Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 20:06     Subject: New to DC and I'm really trying hard to figure out the lottery system. Blew it this year, need tips for next year.
EH’s results are actually comparatively very good for UMC kids when sorted by subgroup (and I am using White as a proxy for UMC because it’s the closest we have):

For White ELA, the top percentages of 4+ in the city (all those over 90%) are:

Ross 95
EH 95
Ludlow-Taylor 93
Deal 93
Sojourner Truth 92
Payne 92
Stuart Hobson 91
Ellington 90
Maury 90

Now this suggests to me that the MS ELA tests are easier than the ES ones or kids really do catch up or something… But it’s very clear that EH is actually doing very well.

It doesn’t do quite as well for math, but at 79%, it’s still the second best middle school. (BASIS is just behind but may combine MS and HS scores.)
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 17:28     Subject: New to DC and I'm really trying hard to figure out the lottery system. Blew it this year, need tips for next year.
Anonymous wrote:My child does very well in school. Consistently gets A's, I am very pleased with his 5th grade experience at Payne Elementary School. He was a little behind coming into 5th grade because of a poor school experience the year before last. Now he is ahead in all subjects, Amazing experience at Payne, probably one of the best teachers in the district there.

So I really didn't do well in the lottery this year, mostly my fault, I think. Unless a miracle happens we are planning for 6th grade at Elliot Hine. I would like to be more prepared and do better in the next lottery. My question is what would some of you do for a better option for 7th with a good feeder option for High School. I don't mind a commute that isn't ridiculous.
He really wanted to go Basis but I really don't think we have any chance of that after 5th grade? I understand the top schools are long shots (latin, basis, etc) But what are good medium options some of you would consider sending your bright child to. He excels in math and science and his reading and writing is catching up (hopefully). I don't necessarily expect the best option to be available to us with the fierce competition to get into these schools, but I would like something better then what Elliot Hine provides with test scores.

I'm sorry if all of this has been covered in past posts. I've done a lot of reading but I'm sure I missed something, this forum does seem to cover a lot.
What would you do?
What should I search for in this forum search tool?


You listed Basis in the lottery but didn’t get in?
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 17:28     Subject: New to DC and I'm really trying hard to figure out the lottery system. Blew it this year, need tips for next year.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You can't get into a better feeder thru the lottery at this point.


If I were you, I would stay at EH, supplement, do CTY, help my kid get stellar grades in 7th, and apply to the application schools for High School. Don't despair! If you don't get into any in 9th, then seriously consider moving at that point.


Disagree. Moving in high school is very disruptive. I would move now into good 6-12 pyramid in the burbs.

Not only will your kid have a much better middle school experience, you won’t have to supplement or drive your kid to school. BTW the odds of getting into a good application high school is low and you seriously cannot count on it. So you waste 3 years of middle school for nothing.


Why are the odds of getting into an application high school low? Is it because there are a lot of really smart kids and not enough advanced schools for them?
My oldest daughter was able to get her Associates degree simultaneously attending high school. They offered that program (Running Start) to all juniors and seniors who wanted to do it and got decent grades. This was in Port Angeles .


I wouldnt say odds are super low, but it depends how many schools you are interested in. And the process is kind of arbitrary and is never audited.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 17:21     Subject: New to DC and I'm really trying hard to figure out the lottery system. Blew it this year, need tips for next year.
I do not think you messed up the lottery OP. Middle school on the Hill is basically lottery and choose to leave for Basis or Latin in 5th grade or stay DCPS elementary school for 5th grade mostly followed by EH, SH, and Jefferson. You had a great 5th grade experience at Payne. I guarantee your child has classmates who turned down Basis for 5th grade to instead stay at Payne and then do EH. I would try EH with an open mind, learn about and plan to apply for HS, and remember that frequently changing schools is also socially and emotionally hard on kids.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 17:20     Subject: New to DC and I'm really trying hard to figure out the lottery system. Blew it this year, need tips for next year.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You can't get into a better feeder thru the lottery at this point.


If I were you, I would stay at EH, supplement, do CTY, help my kid get stellar grades in 7th, and apply to the application schools for High School. Don't despair! If you don't get into any in 9th, then seriously consider moving at that point.


Disagree. Moving in high school is very disruptive. I would move now into good 6-12 pyramid in the burbs.

Not only will your kid have a much better middle school experience, you won’t have to supplement or drive your kid to school. BTW the odds of getting into a good application high school is low and you seriously cannot count on it. So you waste 3 years of middle school for nothing.


Why are the odds of getting into an application high school low? Is it because there are a lot of really smart kids and not enough advanced schools for them?
My oldest daughter was able to get her Associates degree simultaneously attending high school. They offered that program (Running Start) to all juniors and seniors who wanted to do it and got decent grades. This was in Port Angeles .
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 13:22     Subject: New to DC and I'm really trying hard to figure out the lottery system. Blew it this year, need tips for next year.
Anonymous wrote:You can't get into a better feeder thru the lottery at this point.


If I were you, I would stay at EH, supplement, do CTY, help my kid get stellar grades in 7th, and apply to the application schools for High School. Don't despair! If you don't get into any in 9th, then seriously consider moving at that point.


Disagree. Moving in high school is very disruptive. I would move now into good 6-12 pyramid in the burbs.

