My initial strategy five years ago was to print out the large database of lottery results and then map out the schools with the highest wait list numbers. Be glad you don't have to do that anymore.

When the central lottery became an option I used Google Maps to locate all the elementary schools near home, work and the path in between. I started by looking at their DCPS school profile online and, if the school looked interesting, I would come to this forum and do a search.

Then I created a ranking of priorities - demographics, ease of commute, scores, before/after care, music program - I'm just making these up as an example, but you can decide for yourself what's important - created my own database of contenders with a point system based on those priorities. That made it easier to discuss with my husband who told me that he hadn't even thought of what his priorities were until I mapped them out. Together, we moved school choices up and down the list until we could agree on a lottery ranking. Sometimes you'll surprise yourself and each other.

Now you can do all that with MySchoolDC.org and see all the scores, demographics, etc. in one place. But I still like Google maps for planning commutes by car, bike, walking or public transit. It's not 100% accurate, but it's much better than relying on people on this forum.

Only you know what's important to you and what you can handle. Take everything else with a grain of salt and go see it with your own eyes. I know lots of people happy with schools I would have summarily written off when back when I started out. Intelligent people do not rely solely on this forum. Good luck.

One last thing: everyone says you'll eventually end up where you want to be, even if it takes a few years. I didn't believe it, but we're very happy in our third year in the game.

Showing my ignorance - what is the DC schools forum? Thanks

Have a backup plan outside of the lottery.

Go to the open houses - I felt that was my best source of gut information on each school. Understand that it really is a lottery and that while there's a small chance you can get in somewhere fabulous, you can also be hugely prepared and not get in anywhere.

What is your neighborhood school?

I would Go to Edfest. That was more helpful than I thought.

Secondly, I would be both aggressive and realistic with my choices. You will not get into Brent or Maury or Peabody as an OOB student. You won't get into these schools even as an IB without sibling preference. So don't waste your time with schools like that. With that in mind, be as aggressive as you can now. This is the easiest time to get into the ultra competitive charters like Mundo Verde, Yu Ying, Two Rivers, LAMB, etc. LAMB actually only takes kids in PK3 and PK4, and they don't use the common lottery. Their website has the application.

Don't make the mistake of thinking you'll go to an easy to get into dcps or charter that's close to home if you actually want your kids to go to a HRCS down the line. The easiest time to get in is PK3, not kindergarten. Be aggressive! You might end up lucky!

What are your interests? Do you want your child to go to an immersion school? Montessori? Expeditionary Learning? Reggio? Traditional? What are your views on homework? Do you need before and after care? What's your commute like? These are questions you must ask yourself as you're searching.

Where do you live and work? With that info, many of would be happy to chime in with our opinions and try to help.

Also, a woman named EV Downey does school consultations for you to get your bearings if you're interested.

Get the Bethesda Magazine for October. There are many preschools listed for both Bethesda and NW DC. They go into a lot of detail on each school.

You should put this on the DC schools forum. You will get more answers there.

1. Learn about the schools from MySchoolDC.org or their individual websites, which should be listed on their MSDC profile.

2. If you are able, attend open houses so that you can see the school. Open houses that occur today are best to see the school in action.

3. Go to EdFest, but research the schools you are considering in advance. EdFest is huge and if you go in without an agenda, you will be overwhelmed and may waste the opportunity to ask specific questions.

4. Visit your in bounds school and list it, but only rank it highly if you truly want to go there more than other places.

5. Do not bother with most of the "highly desired" DCPS schools. You can list Ross, but you will not get in. The Ward 3 schools don't have PK3 anyway, but the same is mostly true over there. Eaton and Hearst still have space for some out of bounds kids, but the rest of them mostly do not.

Anonymous wrote:Head to the DC schools forum, for one.

Definitely that, but please, please don't use bitchy and/or ignorant DCUM posts to build your full picture of any school. Also go to myschooldc.org. Sign up to receive alerts or follow on FB or Twitter and put EdFest on your calendar. http://www.myschooldc.org/events/edfest/

Head to the DC schools forum, for one.

Hi - I'm looking to develop a strategy for learning about and applying to various PreK3 options near work and home. Anyone care to share their strategy (what websites did you consult, how did you approach open houses, etc)? I could see myself spending hundreds of hours on this but would rather learn some tips/tricks before I start. Thanks!!