K-8 parents of 8th graders—are you satisfied with outplacement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why you’d apply for k thru 8 for midddle. Unless it’s for back up if you don’t get into a k thru 12? Why out your kid through the application process twice and make them join a class of kids who all know each other in middle school just to have to leave again in two to three years?

there are lots of upsides to a k-8 including SEL and less influence from HS when in MS. also just because you get into a k-12 doesn’t mean your kid will stay. as they grow some get counseled out or decide the environment is t for them. this view above is extremely narrow but you do you

[Anonymous]

We chose a K to 8 for MS over a K to 12 because of fit.

[Anonymous]

K8 parent here also with an 8th grader at one of the schools mentioned upthread. My kid has multiple good options to choose from including her first choice. With only one exception, all of her friends got into more than one school including many top choices (she does not know about everyone in the class but in her group everyone seems to have done well).

[Anonymous]

Parent of a 7th grader at one of the schools mentioned that receives significant FA, how was it for FA applicants? We're nervous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dont do it for hs placement.

On the flip side, don’t rule K8 out for MS.

We had been hoping for a school that would have a HS when my kid went to Norwood for MS. In the end, we wished we had been there longer, but never wished we gone somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it hard for the kids to start over at high school, socially?

There are probably kids who do great and kids who struggle and that might have nothing to do with where they came from. Consider schools that are 9-12 only, everyone is new in 9th.

By the time my kids were off to HS, they had several social groups from the neighborhood, school, and sports. There was always someone to reach out to, and maybe you know at least a small group of kids in the new place.

I have a current junior who went from MCPS to 9th grade in a K-12. Freshman year was hard, but mostly due to hybrid groups and Covid. Her sport (winter/indoor) was not able to have a season. She met people and found some friends, but really settled into school and her people early sophomore year.

My other child thrives on meeting people, went from K-8 to K-12 easily in terms of social life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why you’d apply for k thru 8 for midddle. Unless it’s for back up if you don’t get into a k thru 12? Why out your kid through the application process twice and make them join a class of kids who all know each other in middle school just to have to leave again in two to three years?

We are at Lowell and absolutely love it. The middle school is a gem. Kids get to be kids a bit longer at a K-8. It’s definitely a great choice for some kids. We will also be considering both public and private for high school and are fine with having a natural transition point. Lots of new kids in 6th so no issues with that socially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it hard for the kids to start over at high school, socially?

There are probably kids who do great and kids who struggle and that might have nothing to do with where they came from. Consider schools that are 9-12 only, everyone is new in 9th.

By the time my kids were off to HS, they had several social groups from the neighborhood, school, and sports. There was always someone to reach out to, and maybe you know at least a small group of kids in the new place.

I have a current junior who went from MCPS to 9th grade in a K-12. Freshman year was hard, but mostly due to hybrid groups and Covid. Her sport (winter/indoor) was not able to have a season. She met people and found some friends, but really settled into school and her people early sophomore year.

My other child thrives on meeting people, went from K-8 to K-12 easily in terms of social life.

PP here and thank you so much, am considering taking a spot at K8 and this was my concern - really appreciate this.

[Anonymous]

What type of high school are you aiming for ? As long as you are in a good K-8, outplacement will really depend on the kid. For the top tier schools ( Big 5) , kids who are elite athletes, kids who are ridiculously bright ( think a kid who developed an app or won some robotics competition) , or bright kids who bring some type of diversity will do well with outplacement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What type of high school are you aiming for ? As long as you are in a good K-8, outplacement will really depend on the kid. For the top tier schools ( Big 5) , kids who are elite athletes, kids who are ridiculously bright ( think a kid who developed an app or won some robotics competition) , or bright kids who bring some type of diversity will do well with outplacement.

I just don’t believe this.

This was Norwood’s placement last year: https://www.norwoodschool.org/program/high-school-placement

By my count, 22 of out of the 48 kids went to a top tier school:

GDS — 2
Prep — 1
Holton — 4
Landon — 2
Maret — 2
NCS — 1
Potomac — 2
Sidwell — 5
STA — 3

People will say some of these aren’t top tier, but they’re all very strong. I don’t believe all these kids fell into the categories PP listed. How many 8th graders have developed an app anyway?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it hard for the kids to start over at high school, socially?

Both of mine attended K8. One moved to a K12 and another to a traditional HS. Neither had any problem integrating.

[Anonymous]

This is really incredible list. If some schools are taking such high numbers from Norwood and presumably from other excellent K8s it shows you how few spots are available for kids from public.

[Anonymous]

How did Burgundy Farm do beyond the normal sibling placement at the top schools? Nervous parent of a 7th grader.

[Anonymous]

Norwood’s list is impressive. I was not so familiar with the school. How did other K8s in DMV do so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What type of high school are you aiming for ? As long as you are in a good K-8, outplacement will really depend on the kid. For the top tier schools ( Big 5) , kids who are elite athletes, kids who are ridiculously bright ( think a kid who developed an app or won some robotics competition) , or bright kids who bring some type of diversity will do well with outplacement.

I just don’t believe this.

This was Norwood’s placement last year: https://www.norwoodschool.org/program/high-school-placement

By my count, 22 of out of the 48 kids went to a top tier school:

GDS — 2
Prep — 1
Holton — 4
Landon — 2
Maret — 2
NCS — 1
Potomac — 2
Sidwell — 5
STA — 3

People will say some of these aren’t top tier, but they’re all very strong. I don’t believe all these kids fell into the categories PP listed. How many 8th graders have developed an app anyway?!

Nobody would argue that list is not top tier. It’s when the people want to rank those schools with one another is when the claws come out 😂