Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 14:18     Subject: Switching schools at 5th grade?
Anonymous wrote:I'd recommend learning more about Jefferson before writing it off.


I came here to say this too. Especially if your kid is happy at ES, two transitions in two years is a lot. We are heading there next year, and I’ve talked to a lot of parents that are really happy there. I’ve also talked to several families that initially saw Jefferson as a nonstarter until they visited and talked with staff, and many of them attended or will be attending next year.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 13:49     Subject: Switching schools at 5th grade?
I'd recommend learning more about Jefferson before writing it off.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 13:43     Subject: Switching schools at 5th grade?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:CHML works for some kids and is terrible for others. I'd try to talk to existing families.

I think you might still be able to get into Stuart-Hobson from out-of-bounds, so look at this year's numbers.

Also, just fyi, technically you can take a lottery spot but then change your mind and go back to your inbound school, if it's not going well.

I don't know personally, but LT has a better reputation than Watkins, in DCUM.

The bolder area/concept applies for every single school: BASIS is good for some kids and terrible for others.


Please don’t make this a another Basis thread. She didn’t get in to Basis or didn’t choose it.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 13:31     Subject: Switching schools at 5th grade?
Anonymous wrote:CHML works for some kids and is terrible for others. I'd try to talk to existing families.

I think you might still be able to get into Stuart-Hobson from out-of-bounds, so look at this year's numbers.

Also, just fyi, technically you can take a lottery spot but then change your mind and go back to your inbound school, if it's not going well.

I don't know personally, but LT has a better reputation than Watkins, in DCUM.

The bolder area/concept applies for every single school: BASIS is good for some kids and terrible for others.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 13:30     Subject: Switching schools at 5th grade?
If Francis isn't too far it's a decent middle option too. And there's a feeder you could get into pretty much anytime: Thomson. We are there and there's only one fifth grade teacher who is really amazing. Plus the 5th grade kids do a big, capstone research project 'cause it's an IB school. Very rigorous. Not sure how SH compares to Francis though. SH may be closer for you and a better bet.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 13:16     Subject: Switching schools at 5th grade?
CHML works for some kids and is terrible for others. I'd try to talk to existing families.

I think you might still be able to get into Stuart-Hobson from out-of-bounds, so look at this year's numbers.

Also, just fyi, technically you can take a lottery spot but then change your mind and go back to your inbound school, if it's not going well.

I don't know personally, but LT has a better reputation than Watkins, in DCUM.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 12:19     Subject: Switching schools at 5th grade?
We had a terrible experience with 5th grade at CHML (a lot behavioral issues, class disruption, fights, penalizing the entire class for the misbehavior of few students etc).
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 11:58     Subject: Switching schools at 5th grade?
OP here. Thanks for the replies! I needed reassurance. I just don't have a feasible backup for 6th grade so I feel like I need to sort it out for 5th.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 11:51     Subject: Switching schools at 5th grade?
We are IB for Jefferson too and I’d switch for your best possible choice in your scenario. SH isn’t high on my list either but higher than Jefferson. We moved to a Hardy feeder last year in part to avoid Jefferson and Eastern. Good luck!
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 11:50     Subject: Switching schools at 5th grade?
Anonymous wrote:My DS is in 4th grade now, and happy at his ES. But its in an undesirable feeder pattern (Jefferson). We played the lottery for 5th for Latin and Basis, but also threw on some feeder schools for Stuart Hobson and Eliot Hine. Its looks like we will get called off the WL for at least one of Ludlow, Watkins, Wilson. I expect a call anytime now for Wilson, but maybe we will pass up on that offer.

But is it worth switching to LT or Watkins for 5th? I know SH isn't the best choice but it seems like the best one we have left, and playing the lottery at 6th may leave us with Jefferson as our only choice.

We also have very low WL numbers for SWS and Maury that feed into EH.

Is switching for 5th grade a tough adjustment? Or no big deal? I am already thinking about how we may strike out in the lottery for 6th and that April is very late in the year to try to move before the next school year starts.


We have friends who did this exact thing (also for SH feeders from worse options) and it was totally fine.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 11:49     Subject: Switching schools at 5th grade?
Anonymous wrote:My DS is in 4th grade now, and happy at his ES. But its in an undesirable feeder pattern (Jefferson). We played the lottery for 5th for Latin and Basis, but also threw on some feeder schools for Stuart Hobson and Eliot Hine. Its looks like we will get called off the WL for at least one of Ludlow, Watkins, Wilson. I expect a call anytime now for Wilson, but maybe we will pass up on that offer.

But is it worth switching to LT or Watkins for 5th? I know SH isn't the best choice but it seems like the best one we have left, and playing the lottery at 6th may leave us with Jefferson as our only choice.

We also have very low WL numbers for SWS and Maury that feed into EH.

Is switching for 5th grade a tough adjustment? Or no big deal? I am already thinking about how we may strike out in the lottery for 6th and that April is very late in the year to try to move before the next school year starts.


I would switch to LT, no question. 3 5th grade classes this year, so they'll take some new kids (your kid won't be the one newbie). The Departmentalized setup for 3rd-5th grade classes is great and the ELA 5th grade teacher is terrific. LT's extracurricular set up is also more like a middle school than most elementary schools -- so many great options. All that said, you won't hear until August whether you get in as they aren't moving the WL until then for grades K-5th. Last year, there was an unexpected IB surge in enrollment in 1st grade and so they want to wait until the dust shakes out this year since grade levels are pretty full. However, since they went to 3 5th grade classes, I would bet you do get in in August.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 11:46     Subject: Switching schools at 5th grade?
Anonymous wrote:Unless you have a plan B besides DC public schools (private, moving), I would switch for 5th absolutely. You could easily strike out for the sixth grade lottery and if Jefferson isn’t acceptable to you, you’ll be SOL.

Switch to a feeder you want. Yes, there will be an adjustment period, but then your kid will have some friends heading into middle school.


PP just to add - yes I do image that switching for 5th will be a tough adjustment. But it’s still your best option at this point.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 11:44     Subject: Switching schools at 5th grade?
Unless you have a plan B besides DC public schools (private, moving), I would switch for 5th absolutely. You could easily strike out for the sixth grade lottery and if Jefferson isn’t acceptable to you, you’ll be SOL.

Switch to a feeder you want. Yes, there will be an adjustment period, but then your kid will have some friends heading into middle school.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 11:43     Subject: Switching schools at 5th grade?
OP again - I forgot - we expect an offer Cap Hill Montessori too. That actually seems the most likely as they made more WL offers last year. Is that a good option?
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 11:35     Subject: Switching schools at 5th grade?
My DS is in 4th grade now, and happy at his ES. But its in an undesirable feeder pattern (Jefferson). We played the lottery for 5th for Latin and Basis, but also threw on some feeder schools for Stuart Hobson and Eliot Hine. Its looks like we will get called off the WL for at least one of Ludlow, Watkins, Wilson. I expect a call anytime now for Wilson, but maybe we will pass up on that offer.

But is it worth switching to LT or Watkins for 5th? I know SH isn't the best choice but it seems like the best one we have left, and playing the lottery at 6th may leave us with Jefferson as our only choice.

We also have very low WL numbers for SWS and Maury that feed into EH.

Is switching for 5th grade a tough adjustment? Or no big deal? I am already thinking about how we may strike out in the lottery for 6th and that April is very late in the year to try to move before the next school year starts.