Is Hearst your IB school? Where will you send your kid for K? If you're planning on going to Hearst for K, I would go there. My kids have grown out of Hearst but all started at PreK and it was wonderful to have a cohort of kids for their entire time on ES.

Also IB families that go private for PreK make it challenging for the school to manage number of classes per grade and class sizes past PreK. This is assuming PreK slots go to OOB families, which then leads to larger K classrooms when the IB families who stayed in private PreK showed up. Another reason if you're IB to start in PreK.

My kids had an amazing time at Hearst for PreK. And it meant a lot to us to join the community early, especially when there was no reason to pay for private PreK. But I think a lot has to do with long-term plans. If you're going to stay in DCPS for the long haul, why wait?

Anonymous wrote: And honestly if their test scores are low enough, they get a 504, like a ton of other students and lots of individual tutoring in K. They drop the 504 once they are on track academically. One of my kids had a 504 into second to help with reading and is doing great in school now. I was actually sad when they dropped the 504, because tutors are expensive and he enjoyed going to small group!

That's not what 504 plans are for. Yikes.

There is lots of play-based learning in PK-4, as well as social-emotional support. If you haven't already, visit Hearst and talk with the educators there about the programming. Full-day vs. part-day, and free vs. tuition-based are big differences.

Current St. C's family - St. C's is magical and we are sad that we have to leave it (kid is too old.) The play curriculum is amazing. Are you intending to go to public after this? The DCPS K expectations are kind of wild for reading (kids spend a lot more time on academics in DCPS pre-k and less on learning via play) and St. C's works on phonics but has a heavier focus on social emotional learning. Ie learning to make play plans using simple phonics and drawings and focusing on teaching executive function as opposed to just academics. Personally I think kids are ready to read when they are ready to read, which is often not at 4... But you will experience some stress with the academics as you head into DCPS for K. Obviously you can just work on letters at home too... And honestly if their test scores are low enough, they get a 504, like a ton of other students and lots of individual tutoring in K. They drop the 504 once they are on track academically. One of my kids had a 504 into second to help with reading and is doing great in school now. I was actually sad when they dropped the 504, because tutors are expensive and he enjoyed going to small group!

Anyway, I LOVE St. Columba's - it's just so special. Everyone is so nice too and the community is amazing.

St. Columba’s is a great experience! Does part day work for you? If so, I’d do it and go to Hearst for K if that is your neighborhood school.

St Columba’s has the best playground! I would try it out, you can always come back to Hearst for K if it’s your neighborhood school.

We are on the waitlist for pre-K4 at Hearst (I think strong likelihood of getting a spot), however, also considering St Columba's for our kid. We've heard nothing but wonderful things about St Columba's, but its obviously a significant $$ investment vs. free pre-K. The play-based curriculum and focus on social-emotional learning and outdoor time at St Columba's is a huge draw for us, and would be great for our kid. Curious to hear about other parents' experiences at either / both? Thanks!