Mid year spots?

[Anonymous]

For a variety of reasons, a big one being money, I decided not to have my son apply for private school this year, and instead to let him try a year at our MCPS middle school. Some days I'm confident that this was a good choice for him, and other days I worry that it will be a disaster.

If it turns out not to be a good fit and that he needs a smaller setting, what are the odds of finding a 6th grade spot in the middle of the year at a private school? I only looked at schools that went through 12th, and really like Sandy Springs, Bullis, and St. Andrew's for him. A friend of mine has a child at Barrie and is thrilled, so I might look there too. From what I've read and heard through the grapevine, I think he'd probably be well served by a school that goes through 8th -- maybe Lowell, Grace Episcopal, Friends Community . . .

Is it reasonable of me to hope that one of those schools might have 6th grade spots? Are there other schools that might have slots that I should think about?

I should add that I also think he'd be well served by other "bigger name" schools, but figure there's no point investigating whether someplace like Maret would have an opening.

[Anonymous]

You never know who might decide not to go at the last minute. The three schools you mentioned are likely tohave at least one spot open in 6th grade.

[Anonymous]

Check with the schools though on their policy about joining mid-year. What you may want to do is plan to look and apply to schools for 7th grade - and decide in April whether or not to stay in public or make the move (to a school that goes through 12th so you have options).