Anonymous wrote:This is not redshirting. Redshirting is making the decision to hold a child back a grade because s/he is not ready. Whether you agree with the practice or not, that isn't what OP is contemplaring. Her child entered the lottery last year, but didn't get in anywhere. So she wants to enter him agains this year, but not in the PK4 lottery, because there are fewer slots open there, but in the PK3 lottery, so he has a better chance of getting im. In other words, she wants to game the system (or really, cheat). Because you see, HER kid deserves a greater chance to get into a good charter than OTHER kids who weren't born in September.
OP, I would hope you aren't permitted to do this.

I hope you and the stealing Disney World mother are the same. Otherwise, there are two, lying, stealing, cheating parents posting this week?

What is up with people?

I think this is a terrible idea. We are doing the PS-3 lotteries this year, with a March birthday, and I am incensed to think that parents might be putting their kids in as 4-year-olds. Seriously, you had your shot at the PS-3 lottery; sorry it didn't work out for you.

I'm not OP, but this is a September birthday. I don't think it would be unreasonable, and presumably the school is aware of the birthday.

I have a 3rd grader who is very happy at a EOTP DCPS elementary. We are looking at Latin, and the thought went through my head of seeing if he could do 5th grade twice - in order to be able to go to the highest grade at the DCPS school, seeing it to completion, and to able to probably get into Latin and to start in the entry grade. I don't think we will do this (and I don't know if Latin would allow it), but I considered it.

I think your heart is in the right place but you are missing the forest for the trees. You are likely disadvanting your son in the long run. He is likely ready for PreK4 next year. What happens if you hold him back and he doesn't get in a second year at the school of your choice for PreK3? What if he's accepted but the school turns out to be a poor fit? You aren't guaranteed success by holding him back a year.

Anonymous wrote:In other words, she wants to game the system (or really, cheat). Because you see, HER kid deserves a greater chance to get into a good charter than OTHER kids who weren't born in September.

OP, I would hope you aren't permitted to do this.

PP, thanks for this. We also had terrible lottery luck last year, but would never consider trying to game the system to get another shot. There are still plenty of slots and movement for PK4, and a few schools that don't start until PK4. I can't believe that someone would want to hold their child back for a whole year just to try for a better charter school. Don't forget that means you get to have a 19-year-old college freshman!

This is not redshirting. Redshirting is making the decision to hold a child back a grade because s/he is not ready. Whether you agree with the practice or not, that isn't what OP is contemplaring. Her child entered the lottery last year, but didn't get in anywhere. So she wants to enter him agains this year, but not in the PK4 lottery, because there are fewer slots open there, but in the PK3 lottery, so he has a better chance of getting im. In other words, she wants to game the system (or really, cheat). Because you see, HER kid deserves a greater chance to get into a good charter than OTHER kids who weren't born in September.

OP, I would hope you aren't permitted to do this.

Anonymous wrote:So you think that kids with September birthdays should get two shots at the PS3 lotteries? I guess some people will do anything to game the system. I would call the individual charter schools that interest you to find out if they will accept a student outside of their birthday year.

How does that conversation even go? "My four-year-old is too immature for a four-year-old classroom and needs to be in a three-year-old room?"

Flash forward to the post many years from now:

"Why won't my 18 year old leave the house, I worry that I babied him to much"

Your kid is 4, put him in the PS4 class. He will eat paste and color ourside the lines with the rest of the 4 year olds.

Anonymous wrote:Will the school let you do it? We wanted to do that for pk4 at our local dcps, not to get a second shot at getting in, but because she does not have the social skills to be successful as the youngest kid in the class. We successfully entered the lottery, but the school would not let us enroll in prek because she was age-eligible for k.

I know Upper NW schools allow this - it is a shame that the school is able to pick and choose when they apply this rule.

People redshirt for PreK all the time in the DCPS lottery. (There are threads on this if you search)

I assume you are going to:
1. Apply to DCPS for PreK (for neighborhood school and OOB lottery)
2. Apply to charters that start at PreK / have more openings at PreK for PreK
3. Apply to charters that have more openings at PreS for PreS

This is about your child and your long term educational needs. Do what you need to do.

Will the school let you do it? We wanted to do that for pk4 at our local dcps, not to get a second shot at getting in, but because she does not have the social skills to be successful as the youngest kid in the class. We successfully entered the lottery, but the school would not let us enroll in prek because she was age-eligible for k.

I think the poster wants to put a 4 y.o. in the 3 y.o. lottery, right? This wouldn't help at all at Stokes, for example, where the 3's and 4's are mixed in one classroom.

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe we're actually considering this, but DC missed out on getting into a Charter last year. September birthday -- so it seems like we have a second shot at PS3, which seems like the year with most spots at most charters. Thoughts?

I would do it. What do you have to lose? September birthdays are notoriously difficult, especially if you have a boy. In a lot of schools, the PK3 and PK4 children are mixed in the same classroom anyway. Do whatever it takes to get in to a good school.

At least for DCPS, the cut-off dates during the application process are solid, no wiggle room there: "Your child must turn 3 years of age on or before September 30 to be eligible.." I'm quite certain charters have followed and aligned their age requirements. If that happens to give you two shots (although I'm not sure how it would have), take it. Actual placement is a different story. At least what DCPS is concerned, your child would be placed in PS3 but could be evaluated and moved into PK. That would be after a few weeks of evaluation and at the principles discretion.

So you think that kids with September birthdays should get two shots at the PS3 lotteries? I guess some people will do anything to game the system. I would call the individual charter schools that interest you to find out if they will accept a student outside of their birthday year.

How does that conversation even go? "My four-year-old is too immature for a four-year-old classroom and needs to be in a three-year-old room?"

I can't believe we're actually considering this, but DC missed out on getting into a Charter last year. September birthday -- so it seems like we have a second shot at PS3, which seems like the year with most spots at most charters. Thoughts?