When to apply to Private Schools

[AWL]

We have three kids and are happy at our DCPS Elementary. The oldest is in third grade and I'd like to move to private -- GDS / Maret / Sidwell -- for middle and high school. Ideally, he'd stay at our public elementary school through fifth grade, but is it risky to wait to apply to privates until 6th grade? As in, if we know we want to be in private by middle school, are his chances for admission much better in fourth grade than sixth grade? He's a good student, will likely do pretty well w interviews, teacher recommendations, that kind of thing. But also, who knows how these decisions are made. Thanks so much for any advice.

[Anonymous]

Can you afford the private for the extra years? If so, why not just apply? It is difficult to gauge if you would have a better chance as it really depends on what availability they have to take students.

[AWL]

Anonymous wrote:Can you afford the private for the extra years? If so, why not just apply? It is difficult to gauge if you would have a better chance as it really depends on what availability they have to take students.

Thanks for the reply. We probably could afford it (although of course it would be nice to avoid paying for those years) but I'd like all three to be at the same school, which would only happen if we stayed through 5th, and also I think it would be better for him not to leave midway through elementary. I wasn't sure if there was more demand in 6th bc a lot of public school kids try to move to private then.

[Anonymous]

Unquestionably, the process becomes harder the longer you wait….even more so at the schools you listed.

[AWL]

Anonymous wrote:Unquestionably, the process becomes harder the longer you wait….even more so at the schools you listed.

Ok, thank you very much for that.