Anonymous
Post 02/10/2026 11:30     Subject: Judge my lottery list for MS
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:FWIW Latin’s accelerated math track is the same as St Anselm’s accelerated math track. Now if you had your kid do an algebra or geometry over the summer to accelerate further, they might handle it differently, but both would be very unhappy with you for doing it. And as far as I can tell, “only” doing geometry in 8th grade isn’t going to mean your kid can’t do STEM in college or for a career.


We looked at St. Anselms and passed, did not apply. We were not impressed and did not think it was worth the 40k plus for 7 years when that money could go towards college.

Our kid is at DCI and so far it’s been a good experience. We did get into a well known private talked more about on this board that we liked and applied to but no financial aid so passed.

We will see how middle school goes to assess staying for high school at DCI. Private for high school is on the table if needed.

No interest in Hardy, Deal, or high schools WOTP.


OK? It seems like this path isn't attractive or available to OP (she doesn't want Spanish). not seeing how this is at all helpful to the OP. Plently of people do like St. Anselms, Hardy, Deal and application high schools.


You don’t need to want spanish to go to DCI. Kids come in with no language background and you just take language 101 of whatever language you want.

Also helpful to hear about St Anselms. Privates are an available option to OP as in her post and she should know there are other better options with private.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2026 10:19     Subject: Judge my lottery list for MS
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:FWIW Latin’s accelerated math track is the same as St Anselm’s accelerated math track. Now if you had your kid do an algebra or geometry over the summer to accelerate further, they might handle it differently, but both would be very unhappy with you for doing it. And as far as I can tell, “only” doing geometry in 8th grade isn’t going to mean your kid can’t do STEM in college or for a career.


We looked at St. Anselms and passed, did not apply. We were not impressed and did not think it was worth the 40k plus for 7 years when that money could go towards college.

Our kid is at DCI and so far it’s been a good experience. We did get into a well known private talked more about on this board that we liked and applied to but no financial aid so passed.

We will see how middle school goes to assess staying for high school at DCI. Private for high school is on the table if needed.

No interest in Hardy, Deal, or high schools WOTP.


OK? It seems like this path isn't attractive or available to OP (she doesn't want Spanish). not seeing how this is at all helpful to the OP. Plently of people do like St. Anselms, Hardy, Deal and application high schools.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2026 10:06     Subject: Judge my lottery list for MS
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:FWIW Latin’s accelerated math track is the same as St Anselm’s accelerated math track. Now if you had your kid do an algebra or geometry over the summer to accelerate further, they might handle it differently, but both would be very unhappy with you for doing it. And as far as I can tell, “only” doing geometry in 8th grade isn’t going to mean your kid can’t do STEM in college or for a career.


We looked at St. Anselms and passed, did not apply. We were not impressed and did not think it was worth the 40k plus for 7 years when that money could go towards college.

Our kid is at DCI and so far it’s been a good experience. We did get into a well known private talked more about on this board that we liked and applied to but no financial aid so passed.

We will see how middle school goes to assess staying for high school at DCI. Private for high school is on the table if needed.

No interest in Hardy, Deal, or high schools WOTP.


Also wanted to add no interest in the application high schools in DCPS either.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2026 09:58     Subject: Judge my lottery list for MS
Anonymous wrote:FWIW Latin’s accelerated math track is the same as St Anselm’s accelerated math track. Now if you had your kid do an algebra or geometry over the summer to accelerate further, they might handle it differently, but both would be very unhappy with you for doing it. And as far as I can tell, “only” doing geometry in 8th grade isn’t going to mean your kid can’t do STEM in college or for a career.


We looked at St. Anselms and passed, did not apply. We were not impressed and did not think it was worth the 40k plus for 7 years when that money could go towards college.

Our kid is at DCI and so far it’s been a good experience. We did get into a well known private talked more about on this board that we liked and applied to but no financial aid so passed.

We will see how middle school goes to assess staying for high school at DCI. Private for high school is on the table if needed.

No interest in Hardy, Deal, or high schools WOTP.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2026 06:45     Subject: Judge my lottery list for MS
Im assuming if your child is in Adams morgan they are in 4th at hd cooke or marie reed. Do they have a temporary right to francis already? Those two schools were allowed to go to cardozo for middle instead of CHEC. Students from the other feeders for cardozo like garrison are allowed temporarily to attend francis. Worth looking into.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 21:46     Subject: Judge my lottery list for MS
FWIW Latin’s accelerated math track is the same as St Anselm’s accelerated math track. Now if you had your kid do an algebra or geometry over the summer to accelerate further, they might handle it differently, but both would be very unhappy with you for doing it. And as far as I can tell, “only” doing geometry in 8th grade isn’t going to mean your kid can’t do STEM in college or for a career.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 21:07     Subject: Judge my lottery list for MS
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Not sure - I may reorder. Francis commute would be easier than other two.


