To the OP - please reach out to friends who are still in PA or OK (I think that is where you most recently moved from). Please ask them to call their senator to opposed Betsy DeVos. DC is bad enough to navigate for schools. Children should have a neighborhood school option. If public school is privatized - you could be in a situation where there are no "neighborhood schools". The residents of Detroit have had to deal with this - and our country should provide an option for every child!

Anonymous wrote:For your oldest - there are some other programming that they can take advantage of. For example, there is a on profit - higher achievement that focuses on port middle school students. They have after school and summer enrichment.

I am also going the throw out a crazy idea and see how DCUM responds. The Principal from Janney (a well regarded Elementary) went to Brookland Middle School 2 years ago. I know it has not been all smooth sailing - but it might be worth your while to take a look and apply OOB. I think you would have a decent shot of getting in. I think Higher Achievement has a program there and most kids who are a part of Higher Achievement land at a private High School with scholarship.

I have a friend with a child at Brookland Middle. It's not perfect, but he's having a really good year. School is still small, and teachers and administration are responsive.

For your oldest - there are some other programming that they can take advantage of. For example, there is a on profit - higher achievement that focuses on port middle school students. They have after school and summer enrichment.

I am also going the throw out a crazy idea and see how DCUM responds. The Principal from Janney (a well regarded Elementary) went to Brookland Middle School 2 years ago. I know it has not been all smooth sailing - but it might be worth your while to take a look and apply OOB. I think you would have a decent shot of getting in. I think Higher Achievement has a program there and most kids who are a part of Higher Achievement land at a private High School with scholarship.

Having all three in the same school is how you get them into a good school. It greatly increases your chances of getting in somewhere good if you have some overlap. Also, doing three drop offs would not likely even be possible.

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Are there any school buses to any of the options mentioned? If not, my 3rd priority might move to tie with 1st because we have one vehicle. I can always do more research on that.

DC does not have school buses at all (the exception being special needs students who are bused somewhere other than their neighborhood school). The assumption is you walk to your IB (in-bound school) or you take responsibility to get them to a charter or an OOB school.

However, all students can free ride on public transit (Metro or bus) once they are enrolled in school.

OP here.
Thanks everyone. I've been overwhelmed with a ton of stuff, job being one. We moved here as a start over point, and moved in with my dad. My husband is busy applying for positions all over DC and PG County and MoCo. I was looking for a remote position in case the 3 yo didn't get a spot anywhere. LaSalle also offers free after school care for 5th grader and income-based for 2nd grader. That's helping a lot.

If hubby gets job my dad has set up, I believe he'll be close by in PG County. He's not concerned with a commute - he'll drive however long it takes to get to the money. We can move closer to accommodate him when the money is right.

Honestly, this school lottery is overwhelming to say the least. My priority is getting them into a good school, 2nd would be to get them all in to the same school, 3rd would be distance. Are there any school buses to any of the options mentioned? If not, my 3rd priority might move to tie with 1st because we have one vehicle. I can always do more research on that.

Thank you very much to 6:13 PP. EL Haynes, Cap City, inspired Teaching, Creative Minds, and Shining Stars are on my radar. I'm going to include KIPP, Latin, and Basis - my eldest is very competitive and could excel in those schools if given an opportunity to explore. Who knows. Also Takoma and West. If we move before September and not to a good school boundary, I'll be sure to include surrounding public schools that look good to us. Even though I want to just get them into a school, all 3, and be blessed enough to have it go through to 12th grade, I'll keep trying this lottery if I have to do so until we get this straightened out!

I don't know how you guys do this! It definitely wasn't THIS difficult in PA lol.

Anonymous wrote:Comparing KIPP and Creative Minds is like oranges and apples. KIPP is very strict on rules, but still chaos ensues in some ways. Creative Minds is a whole other mindset.

Not to mention KIPP is about middle school. They only created elementary schools so that they could have kids prepared for their middle school.

Creative Minds is about elementary school. They only created a middle school so that the children in the elementary program who require the special needs focus will have a place to go after 5th grade.

These both very valid reasons for schools, they're also very different.

Anonymous wrote:Might want to check out shining stars. They are looking to expand and have a middle school, and the cohorts in the upper grades are small, so lots of attention.

That would work with the three year old as well.

I'd second this. Your 6th grader will very likely get in and can pull the others to the top of the waitlists. Cap City, Inspired Teaching, Creative Minds, and Two Rivers also seem like good options for this to work out. Rank based on test scores, commute, instructional model, or whatever you choose.

It's not as close by and the test scores may not be as good as some other schools, but if I recall correctly, the capitol hill cluster schools (Peabody, Watkins, Stuart-Hobson) gives sibling preference across all three schools. The schools are pretty close together and there's a free shuttle between the two elementary buildings. So getting one kid into one of those schools will lift up the other kids on their waitlists. That may not be enough to get the 3 year old a space at Peabody, but it could. You would want to check with MyschoolDC if the preference is as I think it is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In your earlier post, you mentioned you have a 3 YO old as well, I would recommend that you think about all of the kids collectively and optimize across the family.

