My 3 big kids were all offered spots and we turned them down each time. Top of our cons list was that leaving their elem school where they are known, liked and comfortable for a new school for only 2 years is a big adjustment. 5th grade is the most exciting year for my kids with crossing guard duty, class trip, end of elementary events, friendships, more freedom, etc. Entering middle school is challenging enough but adding an optional change for the two years prior wasn’t for our kids.

As someone whose kids never got off the waitlist for CES or the humanities/STEM MS magnets, I advise you not to think about this now. Address if if and when you get an offer. Most people don't.

My kids both went to the CES from their home school. One before Covid and one during Covid.

Pros: they have more challenging work and it’s not just MORE work, it’s interesting too. The one before Covid got to plays and other enrichment experiences that just dont happen as much in mainstream.

Cons: switching schools for just two years, then your new friends dispersing to various middle schools and high schools. Transportation wasn’t a big deal for us because we were close enough to the CEs, but some bus rides are long.

All that to say—if they are happy at the home school then they probably don’t need the CES. If they’re bored out of their mind and that frustrates them or they act out, they should try it. But I honestly don’t think either of my kid’s educational outcome changed significantly due to the CES: they went to home middle and high school and had cohorts there.

Our daughter started CES this year. I'd say it's been a net positive, but it's not an unalloyed good.

Transportation hasn't been an issue; she can catch a bus from her old school to the CES school, so nothing has changed for our routine.

Academically, I like the program a lot. They read whole novels in small groups and discuss them. They also do a lot of writing, including some creative fiction writing. Those are both things I wish were in the regular classroom more than they are. My kid was most excited for the bigger projects, and there's been some of those. I think she's coming out of CES pretty significantly better prepared academically than she would have been otherwise.

Socially, it's been harder. She's made some new friends, but her best friend is still at her old school. We do what we can, but the occasional all day playdate doesn't replace seeing someone five days a week.

We knew this would be an issue. When we asked whether or not she wanted to accept the place, and she said yes, but cried about leaving her friends. A couple months ago, she was thinking about asking to switch back next year, but she seems to have changed her mind on that. We also miss her old school, which I think had a nicer community than where she is now. That might just be that we had four years to put down roots there, though.

But with twins, I'd only go if they both got in, which isn't likely.

no

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chances of them both getting selected in the lottery are slim so that may make the decision easier if you want to keep them together. And o, they don’t get bussed for reading and writing, they would transfer to Chevy chase and that would be their elementary school for 4th and 5th. It’s not for everyone but it is an amazing program.

Could you elaborate? What makes it an amazing program? I do find that my twins are often bored in class and that they'd benefit from more academic rigor. But I think socially it would be strange for them to suddenly go to a different ES.

If they are often bored in class, they will be energized by similar students as classmates and friends. Our DC went to the CES, then the Takoma Park magnet, and then the Blair magnet. CES changed his academic and social life in so many ways. He was so much happier than he had been previously.

The local literacy enrichment this year seems to be a big step down from the previous version (which used to be called the Enriched Literacy Curriculum and had some similarities to the CES curriculum.). What they do in local schools for literacy enrichment now is very CKLA-focused.

Anonymous wrote:Chances of them both getting selected in the lottery are slim so that may make the decision easier if you want to keep them together. And o, they don’t get bussed for reading and writing, they would transfer to Chevy chase and that would be their elementary school for 4th and 5th. It’s not for everyone but it is an amazing program.

Could you elaborate? What makes it an amazing program? I do find that my twins are often bored in class and that they'd benefit from more academic rigor. But I think socially it would be strange for them to suddenly go to a different ES.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't try for the lottery. They will just tell you if you get selected for CES and give you time to accept or decline. You would have to provide transportation to the CES.

Not accurate re transportation - there are buses.

Busses pick up and drop off from central stops (local elementary school)

Chances of them both getting selected in the lottery are slim so that may make the decision easier if you want to keep them together. And o, they don’t get bussed for reading and writing, they would transfer to Chevy chase and that would be their elementary school for 4th and 5th. It’s not for everyone but it is an amazing program.

OP here - thanks for clarifying lottery situation.

Putting aside the mechanics, does it make sense to accept even if one gets in?

Anonymous wrote:You don't try for the lottery. They will just tell you if you get selected for CES and give you time to accept or decline. You would have to provide transportation to the CES.

Not accurate re transportation - there are buses.

Anonymous wrote:My twins are in 3rd grade and I just received the message to all 3rd grade parents regarding the two enrichment options for 4th grade (further enrichment at local school v. CES lottery). I understand our CES location would be at Chevy Chase ES. I am wondering if it would even be worth trying for the lottery? How does it work? We are at Ashburton ES. Do they just get bussed to Chevy Chase only for reading and writing during the day? My twins score very high in MAP reading and this year are in the FIT class that's for further enrichment. So I think they are certainly candidates for receiving enrichment next year, but I can't imagine a world where them going to another school is going to be net helpful to them.

You don't need to try for the lottery. They screen all kids, and place anyone who qualifies into the lottery.

You don't try for the lottery. They will just tell you if you get selected for CES and give you time to accept or decline. You would have to provide transportation to the CES.

My twins are in 3rd grade and I just received the message to all 3rd grade parents regarding the two enrichment options for 4th grade (further enrichment at local school v. CES lottery). I understand our CES location would be at Chevy Chase ES. I am wondering if it would even be worth trying for the lottery? How does it work? We are at Ashburton ES. Do they just get bussed to Chevy Chase only for reading and writing during the day? My twins score very high in MAP reading and this year are in the FIT class that's for further enrichment. So I think they are certainly candidates for receiving enrichment next year, but I can't imagine a world where them going to another school is going to be net helpful to them.