Francis and Ross are the only schools that don't give you a path through 12th (and thus are the two most likely spots).


Technically none of those schools give you a guarantee spot thru 12th, even middle school.

Yes families track to middle but who says DCPS can’t crack down on thus and stop it altogether.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 20:11     Subject: Judge my lottery list for MS
Anonymous wrote:Not sure - I may reorder. Francis commute would be easier than other two.


Francis and Ross are the only schools that don't give you a path through 12th (and thus are the two most likely spots).
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 18:19     Subject: Re:Judge my lottery list for MS
Not sure where you live but make sure you are willing to do that horrible commute WOTP and back am and pm everyday for 6-7 years if you are putting Hardy and Deal feeders. Or that your kid will do that horrible commute on public transportation and the time it takes.

For our family, if we had not gotten into a good middle school, moving to burbs for better school and with bus service was the better option for our family.

Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 18:00     Subject: Judge my lottery list for MS
Not sure - I may reorder. Francis commute would be easier than other two.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 17:23     Subject: Judge my lottery list for MS
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP I will just say that was my list and...we didn't get into any of them (which really happens to a lot of people; look closely at the length of the wait lists). I was really glad my partner researched and put some last-minute additional schools on the list. We are at a different charter with a high achiever, and it's been fine, but if I had done it again I probably would have tried for a Deal feeder or moved for 6th.


Thanks for sharing, for now, the list is this:

1. Latin 1
2. Latin 2
3. Eaton
4. Ross
5. Francis
6. Shepherd
7. Hearst
8. Hyde
9. Janney
10. Stoddert
11.Lafayette
12. Basis


Are you sure you would rather go to Francis than Hardy or Deal?
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 16:21     Subject: Judge my lottery list for MS
Anonymous wrote:OP I will just say that was my list and...we didn't get into any of them (which really happens to a lot of people; look closely at the length of the wait lists). I was really glad my partner researched and put some last-minute additional schools on the list. We are at a different charter with a high achiever, and it's been fine, but if I had done it again I probably would have tried for a Deal feeder or moved for 6th.


Thanks for sharing, for now, the list is this:

1. Latin 1
2. Latin 2
3. Eaton
4. Ross
5. Francis
6. Shepherd
7. Hearst
8. Hyde
9. Janney
10. Stoddert
11.Lafayette
12. Basis
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 16:01     Subject: Judge my lottery list for MS
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Our inbound is CHEC, which is a no go for 2 reasons main reasons - child doesn't speak a lick of Spanish, and is interested in math and science and they have 11% and 1% proficiency.

Our list for 5th is:
1. Latin 1
2. Latin 2
3. Basis (but not sure we would take - seems like a joyless place)
4. ITDS - also not sold on this

Plan B: wait for 6th and then lottery into Hardy, or maybe Francis if they get geometry for 8th. Or apply to St Anselms.

Plan C: move into Deal boundary in 6th.

Am i missing any other options? Kid is super super mathy, but we are looking for a well-rounded education with arts and books and sports and low tech.


Does your child have a younger sibling? You should also play for them because they might pull your older child into a Hardy or Deal Feeder. Just another option.


No siblings.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 15:00     Subject: Judge my lottery list for MS
Anonymous wrote:Our inbound is CHEC, which is a no go for 2 reasons main reasons - child doesn't speak a lick of Spanish, and is interested in math and science and they have 11% and 1% proficiency.

Our list for 5th is:
1. Latin 1
2. Latin 2
3. Basis (but not sure we would take - seems like a joyless place)
4. ITDS - also not sold on this

Plan B: wait for 6th and then lottery into Hardy, or maybe Francis if they get geometry for 8th. Or apply to St Anselms.

Plan C: move into Deal boundary in 6th.

Am i missing any other options? Kid is super super mathy, but we are looking for a well-rounded education with arts and books and sports and low tech.


Does your child have a younger sibling? You should also play for them because they might pull your older child into a Hardy or Deal Feeder. Just another option.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 14:51     Subject: Judge my lottery list for MS
Anonymous wrote:can parents with kids in basis comment the "natural light" part? is it true?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My mathy kids loves BASIS too. Don't discard it so quickly! He runs cross country and track on the mall 4 days a week after school, has lots of friends, no FOMO here at all.
\

Discard BASIS quickly if your kid loves anything but math and science (I won't go as far as STEM since there's hardly any tech or engineering, school can't afford them). Avoid if your kid enjoys foreign languages, visual arts (painting, pottery, sculpting) singing, acting, dancing, serious sports, playing music. Oh and natural light, if that matters, don't bother.


The building is definitely the biggest downside of the school. It's in fine condition but it's cramped and yes, about half the classrooms have no windows. The other half do, and the classrooms on the top floor (art, the chem labs) are actually pleasant.

That being said it doesn't seem to bother my kid that much.