Getting in DC privates in fifth grade

[Anonymous]

We applied to 3 private schools in DC (top 10) for fifth grade, which is not an entry year so we could only get in if one (or more) spots become available. What has been the experience of others in previous years? Did you get an offer or were you waitlisted? Did you get an offer in the second round?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We applied to 3 private schools in DC (top 10) for fifth grade, which is not an entry year so we could only get in if one (or more) spots become available. What has been the experience of others in previous years? Did you get an offer or were you waitlisted? Did you get an offer in the second round?

We got an offer at 2 schools and were waitlisted at 2. Accepted one offer.

We were coming from public and even though my kid had really good scores and grades I do think there is a public school bias. I do wonder whether our chances would have been better if we applied during 4th or 6th grade.

We’re unhappy at our current school, applying again to one of the schools we were waitlisted at.

This all feels never ending tbh

[Anonymous]

Did you get an offer during the first round (this year is March 7, I believe)? In hindsight, we should probably have applied for fourth grade but decided not to because we liked the DC public school our daughter attends

[Anonymous]

The good news is that 6th grade is a big expansion year at almost all the schools, so you can apply again. And if not 6th, 7th is also an expansion year before the big and more competitive one in 9th grade.
Schools like repeat applicants since it shows commitment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We applied to 3 private schools in DC (top 10) for fifth grade, which is not an entry year so we could only get in if one (or more) spots become available. What has been the experience of others in previous years? Did you get an offer or were you waitlisted? Did you get an offer in the second round?

I think you mean, your child could only get in if (1) a spot becomes available AND (2) your child happens to be the top applicant for that spot (given general admissions metrics along with balance and demographics of the class). Also I'm sure you already know this, but someone else's anecdote on this topic has no relevance to your chances of success.

[Anonymous]

Any spots at our school for 5th are by attrition. The year my DD was in 5th, 2 spots opened up. One went in the 1st round to a child who had left and was returning after several years elsewhere and the 2nd ending up being on the 2nd round of the admissions cycle when families could still pull out without being on the hook for full tuition. Contact the school, tell them it is your first choice and why you think it is the best fit for your child and family and see where the chips fall. Only do this if you have a clear first choice. It may not translate to admission but if you reapply next year it may help your cause. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any spots at our school for 5th are by attrition. The year my DD was in 5th, 2 spots opened up. One went in the 1st round to a child who had left and was returning after several years elsewhere and the 2nd ending up being on the 2nd round of the admissions cycle when families could still pull out without being on the hook for full tuition. Contact the school, tell them it is your first choice and why you think it is the best fit for your child and family and see where the chips fall. Only do this if you have a clear first choice. It may not translate to admission but if you reapply next year it may help your cause. Good luck!

Thank you. We clearly have a preference for one of the three schools. We will definitely let the school know they are our top choice. It doesn't harm to try.

[Anonymous]

We applied and got in during a non-entry year. We were told early on that the school usually have 2-3 openings based on attritions. We weren’t told directly but gathered through conversations with others that in addition to strong grades and test scores, the school will evaluate other factors to balance out the class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We applied and got in during a non-entry year. We were told early on that the school usually have 2-3 openings based on attritions. We weren’t told directly but gathered through conversations with others that in addition to strong grades and test scores, the school will evaluate other factors to balance out the class.

Did the school inform you about the availability spots for that grade before they announced the decisions?

[Anonymous]

I think that there could be 5th grade openings at St. Andrew’s, Bullis, WES, Norwood. I’m not sure where you’re looking specifically. My understanding is that their current 4th grade classes aren’t completely full.

[Anonymous]

Did your DC get into the school(s) you applied to OP? I'm considering applying during a non-expansion year for my DC and am curious what your outcome was. It's such a long and involved process-- I'd feel better if I knew there was some chance of success before going down that path.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did your DC get into the school(s) you applied to OP? I'm considering applying during a non-expansion year for my DC and am curious what your outcome was. It's such a long and involved process-- I'd feel better if I knew there was some chance of success before going down that path.

DC got waitlisted in all three schools we applied. We have a solid plan B in place but we are still hoping to get a call before the end of summer (we know changes are very slim). In any case, I think it was great to go through the process and get to know teachers, admin and students at these school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did your DC get into the school(s) you applied to OP? I'm considering applying during a non-expansion year for my DC and am curious what your outcome was. It's such a long and involved process-- I'd feel better if I knew there was some chance of success before going down that path.

DC got waitlisted in all three schools we applied. We have a solid plan B in place but we are still hoping to get a call before the end of summer (we know changes are very slim). In any case, I think it was great to go through the process and get to know teachers, admin and students at these school.

Just want to follow up: did anyone get into 5th grade in schools that go to 12th grade last cycle? if so, at regular deadine or after admission decision is due?

[Anonymous]

No on K-12s for 5th, 1 rejection and the rest WL. K-8 accepted and is great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No on K-12s for 5th, 1 rejection and the rest WL. K-8 accepted and is great.

Thanks. Any success? What about single sex schools?