OP, check out this link to get a sense of the size of the wait lists at the schools being mentioned (hint: they are long) https://data.dcpcsb.org/Waitlists-Spaces-Available/Wait-List-SY15-16-as-of-March-27-2015/3ibf-jtff?

Also, keep in mind that I think many people have a biased view of how easy it is to get in, because if you live here and lottery *every year*' it is true that your cumulative likelihood of getting into a good school by 2nd grade is fairly high. But the odds if just lotterying for 2nd grade are not particularly great.

I live in the U street corridor and love it, but if I were in your shoes, I'd sublet the U street place and move in bounds for a good neighborhood school or go private. Or lottery for the charters and if you don't get in, then rent an apartment in bounds for a good school - if you are in bounds you can sign your older kid up after the lottery deadline.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay then, charter or private. Pay close attention to commute when choosing a charter school. Contrary to what some will say, your chances of getting into a decent charter are good. Your chance of getting into one of the top charters listed above: not great. Probably 30%

Thanks. Commute is one of my top requirements. Dd busses to school now but if I had to get her there my commute would be awful.

so, if nyc has buses why can't DC?

DCPS is a neighborhood school system - everyone assigned to a school within walking distance of their home. Exception only for kids with special needs, some of whom attend a school further away than their home school.

If you choose to go to an out of bound school within DCPS or a charter - you take on responsibility for transporting your kid.

But there are city buses readily available - and kids can get a pass to ride them for free.

NYC also has neighborhood schools. But for those who chose and get into gifted programs, there are busses. A friend of mine's kids take one even though the commute by public transport would be easy by DC standards (one subway line, just a few stops, only a couple blocks to walk). it makes me so jealous every time we compare notes on city living with kids!

Still seems like a bus system for those who want it would make sense and cut down on traffic parents, no?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay then, charter or private. Pay close attention to commute when choosing a charter school. Contrary to what some will say, your chances of getting into a decent charter are good. Your chance of getting into one of the top charters listed above: not great. Probably 30%

Thanks. Commute is one of my top requirements. Dd busses to school now but if I had to get her there my commute would be awful.

so, if nyc has buses why can't DC?

DCPS is a neighborhood school system - everyone assigned to a school within walking distance of their home. Exception only for kids with special needs, some of whom attend a school further away than their home school.

If you choose to go to an out of bound school within DCPS or a charter - you take on responsibility for transporting your kid.

But there are city buses readily available - and kids can get a pass to ride them for free.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay then, charter or private. Pay close attention to commute when choosing a charter school. Contrary to what some will say, your chances of getting into a decent charter are good. Your chance of getting into one of the top charters listed above: not great. Probably 30%

Thanks. Commute is one of my top requirements. Dd busses to school now but if I had to get her there my commute would be awful.

so, if nyc has buses why can't DC?

Anonymous wrote:OP, You should consider Cleveland. It's close to your apartment (8th and T NW) and you can get in OOB, at least into the English-only program. (There is also a Spanish immersion program that is highly sought, so more difficult to get into OOB.) It's test scores are high relative to other schools in that part of town and the school just got a 200k grant which in part will be used for better differentiated learning. Certainly not a G&T program, but perhaps better than you will find in other Midcity schools.

Thank you! I will def look into it.

Anonymous wrote:Okay then, charter or private. Pay close attention to commute when choosing a charter school. Contrary to what some will say, your chances of getting into a decent charter are good. Your chance of getting into one of the top charters listed above: not great. Probably 30%

Thanks. Commute is one of my top requirements. Dd busses to school now but if I had to get her there my commute would be awful.

OP, You should consider Cleveland. It's close to your apartment (8th and T NW) and you can get in OOB, at least into the English-only program. (There is also a Spanish immersion program that is highly sought, so more difficult to get into OOB.) It's test scores are high relative to other schools in that part of town and the school just got a 200k grant which in part will be used for better differentiated learning. Certainly not a G&T program, but perhaps better than you will find in other Midcity schools.

Okay then, charter or private. Pay close attention to commute when choosing a charter school. Contrary to what some will say, your chances of getting into a decent charter are good. Your chance of getting into one of the top charters listed above: not great. Probably 30%

Anonymous wrote:No wiggle room on the dwelling, huh? Why not join your friends at Hearst?

Sure! Do you know some secret way to get my dd in? . No no wiggle room. We are being given a free place to live in U street coridor.

No wiggle room on the dwelling, huh? Why not join your friends at Hearst?

Anonymous wrote:OP, do you know any people in DC? This board, while helpful, can give you a somewhat biased idea of schools. I would suggest coming down to the DC school fair in the fall and walking around and meeting some of the parents/school admins in person. You will get a real feel for some of the schools, not just on paper (don't bring your kids).

We know one family but they live inboud for Hearst and are just sending their oldest for pk4 this year so they haven't had to work the system.

Thank you for the info on the school fair. I will definitely come.

That is seriously unlikely. The new proximity preference is teeny and based on a few metrics. OP, once you do more research you'll have to decide if this apartment is really what you want. You say not negotiable, but you'll have to investigate more I think.

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet. You should seriously look into Ross Elementary School at 17th and R NW. It meets all of your criteria and is basically walking distance for you. You'd be out of bounds (it has a weird tiny zone) but you might be able to get the "walking proximity" preference.

She has -947947947% chance of attending Ross OOB. None. Zip. Zilch.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet. You should seriously look into Ross Elementary School at 17th and R NW. It meets all of your criteria and is basically walking distance for you. You'd be out of bounds (it has a weird tiny zone) but you might be able to get the "walking proximity" preference.