My k-8 bombed

[Anonymous]

Same for our K-8. Kids that wanted single sex and were open to Catholic did fine. But otherwise the results were poor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I think many people who have done this in previous years are not understanding just how bad admissions have been at a few schools this year. Once the lists comes out, I think people will be surprised. (My child did well because of a sport so this isn’t sour grapes.) But several top students at our school had very mediocre outcomes in ways that surprised basically everyone.

The challenge is that those top students are going against top students from public with insanely strong academic records.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I think many people who have done this in previous years are not understanding just how bad admissions have been at a few schools this year. Once the lists comes out, I think people will be surprised. (My child did well because of a sport so this isn’t sour grapes.) But several top students at our school had very mediocre outcomes in ways that surprised basically everyone.

The challenge is that those top students are going against top students from public with insanely strong academic records.

Which would be fine if it was true. But the truth is the people getting those spots are big donors, siblings, and athletes for the most part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I think many people who have done this in previous years are not understanding just how bad admissions have been at a few schools this year. Once the lists comes out, I think people will be surprised. (My child did well because of a sport so this isn’t sour grapes.) But several top students at our school had very mediocre outcomes in ways that surprised basically everyone.

The challenge is that those top students are going against top students from public with insanely strong academic records.

Which would be fine if it was true. But the truth is the people getting those spots are big donors, siblings, and athletes for the most part.

For the most part, maybe, but the spots going to just plain unhooked kids, at least at our Big 3, are going to kids who fit that profile or have something really unique to offer.

[Anonymous]

Or interviews, or music skills, or more of an introvert, or a math kid, or who knows. They don’t want cookie cutters of the same kids in the class. No way to know.

[Anonymous]

I have served on the admissions committee at my school for several years now and one factor that hasn’t been mentioned is PARENTS bombing it for their kids. We see great applicants who would do well at our school but the parents ruin it for them. They either act poorly or overshare in an interview. Perhaps they forget that every move they make is being judged; and at a school with so few openings, it’s better for us to take the nicer family even if the kid has a lower GPA.

[Anonymous]

As a parent who went to a K-8 and remember how awful it felt to try and apply out for 9th...and being really disappointed (I think only two kids in our entire class of about 20 were happy with the results)...I didn't want to go back through that with my kids.

[Anonymous]

Not getting what you want, happens eventually or at least it should. Especially when it comes to making sports teams, applying to colleges…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did little Langley do? I know they have been having terrible results with since the new head of middle school came in and old HOS school left. People awfully quiet this year

Wrong--Class of 2022 had great results (new HOS first year); class of 2023 had some loud families displeased with their particular results, but that wasn't reflective of the grade; this years class is also having great results. Langley does an excellent job of helping kids get to know themselves and apply to schools where they would be a good fit. Not everyone is a good fit for Sidwell, etc., nor can any one HS take too many kids from the same 8th grade. This year there are at least 4-6 in at each school of Sidwell, Potomac, GDS, Maret, etc. And not everyone wants those schools.

My 8th grader at WES got into all the schools they applied to and attending first choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have served on the admissions committee at my school for several years now and one factor that hasn’t been mentioned is PARENTS bombing it for their kids. We see great applicants who would do well at our school but the parents ruin it for them. They either act poorly or overshare in an interview. Perhaps they forget that every move they make is being judged; and at a school with so few openings, it’s better for us to take the nicer family even if the kid has a lower GPA.

+1

[Anonymous]

Why is no one talking about how the landscape has changed since 2020? Schools have over enrolled. Applications have increased. There is more competition.

Is anyone really expecting that every child will get into their first choice? There’s only so many spaces. Some people have to go to 2nd or 3rd choice schools.

If there’s really a counselor at this “well regarded nurturing k-8” telling people they will definitely get in? That’s a problem. But I also wonder if that’s what parents want to hear.

None of this is fun. But I’d rather my child have an opportunity to go through an application and selection process prior to doing it for college. They will learn about themself and what’s important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is no one talking about how the landscape has changed since 2020? Schools have over enrolled. Applications have increased. There is more competition.

Is anyone really expecting that every child will get into their first choice? There’s only so many spaces. Some people have to go to 2nd or 3rd choice schools.

If there’s really a counselor at this “well regarded nurturing k-8” telling people they will definitely get in? That’s a problem. But I also wonder if that’s what parents want to hear.

None of this is fun. But I’d rather my child have an opportunity to go through an application and selection process prior to doing it for college. They will learn about themself and what’s important.

I will say though that the school admission process is so unpredictable. A million years ago when I went to college there were safety schools, a middle tier and then stretch schools. But at least the safety schools you got into. And then maybe 1/2 of the middle tier and possibly a stretch. In the DC private school scene, a “safety” isn’t even a guarantee. Unless our outplacement people just weren’t good.

[Anonymous]

A notable issue within our school involves really disappointed and upset eighth-grade students. This has led to an unfortunate shift in the dynamics of a previously somewhat close-knit class, resulting in increased gossip, and strained relationships. Unfortunately, the administration's response to these challenges has not been particularly helpful in addressing and resolving the situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A notable issue within our school involves really disappointed and upset eighth-grade students. This has led to an unfortunate shift in the dynamics of a previously somewhat close-knit class, resulting in increased gossip, and strained relationships. Unfortunately, the administration's response to these challenges has not been particularly helpful in addressing and resolving the situation.

Given the tone of parents on this thread - I’d chalk this up to poor parenting. My child fits this description and, while disappointed, is not worried about classmates who were accepted and whether or not they are sibling or legacy. They don’t even know half of their friends outcomes because they have followed guidance of school leaders to be thoughtful of each other. And we don’t act upset at home.

I suspect kids with strained relations and gossiping (including students with acceptances) are following the lead of their parents who update and gossiping

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A notable issue within our school involves really disappointed and upset eighth-grade students. This has led to an unfortunate shift in the dynamics of a previously somewhat close-knit class, resulting in increased gossip, and strained relationships. Unfortunately, the administration's response to these challenges has not been particularly helpful in addressing and resolving the situation.

Given the tone of parents on this thread - I’d chalk this up to poor parenting. My child fits this description and, while disappointed, is not worried about classmates who were accepted and whether or not they are sibling or legacy. They don’t even know half of their friends outcomes because they have followed guidance of school leaders to be thoughtful of each other. And we don’t act upset at home.

I suspect kids with strained relations and gossiping (including students with acceptances) are following the lead of their parents who want ARE UPSET and gossiping