Which K-8 has the best high school placement?

[Anonymous]

Yeah, another WES parent. People forget about us because we are so small and in MoCO, but our percentage going to the top tier of privates is similar or better to most of those being discussed here. School does a great job placing kids. I do think it is easier because the 8th grade class is so small though. We don’t run into the same issue of needing to place a bunch of kids at any school one school.

[Anonymous]

I know its not in DC, but we live in NOVA and are considering sending our daughter to the Langley School. We don't really want to drive into DC for 1st grade every day, but also don't want her to be limited in 8 years in terms of options. Does anyone know how the Langley School does in terms of admissions to the Big 3, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only issue is if the K-8s are implying admission is routinely possible.

I don't think they'd be dishonest to imply that admission is routinely possible for one or two 8th graders in any given graduating class, if there's a consistent track record of 9th grade admissions to certain schools in this area. But of course they'd never say it's guaranteed or even likely for any particular individual.

Then again, there's usually no mystery when you look at the graduating class at a K-8, who will likely be the strongest applicants. It's the top 10 percent of students academically, the top athletes, the top donors, the families whose parents are well-liked and volunteer a lot, and so forth. Usually the ones admitted check at least least two or three of these boxes, and the chances are even better if the family is URM. Even if parents and students would almost never openly talk about who these individuals are, deep down they have a good sense of who has the strongest odds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only issue is if the K-8s are implying admission is routinely possible.

I don't think they'd be dishonest to imply that admission is routinely possible for one or two 8th graders in any given graduating class, if there's a consistent track record of 9th grade admissions to certain schools in this area. But of course they'd never say it's guaranteed or even likely for any particular individual.

Then again, there's usually no mystery when you look at the graduating class at a K-8, who will likely be the strongest applicants. It's the top 10 percent of students academically, the top athletes, the top donors, the families whose parents are well-liked and volunteer a lot, and so forth. Usually the ones admitted check at least least two or three of these boxes, and the chances are even better if the family is URM. Even if parents and students would almost never openly talk about who these individuals are, deep down they have a good sense of who has the strongest odds.

This. It’s not like it is a lottery. At our K8, if you are a pleasant family to deal with (most families are), pick an appropriate school for your child’s academic level, convey that interest to the school in a non-insane way, have a kid that interviews tolerably well (low bar), and are full pay, most hit their first or second choice in my experience. Not 100%, there is some randomness in the process, but more than half. The results aren’t nearly as random as they were when we applied out from preschool. There, the results were much, much more random and not that many people hit their first choice among people I knew. If you are looking for financial aid, though, matching from a K8 to a K12 with a similar amount of money can be more difficult I have heard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only issue is if the K-8s are implying admission is routinely possible.

I don't think they'd be dishonest to imply that admission is routinely possible for one or two 8th graders in any given graduating class, if there's a consistent track record of 9th grade admissions to certain schools in this area. But of course they'd never say it's guaranteed or even likely for any particular individual.

Then again, there's usually no mystery when you look at the graduating class at a K-8, who will likely be the strongest applicants. It's the top 10 percent of students academically, the top athletes, the top donors, the families whose parents are well-liked and volunteer a lot, and so forth. Usually the ones admitted check at least least two or three of these boxes, and the chances are even better if the family is URM. Even if parents and students would almost never openly talk about who these individuals are, deep down they have a good sense of who has the strongest odds.

Yes, and you forgot to mention legacy and sibling applicants on that list of hooks. It's clear when you see the cohort applying and some kids already have older siblings at certain brand name schools, they are the ones taking those spots. These schools aren't going to take more that a small handful, or one or two, from each k-8 so those spots all go to siblings in some cases. It's never discussed openly that they might have never gotten in otherwise, and that a fellow classmate applying (who then likely does not get in) is actually a better student, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only issue is if the K-8s are implying admission is routinely possible.

I don't think they'd be dishonest to imply that admission is routinely possible for one or two 8th graders in any given graduating class, if there's a consistent track record of 9th grade admissions to certain schools in this area. But of course they'd never say it's guaranteed or even likely for any particular individual.

Then again, there's usually no mystery when you look at the graduating class at a K-8, who will likely be the strongest applicants. It's the top 10 percent of students academically, the top athletes, the top donors, the families whose parents are well-liked and volunteer a lot, and so forth. Usually the ones admitted check at least least two or three of these boxes, and the chances are even better if the family is URM. Even if parents and students would almost never openly talk about who these individuals are, deep down they have a good sense of who has the strongest odds.

