Which PK/K schools hold on to the most students through graduation?

[Anonymous]

I know OPs question was about attrition rates, but seems like s/he is really asking about benefits/drawbacks of K-12 vs. K-5/8.

I really think it depends on the kid and the other things they are involved in. Kids who stay with the same social circle for K-12 and do most activities with this group can have a hard time adjusting to something new and begin to feel "stifled" by a small peer group. However, some kids at K-12 schools have a variety of social circles not related to school (neighborhood, church, travel teams, camps, clubs) and many opportunities be in new situations.

For some being in a comfortable environment with kids they know allows them to take risks and leadership roles that they are able to translate into new situations, others can't.

We did K-8 for one and K-12 for another and see benefits to both. For DC in K-12 we will re-evaluate fit periodically and feel we always have the option of changing for US if the fit is not right, but are glad not to "have" to go through the application process if the fit is good.

For our DC who went to K-8 the application process was extremely challenging and stressful- for both parents and child. However, looking back, there was a lot of growth from DC and some powerful lessons were learned. I think maybe college apps will be easier as a result.

Most important thing to keep in mind in that you are making a decision based on what you know know for the child you have now... and it's not possible to know at PK/K exactly what any child will need in US or even just a few years. Make the best decision you can with the information you have .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know OPs question was about attrition rates, but seems like s/he is really asking about benefits/drawbacks of K-12 vs. K-5/8.

I really think it depends on the kid and the other things they are involved in. Kids who stay with the same social circle for K-12 and do most activities with this group can have a hard time adjusting to something new and begin to feel "stifled" by a small peer group. However, some kids at K-12 schools have a variety of social circles not related to school (neighborhood, church, travel teams, camps, clubs) and many opportunities be in new situations.

For some being in a comfortable environment with kids they know allows them to take risks and leadership roles that they are able to translate into new situations, others can't.

We did K-8 for one and K-12 for another and see benefits to both. For DC in K-12 we will re-evaluate fit periodically and feel we always have the option of changing for US if the fit is not right, but are glad not to "have" to go through the application process if the fit is good.

For our DC who went to K-8 the application process was extremely challenging and stressful- for both parents and child. However, looking back, there was a lot of growth from DC and some powerful lessons were learned. I think maybe college apps will be easier as a result.

Most important thing to keep in mind in that you are making a decision based on what you know know for the child you have now... and it's not possible to know at PK/K exactly what any child will need in US or even just a few years. Make the best decision you can with the information you have .

That's a great and very thoughtful post. We are in a place where our DD can stay for "life" but we also plan to reassess at the natural points (or if issues arise). We made sure to focus on the LS for this decision but look at this as just giving us more options later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We intentionally chose a k-8 so we would have to re-evaluate what high school would be the best fit for dc at that time without feeling too settled to care.

I agree!

[Anonymous]

WIS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many lifers have a problem adjusting to college because they haven't had to make a big change. It's a hassle to change but your child will be learning a different place and people with your support.

Research link? As a former "lifer" myself, I find this hilarious. Of the many kids I graduated with who were also lifers, we are all adjusted just fine. Same is true for those above and below my class year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We intentionally chose a k-8 so we would have to re-evaluate what high school would be the best fit for dc at that time without feeling too settled to care.

I agree!

This is the private school life of Washington DC. Does anyone just settle in and stop thinking about what might be just a tad bit better for their kid? If so, can we be friends?

[Anonymous]

I think that most of the K-12 schools have different campuses and therefore there is a certain amount of mental adjustments taking place along the way anyway. I also agree that you have no idea at age 4/5 what the true academic needs or your children are. I too have two kids at k-12 and one who went k-8 and switched for high school. The application process is stressful, but not impossible. I don't know anyone who didn't get in anywhere and many got in to their first choices. For us the transition to high school has been great for that child.

My bigger concern about any k-12 education is that you get one philosophy taught to you your entire life until college and I worry that it's too much of the same. I found that moving from one place to the other can really help broaden your experience and open your mind in many ways (social, academic, physical plant, dogma, etc). That said, not having to reapply (if we stay) is a nice thought, which is why people do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We intentionally chose a k-8 so we would have to re-evaluate what high school would be the best fit for dc at that time without feeling too settled to care.

I agree!

This is the private school life of Washington DC. Does anyone just settle in and stop thinking about what might be just a tad bit better for their kid? If so, can we be friends?

We do not plan on evaluating a move from our K-12 unless something is unsettling about where our kid is now. As I don't expect that to happen, yes, we probably could be friends were it not for the anonymity thing we have going on here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know OPs question was about attrition rates, but seems like s/he is really asking about benefits/drawbacks of K-12 vs. K-5/8.

I really think it depends on the kid and the other things they are involved in. Kids who stay with the same social circle for K-12 and do most activities with this group can have a hard time adjusting to something new and begin to feel "stifled" by a small peer group. However, some kids at K-12 schools have a variety of social circles not related to school (neighborhood, church, travel teams, camps, clubs) and many opportunities be in new situations.

For some being in a comfortable environment with kids they know allows them to take risks and leadership roles that they are able to translate into new situations, others can't.

We did K-8 for one and K-12 for another and see benefits to both. For DC in K-12 we will re-evaluate fit periodically and feel we always have the option of changing for US if the fit is not right, but are glad not to "have" to go through the application process if the fit is good.

For our DC who went to K-8 the application process was extremely challenging and stressful- for both parents and child. However, looking back, there was a lot of growth from DC and some powerful lessons were learned. I think maybe college apps will be easier as a result.

Most important thing to keep in mind in that you are making a decision based on what you know know for the child you have now... and it's not possible to know at PK/K exactly what any child will need in US or even just a few years. Make the best decision you can with the information you have .

That's a great and very thoughtful post. We are in a place where our DD can stay for "life" but we also plan to reassess at the natural points (or if issues arise). We made sure to focus on the LS for this decision but look at this as just giving us more options later.

Wanted to add a different POV. Without challenging your perception of graduating a k-8 and picking a high school for 9-12, I'd like to say that the experience was a non-stressful and happy one for our son. I could see where it might be different for a kid who has Division I scholarship dreams (or ivy athletic-based acceptance hopes). That would be another layer to weigh that was irrelevant to DS. He went to Sheridan, btw

[Anonymous]

You know, if you send your kid to public school they go with the same cohort from prek through 12th, with attrition and new kids coming in and out, just like in private. Whether you keep your kid in one school for their education or move them should be determined on the school and the kid, not on whether they'll get too comfortable, or need to have exposure to different teaching styles, I don't think. If the school fits and the kid is learning and happy...carry on. At least that's what we plan to do.