K-8 or K-12

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They can both be good, but if you care a lot about where your kid goes to HS, do k-12. People say you get to “see what kind of kid you have” when applying out at 8th, and that’s true, but there’s no guarantee you get the best school for that kind of kid—lots of people end up at less preferred high schools.

That's just not been the case at our K-8. Kids generally have gotten into their first choice, or maybe their second. They may not get into ALL the schools, but they get into the one or second one they want. Meanwhile, we have friends at K-12s who are unhappy but struggle to move for 9th because their school isn't exactly going to bat for them. I don't think there's a perfect formula for all kids, but K-8s have advantages that make sense.

[Anonymous]

I believe that 13-14 years in the same school is too long, particularly in a smaller school. Dealing with change and transitions are important life skills. I also believe that middle school is a great time to transition to private if that is your family's long-term goal, because knowing the neighborhood kids and families at a local ES can have a lot of long-term benefit.

But if the choice is between a K-8 or K-12 starting in K, you have to really look at the specific K-8 and K-12 options, and not generalize. We have friends with kids at K-8's that had a great experience in MS (including strong outplacement), and others who applied out early because the MS at their K-8 was less than ideal. Our kid started MS at a K-12, and, who knows, maybe it was a "weak link," but they had an exceptional time and we couldn't have happier with the MS experience.

[Anonymous]

We chose a K-12. While sure, we don't know exactly who our kids will be in 8th grade, we know we can choose a school now that aligns with our values, and that ensures 1 drop off for both kids forever.

[Anonymous]

K-12 can seem like a long time in one place. We are at one and our child is now in middle school. She perceives it as being a rather small environment. While we suspect she will stay there for high school, we will let her look at a few other schools and decide if she wants to apply elsewhere. It's a good exercise in assessing what she values and having her take ownership of her own education as well as recommitting to her current school.

I have friends who teach who really love the K-8 model. I think it really depends on the extent to which the middle school is its own robust and largely independent entity or if it is more of an afterthought. At our K-12 the middle school division is excellent and there is no way we would allow our child to go elsewhere during these formative years when puberty, mean girl behavior, and changing social dynamics surface.

[Anonymous]

It all depends on the specific schools and individual child.

[Anonymous]

I don't think the differences between the good K-8s and K-12s are enough to justify giving up a bird in the hand.

[Anonymous]

MANY K12 NURTURING. AND NOT NEAR THE OLDER KIDS. THIS ARGUMENT IS SO DUMB! K12 ALL THE WAY AND APPLY OUT IF NOT A GOOD FIT. MY K8 FRIENDS FEELING DESPERATE TO ACCEPT 3RD AND 4TH AND 4TH CHOICES RIGHT NOW.

[Anonymous]

The MS class sizes of K-8 are generally too small for that age group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MANY K12 NURTURING. AND NOT NEAR THE OLDER KIDS. THIS ARGUMENT IS SO DUMB! K12 ALL THE WAY AND APPLY OUT IF NOT A GOOD FIT. MY K8 FRIENDS FEELING DESPERATE TO ACCEPT 3RD AND 4TH AND 4TH CHOICES RIGHT NOW.

They must be really pissed about it if it has caused you to shout so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At k-12, a lot of the focus and resources go towards high school.

This is a real concern. My kid is at a 6 -12 and, IME, middle schoolers really get lost in the shuffle. My kid is in 7th and while things like clubs are open to MS - HS and some sports teams will practice together, high school has priority always.

That said, we went with the 6 -12 because 9th is so hyper competitive in DC! We didn't want to risk our kid getting in for 9th. He may apply out, but this way it is optional vs a mad rush.