It's almost that time again!! Is everyone ready for private school admissions season??

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering if I can put my house on the market, sell it, and move to a close-in burb with great public schools - thanks for reminding me how fast I have to do this!!!

ps: I'm not kidding. Anyone else?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're joking, right?

You people are actually "ruining" your summer over this?

Ever since we succumbed to this private school obsession, summer or not, I haven't been able to think about anything else. I wish I had never heard of the Big Three or the DCUM forum. But it's like heroin I suppose. Once you partake, you can never truly beat the addiction. DC took his WPPSI last week. We won't meet with the tester for another 3 weeks. Yes, ruined summer for sure.

[Anonymous]

We're pondering private but were not planning to do WPPSI until, oh, mid-fall for DC5. It's too late now but, what are the relative merits of taking the test in the summer vs. the fall or late fall? Most packets don't need to be complete with the scores until January or even Feb. 1 ....

[Anonymous]

Beyond the cost of education consultants, some of you may want to plan for some therapy sessions if you are already worried about the admissions process at this point in the year. Remember, it's a marathon until March when you hear about the decisions! It's all a piece of cake until then. But when you get on those wait lists for your top choices, that when the nerves really go. I hope you all get into your top schools but if you don't, try not to go too nuts. There's life after that ordeal. Believe me, I was not quite myself until I regained some rationality. We are now having a great summer without worrying about private school choices, and really happy that we are not writing a huge check for next year.

Best,

A reformed parent (at least for now)

[Anonymous]

I would not view starting the process in summer as "ruining" the season, but rather giving yourself lots of time to calmly (ha!) consider all your options. Time to start reading school web sites carefully, making a few brief visits to some of the schools, checking on commute times and logistics, etc. Plan your approach for the fall -- how many schools to seriously consider? traditional or progressive? preK-12 or preK-8? private vs. public? It really helps to have thought through some of this a bit before you get so emotionally involved with the outcome. I recommend a nice, frosty Margarita while you peruse the options!!

[Anonymous]

to 22:05, it's a good question. we had no idea until we did it last year. the wpssi is normed in 3 month blocks. all things equal, you're better off to time it at the end of your child's nearest 3 month block. for example, when i called to schedule my son last year, i had planned to do it in november when he was like 4 and 1 month. and she said, are you kidding, you should do it when he's still 3. at 4 the wpssi shifts to a longer test. she said in her experience the longer test doesn't give the early 4s the same chance to show their best. if the child is already 4, pick a date that's close to 4 and 3 months or 4 and 6 months. our preschool director also said, best to test once they're in the swing of the school year when they're used to sitting down for awhile. we were advised not to even think about trying to prepare the kids, and we didn't. but there are plenty of threads and parents who think you should. good luck.

[Anonymous]

Is there really such a big difference between 4y and 1m compared to 3y 11m?
What about if the kid was born premature? Can you claim your kid is 2m younger? Or will a baby that was born overdue get penalized?

Howabout a breasfead baby? I hear this gives and intellegence boost? Is that cheating?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sure. I've been working out with a personal trainer, I've gone blonde, and on my last trip to New York, I boosted a Chanel suit. Bring it on!

I know you are just being funny - but I am so sick of this stereotype. There are just as many blonde, Chanel-wearing stereotypes in some of the public school populations around here. At the private schools we are involved with - I would say that for every one of these stereotypes there are just as many salt and peppered, highly educated, non-materialistic parents - if not more!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there really such a big difference between 4y and 1m compared to 3y 11m?
What about if the kid was born premature? Can you claim your kid is 2m younger? Or will a baby that was born overdue get penalized?

Howabout a breasfead baby? I hear this gives and intellegence boost? Is that cheating?

I'm not sure if your kidding or not re: breastfeeding and premature birth relative to the WPPSI. There isn't much difference between a 4 y 1m child and a 3 y 11m child. However, the WPPSI is different (longer, more complexed) if your child has reached the 4th birthday.

[Anonymous]

Any recommendations on testers? I know the schools provide a list of recommended evaluation centers but who did you choose and why? I'd like to make a selection with a little bit of info not simple picking from a list. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are just as many blonde, Chanel-wearing stereotypes in some of the public school populations around here. At the private schools we are involved with - I would say that for every one of these stereotypes there are just as many salt and peppered, highly educated, non-materialistic parents - if not more!

Been there, done that. Didn't work for us!

[Anonymous]

You dyed your hair salt and pepper? Just kidding. It totally depends on the school.

I can think of 2 highly regarded schools in DC where the salt-n-peppa, J. Jill population is quite strong. Don't know about their materialism one way or the other.

[Anonymous]

Actually, now that you mention it, it wasn't quite salt and pepper. More of a Susan Sontag skunk stripe. Oh well.

[Anonymous]

Contrary to what everyone has said, I think now is a good time.
If you kid has trouble with some subjects, now you can start getting extra help.
I hear school want kids that are involved in sport, so maybe your not-sport-crazy kid can find at least some activity it likes.
And you will need good grades in current year to be considred. On the other hand you cannot do anything about last years grades.

[Anonymous]

I did this all last year (for Pre-K) and I think lost a bit of my sanity. My husband would say perhaps a wee bit more than "a bit" I did a lot of soul searching this summer, and talked with a ton of people. I feel really good about our current decision to try out the public schools for elementary. I realize we have this choice as we are in Bethesda/Potomac and the schools are great. I think if I were in DC I would feel differently. I wish everyone some peace and sanity through out this year's private school admission process. I am an otherwise normal person, who surprised herself by how wacko I got in the midst of it all.