Anonymous wrote:Last I heard, a couple years ago, there was no one on this board with first-hand experience with Raymond. Like a black box.

I have first hand experience. I sent my son there this past year for pre k 4. We are leaving for k, but we did attend last year. It was were we got into and I really believe DCPS does pre-k great most everywhere. Now admins are a different story. Anyway, I'm the one who has posted above a couple of times.

Last I heard, a couple years ago, there was no one on this board with first-hand experience with Raymond. Like a black box.

OP, I think you will find that KIPP is organized with a supportive environment - KIPP Grow is PK3 through kindergarten and very focused on early childhood. Most of the kids/families at KIPP Grow are black. It is a Title 1 with a significant middle class population - about 25% of kids are not economically disadvantaged. Aftercare seems well designed to support working families.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't Raymond have Extended School Year? Would wanting or not wanting that factor into your decision?

We are indifferent about the extended year option. Aftercare is a must for us given that we're both working parents. The provider of Aftercare at Raymond informed us that they currently do not have any available spots and that we should check back in August. KIPP Grow on the other hand has availability in their aftercare program.

I highly doubt Raymond's aftercare is full. They don't have any sort of sign up the previous year. They send home a sign up sheet the first day of school. They don't provide aftercare until third third or fourth day of school. Like I said previously about Raymond, you aren't going to get much help from the office. They see parents as an inconvenience.

Garrison isn't going to happen at 52. You have a shot at Langley, and they do have unlimited aftercare. But I would strongly consider finding a babysitter and waiting until a spot opens at Raymond's aftercare. Langley is a great little school and people love the neighborhood feels, but it is still a very long commmute for you.

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't Raymond have Extended School Year? Would wanting or not wanting that factor into your decision?

We are indifferent about the extended year option. Aftercare is a must for us given that we're both working parents. The provider of Aftercare at Raymond informed us that they currently do not have any available spots and that we should check back in August. KIPP Grow on the other hand has availability in their aftercare program.

Anonymous wrote:This is confusing OP, you didn't visit Friendship and eliminated it but are going to visit and consider KIPP, which is 3 blocks from Friendship and basically the same commute?

Ideally, we would visit the schools that offer us a spot but unfortunately, we live about 1.5 hours away from DC (moving to the district late August) and we are both working parents. So I'm relying on your collective knowledge, experience, and advice to eliminate some schools and narrow down the list to visit 2-3 schools in one day.

The consensus is that Friendship is it significantly better than Raymond so not worth the further commute. We were under the impression that Grow is a better school compared to Raymond so we kept it on our short list to visit potentially next week.

In the coming weeks, the only schools that may open up for us (long shot probably) are Langley, Center City Petworth, DC Prep Edgewood and Garrison.

Doesn't Raymond have Extended School Year? Would wanting or not wanting that factor into your decision?

This is confusing OP, you didn't visit Friendship and eliminated it but are going to visit and consider KIPP, which is 3 blocks from Friendship and basically the same commute?

I have friends at that KIPP and they say it is fine. They are not KIPP types either-- white and crunchy. But I cannot think why it would be enough of an upgrade from Raymond to justify the commute.

you will probably not like KIPP. Not because it's a bad school, but because they aren't going to cater to you.

Given all the feedback so far we decided to decline Armstrong and keep Raymond. In the meantime, we were offered a spot at KIPP Grow. We're planning on visitng both Raymond and KIPP Grow next week. Any recent personal experience with Grow would be appreciated. Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:We had a great experience at Friendship Armstrong, but that commute will be rough. Also Friendship has a longer day, so you'll be driving home from pick up at 4 or a little after, and might get snarled in rush hour traffic. Unless you think Raymond won't work, I'd go with the closer option. (Sorry, I don't have any info on Raymond.)

Building off this as it might be helpful for OP, the school day at FA is 7:45 - 3:30 (tardy is arriving after 8:10) and Thursday is an early release day at 1 pm. There is aftercare available every day.

I agree with a PP that you should visit FA. Only you can decide if the commute is worth it for you.

We had a great experience at Friendship Armstrong, but that commute will be rough. Also Friendship has a longer day, so you'll be driving home from pick up at 4 or a little after, and might get snarled in rush hour traffic. Unless you think Raymond won't work, I'd go with the closer option. (Sorry, I don't have any info on Raymond.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You generally can't pop in and see a classroom OP which is what it sounds like you did?. It is considered disruptive to the students and teachers.

I totally respect that but this was 2 weeks ago when school was already out and there were no classes. I just wanted to see the empty classroom to get a sense of the environment.

What would an empty classroom show you?