Had a lightbulb moment and need help understanding the application process...quick!

[Anonymous]

We had a lightbulb moment earlier this week that our current public isn't working for our ds, currently in 4th, and that we could look into privates. But, we don't know anything about the process and since it's enrollment time we need to quickly get up to speed. My questions are:

1. It's a bit unclear from some of the websites I checked out if kids are involved in the early part of the tour/process? We really want our son to have a say if he likes a school before we get too invested. Are most kids invited to do the initial tour with parents?

2. Our DS is a September birthday and at grade level in public, so he's a grade level ahead of privates due to cut off date. It seems the big entry years are 4th and 6th. So, for people who may have been in this situation, or have advice, will these schools automatically recommend that he repeat 4th grade? And, that obviously would factor in to how many spots are open (according to their websites).

3. What schools should we be looking at? We've got a kid who loves reading and sports and is a quiet extrovert (in that he is an observer but loves group activity and gets energy from pepole, not alone time). He went to private K and 1st, in another state, that seems similar in nature to GDS. He thrived there and had been doing great for 1.5 years in our public, but now we wonder if he's getting lost? We noticed a difference at the end of last school year (as did his teacher) and now he has very little motivation to do school work, and has even been pulling away from friends. He gets to pick report topics and still doesn't want to do them, so he doesn't seem jazzed. Any school recs or general advice appreciated. Our preference is for a non parochial DC school.

TIA!

[Anonymous]

Schedule the standardized tests now! I'm thinking WISC IV?
Schedule interviews STAT, the schools will tell you how they work as far as your child's involvement/visit.
The schools will tell you their philosophy on the birthday. Some have students repeat.
Try GDS, Maret, Sidwell ...

[Anonymous]

Yes, a lot of schools have done their final tours and I would reach out ASAP. Your son may not have too much of a chance to weigh in/experience the schools. At Sidwell, he will be with other applicants at the visit day, doing group activities. At GDS, he will be able to be with current students over the course of a typical day, so will have more of an opinion on the school. If he is a September birthday, he likely will be applying for fourth grade. Fourth grade is an entry year at Sidwell, while fifth grade is not. Fourth grade also is an entry year at Maret. It actually may make more logistical sense to apply for fourth given available slots. If you are opposed to that, which I could see being the case, I would consider waiting one more year and then apply for sixth grade if schools would allow that. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

The first thing you should do (as of yesterday!) is schedule testing possibly WISC IV! Try and get your school applications in asap which can be done online which will save time. The school websites will tell you what tests your son will need to take for admittance.

I agree with 10:28 for GDS, Maret, Sidwell. But also check Bullis and Norwood. Get movin'!

[Anonymous]

11:25 again. Your post has gotten off to a good start with good suggestions. It can possibly get hijacked with school vs. school. Ignore it, do your own investigating, and do what you need to do by January 15th school deadlines.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks much for all the quick replies! It's all a bit overwhelming so appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks 11:25. I agree I don't want to get into school v school, but I really don't know the schools in this area, so I just wanted some suggestions of places to look.

[Anonymous]

GDS has a lower school open house on 1/2/13 at 9:30am. Here's a list of testers that administer the WISC-IV.

http://www.gds.org/ftpimages/416/download/GDS.Application.Testing.V2.pdf

[Anonymous]

PP here. You can use those testers for any school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks 11:25. I agree I don't want to get into school v school, but I really don't know the schools in this area, so I just wanted some suggestions of places to look.

As you already know, you can get into a school and it turns out it's not working. That may be your experience with any private you choose but you won't know until you get in, regardless of a school's rep. It's all about fit but you've got some really good choices!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had a lightbulb moment earlier this week that our current public isn't working for our ds, currently in 4th, and that we could look into privates. But, we don't know anything about the process and since it's enrollment time we need to quickly get up to speed. My questions are:

1. It's a bit unclear from some of the websites I checked out if kids are involved in the early part of the tour/process? We really want our son to have a say if he likes a school before we get too invested. Are most kids invited to do the initial tour with parents?

2. Our DS is a September birthday and at grade level in public, so he's a grade level ahead of privates due to cut off date. It seems the big entry years are 4th and 6th. So, for people who may have been in this situation, or have advice, will these schools automatically recommend that he repeat 4th grade? And, that obviously would factor in to how many spots are open (according to their websites).

3. What schools should we be looking at? We've got a kid who loves reading and sports and is a quiet extrovert (in that he is an observer but loves group activity and gets energy from pepole, not alone time). He went to private K and 1st, in another state, that seems similar in nature to GDS. He thrived there and had been doing great for 1.5 years in our public, but now we wonder if he's getting lost? We noticed a difference at the end of last school year (as did his teacher) and now he has very little motivation to do school work, and has even been pulling away from friends. He gets to pick report topics and still doesn't want to do them, so he doesn't seem jazzed. Any school recs or general advice appreciated. Our preference is for a non parochial DC school.

TIA!

Since you want to stay in D.C., I'll go with the general consensus....Sidwell, Maret, GDS. Although Sidwell's lower school is in Bethesda, they have a school bus that goes between the D.C and Bethesda campus. I think you'll find they will definitely meet your child's needs based on what you have shared.

[Anonymous]

since the only recommendations that have been mentioned are also the most competitive, i would also look at sheridan.

it is a k-8 but has excellent exmissions to GDS.

[Anonymous]

OP perhaps you should investigate a little further into what the issue is with DS. Have you met with school and gotten their insight? I would collect more info from them and perhaps him/others while you are checking out private schools. You have nothing to lose and certainly would provide potential schools / your family on what would make the best fit.

[Anonymous]

@12:37 Of course op can investigate with current school; however, to keep options open, she must apply NOW to independents.

I also appreciate OP's openness to grade placement. Maybe this boy would do better being on the older side. Something to consider for many reasons - especially in helping her son take more of a leadership role. 4th grade is an entry year and he may stand a better chance of getting in based on the number of spots available and his readiness.

These are all matters to explore & discuss with schools.

Whatever original poster decides - Good luck! (And, look at St. Alban's too).

[Anonymous]

OP, 13:38 is right. You must apply NOW to keep your options open. You shouldn't have any problems getting your test done as there are so many available testers.

Since your son is only in 4th grade, he won't require all the other requirements of older students (essays, etc) so you will only need recommendation from the teacher and WISC. You might be able to get a share day but get on it right away.