Anonymous wrote:Yes, just read about Breakthrough's move and it is definitely off the list as new location too far.
Seems like Seaton could replace it.

As for Tyler, I think it may be a bit too far for us.

We visited School within School, may consider putting that on. But if we don't put it very high on the list, I suppose that would be another "wasted" spot.
I think I am confused though, what schools do you put in spots 8,9,10? If you select any moderately competitive charter school than it seems this is a "waste"? If that is the case we not really have 12 schools.

You are right about SWS. Especially with your stated preferences of Spanish and Montessori.

For 8, 9, and 10 you can put non-competitive charters, schools that are going through a move or something that makes them easier to get into, and nearby neighborhood schools that take a significant number of OOB students. Or a school that is less competitive you like for a personal reason like it's near your office or near a family member's home. Some people don't have anything to fill that role so they just don't list 12 schools, and that's fine.

Personally, I would not do JO Wilson as I don't think there's anything special enough about it to justify the commute, and for preschool I prefer a smaller school. Yes it feeds to Stuart-Hobson, but you can probably get into that or Ludlow-Taylor in a later grade if you need to, so it's not really worth taking on the commute now.

People in Bloomingdale used to consistently choose Seaton over Langley, but now it's more a question of whether you like the socioemotional curriculum at Langley, and logistical factors, and these days a lot of people don't get into Seaton for PK3 so you may not have a choice. Chances are you could still switch to Seaton in PK4 or K anyway if you really want to, so if it's at all inconvenient for you, just stick with Langley and you'l be fine.

Yes, just read about Breakthrough's move and it is definitely off the list as new location too far.
Seems like Seaton could replace it.

As for Tyler, I think it may be a bit too far for us.

We visited School within School, may consider putting that on. But if we don't put it very high on the list, I suppose that would be another "wasted" spot.
I think I am confused though, what schools do you put in spots 8,9,10? If you select any moderately competitive charter school than it seems this is a "waste"? If that is the case we not really have 12 schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, here is how I would do it:

1.Elsie Whitlow Stokes PCS (Spanish)
2. Mundo Verde PCS
3. DC Bilingual PCS
4. Two Rivers
5.Tyler OOB
6.Lee Montessori
7.Shining Stars Montessori PCS
8.Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS
9. Capital City
10. Creative Minds Intl
11.Breakthrough Montessori/Seaton
12.Langley (in boundary guarantee)

This way, your list does not contain any wasted spots, but still prioritizes the things you say you want. However, I would make sure you know the details of Breakthrough's location and move-- do you like Montessori enough for that? Consider replacing it with Seaton. But you can't replace Langley with Seaton because you might not get into Seaton OOB.

NP- still makes 10 and 8 wasted spots. Both are "harder" to get into than others in the list.

That may be true. But I'm not sure... I only consider a spot wasted if I'm certain it's wasted, and it's hard to get a precise read on the chances for a non-sibling in any given year. Things can change from year to year and last year's data only tells you so much. I think CMI is unlikely if it's 10th, so maybe that should be sacrificed in favor of Seaton.

OP, what about JO Wilson?

Anonymous wrote:OP, here is how I would do it:

1.Elsie Whitlow Stokes PCS (Spanish)
2. Mundo Verde PCS
3. DC Bilingual PCS
4. Two Rivers
5.Tyler OOB
6.Lee Montessori
7.Shining Stars Montessori PCS
8.Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS
9. Capital City
10. Creative Minds Intl
11.Breakthrough Montessori/Seaton
12.Langley (in boundary guarantee)

This way, your list does not contain any wasted spots, but still prioritizes the things you say you want. However, I would make sure you know the details of Breakthrough's location and move-- do you like Montessori enough for that? Consider replacing it with Seaton. But you can't replace Langley with Seaton because you might not get into Seaton OOB.

NP- still makes 10 and 8 wasted spots. Both are "harder" to get into than others in the list.

OP, here is how I would do it:

1.Elsie Whitlow Stokes PCS (Spanish)
2. Mundo Verde PCS
3. DC Bilingual PCS
4. Two Rivers
5.Tyler OOB
6.Lee Montessori
7.Shining Stars Montessori PCS
8.Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS
9. Capital City
10. Creative Minds Intl
11.Breakthrough Montessori/Seaton
12.Langley (in boundary guarantee)

This way, your list does not contain any wasted spots, but still prioritizes the things you say you want. However, I would make sure you know the details of Breakthrough's location and move-- do you like Montessori enough for that? Consider replacing it with Seaton. But you can't replace Langley with Seaton because you might not get into Seaton OOB.

