Eliot-Hine would also be my choice. No significant waitlist right now. I would add it on MySchool today.

Just to level set, you're kind of asking for a unicorn.

Good middle schools are notoriously hard to get into in DC; there are just not that many of them given the level of demand. Many families even spend years schlepping their children across town to feeder elementary schools just to secure a spot in a good middle school. And even most of these good schools would not be described as "gentle."

The lottery happened back in March. Even if you add your name to schools now, you will be at the back of the line, behind everyone else still trying to secure a spot for their kid.

Eliot-Hine is a good suggestion. Short waitlist, small school, dedicated SPED resources, small but growing contingent of middle class/upper middle class students, seemingly decent academics.

kbogarts wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would look at Montessori schools, they're usually desperate for 6th graders, and then your DD would be around kids younger than she is rather than older. But not Shining Stars because it's a hot mess and collapsing.

Get on the wait-list for Sojourner Truth, like right now.

I'm so curious- I've seen Sojourner Truth recommended twice now, and I'm wondering why that school for this child? I'm not super familiar with DCPS, have never heard of it, and the website didn't clarify much.

I'm a big fan of Montessori, personally (Montessori K-6 grad!), but I worry that it might be a little loosey-goosey for a child who is going to need some serious remedial attention in her academics.

Thank you so much to everyone who has responded so far. I'm totally new to this whole world and hearing everyone's suggestions and justifications has been incredibly helpful as I start to form a picture of what different schools have a reputation for. Please do keep the recs and the thoughts coming!

Because it fits with the warm, low-chaos atmosphere you said you wanted. And has a decent reputation for special needs, and the academic stats are okay. I think they're willing to individualize instruction quite a bit to each child. And because you could stay there through 12th and it's always nice to have the option, rather than having to put your kid through another transition.

I will suggest to you the academics are not the highest priority at this time, and you can work on the academics at home. What you can't compensate for at home is a kid who's unhappy or over-stressed by a bad classroom atmosphere. Go for that, because you can't have academic success if the kid is miserable.

Anonymous wrote:I would look at Montessori schools, they're usually desperate for 6th graders, and then your DD would be around kids younger than she is rather than older. But not Shining Stars because it's a hot mess and collapsing.

Get on the wait-list for Sojourner Truth, like right now.

I'm so curious- I've seen Sojourner Truth recommended twice now, and I'm wondering why that school for this child? I'm not super familiar with DCPS, have never heard of it, and the website didn't clarify much.

I'm a big fan of Montessori, personally (Montessori K-6 grad!), but I worry that it might be a little loosey-goosey for a child who is going to need some serious remedial attention in her academics.

Thank you so much to everyone who has responded so far. I'm totally new to this whole world and hearing everyone's suggestions and justifications has been incredibly helpful as I start to form a picture of what different schools have a reputation for. Please do keep the recs and the thoughts coming!

kbogarts wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, if this is a medical or child welfare context, you may have more options for partial days or something. Maybe call Home and Hospital.

It isn't an official child welfare case (just a voluntary legal custody transfer of a blood relative- again, long story). Because she's not on any child welfare radars at all, I don't think we have access to the same workarounds like half-days that we would if it were through CPS.

I would see about getting a 504 plan right away. Regardless of which school you end up at. That can get you a lot more flexibility to help her cope.

+1 to Eliot-Hine. I don't think you'll get into Inspired Teaching at this point in the year but you could try for next year.

Sojourner Truth could be good for you and it goes to 12th grade so you wouldn't have to switch again.

What is her IB? It might actually be an OK option, depending on what it is. DCPS teachers can be very caring and the SPED is more solid than charter.

Also agree on Truth, and I think Cap City is a decent option for middle school, in this situation. Have heard it's very warm and caring.

ITDS is a pretty good school but has a bullying issue in middle school.

Anonymous wrote:OP, if this is a medical or child welfare context, you may have more options for partial days or something. Maybe call Home and Hospital.

It isn't an official child welfare case (just a voluntary legal custody transfer of a blood relative- again, long story). Because she's not on any child welfare radars at all, I don't think we have access to the same workarounds like half-days that we would if it were through CPS.

I would look at Montessori schools, they're usually desperate for 6th graders, and then your DD would be around kids younger than she is rather than older. But not Shining Stars because it's a hot mess and collapsing.

Get on the wait-list for Sojourner Truth, like right now.

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry OP but having just cleared middle school with my 2 kids, the term “gentle, positive middle school” is an oxymoron. Middle school seems like the worst time to introduce a homeschooled child to public school. I would wait until 9th if you have the option.

I strongly disagree. reading between the lines, this child was neglected on some level - poorly home schooled or allows to be truant. Getting them into a normal, healthy peer environment is therapeutic. Trying to keep them in an isolated bubble is the opposite of what the kid needs. Yes there will be adjustment and stress, but that’s ok. For some reason this kid was kept away from normal life and now needs to be introduced to it.

My kids small DCPS (Eliot Hine) would actually be a top suggestion. Yes kids can get rowdy and it is not “touchy feely” but it’s full of caring and attentive staff and teachers from the security guards on up. (Not exaggerating- the security guards are really the first ones to see if a kid is struggling. even the crossing guard kept tabs on my kid!)

OP here. Thanks everyone for the thoughts. As I said, I know that middle school inherently involves chaos. I think what we're looking for is a relatively low-violence, relatively strong SPED, relatively well-run school compared to other schools in DC.

To answer the other questions I saw: This would be for this year, unfortunately (yup, I know the late date knocks out a lot of schools). And no, we are not moving toward a private placement. Sixth grade. And continuing the homeschooling would be really hard as both of us work. In a real pinch, we could get on the waitlist for a spot somewhere really perfect for next year and somehow juggle homeschooling for another year. But I'm leaning towards biting the bullet this year and finding somewhere "pretty good but not perfect" so she isn't isolated for another year.

Anonymous wrote:Lottery for Latin. It’s the closest to what you describe.

Why would you even post such useless advice?

OP, if this is a medical or child welfare context, you may have more options for partial days or something. Maybe call Home and Hospital.

I’m sorry OP but having just cleared middle school with my 2 kids, the term “gentle, positive middle school” is an oxymoron. Middle school seems like the worst time to introduce a homeschooled child to public school. I would wait until 9th if you have the option.

yes except you can only get into latin for 5th grade (if you have a current 4th grader looking for next year) and even then its now a true lottery ticket (only maybe 25% or so of kids will match there). so not clear OP can rely on that one.

Lottery for Latin. It’s the closest to what you describe.