How are the kids who joined in 9th doing at your school?

[Anonymous]

The students coming from public school often struggle due to the work load. They tell me they either had no homework and minimal homework in MS so 3+ hrs of it can be quite a shock. Most adjust but it's a lot if you aren't used to it.

The expectations are also higher. They aren't used to detentions for violating the rules. They aren't used to late penalties and no retakes. They are bright kids but I can't imagine stepping into a school like mine after cruising though an easy MS experience (most of them tell me it was easy). The students who attended MS here are used to all of these things so 9th grade is just more of the same. We've had 1-2 transfer schools by this point.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the middle school. Kids coming from BASIS DC middle are very used to advanced coursework, hours of homework and accountability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The students coming from public school often struggle due to the work load. They tell me they either had no homework and minimal homework in MS so 3+ hrs of it can be quite a shock. Most adjust but it's a lot if you aren't used to it.

The expectations are also higher. They aren't used to detentions for violating the rules. They aren't used to late penalties and no retakes. They are bright kids but I can't imagine stepping into a school like mine after cruising though an easy MS experience (most of them tell me it was easy). The students who attended MS here are used to all of these things so 9th grade is just more of the same. We've had 1-2 transfer schools by this point.

The top high schools are taking the best kids from each k-8. The lifers would not necessarily get in if they had attended a k-8 and not a k-12. Those kids do just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The students coming from public school often struggle due to the work load. They tell me they either had no homework and minimal homework in MS so 3+ hrs of it can be quite a shock. Most adjust but it's a lot if you aren't used to it.

The expectations are also higher. They aren't used to detentions for violating the rules. They aren't used to late penalties and no retakes. They are bright kids but I can't imagine stepping into a school like mine after cruising though an easy MS experience (most of them tell me it was easy). The students who attended MS here are used to all of these things so 9th grade is just more of the same. We've had 1-2 transfer schools by this point.

You've already had kids transfer out of the school in the middle of the year in 9th grade?!

[Anonymous]

Our K-8 student’s entry into 9th this year has been very smooth. Mostly friends with the new kids, but I think over time will build more friendships with the longer tenured kids. Academically prepared. Very smooth transition.

[Anonymous]

The new 9th graders in my DD all girls school seem to be doing well, particularly if they are on a sports team. Even if they aren’t good, it is really helps with getting to know other girls and bonding. I think being in a team like this is critical.

[Anonymous]

Does your school help in any way with the academic or social transitions? Like matching kids up with a buddy or having social events before the school year begins or do they just throw them into everything?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does your school help in any way with the academic or social transitions? Like matching kids up with a buddy or having social events before the school year begins or do they just throw them into everything?

They have buddy events but an hour or two really doesn't do anything. The kids have to figure out it on their own once they start school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The students coming from public school often struggle due to the work load. They tell me they either had no homework and minimal homework in MS so 3+ hrs of it can be quite a shock. Most adjust but it's a lot if you aren't used to it.

The expectations are also higher. They aren't used to detentions for violating the rules. They aren't used to late penalties and no retakes. They are bright kids but I can't imagine stepping into a school like mine after cruising though an easy MS experience (most of them tell me it was easy). The students who attended MS here are used to all of these things so 9th grade is just more of the same. We've had 1-2 transfer schools by this point.

The top high schools are taking the best kids from each k-8. The lifers would not necessarily get in if they had attended a k-8 and not a k-12. Those kids do just fine.

DP here. Yes, but transitioning to a top private can still be a shock/adjustment even though the ninth graders who enter may be "smarter." The workload tends to be much more, the academic and behavioral standards higher, etc.

[Anonymous]

My kid from MCPS is doing really well both socially and academically. Has a friend group of mostly new kids but also friends with 2 10th graders. Is getting mainly As. Her teachers have even mentioned that they sometimes forget she is new to the school because her transition has been so smooth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The students coming from public school often struggle due to the work load. They tell me they either had no homework and minimal homework in MS so 3+ hrs of it can be quite a shock. Most adjust but it's a lot if you aren't used to it.

The expectations are also higher. They aren't used to detentions for violating the rules. They aren't used to late penalties and no retakes. They are bright kids but I can't imagine stepping into a school like mine after cruising though an easy MS experience (most of them tell me it was easy). The students who attended MS here are used to all of these things so 9th grade is just more of the same. We've had 1-2 transfer schools by this point.

You've already had kids transfer out of the school in the middle of the year in 9th grade?!

Yes. They didn't come back after winter break. One was a student of mine and she struggled so much with the workload. I think it was a good decision in her case. She was very bright but was having awful self-esteem issues in addition to trying to keep her head above water academically. She had never not been the best and it was too much for her being surrounded by equally bright students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The students coming from public school often struggle due to the work load. They tell me they either had no homework and minimal homework in MS so 3+ hrs of it can be quite a shock. Most adjust but it's a lot if you aren't used to it.

The expectations are also higher. They aren't used to detentions for violating the rules. They aren't used to late penalties and no retakes. They are bright kids but I can't imagine stepping into a school like mine after cruising though an easy MS experience (most of them tell me it was easy). The students who attended MS here are used to all of these things so 9th grade is just more of the same. We've had 1-2 transfer schools by this point.

You've already had kids transfer out of the school in the middle of the year in 9th grade?!

Yes. They didn't come back after winter break. One was a student of mine and she struggled so much with the workload. I think it was a good decision in her case. She was very bright but was having awful self-esteem issues in addition to trying to keep her head above water academically. She had never not been the best and it was too much for her being surrounded by equally bright students.

Didn’t the school care to help these students? No support for kids making this transition? Did you offer to help?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Usually the ones who get in at ninth are very strong students. The ones coming from public or weaker privates may take a semester or two to adjust.

From where (i.e. which schools) do the strong students come?

[Anonymous]

My kid came from a private to a different private for 9th. Kid adjusted quickly to the workload and had good mind for academics. However over a few years, several kids left due to stress of academics or honor code violations. One or two left because wrong school for them—and it was super clear talking to parents that it was the wrong school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually the ones who get in at ninth are very strong students. The ones coming from public or weaker privates may take a semester or two to adjust.

From where (i.e. which schools) do the strong students come?

In my experience they come from a total mix of publics and privates from across the entire DMV (from close-in schools and very far-flung places in MD and VA). These schools really pick the best kids they can from all over.
There doesn't seem to be any pattern and it varies by year.