You need to try the lottery for PS3 or be prepared towait for K at your inbounds school if it is desirable at all.

Some of the charter schools, if you are interested, you won't get in at PK4.

Anonymous wrote:I'm thinking of skipping PK-3 because I don't think my son is ready yet. I want to ease him into school, and I think he'll be better prepared for PK-4. Is this a mistake on my part? I'm concerned that the incoming PK-3 group for this coming year will rise to the PK-4 spots the following year, leaving my son with few options at our preferred DCPS or Charter. What would you do?

I would put my child in PreK3. You would be surprised how "ready" he woulds be once he starts school. Your PRe?K4 chances are greatly reduce when you do 't do Pre3 at schools that start at Pre3.

There will be fewer slots at age 4 because most kids enter at age 3. Your chances of getting into your preferred school are, simply by the numbers, less.

Anonymous wrote:

+1. Also, the only DCPS that don't have PK3 are WOTP and if you're IB there this would be a moot point. YY started at PK4 but they are starting earlier now. It would be a lot harder to get a PK4 spot, however, common application will see that it will not be as hard as before.

Huh? Do you understand math at all? The odds of getting in do not change for getting in under common application. Things just happen more quickly because people can't hold onto multiple acceptances.

As for the original question, one thing to keep in mind is that our kids also behave very differently when we are not around. An initially clingy,shy child around their parents can be quite outgoing once they are comfortable with others. It takes our daughter a while, but once she is comfortable around others, she is fine. I think sometimes we influence our kids behaviors in more negative ways than we want to admit. Our own need to be loved by our kids makes us do things that cause them to cling to us more than they would otherwise.

Well I guess it is unanimous. Looking back, he has changed a great deal from just a few months ago. Maybe he will be ready in 8 months from now. Thanks for your feedback.

Anonymous wrote:I would do the lottery this year and see if you get in anywhere and then how you feel over the summer. Honestly, getting into your desired program is the most important thing, and you'd be smart to take advantage of every chance you have to play the lottery. Your child may be more ready than you think eight months from now.

+1. Also, the only DCPS that don't have PK3 are WOTP and if you're IB there this would be a moot point. YY started at PK4 but they are starting earlier now. It would be a lot harder to get a PK4 spot, however, common application will see that it will not be as hard as before.

I agree with 15:04. The change in both of my children from where they were at this time of year to the following August was remarkable.

No harm in playing the lottery now and then seeing whether he's ready in 8 months. Kids change a lot at this age.

I would do the lottery this year and see if you get in anywhere and then how you feel over the summer. Honestly, getting into your desired program is the most important thing, and you'd be smart to take advantage of every chance you have to play the lottery. Your child may be more ready than you think eight months from now.

I think this is a totally reasonable thing to do, and also a reasonable fear. But aren't there charters and good DCPS options that start at 4? I know ours used to be and just added 3 yos this year.

I'm thinking of skipping PK-3 because I don't think my son is ready yet. I want to ease him into school, and I think he'll be better prepared for PK-4. Is this a mistake on my part? I'm concerned that the incoming PK-3 group for this coming year will rise to the PK-4 spots the following year, leaving my son with few options at our preferred DCPS or Charter. What would you do?