Anonymous wrote:Good list. Here is what I think:

You don't have Stokes East of the River- any reason?

I very much doubt you'd get into Bruce Monroe OOB like that. It may be a wasted spot.

Why is SSMA above Lee? Lee may be a wasted spot if you rank it so low, it really is quite hard to get into.

I think it's very likely you'll end up at Langley with that list, but that should be fine. I'm sure you will enjoy the neighborhood feel.

+1. Lee is a superior school, closer to your house, and harder to get into.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you! Helpful feedback.
Yes, East of River Stokes is a bit too far for us, would be almost 30 min with traffic.

We really liked Capital City - but you have a good point about commute and location of the community that attends there, that is something to consider.

Do you think Seaton is a substantially better school than Langley? If that is the case we would consider it.

I was worried about Bruce Monroe, it doesn't seem like there is a single DCPS bilingual that we can get into OOB. Is Tyler more of a possibility?

I do think it's better. But if you're an Eckington family with an easy walk to Langley, I don't know that I would trade that in for a longer schlepp, especially if you like Langley well enough.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you! Helpful feedback.
Yes, East of River Stokes is a bit too far for us, would be almost 30 min with traffic.

We really liked Capital City - but you have a good point about commute and location of the community that attends there, that is something to consider.

Do you think Seaton is a substantially better school than Langley? If that is the case we would consider it.

I was worried about Bruce Monroe, it doesn't seem like there is a single DCPS bilingual that we can get into OOB. Is Tyler more of a possibility?

Use this: https://dcps.dc.gov/page/my-school-dc-lottery-results and this: https://public.tableau.com/profile/aaron2446#!/vizhome/MSDCSeatsandWaitlistOfferData/MSDCPublicDisplay
Based on that data it does seem like you have a better chance at Tyler.

Seaton is the more gentrified school, and its principal has been there longer. Langley's principal is younger/newer. Seaton is a little larger-- is that a pro or a con to you? Langley offers a socioemotional program that parents seem to really like. Seaton does not guarantee aftercare for all, but that could change for next year. Both have active parent communities and a friendly feel, and I know happy parents at both. I would suggest you go with your gut-- they aren't that different.

The bottom line for both is that they do not feed to a good middle school, so you will leave. Where you choose to bide a few years while playing the lottery is a matter of personal preference.

Thank you! Helpful feedback.
Yes, East of River Stokes is a bit too far for us, would be almost 30 min with traffic.

We really liked Capital City - but you have a good point about commute and location of the community that attends there, that is something to consider.

Do you think Seaton is a substantially better school than Langley? If that is the case we would consider it.

I was worried about Bruce Monroe, it doesn't seem like there is a single DCPS bilingual that we can get into OOB. Is Tyler more of a possibility?

List looks good to me. The OP is prioritizing Spanish, having a middle and high school, and Montessori, and not getting distracted by other schools that don't have those things, even if they are popular in the neighborhood.

I agree that Bruce-Monroe is very unlikely. Consider Tyler?

Anonymous wrote:Good list. Here is what I think:

You don't have Stokes East of the River- any reason?

Um, maybe because OP works from home and lives IB for Langley. That's quite a hike, even if you do prioritize Spanish.

What caused you to place Capital City over Inspired and Lee? I know far more families in Bloomingdale at those schools than at Capital City. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but what justifies the commute?

No Seaton?

Good list. Here is what I think:

You don't have Stokes East of the River- any reason?

I very much doubt you'd get into Bruce Monroe OOB like that. It may be a wasted spot.

Why is SSMA above Lee? Lee may be a wasted spot if you rank it so low, it really is quite hard to get into.

I think it's very likely you'll end up at Langley with that list, but that should be fine. I'm sure you will enjoy the neighborhood feel.

We are in boundary for Langley, have a strong preference for Spanish bilingual and both work from home so no commute constraints, but would prefer to be close ish by.
Am I missing any DCPS schools in Petworth or CHeights that are good and not impossible OOB? Missing any charters in other parts of city that are worthwhile?

1.Elsie Whitlow Stokes PCS (Spanish)
2. Mundo Verde PCS
3. DC Bilingual PCS
4. Two Rivers
5.Capital City PCS
6.Bruce Monroe (OOB, English dom)
7.Shining Stars Montessori PCS
8.Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS
9.Lee Montessori
10. Creative Minds Intl
11.Breakthrough Montessori
12.Langley (in boundary preference)