Independent Schools: Pre-K or K

[Anonymous]

I need some advice from Moms and Dads who currently have kids at DC independent schools. Our girls turns 4 next May and we are thinking about doing the fall open houses, but are torn about whether to apply this fall or wait until next year and apply at K. For a variety of reasons we are limiting our applications to Beauvoir, St. Patricks, WIS, Sidwell and Maret (if we wait until next year).

Any pros or cons to waiting an extra year?

Thanks,

[Anonymous]

Tour now, then decide.

[Anonymous]

In aggregate I believe there are more spots available at these schools in pre-K than K (leaving Maret aside). Also, some parents report that their child got in on the second try, so you might regard pre-K as a trial run. For reasons beyond our control, we applied only for K, and I don't recommend it.

[Anonymous]

K is generally a harder year to get a spot at some of these schools. St Patrick's is a good example of this. I am a St Patrick's parent. There are fewer slots.

[Anonymous]

Pros of applying for Pre-K
- You allow yourself an extra year to get admitted if your child doesn't get in for Pre-K
- If your child is fortunate to get admitted the first go-around, you're done and don't have to spend another year wondering/worried/etc about the application process
- Beauvoir has more slots available at Pre-K versus K

Cons of applying for Pre-K
- Certain schools are out that start at K (i.e., Maret, Norwood...)
- An extra year at the preschool will give your child another year to grow...the teacher another year to spend with the child, which makes for a more descript and thoughtful recommendation...and you another year to better understand what type of school environment might be the best fit.
- Sibling applications tend to be higher at Pre-K than K for some schools (i.e., St. Patrick's, Beauvoir, WIS)
- There are more slots available for K versus Pre-K at Sidwell

[Anonymous]

See the thread "More non-sibling slots in pre-K or K?" for more thoughts on this issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:See the thread "More non-sibling slots in pre-K or K?" for more thoughts on this issue.

Thanks, how does one search for old threads?

[Anonymous]

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/21410.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, how does one search for old threads?

Click on the "search" link on the top, left section of the page.

[Anonymous]

One of the advatages to appying to Pre-K as opposed to K is that since Kindergarten has gotten so academic, its generally better if you have the choice, to have your child adjust to a new school when they don't have the added burdens of contending with academic pressures as well. That way they don't have the double adjustment of new school plus academic expectations. Also, at many schools there are more slots at Pre-K than K.

[Anonymous]

How about one major downside of Pre-K: an extra $20,000 or so for tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about one major downside of Pre-K: an extra $20,000 or so for tuition.

More like an extra $30K.

[Anonymous]

I believe Sidwell also has more spots at K then Pre-K. So, for Sidwell and Maret, K. I also know many who got in to Beauvoir and WIS at K.