Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 13:47     Subject: Private to public - how bad is this?
Anonymous wrote:I have a teaching degree, and I’ve taught in DC-area privates. I’ve also tutored kids from
DCPS and the bordering school districts. I’d be comfortable with almost any DCPS elementary. Even some of the Title I’s have amazing principals and staff.

In DC you have the school lottery. If you’re comfortable commuting, you can apply to have your child attend any public or charter school in the city. The Ward 3 schools are in high demand, so you’re less likely to get a space there. However, I’m certain you can find a public or public charter that you’re comfortable with.


Thanks. We're talking middle and high school, and I know things get a bit different there. High school especially, I assume.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 13:46     Subject: Private to public - how bad is this?
Anonymous wrote:He is afraid of public transport but not Eastern HS generally? That is ... an odd take.


Right. Like I said, I think he believes once the kids are inside, they're safe. He went to very, um, boring private schools.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 13:38     Subject: Private to public - how bad is this?
He is afraid of public transport but not Eastern HS generally? That is ... an odd take.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 13:35     Subject: Re:Private to public - how bad is this?
Anonymous wrote:Your should rent a place in Arlington and your husband can metro to Navy Yard and walk the rest of the way (<10 mins) to the entry gate on 2nd St SW by Audi Field. Look for someplace near Fort Myer and the Pentagon. Or go to Alexandria (Fairfax County, not Alex City) and find a place on the yellow/blue line that puts you in-bounds for West Springfield, Hayfield, or South County. You will also be around more mil families if you go to Arlington or Alexandria. The schools are infinitely better, the neighborhoods are safer, and you'll get more for your money (especially in Alexandria).

If your husband doesn't want to drive, great. That's possible because of Metro. But absolutely do not send your kids to DCPS. The schools near McNair are a national tragedy and you can avoid them.


Thanks, this is really helpful. He figures the high BAH can mitigate some of the negatives of the location, but our kids have been sheltered, and as someone who did a year in a HORRIBLE public school, I don't think he gets it.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 12:40     Subject: Re:Private to public - how bad is this?
Your should rent a place in Arlington and your husband can metro to Navy Yard and walk the rest of the way (<10 mins) to the entry gate on 2nd St SW by Audi Field. Look for someplace near Fort Myer and the Pentagon. Or go to Alexandria (Fairfax County, not Alex City) and find a place on the yellow/blue line that puts you in-bounds for West Springfield, Hayfield, or South County. You will also be around more mil families if you go to Arlington or Alexandria. The schools are infinitely better, the neighborhoods are safer, and you'll get more for your money (especially in Alexandria).

If your husband doesn't want to drive, great. That's possible because of Metro. But absolutely do not send your kids to DCPS. The schools near McNair are a national tragedy and you can avoid them.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 11:52     Subject: Private to public - how bad is this?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Maybe you should discuss the possibility of him commuting, if it looks like local schools won’t be great. Most military families live in the suburbs.


He won't commute.


I used to be married to a man who was the most important person in the family at all times also.


Yes, well, it's what I signed up for.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 11:52     Subject: Private to public - how bad is this?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Call the # in the policy and ask about busing. I thought (it might be dated) that there were buses from the base to schools.


We won't be on-base.

Where will you be ? I saw the statement that he does not want to "commute". How is that defined for your family?


Walking distance.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2023 11:35     Subject: Private to public - how bad is this?
I have a teaching degree, and I’ve taught in DC-area privates. I’ve also tutored kids from
DCPS and the bordering school districts. I’d be comfortable with almost any DCPS elementary. Even some of the Title I’s have amazing principals and staff.

In DC you have the school lottery. If you’re comfortable commuting, you can apply to have your child attend any public or charter school in the city. The Ward 3 schools are in high demand, so you’re less likely to get a space there. However, I’m certain you can find a public or public charter that you’re comfortable with.
Anonymous
Post 11/27/2023 20:50     Subject: Private to public - how bad is this?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Maybe you should discuss the possibility of him commuting, if it looks like local schools won’t be great. Most military families live in the suburbs.


He won't commute.


I used to be married to a man who was the most important person in the family at all times also.



Same. We aren't married anymore.
Anonymous
Post 11/27/2023 20:38     Subject: Private to public - how bad is this?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You need to read and become familiar with this policy:
https://dcps.dc.gov/page/enrollment-students-military-families
You have a lot of options


Thanks, I'm familiar. But location and commute time matters, since I work (remote, but have set, inflexible hours), so I'm afraid we're limited to the closest school.


Are you moving for this school year or next? Kids in MS and HS should be able to commute to school on their own, so if you aren't coming until fall 2024, consider lottery applications for out of boundary and charter schools.


It would be 2024. DH would never allow them to commute in DC, especially with the crime rate - I'd have to drop them off.


99% of metro commutes during the day are just fine.

Your DH is making a lot of decisions without considering how they affect others.
Anonymous
Post 11/27/2023 20:35     Subject: Private to public - how bad is this?
If it’s not safe for middle and high school kids to travel to school on their own, it’s not going to be safe for them to go to the schools in that neighborhood. He should definitely tour the schools himself. Those are not good schools.
Anonymous
Post 11/27/2023 20:30     Subject: Private to public - how bad is this?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Maybe you should discuss the possibility of him commuting, if it looks like local schools won’t be great. Most military families live in the suburbs.


He won't commute.


I used to be married to a man who was the most important person in the family at all times also.
Anonymous
Post 11/27/2023 20:25     Subject: Private to public - how bad is this?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Call the # in the policy and ask about busing. I thought (it might be dated) that there were buses from the base to schools.


We won't be on-base.

Where will you be ? I saw the statement that he does not want to "commute". How is that defined for your family?
Anonymous
Post 11/27/2023 20:18     Subject: Private to public - how bad is this?
Maybe he needs to do a tour of the schools at 3:30 when they let out.
Anonymous
Post 11/27/2023 15:37     Subject: Private to public - how bad is this?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You need to read and become familiar with this policy:
https://dcps.dc.gov/page/enrollment-students-military-families
You have a lot of options


Thanks, I'm familiar. But location and commute time matters, since I work (remote, but have set, inflexible hours), so I'm afraid we're limited to the closest school.


Are you moving for this school year or next? Kids in MS and HS should be able to commute to school on their own, so if you aren't coming until fall 2024, consider lottery applications for out of boundary and charter schools.


It would be 2024. DH would never allow them to commute in DC, especially with the crime rate - I'd have to drop them off.


So the crime rate is prohibitive but bad schools are just fine?

That doesn't make sense. It sounds like you and h he haven't really sat down and talked about this because you aren't making sense. You're gathering information now, that's a start. Next, figure out what you all are going to be doing next year, including the children.


He's a product of private schools and doesn't understand the bad neighborhood doesn't end at the door.