Well said ellie.d! It really could be a lot worse, so let's try to be positive.

I have to say that my children do not go to DC, so I am not familiar with the "interviewing" process there. In a way, I can really understand both sides. On the one hand, it is very disconcerting for parents to feel that their (very young!) children are being judged and put in a stressful situation. However, it is often less stressful than we may think, especially if the staff know what they're doing (and from everything I hear about DC, they do). Children often surprise us with their strength and courage.
As always, good luck to us all in the various schools we deal with and in doing right by our children!