Applying to Maret 6, 7 and 9

[Anonymous]

DC is in a K-8 school. Thoughts on applying out for 6 and reapplying again for 7 and 9 if necessary? Is Maret more upfront about your child's fit in the later grades compared to the earlier grades? That is, will they say your child will not be a good fit here even if we had the space or that your child was not even close to being on the short list so don't bother reapplying or do they just waitlist nearly all the kids anyway?

[Anonymous]

Well, they will know you are interested. Why not. Maret is known for waitlisting every applicant it does not accept. I have no idea if this is true ... only Maret's admissions office knows for sure.

[Anonymous]

How strong is your k-8's outplacement? If it's strong, why not just wait until you have that school's outplacement process behind you for 9th? A good k-8 will go to Maret and advocate for your kid for a space in 9th grade. I seriously doubt any of them will do that for 6th or 7th.

[Anonymous]

Someone in the admissions office told me that they used to have 6th grade as a big entry year, but since the DCPS elementary schools now end at 5th, 7th grade is their big entry year and 6th grade has far fewer spots. The next big entry year is 9th grade.

[Anonymous]

16:05. Maret just added Sixth as an entry year. Maybe not as many open slots as Seven, but it's worth a shot since Six, Seven and Nine are all entry years.

[Anonymous]

You're right; I meant to say 7th used to be a big entry year, but it's now 6th. Sorry!

[Anonymous]

I think Grade 7 is as well, no? It was this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How strong is your k-8's outplacement? If it's strong, why not just wait until you have that school's outplacement process behind you for 9th? A good k-8 will go to Maret and advocate for your kid for a space in 9th grade. I seriously doubt any of them will do that for 6th or 7th.

This PP has a good point. Unless you plan to remove your child from the K-8 this year regardless of whether he or she gets into Maret this year, you may not want to take the risk of ticking off the current school. How do you think the current school will feel about your child applying out?

[Anonymous]

maret says they will enroll 12 or so new 6th graders, 6 new 7th graders and also look to enroll 6 EIGHTH graders, which is something new.

[Anonymous]

Interesting that Maret is spreading it out like that. Makes it much tougher to get in when there are only a few places at each opportunity, IMO. (As if Maret weren't impossible already.)

[Anonymous]

16:42 Tons of students leave K-8 schools at Grade 6 or Grade 7, in part to show interest in a target school but also to avoid being one of the pack from that school. Also, some students are ready for a change of scenery. I'm sure the Heads of School are supportive and don't hold this against these families.

Does anyone know how many Seventh Graders Maret took this year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:16:42 Tons of students leave K-8 schools at Grade 6 or Grade 7, in part to show interest in a target school but also to avoid being one of the pack from that school. Also, some students are ready for a change of scenery. I'm sure the Heads of School are supportive and don't hold this against these families.

Does anyone know how many Seventh Graders Maret took this year?

16:42 here. I'm sure you're right. I also imagine, however, that things could be uncomfortable for the OP's child and family if the only application is to Maret and the child doesn't get in, but still has two years left at the K-8 school. I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that putting one's faith in a single application might lead to a less-than-optimal outcome for the OP's child.

[Anonymous]

18:50 / 16:42 They'll survive! We did when we were shut out of Fourth Grade admissions from public school. I actually think it can work to a student's advantage, for the reason I gave, the student is not competing against the entire class. We all know how that works. The Heads of Schools tell admissions who is the right fit!