Which K-8 has the best high school placement?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP stipulated that they like the K-8 model.

Many of the responses are people telling OP that they shouldn’t like the K-8 model. So it’s just a lot of irrelevant noise.

OP, we loved the K-8 model also. I can’t speak to the other schools, but Norwood was great for our kids from the standpoint of preparation as well as high school placement. It gave our kids the precise type of experience we were hoping for in the first place with a K-8. We really loved it, never regretted sending our kids there and never considered moving them early. Good luck to you!

It's not irrelevant bc the OP was asking about HS placement. If she didn't care where her child went to HS, then, yes, such responses would be irrelevant. But very clearly, OP is asking about which K-8 schools send their students to highly competitive private HSs. Hence, all the advice.

No. What you are saying is “OP, I know you say you like the K-8 model, but if you really care about HS placement, then you shouldn’t like the K-8 model.” That’s both irrelevant and inane, you’re just arguing with OP.

It’s possible to love K-8 and also want a sense of how a particular K-8 will prepare your child for the next step. For us, we knew that Norwood would do an amazing job of preparing our kids for high school, this is something that we definitely looked into and thought about when we were applying. But not because we were already focused on a specific high school or group of them when our kid was in K. That would be contrary to the model and what we loved about K-8 in the first place.

OK Norwood booster. We hear you. No one said to dislike the K-8 model. But, there's realistic advice, since OP is obviously concerned about getting her kid into a top HS, about the K-12 model. Guess what? You like like both models. You don't need to choose one or the other. You can apply to both. You can like both.

As far as this thread is concerned, I’m a K-8 booster and I’m sharing specific positive experiences about a particular K-8 that OP asked about. I just don’t understand why you feel the need to be a busybody and tell OP that they shouldn’t like K-8s when they started the discussion by stating that they do like K-8s. Though I guess that is pretty much par for the course on this message board...

OMG do you not read? No one is saying people shouldn't like K-8s. No one. People are suggesting that OP consider K-12s in addition to K-8s. Do you not understand that people can and do apply to both types of schools? Because both have their strengths and weaknesses?

Yes, I read quite well. Again, you are hijacking the thread. Thinking you know better than OP about what they want and what they are asking about.

Clearly, you want to talk about a different subject and not the one that OP asked about. I'm sorry that you had to resort to a K-8 solely because your kid didn't get into a Big 3 for K, and then you were disappointed later on with placement options from the K-8. Go start your own thread if that's what you want to whine about.

Oh dear. Is that what you think? Are you so obtuse that you can't see the implications of OP's question?
My kids are all at a Big 3, and I have seen way too many friends whose children were at K-8s who didn't get into their top (Big 3) choice. They ended up at perfectly good schools, but as you yourself noted, less than 25% of the kids at Norwood actually ended up at a Big 3. If Big 3 is what OP is after, she's wise to cast her net widely. That is all. I'm not sure why you are so supremely invested in thinking that OP need only look at K-8s. It's bizarre.

[Anonymous]

My kids attended an upper NW DCPS elementary. Quite a few of the kids who couldn't hack it at our elementary and/or at Deal transferred into one K-8 or another along the way.
There are many smart kids at the K-8s (for sure), but they are also used by families as a softer alternative for kids who are struggling academically in public.
In contrast, the strongest public school kids all stayed in public through middle school.

Anyway, what I'm saying is that 20% heading on to the "Big3" from a K-8 is probably about right. The top 20% are probably appropriate for the elite, pressure cooker high schools. The K-8
schools have kids all over the academic spectrum, not unlike public schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP stipulated that they like the K-8 model.

Many of the responses are people telling OP that they shouldn’t like the K-8 model. So it’s just a lot of irrelevant noise.

OP, we loved the K-8 model also. I can’t speak to the other schools, but Norwood was great for our kids from the standpoint of preparation as well as high school placement. It gave our kids the precise type of experience we were hoping for in the first place with a K-8. We really loved it, never regretted sending our kids there and never considered moving them early. Good luck to you!

It's not irrelevant bc the OP was asking about HS placement. If she didn't care where her child went to HS, then, yes, such responses would be irrelevant. But very clearly, OP is asking about which K-8 schools send their students to highly competitive private HSs. Hence, all the advice.

