Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What specifically do you want to know? Based on interactions with kids who go there in our local playground, we did not apply.

We would like to buy a home, and while we don't have kids yet , we'd like to live near a good elementary school. We feel like a lot of the good upper northwest schools' location is too suburban for us at this point. We would like a row house or single family home that is walking distance to retail. I saw Tubman had good ratings on good schools.com, and we like Columbia heights, so I wanted to get more info on Tubman. Suggestions of other areas are welcome.

You can have an "urban/cool" neighborhood in DC, OR a decent zoned elementary school, but not both. Pick what is more important to you.

Not true. What a out oyster Adams?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What specifically do you want to know? Based on interactions with kids who go there in our local playground, we did not apply.

We would like to buy a home, and while we don't have kids yet , we'd like to live near a good elementary school. We feel like a lot of the good upper northwest schools' location is too suburban for us at this point. We would like a row house or single family home that is walking distance to retail. I saw Tubman had good ratings on good schools.com, and we like Columbia heights, so I wanted to get more info on Tubman. Suggestions of other areas are welcome.

You can have an "urban/cool" neighborhood in DC, OR a decent zoned elementary school, but not both. Pick what is more important to you.

I think you can do it on the hill if you buy IB for Brent or Maury. Middle school does not have good options yet but OP has time on her side there and there is a good chance for better options to develop over the next 12 years. I say this as a parent living in AU Park, I love our school and there is much retail to walk to but it is not urban.

Anonymous wrote:I live in the area and think that the problem with most of the schools, including Tubman, is that people will stay in the early years and bail when they can. We are looking to move. (Struck out in the lottery this year.)

OP I think this is a common refrain. I would only buy in either a very good school area or be prepared to at least possibly move. Lotteries are pure luck and I wouldn't hang your hat on that.

I live 1/2 block from Tubman. I love the neighborhood - but send my son to a charter......

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What specifically do you want to know? Based on interactions with kids who go there in our local playground, we did not apply.

We would like to buy a home, and while we don't have kids yet , we'd like to live near a good elementary school. We feel like a lot of the good upper northwest schools' location is too suburban for us at this point. We would like a row house or single family home that is walking distance to retail. I saw Tubman had good ratings on good schools.com, and we like Columbia heights, so I wanted to get more info on Tubman. Suggestions of other areas are welcome.

You can have an "urban/cool" neighborhood in DC, OR a decent zoned elementary school, but not both. Pick what is more important to you.

I'm IBs for Tubman and didn't even consider it. I sent my daughter private until we lucked out in the charter lottery.

I don't think anyone on this board has first-hand experience with Tubman. I would tour and ask for names of parents who you can talk to.

I used to live half a block from Tubman.Moved because of 2 shootings in front of our house in one week not long ago.
I'd check out Powell, have heard good things about the school.
(Ofcourse my own Snow-whites go to WtoP school).

I live in the area and think that the problem with most of the schools, including Tubman, is that people will stay in the early years and bail when they can. We are looking to move. (Struck out in the lottery this year.)

Anonymous wrote:Maybe try inbounds for Garrison, Powell or Bancroft. Tubman just lost their great principal and I'm not sure if it has as much buzz/commitment from the gentrifier set. Or at least that is the playground buzz.

So something like garrison has a 3 rating on greatschools.com where's Tubman has an 8. Given everyone's remarks here, is focusing on that website not very helpful and not representative of how good a school is?

Then look IB for Powell or West. Both slightly north of the Tubman boundary. Tubman draws from a significant swath of rough public housing, which is probably what the PP was alluding to regarding interactions on the local playground

Maybe try inbounds for Garrison, Powell or Bancroft. Tubman just lost their great principal and I'm not sure if it has as much buzz/commitment from the gentrifier set. Or at least that is the playground buzz.

Anonymous wrote:What specifically do you want to know? Based on interactions with kids who go there in our local playground, we did not apply.

We would like to buy a home, and while we don't have kids yet , we'd like to live near a good elementary school. We feel like a lot of the good upper northwest schools' location is too suburban for us at this point. We would like a row house or single family home that is walking distance to retail. I saw Tubman had good ratings on good schools.com, and we like Columbia heights, so I wanted to get more info on Tubman. Suggestions of other areas are welcome.

What specifically do you want to know? Based on interactions with kids who go there in our local playground, we did not apply.

Does anyone have thoughts on Tubman elementary in Columbia heights?