So, you don't really have an issue with Brent other than your belief/perception that DCPS teachers are required to "teach to the test"?

I am the PP 11:40

We really want- and can support- Spanish immersion. That, and the ability to not be within the DCPS where teaching to the test is a required focus, pushed us to opt for a charter. DC thrived in earlier Reggio Emilia and inquiry based learning programs, and MV embodies some of those elements that we hope to engage in learning as well.

I am also a product of public education, and attended a charter school growing up in NC. This enables me (I hope) to understand the push/pull of strong neighborhood schools within walking distance from home- or one in a tougher neighborhood or further away. The benefits of moving a little out of the comfort zone to be challenged and embrace greater diversity in order to acquire fluency in a second language as well as experience inquiry based learning with a focus on sustainability are worth it in our estimation.

This approach chosen by my parents for me (and not my siblings), at least, has worked for me in my educational/professional life. Different kids fit into different schools, period.

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, we are going to MV instead of Brent next year. And no, we are not ECE, but opting for the school that seems to be the best fit for our family.

We've been pleasantly surprised with the number of new and existing Hill families that attend, which creates another sense of community that's localized for those pursuing Spanish immersion.

Good luck. Can you share why Brent wasn't a better fit?

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, we are going to MV instead of Brent next year. And no, we are not ECE, but opting for the school that seems to be the best fit for our family.

We've been pleasantly surprised with the number of new and existing Hill families that attend, which creates another sense of community that's localized for those pursuing Spanish immersion.

There may be only thing anyone on this board can 100% agree upon -- Bloomingdale is NOT the Hill. Sorry MV, however many HILL families you wish to recruit.

FWIW, we are going to MV instead of Brent next year. And no, we are not ECE, but opting for the school that seems to be the best fit for our family.

We've been pleasantly surprised with the number of new and existing Hill families that attend, which creates another sense of community that's localized for those pursuing Spanish immersion.

Anonymous wrote:I guess one way to see how many people left for MV from Peabody is to check the Peabody waitlists. It was up to around 38 for PK3. Has everyone gotten in?

Not even close. It has moved 5 spots.

Anonymous wrote:I guess one way to see how many people left for MV from Peabody is to check the Peabody waitlists. It was up to around 38 for PK3. Has everyone gotten in?

Don't know about PK3, but PK4 had an IB list of 6 students, and per the waitlist thread, number 6 was called off the list almost 2 weeks ago (and declined).

Anonymous wrote:MV won't offer seats for 6th Grade until at least 2017-18. Does anyone even know what this expeditionary learning immersion program may look like or the number of seats that will be open for new admissions? So, regardless of your commentary about my certainty, families with kids in Brent's lower non-ECE grades aren't racing to beat a path to MV.

I think most of the focus here has been on ECE grades, primarily because OP has a 1 year old.

MV won't offer seats for 6th Grade until at least 2017-18. Does anyone even know what this expeditionary learning immersion program may look like or the number of seats that will be open for new admissions? So, regardless of your commentary about my certainty, families with kids in Brent's lower non-ECE grades aren't racing to beat a path to MV.

Anonymous wrote:You have a one year old and your worry is about the elementary school...this too is laughable. I am assuming your membership was approved by Stroller Brigade, Incorporated.

depends -- if you're concerned about PK3/4 then it's a reasonable concern and gaining desirable PK3 spots is a challenge. If the assumption is that you'd like your kid to stay in a neighborhood school through ES it's worth asking. But the landscape isn't static. It was only in the past few years that Ludlow Taylor had ECE spots through summer for anyone who wanted them. Now there's a significant IB waitlist.

I'd be less concerned about which programs are simply good and which programs are both good and realistic for seats unless OP is willing/able to pay private for PK3/4 or look beyond neighborhood options like charters or lower demand DCPS ECE.

Anonymous wrote:You have a one year old and your worry is about the elementary school...this too is laughable. I am assuming your membership was approved by Stroller Brigade, Incorporated.

You need to check your reading skills.

I guess one way to see how many people left for MV from Peabody is to check the Peabody waitlists. It was up to around 38 for PK3. Has everyone gotten in?

You have a one year old and your worry is about the elementary school...this too is laughable. I am assuming your membership was approved by Stroller Brigade, Incorporated.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If everyone who went to K at Peabody continued on to Watkins, would they take OOB kids still? (In other words, is Watkins grade 1 bigger than Peabody K)?

Watkins grade 1 has been adjusted to match the K class at Peabody. Of course, there will always be a few students who decide (for whatever reason) not to attend Watkins, and so those spots will go to OOB, but there is not a disproportionate number of seats available at Watkins. The feed adjustment has been one of the many things that have been changed to encourage greater IB enrollment at Watkins.

And just to be clear, all other grades at Watkins are also being adjusted to match the feed coming from Peabody. Watkins projected total enrollment for FY16 is 482, down from 550 just a few years ago.

Anonymous wrote:If everyone who went to K at Peabody continued on to Watkins, would they take OOB kids still? (In other words, is Watkins grade 1 bigger than Peabody K)?

Watkins grade 1 has been adjusted to match the K class at Peabody. Of course, there will always be a few students who decide (for whatever reason) not to attend Watkins, and so those spots will go to OOB, but there is not a disproportionate number of seats available at Watkins. The feed adjustment has been one of the many things that have been changed to encourage greater IB enrollment at Watkins.