Anonymous wrote:We also just lost a PK4 spot because the school told me there's a shadow waiting list of kids who are going to repeat the grade.

Repeat the grade? This is in DCPS? These must be strong start students who have to stay in their grade according to where their birthday falls on the calendar.

OP, Dorothy Height is a good option for you! We toured for PK3 a few years ago and were very impressed, if a spot hadn't opened up in our IB school just a short walk from our building, we'd have enrolled there for sure. And this was before they moved into the newly-renovated school.

Anonymous wrote:We also just lost a PK4 spot because the school told me there's a shadow waiting list of kids who are going to repeat the grade.

What do you mean, "lost" - did you match and then they came back and said "jk"? I've literally never heard of that happening for something completely out of the control of the student/family.

Or do you mean you were #1 on the waitlist and they were so sure they'd have room for you but whoops, no they don't? Cause if so, that's just life man. They have to deal with current students and that may change things.

Are you #1 on the waitlist now?

We also just lost a PK4 spot because the school told me there's a shadow waiting list of kids who are going to repeat the grade.

Breakthrough has pk3 spots. Great school. Dorothy Heights and Sela both typically clear their wait-list and I know families happy at both. You can definitely find a pk3 spot not too far away.

I know people who have had good pk experiences at height and military road. Also look at community based options.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that guidance and the link!

Oh, you've got a ton of great options up there.

Dorothy Height is probably your best bet. That's pretty close to you, I think, and has a good rep for PK.

Also think about Apple Tree Columbia Heights, Breakthrough Montessori (fine for PK, I think), Cleveland, Raymond, Military Road ELC, and Brightwood.

I would not give up your 4th grader's seat! It's one year, and you do not have to pay for daycare, you will get in somewhere.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are brightwood/16th st heights adjacent !

Go here, sort by PK3, search by Wards 4, 3, 1… see which are at 0 and you would commute to. Add that school to your post lottery waitlist and enroll. Wait out your #4 spot at your IB. It’ll be ok.

Gah, sorry, link didn’t post.

https://www.myschooldc.org/short-waitlists

Anonymous wrote:We are brightwood/16th st heights adjacent !

Go here, sort by PK3, search by Wards 4, 3, 1… see which are at 0 and you would commute to. Add that school to your post lottery waitlist and enroll. Wait out your #4 spot at your IB. It’ll be ok.

We are brightwood/16th st heights adjacent !

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- to confirm:
I just spoke to the MySchoolDC office… because we enrolled our younger child at school A, our first choice for them, they will go back on the waitlist for school A but lost all of their waitlist spots for schools 2-12.

I appreciate the perspective of not sacrificing my elder child’s opportunity for my 3 year old’s prek, but we also simply cannot afford another year of daycare.

That totally sucks.

What neighborhood are you in? I bet we can find you a short waitlist winner. There are a fair amount of options for PK3.

And/or help you think through the chances of getting off the IB waitlist.

Anonymous wrote:OP here- to confirm:
I just spoke to the MySchoolDC office… because we enrolled our younger child at school A, our first choice for them, they will go back on the waitlist for school A but lost all of their waitlist spots for schools 2-12.

I appreciate the perspective of not sacrificing my elder child’s opportunity for my 3 year old’s prek, but we also simply cannot afford another year of daycare.

You have a lot of options for PK3. Tell us where you live and we'll tell you what to put on your new post-lottery list. Absolutely do not pull your older kid from the better school!

Anonymous wrote:OP here- to confirm:
I just spoke to the MySchoolDC office… because we enrolled our younger child at school A, our first choice for them, they will go back on the waitlist for school A but lost all of their waitlist spots for schools 2-12.

I appreciate the perspective of not sacrificing my elder child’s opportunity for my 3 year old’s prek, but we also simply cannot afford another year of daycare.

That totally sucks.

What neighborhood are you in? I bet we can find you a short waitlist winner. There are a fair amount of options for PK3.

OP here- to confirm:
I just spoke to the MySchoolDC office… because we enrolled our younger child at school A, our first choice for them, they will go back on the waitlist for school A but lost all of their waitlist spots for schools 2-12.

I appreciate the perspective of not sacrificing my elder child’s opportunity for my 3 year old’s prek, but we also simply cannot afford another year of daycare.