Getting into Flint Hill for middle school

[Anonymous]

Flint Hill is the closest private non-religious school to us, so we are hoping to send our current third grader there for middle school. From the website, it says that they have entry points at fifth and seventh grades. How difficult is it to get in at either of those entry points? Is one easier than another?

[Anonymous]

OP, Flint Hill has its share of haters on this site because it has the audacity to be a good school that takes a wider swath of students than the NWDC elites do and is outside the beltway.

We looked at it for 5th but we were outside the standard application period and they had no openings, and we ended up at a k-8 that we loved. Applied in 9th and it was in our top 2, edged out by a different school largely because of the commute—we went with the closer school. I’m sorry I can’t give you insight on 5th vs 7th. Honestly, just apply in 5th, and if you don’t get in try again in 7th.

FH does a good job of providing opportunities for students with a wide variety of strengths and interests. You don’t have to be an academic superstar or a jock to “fit in”, or you can be both, or binge out on a fantastic array of arts offerings in HS, or try lots of different things and see what you like. I’m most familiar with the HS, but I’ve heard great things from friends whose kids went through MS there too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, Flint Hill has its share of haters on this site because it has the audacity to be a good school that takes a wider swath of students than the NWDC elites do and is outside the beltway.

We looked at it for 5th but we were outside the standard application period and they had no openings, and we ended up at a k-8 that we loved. Applied in 9th and it was in our top 2, edged out by a different school largely because of the commute—we went with the closer school. I’m sorry I can’t give you insight on 5th vs 7th. Honestly, just apply in 5th, and if you don’t get in try again in 7th.

FH does a good job of providing opportunities for students with a wide variety of strengths and interests. You don’t have to be an academic superstar or a jock to “fit in”, or you can be both, or binge out on a fantastic array of arts offerings in HS, or try lots of different things and see what you like. I’m most familiar with the HS, but I’ve heard great things from friends whose kids went through MS there too.

Why do people apply outside of the standard application period? Are there ever any openings?

[Anonymous]

I know two kids who go there. One is odd and very smart and the other is sporty but a total nightmare to deal with behaviorally. I would not send my kid there unless you just have money to burn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know two kids who go there. One is odd and very smart and the other is sporty but a total nightmare to deal with behaviorally. I would not send my kid there unless you just have money to burn.

And that ... does not answer the question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, Flint Hill has its share of haters on this site because it has the audacity to be a good school that takes a wider swath of students than the NWDC elites do and is outside the beltway.

We looked at it for 5th but we were outside the standard application period and they had no openings, and we ended up at a k-8 that we loved. Applied in 9th and it was in our top 2, edged out by a different school largely because of the commute—we went with the closer school. I’m sorry I can’t give you insight on 5th vs 7th. Honestly, just apply in 5th, and if you don’t get in try again in 7th.

FH does a good job of providing opportunities for students with a wide variety of strengths and interests. You don’t have to be an academic superstar or a jock to “fit in”, or you can be both, or binge out on a fantastic array of arts offerings in HS, or try lots of different things and see what you like. I’m most familiar with the HS, but I’ve heard great things from friends whose kids went through MS there too.

Why do people apply outside of the standard application period? Are there ever any openings?

In reverse order, yes, some schools will take kids outside of the application period. And people apply off-cycle for a million reasons: the moved into the area or back into the area, they had issues at their incumbent school that surfaced after the application period, etc…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, Flint Hill has its share of haters on this site because it has the audacity to be a good school that takes a wider swath of students than the NWDC elites do and is outside the beltway.

We looked at it for 5th but we were outside the standard application period and they had no openings, and we ended up at a k-8 that we loved. Applied in 9th and it was in our top 2, edged out by a different school largely because of the commute—we went with the closer school. I’m sorry I can’t give you insight on 5th vs 7th. Honestly, just apply in 5th, and if you don’t get in try again in 7th.

FH does a good job of providing opportunities for students with a wide variety of strengths and interests. You don’t have to be an academic superstar or a jock to “fit in”, or you can be both, or binge out on a fantastic array of arts offerings in HS, or try lots of different things and see what you like. I’m most familiar with the HS, but I’ve heard great things from friends whose kids went through MS there too.

