Official Admissions Decisions Thread 2026

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ditto. Really sad, and feeling like it’s my fault. like I could have done more.

It’s not your fault, there simply are too many qualified kids competing for a finite number of spots. I know it’s disappointing but these things have a way of working out in the end. Depending on the year, I would keep trying next cycle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Indeed. The parent obviously has one of their kids at one of the Catholic schools that no one really would rank where they are ranked in that list.

Amusing that this self-proclaimed ranker has neglected Holton, Maret and others that most would tier higher than their “2nd tier” Catholic schools.

Also looking forward to the “humble” St. Anselm’s parents talking about their “intellectually curious and kind boys” that go to a school that is so rigorous, most couldn’t hack it and most (including college admissions officers) simply don’t understand.

You and that PP would get along great irl. So much aggression towards other schools and children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shut out. WL at maret and potomoc for 7th grade entry and rejected at sidwell. Feeling pretty bummed but kid is doing pretty well overall at current school so trying to keep perspective. We were hoping to circumvent the high school application process

This cannot be a surprise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re feeling really sad. Our DC was only accepted to one school that was the last on our list.

That was me last year - applied to 4 schools for both kids and got waitlisted everywhere. This year applied to 3 schools and got into our top 2. Have hope!

[Anonymous]

Did you re-apply to the same schools? I wonder if it hurts your child’s chances if they were waitlisted or were rejected in the past.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you re-apply to the same schools? I wonder if it hurts your child’s chances if they were waitlisted or were rejected in the past.

It helps to reapply - it shows you REALLY want the school and ultimately, yield is important to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Fell through” for PreK. Waitlisted everywhere we applied. 2Qs:
1. Do people reach out to their admissions contacts for feedback? Our preschool tells us DD is doing great and “on track”. Wondering if it’s worth asking admissions if there were red flags or concerns.
2. Any recommendations for schools that might have openings in PreK? We’re in Bethesda, but open to casting a wide net. Still figuring out who DD is of course, but would ultimately love to see her at a school like SR, SF, NCS, or Holton.

Thank you!

I have no idea if they will have spots after the regular admissions cycle, but some other highly regarded schools for early childhood are Washington Episcopal, Norwood, and Primary Day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In at Sidwell, NCS, Holton, and Stoneridge for middle school. Bit surprised, but pretty set on SR

Congrats! Current SR family who was new last year and everything has been great so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Typo corrected. Please provide grade, schools, outcome (A, D, W), and where your child plans (or is most likely) to enroll. Plus, if you're willing, whether they're coming from public/private.

Also, your mother's maiden name and the last four digits of your social.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In at Madeira!

Congrats. It is a truly special place.

~ Madeira Dad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How come Bullis is never mentioned here??? Did everyone get in??? Just not enough traffic to merit mentions here??? ONE GC, very few SAES, not one mention of bullis, very few Landon. Why is that? All the same sh*t with you people

I don’t think anyone is biting their nails about Bullis admission. It is a 4th tier school, bordering on 5th tier. The tiers:

1st Tier:
Sidwell & GDS

2nd Tier:

Visi, Stoneridge, NCS, Prep, Gonzaga

3rd Tier:

St. John’s, St. Anselms Abbey, Madeira

4th Tier:

Bullis and the rest

Weird list.

Did you not read about the stuff that went on at GDS in the middle school? Ouch.
Bullis is better than the Tier 3 schools.

Potomac would be up there as well..

And I would definitely put Madeira above Stone Ridge and Visi. That wouldn’t even be a debate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How come Bullis is never mentioned here??? Did everyone get in??? Just not enough traffic to merit mentions here??? ONE GC, very few SAES, not one mention of bullis, very few Landon. Why is that? All the same sh*t with you people

I don’t think anyone is biting their nails about Bullis admission. It is a 4th tier school, bordering on 5th tier. The tiers:

1st Tier:
Sidwell & GDS

2nd Tier:

Visi, Stoneridge, NCS, Prep, Gonzaga

3rd Tier:

St. John’s, St. Anselms Abbey, Madeira

4th Tier:

Bullis and the rest

Weird list.

Did you not read about the stuff that went on at GDS in the middle school? Ouch.
Bullis is better than the Tier 3 schools.

Potomac would be up there as well..

It’s not fair remove GDS from the top tier because wild unsubstantiated story told be a kid.
The cathedral schools weren’t even mentioned in the top tier. I think the top tier and second tier could be expanded. And I wouldn’t 4th tier any school commonly mentioned on DCUM, except maybe St John’s, OLG, and some of the larger Catholic schools.

[Anonymous]

Waitlisted at our top choice Madeira - sounds like a lot of our friends were too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So who are the Big 3?

The two cathedral schools and Sidwell

Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How come Bullis is never mentioned here??? Did everyone get in??? Just not enough traffic to merit mentions here??? ONE GC, very few SAES, not one mention of bullis, very few Landon. Why is that? All the same sh*t with you people

I don’t think anyone is biting their nails about Bullis admission. It is a 4th tier school, bordering on 5th tier. The tiers:

1st Tier:
Sidwell & GDS

2nd Tier:

Visi, Stoneridge, NCS, Prep, Gonzaga

3rd Tier:

St. John’s, St. Anselms Abbey, Madeira

4th Tier:

Bullis and the rest

Weird list.

Did you not read about the stuff that went on at GDS in the middle school? Ouch.
Bullis is better than the Tier 3 schools.

Potomac would be up there as well..

And I would definitely put Madeira above Stone Ridge and Visi. That wouldn’t even be a debate.

Shh. We don't want the strivers.