Anonymous wrote:There's a great private/synagogue preschool at 31st and Military - Temple Sinai Nursery School - for 4s it's probably half days with some afternoon options until 2 pm or so. We have friends who have sent their children there. You don't need to be Jewish to attend their school.

Our second child just finished at TSNS. A truly wonderful place; we will miss it.

Welcome to the neighborhood! The Center City PK is a good suggestion, I would also get on the waitlists for Shepherd Elementary, West, Takoma, and possibly Powell. Chances are those schools will not make it to the bottom of the waitlists, but it doesn't hurt to try.

If you are not happy with your local school (Brightwood Public School PK-8th grade I believe) you might visit Brightwood Campus of the Center City Public Charter School System. I don't know if they have any PK spots left but it is more likely there than LAMB CHarter school which is in your area. While we took out our kids after Kindergarten and 2nd grade, the PK and K classes were fine and I would expect still are although the demographics are changing somewhat. It is really only a problem in the later grades in terms of academics etc in my opinion. Mostly the kids in PK and K are pleasant and the school was safe.

Anyways if you don't want to pay for private this may be an option.

There's a great private/synagogue preschool at 31st and Military - Temple Sinai Nursery School - for 4s it's probably half days with some afternoon options until 2 pm or so. We have friends who have sent their children there. You don't need to be Jewish to attend their school.

Anonymous wrote:How can I find out what school is my local school?

All readily available here: http://dcps.dc.gov/portal/site/DCPS/
There is a link called "find your neighborhood school" but be sure to skim over how the whole school system works and how to apply. It's well explained. If your local school is a viable option, you should seek to be added to the PK waitlist or enroll right away. And please don't just look at test scores and demographics. School will be out next Thursday (noon). So you have a few more days to visit your local school and take a look around. Keep in mind though that this will be the last week, and you may see it in pack-up and celebratory mode and mood, for better and for worse.
It may also make sense to check around nearby local schools and see if their PK option may be viable and possibly not in huge demand. Ask to be placed on those waitlists too. If it's not miles long, they can just place you at the very back. Given that you won't make it onto any official waitlist rosters, you'll need to periodically check with the front staff to find out where things are at over the summer. If you make it in somewhere, then be sure to call all of them and take your name off their waitlists. Have your enrollment documentation ready so that if you're granted a spot, you can submit it all right away. They will care that you do.

Search here: http://dcatlas.dcgis.dc.gov/schools/

Actually, PK is all done by lottery, so I'm not sure how they handle people who move after the lotteries have happened. You might want to just call DCPS and ask.

Thanks, I will try that.

How can I find out what school is my local school?

If you're looking for public, you missed all the PK lotteries for next year. You should look into whether your local school is a viable option. If you're looking for private options, there's a preschool forum. Might want to post there.

Looking for a pre-school for my 4 year old daughter. We moved to the area from out of the country a few years ago, and moved from Maryland to D.C. about three months ago. Like everyone, I am looking for a safe learning environment in my neighborhood, 16th and Military Road.

Thanks for your advice!