This. It’s not like it is a lottery. At our K8, if you are a pleasant family to deal with (most families are), pick an appropriate school for your child’s academic level, convey that interest to the school in a non-insane way, have a kid that interviews tolerably well (low bar), and are full pay, most hit their first or second choice in my experience. Not 100%, there is some randomness in the process, but more than half. The results aren’t nearly as random as they were when we applied out from preschool. There, the results were much, much more random and not that many people hit their first choice among people I knew. If you are looking for financial aid, though, matching from a K8 to a K12 with a similar amount of money can be more difficult I have heard.

Did you find that to be true at your school last year during COVID? If so, please name the school as many K8s didn't do as well with 9th grade admissions as they have in past years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It's not a giant conspiracy--it's a space/numbers issue. The only issue is if the K-8s are implying admission is routinely possible.

A PP here. The k-8 outplacement director at DS's school was crystal clear, as was the head of school, that our kid should apply to several schools because the odds are so low for admission to his target school. The director said it multiple times, in multiple personal family meetings. It was said throughout the year in blast emails, it was clearly stated in a PowerPoint at the mandatory all-parent meeting.

I have no doubt it was said repeatedly to each family at our school and I'm also certain that the same message is made clear at all the other non-parochial K-8s.

If/when a family claims 'shut out' on March 3rd, that's wholly their own fault. You can be disappointed that your actual best option was not your top choice going in, but you cannot be bitter and say with a straight face that you were misled about acceptance odds.

And carry that same message with you all the way through to college admissions.

college admissions is less BS than Big 3/5 schools in DC.

And to PP above: no school is going to promise admittance to X school, but some will claim that most applicants get into their "top choice" or the "best fit" and that is simply not true if siblings and high donors are taking certain school spots from the grade as a whole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only issue is if the K-8s are implying admission is routinely possible.

I don't think they'd be dishonest to imply that admission is routinely possible for one or two 8th graders in any given graduating class, if there's a consistent track record of 9th grade admissions to certain schools in this area. But of course they'd never say it's guaranteed or even likely for any particular individual.
Then again, there's usually no mystery when you look at the graduating class at a K-8, who will likely be the strongest applicants. It's the top 10 percent of students academically, the top athletes, the top donors, the families whose parents are well-liked and volunteer a lot, and so forth. Usually the ones admitted check at least least two or three of these boxes, and the chances are even better if the family is URM. Even if parents and students would almost never openly talk about who these individuals are, deep down they have a good sense of who has the strongest odds.

Yes, and you forgot to mention legacy and sibling applicants on that list of hooks. It's clear when you see the cohort applying and some kids already have older siblings at certain brand name schools, they are the ones taking those spots. These schools aren't going to take more that a small handful, or one or two, from each k-8 so those spots all go to siblings in some cases. It's never discussed openly that they might have never gotten in otherwise, and that a fellow classmate applying (who then likely does not get in) is actually a better student, etc.

Is that really happening for 9th grade admissions though? I would think that the vast majority of legacies/siblings would have gotten into the school well before then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only issue is if the K-8s are implying admission is routinely possible.

I don't think they'd be dishonest to imply that admission is routinely possible for one or two 8th graders in any given graduating class, if there's a consistent track record of 9th grade admissions to certain schools in this area. But of course they'd never say it's guaranteed or even likely for any particular individual.
Then again, there's usually no mystery when you look at the graduating class at a K-8, who will likely be the strongest applicants. It's the top 10 percent of students academically, the top athletes, the top donors, the families whose parents are well-liked and volunteer a lot, and so forth. Usually the ones admitted check at least least two or three of these boxes, and the chances are even better if the family is URM. Even if parents and students would almost never openly talk about who these individuals are, deep down they have a good sense of who has the strongest odds.

Yes, and you forgot to mention legacy and sibling applicants on that list of hooks. It's clear when you see the cohort applying and some kids already have older siblings at certain brand name schools, they are the ones taking those spots. These schools aren't going to take more that a small handful, or one or two, from each k-8 so those spots all go to siblings in some cases. It's never discussed openly that they might have never gotten in otherwise, and that a fellow classmate applying (who then likely does not get in) is actually a better student, etc.

Is that really happening for 9th grade admissions though? I would think that the vast majority of legacies/siblings would have gotten into the school well before then.

Older siblings who also graduated from the K-8. The oldest one breaks through and then younger sibs have a leg up.

[Anonymous]

But why wait until 8th grade to “take advantage” of the sibling preference? Our older child is at a Big 3 and we’re going to apply for the younger sibling at the next entry year. Definitely not waiting until 9th grade admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only issue is if the K-8s are implying admission is routinely possible.

