Going abroad for 1 year—when to tell school?

[Anonymous]

Our kid is in public school, going into 4th in the fall. We plan to do 5th in public and apply to private for 6-12th due to a bad feeder pattern. We will have an opportunity out to live abroad for 1 year when our kid is in 7th. Should we reveal this in the interview stage? After acceptance? We want to make sure that she can come back to the school for 8th.

Please don’t comment that we shouldn’t go abroad for 7th. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a cultural exchange and language immersion, and we are committed to going abroad. It’s the right decision for our kid, our family and my career. I’m just curious how privates would handle this and when we should discuss it.

[Anonymous]

Unless you are totally ok with the possibility of needing to reapply and/or change schools for 8th if the school does not allow the year away with no consequence, you need to bring it up and discuss the options during the application process. It might cause some schools not to accept your child, but that’s better than being blindsided and having to reapply or change schools when you return for 8th grade.

I think the experience should be a fantastic opportunity and hopefully any school would agree and be willing to work with you, but some might not and for your own sanity, it’s worth being open with the schools upfront so you know what you are getting into.

[Anonymous]

Our school has had people do this...as long as they continue to pay tuition to hold their spot for the year.

[Anonymous]

Apply for 8th from overseas. Your child may have an advantage being perceived as international.

[Anonymous]

Many schools will absolutely allow a "leave" for a family that will be away for a year or two. Very common. I would share with them after matriculation so they know to fill the spot for the year via the admissions cycle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apply for 8th from overseas. Your child may have an advantage being perceived as international.

This is bad advice- 8th grade is a hard year to find an open spot.

[Anonymous]

I would tell the school.

[Anonymous]

I would apply broadly and then once accepted but before signing the contract for 6th grade have the conversation with the schools who admit DC about being there for 6th and then back for 8th-12th. If you discover that a school won't work with you on a year abroad, then you don't ever enroll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would apply broadly and then once accepted but before signing the contract for 6th grade have the conversation with the schools who admit DC about being there for 6th and then back for 8th-12th. If you discover that a school won't work with you on a year abroad, then you don't ever enroll.

I agree with this. It's like applying for a job: you ask the difficult questions after the job is offered and before accepting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would apply broadly and then once accepted but before signing the contract for 6th grade have the conversation with the schools who admit DC about being there for 6th and then back for 8th-12th. If you discover that a school won't work with you on a year abroad, then you don't ever enroll.

I agree with this. It's like applying for a job: you ask the difficult questions after the job is offered and before accepting.

This.

[Anonymous]

^^ but be prepared to pay tuition to hold the spot.

[Anonymous]

Our school requires families pay tuition to hold the spot

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would apply broadly and then once accepted but before signing the contract for 6th grade have the conversation with the schools who admit DC about being there for 6th and then back for 8th-12th. If you discover that a school won't work with you on a year abroad, then you don't ever enroll.

+1.

If parent is sent overseas by the US government or US military, make sure the school knows that. Schools might be more accommodating in those situations.

[Anonymous]

Why not just wait and apply for high school?

[Anonymous]

Tell the school around November after your child is attending and things are going well.

Set up a meeting with the head of school and share that you just received information about a wonderful job opportunity and that you wanted to understand how it works with the school.
With this approach, you are giving them lots of lead time for planning and they have an established relationship with your family.