Less Space at Hyde-Addison for Out-of-Boundary Students Next Year

Hyde-Addison Elementary is facing space constraints due to an unexpected increase in demand from Georgetown families for space in the Kindergarten class next year. Tuesday, Dec. 7, Hyde-Addison Principal Dana Nerenberg spoke to parents of current students about  demand given the reality of the classroom space available. 

Space constraints led to the elimination of a pre-K class for next school year. Each pre-K class normally has 20 slots; the cut means 20 pre-K students will be enrolled rather than 40.

The proposed cut has in-boundary parents concerned about having access for their children to the neighborhood school. Last week, one, "The whole point of neighborhood schools is to allow children in the neighborhood to attend. But, now that many neighborhood families want to attend Hyde-Addison, there isn't any room."

Pete Eisler, the chairman of the Hyde-Addison Local School Advisory Team, commented, "The only way we would add more out-of-boundary students to next year's kindergarten class is if we have open slots that are not being filled by in-boundary students. The notion that out-of-boundary students are taking spots from in-boundary students is a complete falacy."

In a meeting, Nerenberg explained to one prospective parent that although a record 28 in-boundary parents initially applied through the lottery system for pre-K slots at Hyde, only 16 actually enrolled. That leaves a mere four slots for out-of boundary children. The elimination of the second pre-K class significantly reduces the number of out-of boundary children able to attend Hyde-Addison in pre-K. 

Assistant Press Secretary in the Office of the Chancellor, Safiya Jafari Simmons, wrote, "We are offering fewer pre-kindergarten seats at Hyde next year as part of a long-term plan to manage enrollment at the school."

Next year's Kindergarten class will be composed of approximately 40 continuing pre-K students plus new in-boundary students, adding up to 58 students. Nerenberg placed a freeze on acceptances of new out-of-boundary students to the Kindergarten class for next year. In-boundary students are accepted to Kindergarten as a matter of right.

 Simmons said Nerenberg would make decisions on classroom configurations once the principal receives her school budget. An initial proposal to make due with available space and current enrollment levels would create one all pre-K class, one all Kindergarten class, one all first grade class and three combined Kindergarten and 1st grade classes.

Simmons said that DC Public Schools "encourages" out-of-boundary parents interested in Hyde to apply through the lottery and that the school "will fill spaces in each grade that has space available."

Space constraints now raise questions about the impact of cuts and enrollment freezes on the future diversity of the school.