Not only will your kid have a much better middle school experience, you won’t have to supplement or drive your kid to school. BTW the odds of getting into a good application high school is low and you seriously cannot count on it. So you waste 3 years of middle school for nothing.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 12:44     Subject: New to DC and I'm really trying hard to figure out the lottery system. Blew it this year, need tips for next year.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Hey OP, the DC school system is insane. Don't beat yourself up. I think EH is actually a good option and I wouldn't move unless you get into SH this year. If he has a good year at EH, keep him there. Otherwise, try for Latin Cooper, Hardy, or Deal. Both are long shots. I am not an EH booster, I have no kid that go there but I don't think it's a bad option. I know kids that go there and they like it. Encourage your kid to do well and get involved in activities and then apply for the application high schools. They like kids from DCPS over charters.


There’s no real difference between EH and SH at this point. OP’s kid will be with their friends from Payne at EH.


I think OPs kid will be totally fine at EH. As per the other thread, seems like they even have the option to take algebra in 7th and Geometry in 8th, so there is a cohort and opportunity. I say this as someone who has a BASISy kid at BASIS, and is pretty sure OPs kid would have liked it. If I had been on OPs path, I would be disappointed but would make the best of EH.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 12:29     Subject: New to DC and I'm really trying hard to figure out the lottery system. Blew it this year, need tips for next year.
Anonymous wrote:Hey OP, the DC school system is insane. Don't beat yourself up. I think EH is actually a good option and I wouldn't move unless you get into SH this year. If he has a good year at EH, keep him there. Otherwise, try for Latin Cooper, Hardy, or Deal. Both are long shots. I am not an EH booster, I have no kid that go there but I don't think it's a bad option. I know kids that go there and they like it. Encourage your kid to do well and get involved in activities and then apply for the application high schools. They like kids from DCPS over charters.


There’s no real difference between EH and SH at this point. OP’s kid will be with their friends from Payne at EH.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 11:45     Subject: New to DC and I'm really trying hard to figure out the lottery system. Blew it this year, need tips for next year.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know there is a lot of pressure around this for many people, and the lottery can be hard, but I hope you have a good experience at Eliot Hine this year, assuming that’s where you end up. There is likely to be a strong 6th grade class this year that your child can be a part of, and hopefully you find a good community there as well as academics that meet your child’s needs. There are a number of options for selective high schools in DCPS and there’s an IB program at Eastern that seems to be growing, so there are options ahead of you still.


I'm looking forward to the Edscape data showing where EH's 8th graders from last year ended up. I heard the class did well getting into application high schools.


I think most if not all of Payne's 2024 fifth grade is going to EH and I think other feeders are also sending significant numbers, so I think there will be a strong group of kids with your child at EH. Obviously you know your child best, but the continuity of staying with their 5th grade class may be helpful as they transition to middle school as well. I think there are good things happening at EH and enrollment has been jumping by a lot every year, which means more funding for teachers, student support, clubs, etc.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 10:59     Subject: Re:New to DC and I'm really trying hard to figure out the lottery system. Blew it this year, need tips for next year.
Too bad you can't get into DCI. It's a wonderful school. Especially the high school.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 10:48     Subject: New to DC and I'm really trying hard to figure out the lottery system. Blew it this year, need tips for next year.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The only option this year is for you to apply to DCI Chinese and/or French track, the school starts in 6th grade. But it may or may not be a better fit than EH, depending on your kid's needs and your or your kid's willingness to deal with the commute.


I'm on those lists and they are not even close to happening for my lottery applicant kid.


Yes, not right now, I meant in the lottery that starts this winter. They'll need a lot of luck, of course. Sorry to hear that there is no movement for you, there still might be in the next week or two.


Sorry, I misread the OP, I thought they were starting fifth grade at Payne.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 10:23     Subject: New to DC and I'm really trying hard to figure out the lottery system. Blew it this year, need tips for next year.
You can't get into a better feeder thru the lottery at this point.


If I were you, I would stay at EH, supplement, do CTY, help my kid get stellar grades in 7th, and apply to the application schools for High School. Don't despair! If you don't get into any in 9th, then seriously consider moving at that point.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 09:50     Subject: New to DC and I'm really trying hard to figure out the lottery system. Blew it this year, need tips for next year.
Hey OP, the DC school system is insane. Don't beat yourself up. I think EH is actually a good option and I wouldn't move unless you get into SH this year. If he has a good year at EH, keep him there. Otherwise, try for Latin Cooper, Hardy, or Deal. Both are long shots. I am not an EH booster, I have no kid that go there but I don't think it's a bad option. I know kids that go there and they like it. Encourage your kid to do well and get involved in activities and then apply for the application high schools. They like kids from DCPS over charters.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 09:25     Subject: New to DC and I'm really trying hard to figure out the lottery system. Blew it this year, need tips for next year.
I would move.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 09:00     Subject: New to DC and I'm really trying hard to figure out the lottery system. Blew it this year, need tips for next year.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The only option this year is for you to apply to DCI Chinese and/or French track, the school starts in 6th grade. But it may or may not be a better fit than EH, depending on your kid's needs and your or your kid's willingness to deal with the commute.


I'm on those lists and they are not even close to happening for my lottery applicant kid.


Yes, not right now, I meant in the lottery that starts this winter. They'll need a lot of luck, of course. Sorry to hear that there is no movement for you, there still might be in the next week or two.