My kid is in 5th grade CES there now. I’d do it. It’s still early and not at all unusual to get new kids. Remember, in 4th grade all the kids are new anyway. I don’t love the school overall, but my kid is having a much better academic experience in CES than she was having at her home school.

Anonymous wrote:Principal is a bully. Lunch and recess are a disaster. There is no discipline and unruly kids run the show. Your kid may love it or hate it. I would insist on a tour.

'Cause I'm next on the waiting list.

Agree with PP - enroll, see how your DC likes it, and then go back to home school if desired.

Principal is a bully. Lunch and recess are a disaster. There is no discipline and unruly kids run the show. Your kid may love it or hate it. I would insist on a tour.

Anonymous wrote:If your child is bored and wants to try it, definitely send them!

+1 What have you got to lose? Your child can return to home school any time they want.

Anonymous wrote:I have two kids who went through Drew and had a great experience. Much better than the home school, both with finding a good peer group and also with the curriculum (but this was before ELC was an option at the home school). It seems strange they won't even allow a tour before or after school, though. What is your home school? Maybe somebody will have some direct experience to compare.

Thank you. Westover.

If your child is bored and wants to try it, definitely send them!

This is a highly personal decision and depends on your kid and your neighborhood school. You mention your child is bored currently, I'd give it a try.

You may be able to visit before or after school, just not during the school day. Call and see if admin staff is there on Monday.

I have two kids who went through Drew and had a great experience. Much better than the home school, both with finding a good peer group and also with the curriculum (but this was before ELC was an option at the home school). It seems strange they won't even allow a tour before or after school, though. What is your home school? Maybe somebody will have some direct experience to compare.

Principal is not great and they don’t have an active pta.
Two kids I know from Cloverly got in, one went for a month then went back to homeschool. Other one didn’t go at all. Both did fine at Cloverly.

Absolutely not. The fact that you can’t tour explains a lot.

This is not one of the stronger CESes but if you can manage the commute and your child wants to go go for it. I personally wouldn't bother since it's only for 2 years.

Can't you just try it out for a week and then switch back if your child does not like it?

Mid year? It's September.

Our child tested into CES for 4th but didn’t get a lottery spot. We received an email that there is now a spot for them at the Drew CES. Child is already in ELC and compacted math at the home school but is generally bored and is interested in trying out the regional CES. I’m hesitant to make a change especially mid-year without even a tour and they won’t allow one (“disruptive”) during or before/after school. Would appreciate you sharing any experiences (good or bad) with the Charles Drew CES specifically, though of course we know every child is different. Thanks in advance.