It is interesting to me that so many of you can afford to pay for private school and I wonder if you will really stay at a public school - charter or otherwise - or if you will just take a spot for a few years and then move on to your coveted private school life, anyway.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to pay a deposit at a public charter to hold your spot?

No. The OP of this thread and some of us here applied to private schools and had to pay deposits to hold our spots there before getting into LAMB.

Thank you, I appreciate your response, and sorry for the confusion.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to pay a deposit at a public charter to hold your spot?

Reading is fundamental.

True, I didn't read the thread (we didn't get into LAMB), just glanced at it and saw a mention of a deposit. Didn't have time to dig through the pages. Was hoping someone would quickly give me an answer, instead of being a snarky ass. But I can also wait to find out when the lottery results are released and this becomes acute.

Anonymous wrote:You have to pay a deposit at a public charter to hold your spot?

Reading is fundamental.

Anonymous wrote:You have to pay a deposit at a public charter to hold your spot?

No. The OP of this thread and some of us here applied to private schools and had to pay deposits to hold our spots there before getting into LAMB.

You have to pay a deposit at a public charter to hold your spot?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - if you decide to send your child to LAMB talk to your accountant about the nonrefundable deposit.

We were able to use the one we put down and lost a few years ago as a tax deduction since it was no longer related to tuition.

Please share whatever info you have on this PP. We were in this exact same position last year and decided to go with LAMB and walk away from the deposit left at the private. When I contacted the private for some sort of receipt, they told me that my deposit would not be considered a donation to the school. I'd appreciate any tips/info you have to share on this.

I'm the PP who brought this up.

In our case the private school was happy to help and issued a letter thanking us for our donation to their school with their tax ID.
That was it and I don't think it is unheard of as another PP did the same thing.

But if the school won't help and provide a receipt you are probably out of luck. I'm not an accountant but you should check with yours too.

Anonymous wrote:OP - if you decide to send your child to LAMB talk to your accountant about the nonrefundable deposit.

We were able to use the one we put down and lost a few years ago as a tax deduction since it was no longer related to tuition.

Please share whatever info you have on this PP. We were in this exact same position last year and decided to go with LAMB and walk away from the deposit left at the private. When I contacted the private for some sort of receipt, they told me that my deposit would not be considered a donation to the school. I'd appreciate any tips/info you have to share on this.

OP, know that it's very possible that the private preschool would be a better place for your child right now--but you should take the long view and send them to LAMB anyway. Think of tuition costs for the next 15 years (and another 15 for your younger child), and what that will mean to your family. You should, of course, look seriously at the commute (though honestly my spouse & I are seriously considering moving to a neighborhood closer to our HRCS), but if you can make it work, seize the opportunity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It rankles to hear LAMB parents bragging that they have saved $100,000 by being lucky in the lottery.

Yes, that was an actual Facebook post.

LAMB is the new Janney.

PP isn't talking about fundraising, but comparing it to private.

I know. Janney parents also like to talk (brag?) about how private-like their school is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It rankles to hear LAMB parents bragging that they have saved $100,000 by being lucky in the lottery.

Yes, that was an actual Facebook post.

LAMB is the new Janney.

PP isn't talking about fundraising, but comparing it to private.

Anonymous wrote:It rankles to hear LAMB parents bragging that they have saved $100,000 by being lucky in the lottery.

Yes, that was an actual Facebook post.

LAMB is the new Janney.

Let someone else have a spot given that you are excited about your private school option. It is win-win for everyone.

OP, I think you and the next 400 students or so on the list should definitely turn down their spots. heh.

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would take the spot. Make sure you are into bilingual education and Montessori. And of course the commute. But I would never pay for private school (especially for more than one kid) over LAMB. LAMB feels like a private school, with the added diversity bonus. And my husband and I feel like we one the powerball every single day. The $100k parent fundraising for such a small school (without an auction and for the third year in a row) should give you an idea of how beloved it is by those who attend.

This! I will play devil's advocate for a minute and interject that the school is not perfect, not one is. We've had some concerns; however, you will appreciate an open administration, willing to meet with you and hash out any concerns in a positive and productive way. The principal and vice make themselves available, are open to honest discourse and will facilitate change in a way that shows they care. With respect to the teachers themselves, kuddos to them. They value and respect each child and are eager to meet each child wherever he or she is. My DC is somewhat a "special case" a very rambunctious Pre-K 4. He's very hyper and that has presented challenges at home. However, the teaching staff has been able to engage him in a way utilizes that energy positively. I've been not only impressed, but feel very blessed and relieved. You are leaving your child at a school that provides love, nurturing and support, all within the framework of Montessori and bilingual. As I've said before, keep your Sidwells and your Georgetown Preps. LAMB every time for us.