but isn't it possible to ensure those who need help get it and help middle class families as well. At the same time, these WL will not move more than 5 people. For the most part these are also families that would like to go to their neighborhood schools (so charters won't help much). And 100 to 150 seats in just a finger in the dike.[/quote]

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