How to decide whether to apply out

[Anonymous]

I am just totally wracked with uncertainty about whether to apply my DC out of current private and into another. Have you been through this and why did you leave? What factors did you consider in your decision? Are you glad you left?

My top reasons to consider leaving are: 1) school is 30 mins away, 2) math instruction not very rigorous, 3) country club vibe at the school.

Reasons to stay are 1) not to be disruptive to DC, 2) no way of knowing if grass is greener at a new school, and 3) maybe we should wait for an entry year.

[Anonymous]

When you post here saying you are unhappy for reasonable reasons.

[Anonymous]

Your reasons are all valid. But the entry year thing is pretty big - is it really worth applying if there are no/few spots this year? I’d add we delayed applying out for fear of upsetting the current school - and in retrospect that was no big deal at all.

[Anonymous]

DD applied out for 8th grade. We were unhappy with lack of rigor and she was on board. I didn’t really care what her then-current school thought - we had asked and asked for enrichment. I think they were surprised to see we meant it - they assumed we’d stay bc kids rarely switch out in 8th grade.
So glad we moved! Gave dd a year to adjust to the higher expectations of the new school. Also, she became one of the “old” girls when an influx of new kids came in 9th grade, which helped her settle in even more.

[Anonymous]

Is your kid happy where they are? What grade? Have you discussed it as a family?

[Anonymous]

Math not rigorous? Can you suggest some schools with rigorous math classes? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Your reasons for leaving are all things you should have known before going there. So if you're going to apply out, I'd be sure you do a better job vetting a new school. IF you identify one that's a better fit and your kid is on board, THEN consider applying out. But there's no reason to wonder if you should before you even know if that there's a school to consider. Do you have a closer, more rigorous and less pretentious option?

[Anonymous]

We have been on this situation, including the country club vibe, but didn't have the entry year concern. We were so undecided and worried the current school would think poorly of us if we applied out and either didn't get in or chose to stay there. We didn't want to disrupt our kid's schooling. In the end, we decided to apply in the winter and see how the school year progressed. By the time we were accepted in March, the school year had completely unraveled and we were so grateful to have applied and have the option to leave.

If the school you want to go to has precise entry years and is competitive in non-entry years, then perhaps consider waiting, but speak with admissions staff about that.