I don't think they'd be dishonest to imply that admission is routinely possible for one or two 8th graders in any given graduating class, if there's a consistent track record of 9th grade admissions to certain schools in this area. But of course they'd never say it's guaranteed or even likely for any particular individual.

Then again, there's usually no mystery when you look at the graduating class at a K-8, who will likely be the strongest applicants. It's the top 10 percent of students academically, the top athletes, the top donors, the families whose parents are well-liked and volunteer a lot, and so forth. Usually the ones admitted check at least least two or three of these boxes, and the chances are even better if the family is URM. Even if parents and students would almost never openly talk about who these individuals are, deep down they have a good sense of who has the strongest odds.

This. It’s not like it is a lottery. At our K8, if you are a pleasant family to deal with (most families are), pick an appropriate school for your child’s academic level, convey that interest to the school in a non-insane way, have a kid that interviews tolerably well (low bar), and are full pay, most hit their first or second choice in my experience. Not 100%, there is some randomness in the process, but more than half. The results aren’t nearly as random as they were when we applied out from preschool. There, the results were much, much more random and not that many people hit their first choice among people I knew. If you are looking for financial aid, though, matching from a K8 to a K12 with a similar amount of money can be more difficult I have heard.

No way!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only issue is if the K-8s are implying admission is routinely possible.

I don't think they'd be dishonest to imply that admission is routinely possible for one or two 8th graders in any given graduating class, if there's a consistent track record of 9th grade admissions to certain schools in this area. But of course they'd never say it's guaranteed or even likely for any particular individual.
Then again, there's usually no mystery when you look at the graduating class at a K-8, who will likely be the strongest applicants. It's the top 10 percent of students academically, the top athletes, the top donors, the families whose parents are well-liked and volunteer a lot, and so forth. Usually the ones admitted check at least least two or three of these boxes, and the chances are even better if the family is URM. Even if parents and students would almost never openly talk about who these individuals are, deep down they have a good sense of who has the strongest odds.

Yes, and you forgot to mention legacy and sibling applicants on that list of hooks. It's clear when you see the cohort applying and some kids already have older siblings at certain brand name schools, they are the ones taking those spots. These schools aren't going to take more that a small handful, or one or two, from each k-8 so those spots all go to siblings in some cases. It's never discussed openly that they might have never gotten in otherwise, and that a fellow classmate applying (who then likely does not get in) is actually a better student, etc.

Is that really happening for 9th grade admissions though? I would think that the vast majority of legacies/siblings would have gotten into the school well before then.

No they haven't if their parents opted for k8s... and/or older siblings who also went to the same k* and are now in HS or college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But why wait until 8th grade to “take advantage” of the sibling preference? Our older child is at a Big 3 and we’re going to apply for the younger sibling at the next entry year. Definitely not waiting until 9th grade admissions.

They wait because want their children at a k8 model, because other than the stress of applying to HS isn't a good thing...and they wait because they can...once oldest sibling is in Big 3/5, or if parent went there themselves, they know that younger siblings will highly likely get in also. It is a real thing most young parents looking at starting at k8s never think of. The exmissions results for your child greatly depend on how many sibling applicants will be in their cohort more than your child's actual stats/abilities, etc. It really is a numbers game in this sense. If you have a lot of only children and first born kids in your child's cohort, and your child is a strong student, you have a better shot at Big 3/5 than if there are multiple younger siblings in your child's grade who currently have older siblings at STA, GDS, etc. Those kids get in every time, even if they are not the stronger students, and take the opportunity slots from their sometimes more qualified peers. The school will not tell you this if you have a strong applicant type child. They will encourage your child to apply and then your child will likely be waitlisted while the sibling peer gets in. If you really want Big 3/5 for HS apply for K and then again in 3rd and 6th, if necessary. You can always change from one Big 3/5 to another for HS, if you want, but then you know you have the option of staying also.
Just my observations from seeing how this has played out over the past number of years at my kids' k8. So many kids in my daughter's graduating class did not get their first or second choice school, but admissions keeps saying that happens at admissions events. I don't think that is uncommon.

[Anonymous]

"It is a good thing"( above), not "isn't "

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But why wait until 8th grade to “take advantage” of the sibling preference? Our older child is at a Big 3 and we’re going to apply for the younger sibling at the next entry year. Definitely not waiting until 9th grade admissions.

Well, not everyone thinks like you do. There are often many sibling applicants graduating 8th grade, applying to Upper Schools, at the PK-8 I am familiar with.