Forgot to add, they had some of the SH AV kids handling the music/set-up for the concert, and that was fun to see that interaction. The kindergartners also have a chance to perform on stage as part of SH's plays every year. My older kid loved it and took his role so seriously.

I'm a current Peabody & Watkins parent. I've never had a child at LT, so I can't compare, but I absolutely love Peabody. I love how the entire building is dedicated just to early childhood education. All the teachers my kids had at Peabody were excellent, and really inspired them to love learning. I also like how Peabody fits as part of the overall Cluster. The school administration and PTA really work to get students and families to feel that they are part of a 3 school system, and my kids love that. For example, the Peabody kids just went to Stuart Hobson yesterday to perform their concert in the SH auditorium. My youngest kept talking about how he was in "the big kids' school" and kept imagining himself as an older kid one day.

I don't have direct experience with either but we are in-bounds for LT and have many neighbors who go and are very happy. (older child is at a charter) The school seems solid and is getting better each year. I would definitely put this one first and see what happens!

OP here. I understand that we have very little chance of getting into either, even with in-boundary preference for Peabody and proximity preference for LT.

We are happy with the current daycare option, and would keep our child in daycare if we are not offered a spot in the lottery. We also included other schools such as Two Rivers, SWS, and Appletree on the application.

The question was more about comparing current students' experiences in Peabody and LT, both in the earlier grades, and in upper elementary. For current parents: what are some of your favorite and least favorite things about either school?

We definitely plan to attend the open houses. However, it is difficult to gain meaningful insights at these 1-hour events. The insights of current families offer valuable perspectives.

You won’t get into LT with proximity for PK3.

Just rank preference order. Just make sure you have a backup plan if you don't get in. I'm IB for Peabody and was waitlisted for PK3 and that was 5 years ago. Waitlists have only gotten worse since.

I think it is unclear exactly what the OP wants - "advice on ranking schools" is pretty broad. Rank in order of your true preference. Use past waitlist data to determine which schools are a waste of a spot and don't list them (or do and just realize you have pretty much no chance of getting in). That's pretty much it.

Doesn't really matter which way you rank...The OP doesn't have a real chance of getting in to LT based on proximity. Add at least 6 other schools in the conversation and then consider ranking.

Anonymous wrote:Read people!!! She never said she preferred LT. She said "impressed with what I saw at LT. I also saw and heard wonderful things about Peabody." To me that reads #1 Peabody.

but has apprehension about Watkins.

Read people!!! She never said she preferred LT. She said "impressed with what I saw at LT. I also saw and heard wonderful things about Peabody." To me that reads #1 Peabody.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rank #1 Peabody and #2 L-T (if at all). If numbers hold true from the historical perspective, you'll have about a 34% chance for a match (acceptance) at Peabody and you will be lucky to have a decent waitlist number (30s??) for LT. Last year LT only took 6 off the waitlist. You may want to consider other schools where you have a chance for acceptance.

This is backwards. If OP prefers LT, she should rank it first regardless of her chances of securing a seat.

Doing so -- and striking out at LT - will not affect her chances of getting into Peabody.

Agreed. OP should list LT first, then Peabody; although, as pointed out previously OP's chances of getting into LT are almost nil (unless people inbounds have stopped having children or have had fewer children since last year - which is possible).

Anonymous wrote:Rank #1 Peabody and #2 L-T (if at all). If numbers hold true from the historical perspective, you'll have about a 34% chance for a match (acceptance) at Peabody and you will be lucky to have a decent waitlist number (30s??) for LT. Last year LT only took 6 off the waitlist. You may want to consider other schools where you have a chance for acceptance.

This is backwards. If OP prefers LT, she should rank it first regardless of her chances of securing a seat.

Doing so -- and striking out at LT - will not affect her chances of getting into Peabody.

Rank #1 Peabody and #2 L-T (if at all). If numbers hold true from the historical perspective, you'll have about a 34% chance for a match (acceptance) at Peabody and you will be lucky to have a decent waitlist number (30s??) for LT. Last year LT only took 6 off the waitlist. You may want to consider other schools where you have a chance for acceptance.

I don't have any input on L-T or Peabody yet as I am also entering the PK3 lottery this year; however, I just wanted to point out that you are very unlikely to get into L-T even with proximity. Last year L-T had kids on their waitlist that were inbounds and that had siblings already there. Thus, putting L-T on your list is most likely a wasted spot.

While you are inbounds for Peabody, it is another school that lists numerous inbounds students so hopefully you are looking into other options (besides L-T).

We live inbound for Peabody and have proximity preference for Ludlow-Taylor. Our child will be starting PK-3 next year.

I am not super excited about Watkins at this point, but that is four years away. I was very impressed with what I saw at LT. I also saw and heard wonderful things about Peabody. I plan to visit both schools again for open house, but would love to hear from current families any advice on ranking the schools in the lottery application.

Thank you.