All PS IB sibs were admitted to PK3 at Ross. Many IB families are on the waiting list for PK3.

Ross' 2013 test scores earned them "Reward" status under the NCLB waiver alongside schools such as Mann, Key, Lafayette, Oyster, etc. and Ross has the highest percentage of FARMS students compared to the other DCPS schools in the reward group.

Both are good options for different reasons, as PPs have mentioned.

Our DC has been at Ross for several years and we've been very happy with the experience. Fantastic teachers and principal, and very strong academics. The recent DC-CAS results were pretty impressive and I believe Ross attained rewards status. Nice diverse and inclusive community.

I do think it's very difficult to get into PS-3 without inbounds sibling preference. The principal could give more specific data about that and would probably be happy to do so if you contacted her. It is a fairly expat-heavy community so there is some moving in and out of the boundaries as parents' jobs move them in and out of the country, and that can change the available number of spots in each grade in both directions.

The middle school feeder pattern is an issue, which is why the Ross 5th grade is so tiny. I've heard of many applying to and attending BASIS and Latin starting at 5th. We're several years away from that point but that's what we'll do as well, if we can get in. If there was a better feeder we'd be happy to stay through 5th. Who knows what will be the outcome of the DCPS review of boundaries, but Ross parents are mobilized, attending relevant meetings and adding their voice to the discussion.

Best of luck to your family.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oyster is the best school you will find...."[T]he community is out of this world. You and your children would be welcomed like family. Oyster is, by all accounts, a home, and no other school can give you that feeling.
"

Oh please. LOTS of schools have a very close knit parent community and feel like "family," especially a small school like Ross.

+1

It's funny...DC is at Ross and I feel exactly this way. (Of course, I know that other parents in other feels feel the same about their own schools, though.)

In any case, it sounds like we both have a good thing going that works for our kids and us. I wish parents at all schools could feel this way about the school their child attends.

Anonymous wrote:I know several Ross families planning on sending their children to BASIS - the location is convenient to Dupont/Logan.

If they get in via the lottery.

Anonymous wrote:What do current Ross families end up doing for middle school if they don't use the current MS feeder? Are people going with a charter or do they go private?

Keep in mind that Ross has only emerged as desirable ES in the last few years. As recently as 2006 these types of squabbles were going on:
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/cover/2006/cover0616.html
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/33109/rebirth-of-the-school
The school has changed pretty quickly, so its hard to say what current Ross families end up doing for middle school. Given playground and PTA talk its safe to say that nobody has an appetite for Cardozo. Deal OOB may have been an option some years back but no longer. There is a push to get feeder rights to Hardy, but its not clear if that is politically feasible. For SWW@Frances Stevens its wait and see. Otherwise charter or move.

I know several Ross families planning on sending their children to BASIS - the location is convenient to Dupont/Logan.

As mentioned above IB families at Ross currently have the choice of the following DCPS paths: Ross/Cardozo or Ross/SWW@Frances Stevens/Wilson. cf. IB families at Oyster who have the choice of Oyster/Wilson or Oyster/Deal/Wilson. Both pending possible boundary revisions in the next 12 months.

What do current Ross families end up doing for middle school if they don't use the current MS feeder? Are people going with a charter or do they go private?

Oyster goes through middle school and Ross does not. If you don't want to deal with school "choice" again in 4th or 5th grade, you know what to do. Ross currently feeds to an abysmal middle school. This may all change, but Oyster MS will not be disconnected from the elementary.

Anonymous wrote:I'm zoned for Oyster and this thread is kind of depressing me. I've heard it all before and my gut just says it is not the right fit for us. Ugh, I feel so helpless since I am the most unlucky person on the planet so would never dream we get a lottery slot next year. Sigh. Anyway, sounds like Ross is a gem OP!

we are in the Oyster district and my older DC will start K there next year. i have talked to real, live people in the 'hood and they are all totally thrilled with Oyster. go out and chat with your neighbors who send their kids there, and better yet go visit the school. forget what anonymous people say on DCUM.

Anonymous wrote:Oyster is the best school you will find. It might not be the traditional "best"-very basic curriculum-but the community is out of this world. You and your children would be welcomed like family. Oyster is, by all accounts, a home, and no other school can give you that feeling.
"

Community is not exclusive to Oyster. You will find your tribe wherever you decide to attend.

Both are good schools, both have negatives and positives to consider. There is no perfect school, there is only what is best for you and your family at any given moment.

Definitely agree with the poster who cautioned about making decisions to BUY before boundary changes. Hang on, if you possibly can, until the boundaries are decided.

Good luck.

Oyster could NEVER become a charter and offer language preference. Can't be done. Against charter law.

Anonymous wrote:Definitely Oyster.. Check out greatschools.org. Oyster is 10/10 with average 3rd grade testing at 80%+. Ross is 8/10 with testing at 50%.

Not sure where this data comes from. Current DCPS profiles don't suggest much difference in terms of test scores. Both good.
http://profiles.dcps.dc.gov/Ross+Elementary+School
http://profiles.dcps.dc.gov/oyster-adams+bilingual+school

Why would anyone ever put stock in an anonymous Internet ranking of a school? How do you know it's not a bunch of 12 year olds from Scotland assigning numbers to a given school as a joke?

Ohhhhh, MLJ went up in the greatschool rankings and NOW IT'S A SEVEN. That means it is better than Rosa Sparks, which is ONLY A SIX. Case closed.

Definitely Oyster.. Check out greatschools.org. Oyster is 10/10 with average 3rd grade testing at 80%+. Ross is 8/10 with testing at 50%.