No. What you are saying is “OP, I know you say you like the K-8 model, but if you really care about HS placement, then you shouldn’t like the K-8 model.” That’s both irrelevant and inane, you’re just arguing with OP.

It’s possible to love K-8 and also want a sense of how a particular K-8 will prepare your child for the next step. For us, we knew that Norwood would do an amazing job of preparing our kids for high school, this is something that we definitely looked into and thought about when we were applying. But not because we were already focused on a specific high school or group of them when our kid was in K. That would be contrary to the model and what we loved about K-8 in the first place.

OK Norwood booster. We hear you. No one said to dislike the K-8 model. But, there's realistic advice, since OP is obviously concerned about getting her kid into a top HS, about the K-12 model. Guess what? You like like both models. You don't need to choose one or the other. You can apply to both. You can like both.

As far as this thread is concerned, I’m a K-8 booster and I’m sharing specific positive experiences about a particular K-8 that OP asked about. I just don’t understand why you feel the need to be a busybody and tell OP that they shouldn’t like K-8s when they started the discussion by stating that they do like K-8s. Though I guess that is pretty much par for the course on this message board...

OMG do you not read? No one is saying people shouldn't like K-8s. No one. People are suggesting that OP consider K-12s in addition to K-8s. Do you not understand that people can and do apply to both types of schools? Because both have their strengths and weaknesses?

Yes, I read quite well. Again, you are hijacking the thread. Thinking you know better than OP about what they want and what they are asking about.

Clearly, you want to talk about a different subject and not the one that OP asked about. I'm sorry that you had to resort to a K-8 solely because your kid didn't get into a Big 3 for K, and then you were disappointed later on with placement options from the K-8. Go start your own thread if that's what you want to whine about.

Oh dear. Is that what you think? Are you so obtuse that you can't see the implications of OP's question?
My kids are all at a Big 3, and I have seen way too many friends whose children were at K-8s who didn't get into their top (Big 3) choice. They ended up at perfectly good schools, but as you yourself noted, less than 25% of the kids at Norwood actually ended up at a Big 3. If Big 3 is what OP is after, she's wise to cast her net widely. That is all. I'm not sure why you are so supremely invested in thinking that OP need only look at K-8s. It's bizarre.

What’s bizarre is that you are so self-absorbed that you think you know better than OP the questions that OP should be asking, and then proceeded to derail the discussion accordingly. OP never asked whether they were right to like K-8s.

Also, why do you assume there’s only 1 poster talking about Norwood here? You think you have all the answers clearly, but maybe you should just be quiet for once and stop being such a busybody.

[Anonymous]

Wow, you people are nuts. The person asked a simple question and got some insane answers toward the end here. The best advice is always never listen to what people post here. Everyone has an axe to grind and very few offer good advice.

[Anonymous]

Again, the K-8 threads seem to trigger defensivensss and nastiness. Not sure why.

[Anonymous]

Also, OP never mentioned Big 3. She just asked which of 3 schools was best for HS placement and preparedness. Which is a totally reasonable question. It’s too bad that some crazies on here chose to run the discussion off the rails by deciding they knew better than OP the questions that she should be asking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Again, the K-8 threads seem to trigger defensivensss and nastiness. Not sure why.

It seems like the defensiveness on these threads is mostly on the part of the K-12 boosters who can’t abide the fact that other parents might not share their view that a school that goes through high school is the most desirable type of school for young kids. And then the K-8 boosters get pissed off in response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are not sure what will be best for HS, that is why we are looking at k-8. Thinking our child will have a say once looking at HS. Is there a thought if which K-8 prepares the kids best for whatever HS they choose??

YAY! This is a great reason to look at k-8. We love that our children had a say once looking at HS. It also helped them have a sense of ownership once they were in high school, since it was a school that they had considered and chosen. Relatedly, it also made the college process easier, since they had already gone through the process of applying to high school. Our children told us that they thought the college application process was much smoother and less stressful for them than it was for their K-12 lifer friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Taught for 10 years at one of those K-8 schools and it really depends on the kid as much as the school. HS placement is much more competitive in recent years but it should be about getting your child placed in a school that is their best fit, not the most elite, etc. I’m married to a HS private school teacher and you wouldn’t believe the amount of grade inflation and edited letters of recommendation that come out of these K-8’s! I agree it would be more realistic to transfer from another k-12 or 3-12 school where there business model isn’t selling used goods. K-8 schools are
Not reform schools despite many parents treating them that way!!!

