DCPS only provides full-times teachers aides for PreS3, PreK4 and K. Brent hires floating aides for 1st grade up - classroom teachers have the help during around half their instructional time outside specials. First grade class sizes have been in the 19-23 range in the past few years. There's generally a little attrition from K to 1st. The first grade teachers are all popular, along with the 2nd grade teachers.

If the K class is large and has PTA sponsored support to keep student: adult ratios low, what will 1st grade and up look like?

Good luck finding a thriving dcps public elementary school where K class sizes are small.

We had 27 kids in our Maury K class, which turned out to be fine.

At least dcps provides full-time para professionals/teachers assistants in K.

The same thing was said about the incoming PreS3 class four years ago, in fall of 2013, almost as big as this year's rising K class when they applied to preschool. The prediction was made that future PreS3 cohorts would be as large, or larger. But the next year, the PreS3 applicant group in-boundary was at least 20 kids smaller. Numbers of in-boundary applicants for early childhood classes go up and down a lot at Brent. The bigger K classes are loaded with younger siblings.

Anonymous wrote:The incoming K class is huge at all the Hill schools. It was a weird year.

There has been a massive influx of people and a baby boom on the Hill, starting about 6 years ago. The incoming K class won't be an outlier. DCPS reacts verrrry slowly to population changes.

OP, just because the K classes are likely to be on the large side this fall doesn't mean that your child would be lost in the shuffle for K, or any other year at Brent.

PTA funds are used to hire half a dozen floating "teacher partners" (classroom aides) to improve the adult: kid ratio at least part of the school day. Some classes have full-time practice teachers on board. The higher you go in the school, the smaller the classes tend to be. Many parents work in the House of Representatives office buildings nearby, and some will return to their state when their Rep is voted out or whatever.

We haven't found that Brent is a disorganized school (and we could afford private). There are many strong teachers, including all the specials teachers. Brent offers more specials than most other public schools (Spanish, art, music, science, PE).

Good luck w/your choice.

Anonymous wrote:We left after Brent Kindergarten 2 years ago as it was pretty chaotic at all times-classroom, recess, field trips -and were not impressed with the school. K is not a strong year at Brent, teachers are average at best although I hear the new principal is great. GL.

Take this comment with a grain of salt, PP.

K was a very strong year for us at Brent for the past two years. Both our older and younger children (spaced close together) had the new K teacher, who rocks. Things have improved at Brent since you bailed. The recess situation is much less chaotic. The weakest K teacher retired.
The K OOB WL is a mile long.

Hello, Brent is a public school. Let me guess, you left for a tony private because, let's face it, DC public schools are chaotic places for parents who don't want the best for their kids, or are slackers who can't afford privates.

The incoming K class is huge at all the Hill schools. It was a weird year.

Does the pp know where Brent is?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are considering moving to DC and looking at Capitol Hill neighborhood-Specifically Brent for K. I understand this might be one of the largest K classes with possibility of 30 kids in a class. Is this normal for DCPS or just a bad year? That seems large to me and a bit concerning.

Call the school tomorrow and ask how many children are enrolled in K - how many classes will there be so you can make an informed decision.

Yes, agree but keep in mind K enrollment is a rolling number as they need to take every child who moves in-bounds. I know a few families who are in-bounds who have not officially enrolled yet so school may have a general sense but number can change especially as we approach start of school and families are moving in like OP.

there will also be families that enrolled that don't show. At higher SES schools - they have a good sense of enrollment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are considering moving to DC and looking at Capitol Hill neighborhood-Specifically Brent for K. I understand this might be one of the largest K classes with possibility of 30 kids in a class. Is this normal for DCPS or just a bad year? That seems large to me and a bit concerning.

Call the school tomorrow and ask how many children are enrolled in K - how many classes will there be so you can make an informed decision.

Yes, agree but keep in mind K enrollment is a rolling number as they need to take every child who moves in-bounds. I know a few families who are in-bounds who have not officially enrolled yet so school may have a general sense but number can change especially as we approach start of school and families are moving in like OP.

Anonymous wrote:We are considering moving to DC and looking at Capitol Hill neighborhood-Specifically Brent for K. I understand this might be one of the largest K classes with possibility of 30 kids in a class. Is this normal for DCPS or just a bad year? That seems large to me and a bit concerning.

Call the school tomorrow and ask how many children are enrolled in K - how many classes will there be so you can make an informed decision.

We left after Brent Kindergarten 2 years ago as it was pretty chaotic at all times-classroom, recess, field trips -and were not impressed with the school. K is not a strong year at Brent, teachers are average at best although I hear the new principal is great. GL.

Anonymous wrote:We are considering moving to DC and looking at Capitol Hill neighborhood-Specifically Brent for K. I understand this might be one of the largest K classes with possibility of 30 kids in a class. Is this normal for DCPS or just a bad year? That seems large to me and a bit concerning.

It is one of the biggest classes Brent has had but I think should be closer 25 or 26. My oldest had 24 in her K class and it was ok. Brent is good school and a good community. Good luck with the move.

We are considering moving to DC and looking at Capitol Hill neighborhood-Specifically Brent for K. I understand this might be one of the largest K classes with possibility of 30 kids in a class. Is this normal for DCPS or just a bad year? That seems large to me and a bit concerning.