Private starting in 6th grade or 9th grade
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
Our oldest is in 4th grade and we’re starting to think about sending him to private. We’ve been happy with our public school for elementary school but we’re not in a very academic district. As my kids get older, I want them to be prepared for college. Additionally, the graduating class size is 500 kids and it’s basically impossible to make sports teams unless you’re dedicated to one sport.
We’re trying to decide if we start in 6th grade or wait till 9th grade. My hesitancy about 6th grade is that I don’t think my son needs to worry too much about academics in middle school and that I would like to save the money. But I’m worried about public middle school - his school goes from 100 kids per grade to 300-400 kids per grade. For those who chose to switch their kids from public to private, is 6th or 9th grade a better option? |
Anonymous
|
Depends where you want to go. Getting into a top private is orders of magnitude more difficult in 9th. If you're not jockeying for what is bandied about as a top 5 or top 8 school, no problem with 9th. If you have your eye on STA/NCS/Potomac/GDS/SFS/Maret/Holton, start as ealry as possible recognizing that a denial in 6th might lead to admission in 7th or 9th.
|
Anonymous
| Agree. If you want STA or Sidwell then your best strategy is to apply early and often. It can take several attempts to get a spot. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
|
Thanks - so if I’m interested in schools like Potomac & Maret, it sounds like my kid isn’t guaranteed to get into one even if we’re full pay.
I know they don’t publish admissions stats but you have any idea how much harder 9th grade admissions is? And then, is there still a chance they couldn’t get in 6th grade? I guess I didn’t even think of that possibility. I started private school in 6th grade and don’t remember the process being that competitive. |
Anonymous
Even the non-highly competitive schools have many more applications than they have spaces. Some schools make admissions and financial aid decisions separately, and some consider those together, so it's hard to compare application stats across the board. Maret falls into that competitive category, in part, because it's a pretty small school. I believe they have about 60 in the 8th grade and then go up to 80-85 in 9th grade. Assuming some attrition, you have 30 spots total or 15 spots for boys + 15 for girls. Taking out sibling applications, maybe some sports admissions, and you're down to even less space for which your child can even be considered. Compare that to St. John's, for example, where everyone is new in 9th grade and they have 300+ spots to fill. |
Anonymous
|
Maret published that it was at 12.5% school-wide, so certainly single digits for 9th and presumably in the teens for 6th (and higher for K).
From the "profile" that each school sends to colleges to accompany the file of each of their student applicants: Students at a Glance - Senior Class: 80 students - Upper School: 319 students - 55% identify as students of color - 26% receive need-based aid - Admitting one student for every eight applicants |
Anonymous
6th is easier, but admissions is very competitive at every grade level at both schools. I also started private in 6th grade (more than 35 years ago) in a different city and it was much less competitive. |
Anonymous
If you’re in VA, I would also look at SSSAS and Flint Hill. I don’t know the stats but they are less competitive than Potomac and Maret. |
Anonymous
Maret is one where you might have to apply multiple times simply because it is so small. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
| Catholic schools can be v good as well. We are not Catholic but are sending our child to one and are pleased. |
Anonymous
| Other consideration would be whether you think you're looking at a big step up in academic expectations. If so, would be better to have a year or two to adjust when the grades don't count toward the GPA for college admissions. I had a number of Bs in 6th grade, but something clicked for me at the end of the year and I had straight As from then through the end of high school. |
Anonymous
|
A few years ago Maret gave our their admit stats about 6th grade and it was something like 120 applicants for 12 spots.
All these schools are ridiculously competitive because there are so many kids are here, a lot of money and public schools that are overcrowded. If you really want to go to private you need to apply to many schools. If you want a particular school, start applying in 6th grade and apply again in 7th and 9th if needed. They will give you some bump for your continued interest. |
Anonymous
| St Anselms starts in sixth grade. My son started in 9th but wishes he’d been there earlier. It’s good for very academic boys. |