Why do people apply outside of the standard application period? Are there ever any openings?

In reverse order, yes, some schools will take kids outside of the application period. And people apply off-cycle for a million reasons: the moved into the area or back into the area, they had issues at their incumbent school that surfaced after the application period, etc…

All schools do. Some are just more open about it than others.

[Anonymous]

OP here - does anyone know the answer to my initial question? This discussion has gone a bit off the rails.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - does anyone know the answer to my initial question? This discussion has gone a bit off the rails.

5th is an expansion year and I think 7th is too (we’re in 6th now so I’m not 100% sure in that). 5th is less common as an entry year in general because 4th isn’t usually an “exit year” for public or other privates, so there might be less competition than in 7th, but both years are probably about equal in terms of your chances. It’s not a gimme, but it’s not a super competitive school to get into. If you actually want to start in 5th, apply, but if you really want 7th and are just worried about your chances, as long as your kid is a solid student you’re probably ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - does anyone know the answer to my initial question? This discussion has gone a bit off the rails.

5th is an expansion year and I think 7th is too (we’re in 6th now so I’m not 100% sure in that). 5th is less common as an entry year in general because 4th isn’t usually an “exit year” for public or other privates, so there might be less competition than in 7th, but both years are probably about equal in terms of your chances. It’s not a gimme, but it’s not a super competitive school to get into. If you actually want to start in 5th, apply, but if you really want 7th and are just worried about your chances, as long as your kid is a solid student you’re probably ok.

How do they determine if a fourth grader is a solid student? My public school doesn't even give grades for K-5.

[Anonymous]

It is not a difficult school to get into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - does anyone know the answer to my initial question? This discussion has gone a bit off the rails.

5th is an expansion year and I think 7th is too (we’re in 6th now so I’m not 100% sure in that). 5th is less common as an entry year in general because 4th isn’t usually an “exit year” for public or other privates, so there might be less competition than in 7th, but both years are probably about equal in terms of your chances. It’s not a gimme, but it’s not a super competitive school to get into. If you actually want to start in 5th, apply, but if you really want 7th and are just worried about your chances, as long as your kid is a solid student you’re probably ok.

Their middle school is only 7th & 8th.

[Anonymous]

I would worry less about which is an easier time to apply and focus on when you think the right time is to go for your child. We entered in middle school and it was the perfect fit for our child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - does anyone know the answer to my initial question? This discussion has gone a bit off the rails.

5th is an expansion year and I think 7th is too (we’re in 6th now so I’m not 100% sure in that). 5th is less common as an entry year in general because 4th isn’t usually an “exit year” for public or other privates, so there might be less competition than in 7th, but both years are probably about equal in terms of your chances. It’s not a gimme, but it’s not a super competitive school to get into. If you actually want to start in 5th, apply, but if you really want 7th and are just worried about your chances, as long as your kid is a solid student you’re probably ok.

How do they determine if a fourth grader is a solid student? My public school doesn't even give grades for K-5.

I was talking about 7th when I said solid student, but even elementary schools give evaluations (not A, B, C or numerical grades, but often things like “satisfactory” or “needs improvement” or “excels” in a variety of classroom skills and knowledge, or marked on a 1-5 scale, etc), and a teacher still needs to provide a recommendation.

Do you have specific concerns about your child’s situation that are worrying you? Because we love the school, but it’s true that it’s not super competitive to get into. I’m sure you’ll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - does anyone know the answer to my initial question? This discussion has gone a bit off the rails.

5th is an expansion year and I think 7th is too (we’re in 6th now so I’m not 100% sure in that). 5th is less common as an entry year in general because 4th isn’t usually an “exit year” for public or other privates, so there might be less competition than in 7th, but both years are probably about equal in terms of your chances. It’s not a gimme, but it’s not a super competitive school to get into. If you actually want to start in 5th, apply, but if you really want 7th and are just worried about your chances, as long as your kid is a solid student you’re probably ok.

Their middle school is only 7th & 8th.

Nothing I said in what you quoted contradicts that. OP asked about 5th and 7th.