8th grade personalities at different schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think one of the things that is tricky about your question is that classes can
change a lot between 7th and 9th. There’s a lot of growth and maturity that happens in those years, plus there’s a somewhat sizable change in the make up of the class between 8th and 9th as some kids depart and a group of new kids join. DS’s class at a K-8 was socially awful in 7th grade but a couple of kids leaving plus kids just maturing led to a tight-knit, kind, and fun 8th grade group. I understand why you are asking OP, but kids grow and change a lot in those years, and even just one or two kids coming in or departing can change the overall feel of the group, so how someone reports they are in 7th may not be how they are in 9th (and it can go from bad to good or the other way).

This is such a helpful insight, thank you! We joined a school on the OP's list and found the social dynamics in 7th grade a little challenging for our similar-sounding kid, but I have a feeling 8th is going to be different for the reasons articulated here.

[Anonymous]

OP: Class of 2029 at St. Andrew’s has been a toxic cohort all of middle school. And yes, I directly know this. SAES knows it too! I’m sure the SAES denial delegates aren’t far behind but please know that some of them are aware as well. My suggestion is that you speak with the Class of 2029 Dean for questions if you’re actually interested in St. Andrew’s but a more generous suggestion is to simply avoid the school, particularly for the rising 8th grade class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have the same question as OP but without caring about the details of the 8th grade class. For a STEM-loving, sports-indifferent kid, what do you think of her list? Bullis, St. Andrew's, Burke and Field.

This is a good list but St. Andrews has a bullying problem.

Maret

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: Class of 2029 at St. Andrew’s has been a toxic cohort all of middle school. And yes, I directly know this. SAES knows it too! I’m sure the SAES denial delegates aren’t far behind but please know that some of them are aware as well. My suggestion is that you speak with the Class of 2029 Dean for questions if you’re actually interested in St. Andrew’s but a more generous suggestion is to simply avoid the school, particularly for the rising 8th grade class.

This. One of my kids attended another K-8 where the girls were way out numbered by the boys and the few girls who were there were extremely toxic and all had documented severe mental health issues that made my DD’s life a living hell. Two new girls actually joined during the school year and left before the semester ended - this is how bad it was. It would definitely have helped if a poster had stepped up and stated this while we were looking - we could have just avoided the place altogether. Dont be coy - HELP. And sure, kids change but often they don’t. In our case, the kids got worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think most of these schools allow shadow days and will let you contact current parents for feedback.

These grades do expand considerably between 8th and 9th and children can also change greatly between 7th and 9th grades.

As much as you want to have all available info, and I understand that, there is a certain amount of faith and trusting your gut that goes on with making the decision.

This is about right. And trusting posts in an anonymous forum to be semi-accurate is very brave.

[Anonymous]

Years ago, at my private 1-12 elsewhere, there was a huge positive change at their usual “expansion year” around 8th/9th grade. A bunch of kids were privately counseled out in September of the prior year, some for poor academics and others for poor behavior. The new kids who filled their vacancies and expanded the total class size were a vast improvement.

At the time, we were oblivious that the problematic kids were being counseled out (which is entirely appropriate; schools ought not discuss student A with anyone other than their parents).

So it is also possible that problematic kids in a cohort will get counseled out by a school. No guarantees, but it can happen.

The opposite also can happen, where the new arrivals turn a good cohort into a bad cohort. I also have watched that happen.

[Anonymous]

Bump - as we get closer to commitment deadlines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bump - as we get closer to commitment deadlines.

Commitment deadlines have passed. Unless you mean the final deadline at which you’re on the hook for full tuition. Did you put down multiple deposits? How have you not made a decision yet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: Class of 2029 at St. Andrew’s has been a toxic cohort all of middle school. And yes, I directly know this. SAES knows it too! I’m sure the SAES denial delegates aren’t far behind but please know that some of them are aware as well. My suggestion is that you speak with the Class of 2029 Dean for questions if you’re actually interested in St. Andrew’s but a more generous suggestion is to simply avoid the school, particularly for the rising 8th grade class.