I am not familiar across the board with the KIPP schools, and sibling priority across the different campuses - but if you are thinking about that, I would learn which KIPP campuses have a 3 YO program as well as a middle school. Priority will be key for you b/c if any of them "win", the sibling will be moved to the top of the waitlist for that school.

Given this, I would consider Capital City, EL Haynes, Inspired Teach, and Creative Minds as your 1, 2, 3, 4 (In the order you prefer) for all 3 children. You will have 3 shots to get in and they are all solid programs given your needs.

For your child who is going into 6th, I would put Latin and BASIS, they offer very different educational models. 6th grade is not an entry year for either of them and it will be a long shot - but someone will "win".

Next I would visit Takoma Education Campus and West. I know not something that is thrown out a lot for middle school - but you need to think outside of typical choices.

Good luck.

I would not recommend BASIS if your child is entering 6th grade. It is a tough enough school for 5th graders but the school allows for 5th grade as an adjustment period. 6th graders are not allowed this "luxury" so unless your child is very organized and self-motivated to do well academically or you and your child are willing to go through a possible/probable tough couple of months to adjust, i.e. lower than normal grades, frustrations, etc. etc., it may not be a great fit.

I agree that BASIS is not optimal - but the poster does not have an optimal situation. She has moved to DC mid year with a 5th grader, 2nd grader and 3 YO. She is not IB for a strong MS and HS path. Given her situation - a spot at BASIS for 6th grade is better than 6th, 7th and 8th grade at LaSalle Education Campus.

Are they currently in your neighborhood schools? Or are they moving here in the fall? I ask because the old lottery lists are no longer being pulled from so it may actually be possible a school with room may let you enter mid year. Consider calling inspired teaching. You would get a few years for your middle schooler and the other two may be able to enter now and stay...for many years to come. I know their middle school had room, not sure if they take mid year. But location wise it's a great bet for you. Good luck!

Might want to check out shining stars. They are looking to expand and have a middle school, and the cohorts in the upper grades are small, so lots of attention.

That would work with the three year old as well.

Anonymous wrote:Inspired Teaching has a middle school and elementary and is an easy commute from your location. It's actually easier than the Bridges commute.

Capital City PCS is another good choice and easy commute.

Visit a KIPP school before you send your kids there. Very strict model.

Same poster adding:

Also would echo Bridges but finding a good school for all three would be a better choice.

Getting all three into one school makes a ton of sense. It at least triples your chances as schools can be tough to get into at PK3 but much easier later or vice versa. Luckily a lot of schools have recently added middle schools. The kids are new to the school so their test scores may not be the best but you may love it. Come visit schools as with three kids applying to the same school you really increase your chances of someone making it in and you want to rank well. Your best chance of a good school for all three really is keeping them together to maximize your chances. Don't underestimate the importance of commute. Where is your job?

Anonymous wrote:In your earlier post, you mentioned you have a 3 YO old as well, I would recommend that you think about all of the kids collectively and optimize across the family.

I am not familiar across the board with the KIPP schools, and sibling priority across the different campuses - but if you are thinking about that, I would learn which KIPP campuses have a 3 YO program as well as a middle school. Priority will be key for you b/c if any of them "win", the sibling will be moved to the top of the waitlist for that school.

Given this, I would consider Capital City, EL Haynes, Inspired Teach, and Creative Minds as your 1, 2, 3, 4 (In the order you prefer) for all 3 children. You will have 3 shots to get in and they are all solid programs given your needs.

For your child who is going into 6th, I would put Latin and BASIS, they offer very different educational models. 6th grade is not an entry year for either of them and it will be a long shot - but someone will "win".

Next I would visit Takoma Education Campus and West. I know not something that is thrown out a lot for middle school - but you need to think outside of typical choices.

Good luck.

I would not recommend BASIS if your child is entering 6th grade. It is a tough enough school for 5th graders but the school allows for 5th grade as an adjustment period. 6th graders are not allowed this "luxury" so unless your child is very organized and self-motivated to do well academically or you and your child are willing to go through a possible/probable tough couple of months to adjust, i.e. lower than normal grades, frustrations, etc. etc., it may not be a great fit.

Inspired Teaching has a middle school and elementary and is an easy commute from your location. It's actually easier than the Bridges commute.

CAp City PCS is another good choice and easy commute.

Visit a KIPP school before you send your kids there. Very strict model.

In your earlier post, you mentioned you have a 3 YO old as well, I would recommend that you think about all of the kids collectively and optimize across the family.

I am not familiar across the board with the KIPP schools, and sibling priority across the different campuses - but if you are thinking about that, I would learn which KIPP campuses have a 3 YO program as well as a middle school. Priority will be key for you b/c if any of them "win", the sibling will be moved to the top of the waitlist for that school.

Given this, I would consider Capital City, EL Haynes, Inspired Teach, and Creative Minds as your 1, 2, 3, 4 (In the order you prefer) for all 3 children. You will have 3 shots to get in and they are all solid programs given your needs.

For your child who is going into 6th, I would put Latin and BASIS, they offer very different educational models. 6th grade is not an entry year for either of them and it will be a long shot - but someone will "win".

Next I would visit Takoma Education Campus and West. I know not something that is thrown out a lot for middle school - but you need to think outside of typical choices.

Good luck.