openings for rising 7th graders

[Anonymous]

I know it is incredibly late in the game, but does anyone know if any private (or parochial) school still has seats for 7th grade? Last year we had some issues with our current DCPS (physical/cyber bullying was the most serious, but also lack of responsiveness from Admin, ineffective teachers, too much "busy" work, etc.), but we wanted to finish out the middle school program (as did our daughter), and we were hopeful that things would improve with the start of the new school year.

Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case. We requested (and last Tues were granted) a meeting with the school to go over some of the issues of last year, and to ask what plan was in place to prevent those issues from happening again. Much to our surprise, there was no plan. The message we basically got was, "Middle school can be tough and kids will be kids." Our daughter is quiet, gentle and friendly, and those qualities may be why she got bullied, but we think the school should've been more proactive and reactive when they were handling bullying behavior. They should have sought out ways to prevent (or at least minimize) it, as well consequences to address it, but it appears as if they did neither.

After the meeting we had a few days ago, I don't expect the school to respond to these type of incidents any differetnly than they did last school year, and I do not want to send my child back to the school under those circumstances. So if anyone knows of schools that are still accepting applications, I'd appreciate having that information. Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

If you're in DC, this might be a little far for you, but SSFS might have space in 7th grade. I'd try calling and asking. They do have an extensive bus service, so you could look into that to see if it'll work for you. My dc takes the bus from Hyattsville and despite it being a 40-45min ride, they have not once complained about it.

[Anonymous]

Try some of the Annapolis area K-8. St. Andrew’s, St Martins, St. Anne’s

[Anonymous]

OP, decide which schools your daughter might like to attend and just call them. You may get a sympathetic admissions officer who might be willing to consider an exceptional application. Schools flex sometimes for families who move unexpectedly over the summer.

Try Burke. I've heard from several sources that they're really good with anti-bullying, so they might be especially understanding and willing to accommodate a child who has been victimized.

So sorry that your daughter has had to deal with this. My child was bullied in early elementary, and the fundamental take-away I got was that some schools (or rather their admins) are not willing to take the decisive, tough actions that are necessary to stop bullying.

Good luck to you on finding the right school.

[Anonymous]

OP, reach out to any school you are interested in. You never know. At the very least, you will build relationships and learn what might be the right fit long-term. Just keep in mind that you likely won’t be able to get FA at this point.

[Anonymous]

OP, you are doing the right thing.

[Anonymous]

If your child is Jewish, CESJDS in rockville is pretty desperate for middle schoolers. Pretty sure there is a bus from DC.

[Anonymous]

Try some k-8s. Maybe Lowell, WES, or Sheridan.

[Anonymous]

All the competitive schools will be filled however if you focus on some of the smaller parochial schools you may find an opening. Our previous school had openings and would admit on a rolling basis if there was room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know it is incredibly late in the game, but does anyone know if any private (or parochial) school still has seats for 7th grade? Last year we had some issues with our current DCPS (physical/cyber bullying was the most serious, but also lack of responsiveness from Admin, ineffective teachers, too much "busy" work, etc.), but we wanted to finish out the middle school program (as did our daughter), and we were hopeful that things would improve with the start of the new school year.

Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case. We requested (and last Tues were granted) a meeting with the school to go over some of the issues of last year, and to ask what plan was in place to prevent those issues from happening again. Much to our surprise, there was no plan. The message we basically got was, "Middle school can be tough and kids will be kids." Our daughter is quiet, gentle and friendly, and those qualities may be why she got bullied, but we think the school should've been more proactive and reactive when they were handling bullying behavior. They should have sought out ways to prevent (or at least minimize) it, as well consequences to address it, but it appears as if they did neither.

After the meeting we had a few days ago, I don't expect the school to respond to these type of incidents any differetnly than they did last school year, and I do not want to send my child back to the school under those circumstances. So if anyone knows of schools that are still accepting applications, I'd appreciate having that information. Thanks in advance.

Try Oneness Family School in Chevy Chase.

[Anonymous]

OP - where do you live? That could help get some ideas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - where do you live? That could help get some ideas?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try some k-8s. Maybe Lowell, WES, or Sheridan.

Stay far away from Lowell

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it is incredibly late in the game, but does anyone know if any private (or parochial) school still has seats for 7th grade? Last year we had some issues with our current DCPS (physical/cyber bullying was the most serious, but also lack of responsiveness from Admin, ineffective teachers, too much "busy" work, etc.), but we wanted to finish out the middle school program (as did our daughter), and we were hopeful that things would improve with the start of the new school year.

Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case. We requested (and last Tues were granted) a meeting with the school to go over some of the issues of last year, and to ask what plan was in place to prevent those issues from happening again. Much to our surprise, there was no plan. The message we basically got was, "Middle school can be tough and kids will be kids." Our daughter is quiet, gentle and friendly, and those qualities may be why she got bullied, but we think the school should've been more proactive and reactive when they were handling bullying behavior. They should have sought out ways to prevent (or at least minimize) it, as well consequences to address it, but it appears as if they did neither.

After the meeting we had a few days ago, I don't expect the school to respond to these type of incidents any differetnly than they did last school year, and I do not want to send my child back to the school under those circumstances. So if anyone knows of schools that are still accepting applications, I'd appreciate having that information. Thanks in advance.

Try Oneness Family School in Chevy Chase.

This is a great idea. I hear they’re good with bullying.

[Anonymous]

Op here, we live in DC, but driving out of the city isn’t an issue…we just want her in a better environment. Thx for all the leads so far.