Op here, it is a safe neighborhood, and not in DC. Yes my priority has become higher after I submitted the application, I just need to go in and talk to them and have them upgrade the preference (but it is not guaranteed as I was a temp part time employee).
Thank you for the suggestions, some of them I haven’t thought about.

Anonymous wrote:How are you able to 'pull some strings' to get your child into a charter? This is illegal in DC. Charter admission is by lottery.

+1. Get in line with the rest of us.

Anonymous wrote:How are you able to 'pull some strings' to get your child into a charter? This is illegal in DC. Charter admission is by lottery.

Charters virtually everywhere are by lottery, with preferences for things like Board members, teachers, or specific neighborhoods. If by "pulling strings" you mean skirting the legal admissions process, I wouldn't do it, OP--even if it works, if you are found out, your child likely has to return to the first school anyway. Not worth it, especially when compounded by the aftercare situation. I'd wait till you can afford the aftercare to explore that option.

Based purely on school comparison, charter sounds better. But if you live in a high poverty area, I would be concerned with safety of the child walking home alone after school.

How are you able to 'pull some strings' to get your child into a charter? This is illegal in DC. Charter admission is by lottery.

Does he have a guaranteed spot at his current school? If so, would it be worth giving the charter a try and then if it really isn't working, switch back?

Re fundraising. Our dd goes to a fancy charter school which really pushes fundraising participation. DH and I unfortunately each experienced job loss back to back and just haven't been able to put any extra into school this or last year, but have gotten zero shaming about it from anyone, even without making our personal situation public knowledge. So do what you need to do as far as that goes - I think people understand, and if you're able to contribute time or $ down the road then so be it.

Re losing enrichments/after care - I wonder if you'd be able to meet another family in the new community to swap childcare with? Like if he can go to them after school and then you have their kid for a weekend sleepover once a month or something like that? I know several families in dd's grade who do something like that vs paying for aftercare.

I would keep him at his current school. I would not feel comfortable having my 8 year old home alone for two hours every day. Projects will not guarantee that he likes school. My DS has never really enjoyed school and this year has had quite a few PBL projects.

I am separated and have a low paying job plus some side gigs and an ES aged child who attends a “high poverty” school. It is perfectly safe, teachers are caring for the most part but it has all the caveats of such schools: low parent participation, very traditional approach to curriculum as kids need to be prepared For tests, etc. My son is not a fan of school and says the days are long and boring. However it has a lot of free or low cost enrichment opps, incl free aftercare.
There is a “fancy” charter literally next door to it that is parent participation, project based learning, etc. It can afford being “creative” as the kids are
Generally prepared for tests already. There is a lot of fundraising going on year round.
It so happens that I might be able to pull some strings and get my son into that charter. However, should I? I won’t be able to afford aftercare until I find a better paying job which may take a while. I will be constantly approached foendonations and will be expected to volunteer which is hard bcsuse I often pick up gigs last minute. So my kid who is 8 will have to walk home and wait there for me for a couple hours every day, even more on a “minimum” day. It is a 7 min walk with only a stop sign residential intersection so there is that, and my kid is fairly independent.
I will lose free enrichment.
However my kid might finally start liking the school. He is very creative (not my words) and traditional schooling is just not his cup of tea. I have a feeling he will love the PBL approach.
What should I do? Grateful for any input.