Anonymous wrote:The problem with Capitol Hill as a recommendation is that there's great variation depending on the where. Things can really be very different from one block to the next.

I'd say an easier, more predictable bet is Dupont Circle for Ross. You may also find simpatico for Brooklyn in the U Street, Logan and Columbia Heights neighborhoods. Not many here talk about the schools in those places, but there are a lot of families settling in and I found the test scores for Tubman Elementary (Columbia Heights) to be very impressive. Must be something good going on there. They certainly have an active parent organization.

Mt. Pleasant is something of an ideal if you're coming from Brooklyn, but Bancroft school is fair to middling. Still, I know quite a few who keep their kids there through 5th and feel that it's just fine.

Petworth is also a good bet in terms of lifestyle. Lots of green space, yet also a lot of walkable amenities and more coming all the time. Easy to live without a car and yes, there are A LOT of parents in Petworth with kids of all ages. More kids in the 5 and under set, but I see older kids at the
Farmer's Market - they must be living somewhere. Powell Elementary is definitely the up-and-comer and I saw a music room full of newly-donated violins when I toured there recently. Big plus to Petworth is that if you don't like Powell, there are SO MANY charters convenient to this neighborhood.

Anonymous wrote:

I'm sorry, I haven't read the whole thread, but have you visited the city OP? I really dislike the hill - tends to be more conservative and uppity, in my opinion. I personally love the Dupont/Logan circle area and would echo a few other posters at trying to get a small 2 bedroom inbounds for Ross if you find you like that neighborhood more.

You say "small two bedroom" and I remember the years I've spent in New York in small two bedrooms before we finally got a decent apartment, which we now have to leave, and I cry. Unless small means about 1300 square feet with outdoor space... but I'm guessing it doesn't.

My friends who live in DC are all childless, except for one who goes to a charter, and I don't remember which charter. They have all described the Hill as both boring and dangerous. I do understand how a place can be both, lol. Still, it looks pretty. And I'm assuming I would like its fringes more than its center... which is probably good as they will be cheaper.

Anonymous wrote:Adding Hearst, looking more closely at Watkins Thanks!

Does the Watkins area of Capital Hill have a name?

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry, I haven't read the whole thread, but have you visited the city OP? I really dislike the hill - tends to be more conservative and uppity, in my opinion. I personally love the Dupont/Logan circle area and would echo a few other posters at trying to get a small 2 bedroom inbounds for Ross if you find you like that neighborhood more.

Unlike NY, if you move OOB, you lose you IB spot.

Anonymous wrote:You need to tell us your budget. Sheperd Park is not a good fit if you don't want to drive much. Its a cute little neighborhood but not a lot of rental and the houses are very very pricey.
If you want to rent into a great school In Bounds, look in Ward 3/Upper NW around Tenleytown metro for Janney Elem. All of the upper NW schools are good and you could rent around the metro stations on Wisconsin avenue or Connecticut Avenue. You could be in a great elem and most likely feed into Deal and then Wilson if you are in it for the long haul.
Cap Hill is a great family walkable neighborhood. Brent elem is the best but lots of families like Watkins. But most families who can bail after 4th grade do so and go for the charters such as Latin, Basis or private. You will have more long term options in upper NW.

dcmom wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Bancroft, like Oyster, has no English-only track. If you move in-boundary for 3rd grade both schools have to take you and do whatever they can to get you up to speed, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Much as I'd love the kid to learn Spanish, throwing her into it seems a little cruel, yeah. I've thought about it.

Wait, What does SWS stand for? And where is it? And it's a charter?

School-Within-School: It is an extremely popular DCPS that is city-wide and is Reggio-inspired. I think next year they may have a 3rd grade, but there is no chance you will get in given its popularity, unfortunately. There are no boundaries so you cannot move in boundary to get in.

Anonymous wrote:http://insideschools.org/elementary/browse/school/585

That's our current school. The test scores last year reflect the new Common Core tests New York implemented... which were a mess. Still, 11 had the second-best scores in its district, and is considered to be good. From what I've read, its story is probably similar to a lot of DC schools... although possibly with more money. I know Clinton Hill and Bed Stuy (11 has tons OOB kids) have recently gentrified dramatically. I love this school. There's nothing I would change about it, and I'm really sad we're leaving. I guess my question is, where is this school's equiv in DC?

Anonymous wrote:You guys are great with the questions, I really appreciate it.

So... would it be possible to get OOB for brent, maury or Watkins or Ludlow? Wondering about living in SW and getting into a Hill school. Not my first choice, but another option.