Sidwell PK or B/GDS K for summer birthday?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't hold your child back. If you feel he is ready send him to K at GDS or Beauvoir. If you love Sidwell you can always transfer to that school later. Both GDS and Beauvoir are wonderful schools and you can't go wrong. It is silly to hold your son back for another year. My child has a Nov birthday and I hate that she has to be in classes with kids 6-10 months younger but I don't have a choice. If I did and she made the cutoff there is no way I would redshirt and hold her back to be surrounded by kids over a year younger than her.

Also, call Sidwell to ask why PK instead of K when two great schools thought he was ready for K-- they can always change their mind.

Seriously, do you really think they would/could change their mind? I'd imagine that a lot of thought went into the decision to admit DC to preK and not K ... and wouldn't you think Sidwell has filled its K spots.

[Anonymous]

The current AD at Sidwell redshirts EVERYONE. I think that is the issue that would bother me. Anyone who has done any research into this topic knows that not only can you group all young summer bday boys together, but the American Association of School Psychologists has an official position against redshirting.

[Anonymous]

Well, if everyone is redshirted then being the oldest in the class would be less of an issue -- DC would have plenty of company. And isn't AASP's position against retention (repeating a grade) rather than against starting PreK or K at a particular age?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The current AD at Sidwell redshirts EVERYONE. I think that is the issue that would bother me. Anyone who has done any research into this topic knows that not only can you group all young summer bday boys together, but the American Association of School Psychologists has an official position against redshirting.

How can there possibly be any truth to this claim? Isn't it the AD's first year on the job?

[Anonymous]

If I were in your shoes, I would base my decision on the school that most impressed you and it will work out in the long run. Try not to get stuck on K vs. PK even if you know your child would thrive in K, this doesn't mean your child would not thrive in PK.

Meaning... these schools have such intelligent kids there's no such thing as being bored by being on the older side. So, if Sidwell is your first choice, then enroll your child there - the extra year won't hurt or bore your child and there is something nice about starting out in the beginning & on equal footing with their classmates - meaning all PK students are new to the school and start the journey together.

However, if Beauvoir or GDS is your first choice - then go for it. I don't know about GDS, but Beauvoir historically doesn't automatically red-shirt summer girl birthdays - they decide if the child is "ready" for Kindergarten (in terms of social, academic & self-help skills).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The current AD at Sidwell redshirts EVERYONE. I think that is the issue that would bother me. Anyone who has done any research into this topic knows that not only can you group all young summer bday boys together, but the American Association of School Psychologists has an official position against redshirting.

How can there possibly be any truth to this claim? Isn't it the AD's first year on the job?

No. The current AD left and is now back again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Meaning... these schools have such intelligent kids there's no such thing as being bored by being on the older side.

That is totally ridiculous. You have bored kids in all these schools. Obviously there is not one size fits all, and when the philosophy of Sidwell and GDS -- the two I know -- is that in elementary school "all our children are special" so they need no acceleration, it stands to reason that you can't fit all needs.

I still think these are great schools, but don't choose one because you've been foolishly convinced that they will meet all children's academic levels. Sheesh!

[Anonymous]

I don't think this is ridiculous at all. I think there have been many thoughtful and helpful pieces of advice. And I am finding myself agreeing with many of the various arguements. Which makes me think that there isn't a "right" or "wrong" answer here. Your child is really going to thrive wherever you send him/her! This is just a personal decision and its a great one to have to make. Everyone should be so fortunate.

[Anonymous]

I would be curious as to the response if OP follows up per the suggestion from 11:56.

Did OP apply for K and receive an acceptance for PK, or was the application for PK/K? It seems odd to have applied for one grade and be admitted for another.

Personally, I think the redshirt thing is out of control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't hold your child back. If you feel he is ready send him to K at GDS or Beauvoir. If you love Sidwell you can always transfer to that school later. Both GDS and Beauvoir are wonderful schools and you can't go wrong. It is silly to hold your son back for another year. My child has a Nov birthday and I hate that she has to be in classes with kids 6-10 months younger but I don't have a choice. If I did and she made the cutoff there is no way I would redshirt and hold her back to be surrounded by kids over a year younger than her.

Also, call Sidwell to ask why PK instead of K when two great schools thought he was ready for K-- they can always change their mind.

OP, this is crap. If you like Sidwell, then go for PK. A summer birthday child can swing either way, and being one of the older kids in the class has huge advantages. Go read "Outliers" before you make your decision.

Do what's right for you family - don't feel pressured by the very vocal "anti redshirting" crowd here on DCUM that's just pissed that there own kid doesn't have the age advantage.