Oh come on...

Also, you're supposedly a teacher and can't be bothered to spell "their" correctly?

Used goods? What are you prattling on about?[/quote]


Wow, you and your archaic phrase have been long gone form DCUM. what brought you back?

[Anonymous]

Look at the placement on the websites. Ask during interviews how Kong the MS head has been there and what they do to prepare the 7th and 8th graders for HS applications. There’s a lot to applying for HS and I believe it’s a combo of student academic record, teacher recs, student impression on admissions team and the k-8 l relationship w admissions. PS. It’s my ids at k-8 and never regretted it. One is adequately prepared for the demands of HS and loves she got to change her peer group and the other insists to stay to the end despite many considering applying out before 8th to avoid the 9th crush..although often there are less slots

[Anonymous]

For the benefit of OP and others, I’m surprised more K-8 affinity parents have not chimed in with regard to Lowell. Yes, it’s true many from Lowell move on to Burke, Field, Sandy Springs, and St. John’s. However that is just a start. Students from Lowell typically also place at top public special subject and charter schools and the more elite privates, including STA/NCS, Sidwell, GDS, Potomac, and Maret. The numbers of students to each of those is fewer than the other schools each year, it that is primarily because families who choose Lowell tend to be academically and educationally more diverse in goals and perspectives than families who choose Norwood, Sheridan, St. Patrick’s, etc. Top performing students at Lowell who are interested in the more traditionally elite HS in DC are well prepared and well received.

As for comments above, recommending it being beneficial to start in the K-12’s even if you think you will want a move in HS, I think that’s misguided. Those who choose K-8’s do so because they know the investment in the primary and middle student experience is far greater in a K-8 than a K-12. It’s simply a very different type of education and there are greater leadership opportunities available in K-8 programs.

Good luck as you work through these important considerations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We like the K-8 model. Looking at St.Patrick’s, Norwood, Sheridan. We are wondering if one is best for high school placement or preparedness?

St Pat's for Both

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the benefit of OP and others, I’m surprised more K-8 affinity parents have not chimed in with regard to Lowell. Yes, it’s true many from Lowell move on to Burke, Field, Sandy Springs, and St. John’s. However that is just a start. Students from Lowell typically also place at top public special subject and charter schools and the more elite privates, including STA/NCS, Sidwell, GDS, Potomac, and Maret. The numbers of students to each of those is fewer than the other schools each year, it that is primarily because families who choose Lowell tend to be academically and educationally more diverse in goals and perspectives than families who choose Norwood, Sheridan, St. Patrick’s, etc. Top performing students at Lowell who are interested in the more traditionally elite HS in DC are well prepared and well received.

As for comments above, recommending it being beneficial to start in the K-12’s even if you think you will want a move in HS, I think that’s misguided. Those who choose K-8’s do so because they know the investment in the primary and middle student experience is far greater in a K-8 than a K-12. It’s simply a very different type of education and there are greater leadership opportunities available in K-8 programs.

Good luck as you work through these important considerations.

You do not have to “place” at a charter school. It is a random lottery. Kid in 8th with a 65 average has the same chance as a kid with a 99 GPA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are not sure what will be best for HS, that is why we are looking at k-8. Thinking our child will have a say once looking at HS. Is there a thought if which K-8 prepares the kids best for whatever HS they choose??

YAY! This is a great reason to look at k-8. We love that our children had a say once looking at HS. It also helped them have a sense of ownership once they were in high school, since it was a school that they had considered and chosen. Relatedly, it also made the college process easier, since they had already gone through the process of applying to high school. Our children told us that they thought the college application process was much smoother and less stressful for them than it was for their K-12 lifer friends.

Yes that was what the Sheridan boosters said but I don’t actually think that’s a positive. You should only have the experience of applying to college once, and don’t need a dry run for high school. I also got the sense that the HS application process took over the 8th grade year and made things competitive among the kids.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Competitive, indeed. Most kids are applying to the same 5 or 6 schools.