Page ES also has a great admin and good Spanish immersion program. In-bound families get preference and usually get a spot.

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone come up with any alternatives for picking up a language if their kid didn’t get in to an immersion program? I know we’re not going to match that if we strike out again in 1st, but there must be other ways to get some meaningful exposure to foreign languages before middle school.

There are private schools like Rochambeau, which is relatively affordable.

Also summer immersion camps like Whole Kids Academy.

Also, you can move to a home ES district that has a bilingual program for all students…

Has anyone come up with any alternatives for picking up a language if their kid didn’t get in to an immersion program? I know we’re not going to match that if we strike out again in 1st, but there must be other ways to get some meaningful exposure to foreign languages before middle school.

Anonymous wrote:I also only applied to the two closest that I felt serious about but now that results are in I wish I had applied more widely. Might not have accepted a spot, but it might have been good to have the chance.

Try again for 1st? I think the best strategy is to apply for all the lotteries you’re eligible for and see what happens. No harm in turning down a spot after you’ve talked to current parents, seen the bus routes, etc.

We got in !!!!!

My kiddo got a French spot and an impossibly high Spanish number.

Anonymous wrote:I have applied for 7 years for a spot at RCF for my kids and finally my littlest got in!! (For 1st grade).

Congrats! I have 3 and my oldest got in nowhere. I was wondering if I’d keep applying for the younger ones. A weird thing but I guess it’s just the way MCPS works that they won’t all have the same opportunities.

I also only applied to the two closest that I felt serious about but now that results are in I wish I had applied more widely. Might not have accepted a spot, but it might have been good to have the chance.

I have applied for 7 years for a spot at RCF for my kids and finally my littlest got in!! (For 1st grade).

Anonymous wrote:Try for the 1st grade lottery, OP!

We will, although I think the odds are longer?

I also think it might be a tougher sell to yank my kid around and change schools — but I’m still interested.

Try for the 1st grade lottery, OP!

Anonymous wrote:It’s hard to find teachers for these programs, otherwise they would expand them more quickly. Other options include home schools with bilingual programs like Oakland Terrace or Kemp Mill.

Yes, this. At least for French, when an immersion teacher is out unexpectedly, it can be really challenging to find a MCPS-certified French-speaking sub at the last minute. In the past, my DC would sometimes report having had English-speaking subs and they spent the day doing worksheets or watching French shows. Sometimes this would go on for days. So I think they would expand it if they could.

It’s hard to find teachers for these programs, otherwise they would expand them more quickly. Other options include home schools with bilingual programs like Oakland Terrace or Kemp Mill.

Same results for us. 50s for one and 200s for the one we really wanted. For god's sake why don't they just expand it! There are probably 1000s of families interested.

Anyone get in? Anyone feeling really sad like me?

We’re in the 100s for one and 200s for another. On the one hand, I expected this. On the other, I’m still crushed!

I really wanted this for my child. I learned 2 languages but never felt fluent and always wished I’d had a chance like this. 😢