I would be skeptical of anyone who can compare the three unless they've had kids at all three at the same time. I can't comment about Woodlin or FS but we've had kids at Sligo Creek in both the French and English (ie neighborhood school) and our experience with both has been very positive. Great teachers and super involved parent community. We also really like the principal - she's not perfect but is a huge improvement from the two prior. The PTA in particular is excellent - very involved and well-funded.

One thing I will say is that if you're looking to buy a larger suburban-y SFH, there is more supply in the Woodlin catchment. The SCES catchment was a draw for us because we can easily walk to DTSS, but housing is generally smaller and there is less of it.
Also, I think Woodlin has a brand new school, right? If the physical facility is a consideration for you that might be important. SCES, while mostly fine inside, is not a new school and has the SSIMS construction going on right next door so the external area is a mess. I *think* that will be completed by 2025.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People complain on this board about SSIMS quite a bit - both the physical building and the dynamic.

Yeah I’ve heard mixed reviews about SSIMS- e.g., lots of fights and it’s just a really big school. Funny enough when we bought our house around 12 years ago, Sligo didn’t have a great rep- it wasn’t uncommon for parents to send kids to private for just the MS years- but there was some optimism that it was “improving.” Now it seems like almost everyone in the neighborhood sends their kids there.

This is my experience as well, but it really underscores how transient some of these perceptions are. Sligo started turning around when it got a fabulous new principal, who later moved on to the central office, but the gains persisted. Now it seems that SSIMS is having the same experience, with a well-regarded new principal who is raising parent and teacher trust in the community.

All of this is great, but also demonstrates how important the administration is at any school, and in an area like this one the administrator can move on at basically any moment.

So, rather than agonizing between three virtually identical elementary schools, I would recommend that the OP find a house that she likes and a commute that works, and then just stay involved from there.

Agree with this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People complain on this board about SSIMS quite a bit - both the physical building and the dynamic.

Yeah I’ve heard mixed reviews about SSIMS- e.g., lots of fights and it’s just a really big school. Funny enough when we bought our house around 12 years ago, Sligo didn’t have a great rep- it wasn’t uncommon for parents to send kids to private for just the MS years- but there was some optimism that it was “improving.” Now it seems like almost everyone in the neighborhood sends their kids there.

This is my experience as well, but it really underscores how transient some of these perceptions are. Sligo started turning around when it got a fabulous new principal, who later moved on to the central office, but the gains persisted. Now it seems that SSIMS is having the same experience, with a well-regarded new principal who is raising parent and teacher trust in the community.

All of this is great, but also demonstrates how important the administration is at any school, and in an area like this one the administrator can move on at basically any moment.

So, rather than agonizing between three virtually identical elementary schools, I would recommend that the OP find a house that she likes and a commute that works, and then just stay involved from there.

The new (interim) principal is great! He's applying for the permanent job, and we're all desperate for him to get it.