My son didn't get into the school I thought would be perfect for him. He's thriving at our neighborhood middle school in ways I didn't expect.

The author, shown with her son, said she's been pleasantly surprised by how well he is adjusting to the middle school he ended up at. Courtesy of Jamie Davis Smith.

I love living in Washington, DC, but navigating the complex public and charter school admissions system is tough.

Students have the right to attend their neighborhood school, and many do. However, every year thousands of parents choose to apply to public schools in different neighborhoods or publicly funded charter or magnet schools throughout the city.

There are rarely enough spots to meet demand at the more desirable schools or specialty schools, ranging from arts and hospitality to college-prep programs and the sciences.…