We are an incoming class of 2029. We know a few families who are currently at SAES in 8th and they have not mentioned this, are quite happy and have been very positive. For the PP—is this a girl or boy (or overall) thing? This is not our first HS rodeo so we are well aware that some cohorts are more cohesive/nicer than others, but we’ve also seen how dynamics change with the influx of kids joining in 9th. I don’t remember the exact number but it sounds like 48-50 new kids are joining the class of 2929.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: Class of 2029 at St. Andrew’s has been a toxic cohort all of middle school. And yes, I directly know this. SAES knows it too! I’m sure the SAES denial delegates aren’t far behind but please know that some of them are aware as well. My suggestion is that you speak with the Class of 2029 Dean for questions if you’re actually interested in St. Andrew’s but a more generous suggestion is to simply avoid the school, particularly for the rising 8th grade class.

We are an incoming class of 2029. We know a few families who are currently at SAES in 8th and they have not mentioned this, are quite happy and have been very positive. For the PP—is this a girl or boy (or overall) thing? This is not our first HS rodeo so we are well aware that some cohorts are more cohesive/nicer than others, but we’ve also seen how dynamics change with the influx of kids joining in 9th. I don’t remember the exact number but it sounds like 48-50 new kids are joining the class of 2929.

If a school has a reputation for a challenging class and not dealing with it or disclosing it posting here is legitimized to help other DCUM. I understand not wanting a kid to enter into a small school with non meshing personalities and appreciate feedback on SAES. Is the current class having turn over? Has anyone been asked to find a new school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: Class of 2029 at St. Andrew’s has been a toxic cohort all of middle school. And yes, I directly know this. SAES knows it too! I’m sure the SAES denial delegates aren’t far behind but please know that some of them are aware as well. My suggestion is that you speak with the Class of 2029 Dean for questions if you’re actually interested in St. Andrew’s but a more generous suggestion is to simply avoid the school, particularly for the rising 8th grade class.

This. One of my kids attended another K-8 where the girls were way out numbered by the boys and the few girls who were there were extremely toxic and all had documented severe mental health issues that made my DD’s life a living hell. Two new girls actually joined during the school year and left before the semester ended - this is how bad it was. It would definitely have helped if a poster had stepped up and stated this while we were looking - we could have just avoided the place altogether. Dont be coy - HELP. And sure, kids change but often they don’t. In our case, the kids got worse.

Which K-8?

[Anonymous]

Check out Burke, too…very solid stem program and nice kids in 2029

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: Class of 2029 at St. Andrew’s has been a toxic cohort all of middle school. And yes, I directly know this. SAES knows it too! I’m sure the SAES denial delegates aren’t far behind but please know that some of them are aware as well. My suggestion is that you speak with the Class of 2029 Dean for questions if you’re actually interested in St. Andrew’s but a more generous suggestion is to simply avoid the school, particularly for the rising 8th grade class.

We are an incoming class of 2029. We know a few families who are currently at SAES in 8th and they have not mentioned this, are quite happy and have been very positive. For the PP—is this a girl or boy (or overall) thing? This is not our first HS rodeo so we are well aware that some cohorts are more cohesive/nicer than others, but we’ve also seen how dynamics change with the influx of kids joining in 9th. I don’t remember the exact number but it sounds like 48-50 new kids are joining the class of 2929.

If a school has a reputation for a challenging class and not dealing with it or disclosing it posting here is legitimized to help other DCUM. I understand not wanting a kid to enter into a small school with non meshing personalities and appreciate feedback on SAES. Is the current class having turn over? Has anyone been asked to find a new school?

We are a new SAES 9th grade family too (boy) and would love to hear some feedback. At the new parents' night last week they said 1/2 the class is new. A little bit of insider info just to know how much to probe when school starts would be great. Our teen is one of the time who says school was "good" when asked and rarely provides details

[Anonymous]

How is the GDS class of 2029?

[Anonymous]

Very sporty class!