I think that's a bit harsh--many people are used to a system where there isn't much if any school choice, and all the schools in a district have similar offerings and test scores. DC is not like that, but some people decided where to live before they had school-aged kids and didn't think a lot about it.

Fortunately for OP, she seem to be IB for Peabody, which is a pretty good option. She needs to find some other schools to list (or be happy not getting in anywhere) and decide what order to rank them in, but she'll probably get in someplace and can always go to Peabody for K. And she'll probably like it just fine.

There's a lot more to a kid's education, especially at 3 years old, than what school they go to. Some of it can't be controlled, like learning disabilities or a teacher's temperament. Most kids who have caring parents (and especially those with caring, educated, rich parents) are going to be ok at just about any school, and if they aren't it's usually not because of the school. Maybe we should all be a little more like OP (but not too much...spending 15 minute looking at the lottery website to understand how it works is time well spent!).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you comfortable with Watkins? Are you ok with Stuart Hobson and Eastern? I would be applying to dci feeders and schools wth a good elementary program if you're not ok with Watkins.

Until yesterday, OP did not know what elementary school she was in-bounds for. She did not know there was an IB preference for PK. She does not know the difference between the PK programs offered at Payne, Tyler, Peabody, and SWS. She did not understand that you should rank schools in order of your actual priorities. How do you expect her to know if she's ok with the entire feeder pattern for the next 15 years? Let her submit a lottery application, have somewhere to send her kid for a couple years, and figure it out from there. She doesn't seem particularly on top of things.

Good point. I am always surprised by these types of parents. An easy life for them is more important than their children's education.....

Anonymous wrote:Are Payne and Tyler decent schools?

We are in bounds for Payne and will likely send our kiddo there next year. I'd definitely check it out. The pre-K program is great.

Anonymous wrote:Are you comfortable with Watkins? Are you ok with Stuart Hobson and Eastern? I would be applying to dci feeders and schools wth a good elementary program if you're not ok with Watkins.

Until yesterday, OP did not know what elementary school she was in-bounds for. She did not know there was an IB preference for PK. She does not know the difference between the PK programs offered at Payne, Tyler, Peabody, and SWS. She did not understand that you should rank schools in order of your actual priorities. How do you expect her to know if she's ok with the entire feeder pattern for the next 15 years? Let her submit a lottery application, have somewhere to send her kid for a couple years, and figure it out from there. She doesn't seem particularly on top of things.

Anonymous wrote:Are you comfortable with Watkins? Are you ok with Stuart Hobson and Eastern? I would be applying to dci feeders and schools wth a good elementary program if you're not ok with Watkins.

Isn't there another Hill troll thread for you to post on?

Are you comfortable with Watkins? Are you ok with Stuart Hobson and Eastern? I would be applying to dci feeders and schools wth a good elementary program if you're not ok with Watkins.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks so much to everyone who's posted. Peabody would be ideal, but it's a shame it seems such a stretch. I will research all the other options presented.

Ack, OP, no! If you are actually IB for Peabody your odds are good--not 100%, but decent. Research schools--not just by looking at test scores or on DCUM but actually visiting a few, rank 12 of them (or a smaller number if you don't have 12 you prefer to your current situation) in order of your true preference, and hope for the best. Absolutely rank your IB school unless there is no way you'd ever send your kid there.

OP Odds for Peabody IB are much better than they would be for Brent or Maury IB where you'd probably need a sibling to feel like you have a decent shot.