K-8 parents of 8th graders—are you satisfied with outplacement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why you’d apply for k thru 8 for midddle. Unless it’s for back up if you don’t get into a k thru 12? Why out your kid through the application process twice and make them join a class of kids who all know each other in middle school just to have to leave again in two to three years?

k-8 puts the resources in the k-8. Many k-12(specially the big 5) direct the majority of resources to 9-12. These top schools are very different. What you think is a good fit in k or 4th is not by 9th and it is missable for the kid. Many times the kids want a change. They are bored by the same old insular social scene.

Once you have gone through the application processes once it is not really that big of a deal to do it again. Applying for 9th grade is about grades, teacher recs, test scores, extracurricular activities, etc. Doing the application process again in 8th really makes you think about who your kid is and what schools will be a good fit. Plus everyone else in the class is doing.

Bottom line you pick a school for the kid.

We’ve been at both k-8 and now k-12 and I’d really disagree with this. My younger kids at a k-12 get to benefit from all of the resources that would never be available at a k-8. The facilities are in a different league, they have access to specific teachers a k-8 couldn’t justify, they get the school spirit of real pep rallies, varsity games, etc. There is tons of interaction between the divisions so even when my kids were little they’d go to a varsity game in their sport and the high schoolers would greet them by name, etc. They still have all the same leadership opportunities and everything bc the divisions have their own heads, student leadership opposition, etc.

It’s a personal preference and determination based on what each family wants for their kids. What you share about the benefits of k-12 are exactly what some say are why they do not like a k-12 and prefer a k-8. Some do not want any interaction or influence from high schoolers for lower school students. They don’t want to attend pep rallies or varsity games, because they want the focus on whatever the k-8 students are doing, where at a k-12, the majority of big school activities and events are going to center around the upper school. There is not a right answer here, it is what works for you kid/family.

+1. We couldn’t care less about varsity games for kids 10+ years older than ours

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why you’d apply for k thru 8 for midddle. Unless it’s for back up if you don’t get into a k thru 12? Why out your kid through the application process twice and make them join a class of kids who all know each other in middle school just to have to leave again in two to three years?

k-8 puts the resources in the k-8. Many k-12(specially the big 5) direct the majority of resources to 9-12. These top schools are very different. What you think is a good fit in k or 4th is not by 9th and it is missable for the kid. Many times the kids want a change. They are bored by the same old insular social scene.

Once you have gone through the application processes once it is not really that big of a deal to do it again. Applying for 9th grade is about grades, teacher recs, test scores, extracurricular activities, etc. Doing the application process again in 8th really makes you think about who your kid is and what schools will be a good fit. Plus everyone else in the class is doing.

Bottom line you pick a school for the kid.

We’ve been at both k-8 and now k-12 and I’d really disagree with this. My younger kids at a k-12 get to benefit from all of the resources that would never be available at a k-8. The facilities are in a different league, they have access to specific teachers a k-8 couldn’t justify, they get the school spirit of real pep rallies, varsity games, etc. There is tons of interaction between the divisions so even when my kids were little they’d go to a varsity game in their sport and the high schoolers would greet them by name, etc. They still have all the same leadership opportunities and everything bc the divisions have their own heads, student leadership opposition, etc.

It’s a personal preference and determination based on what each family wants for their kids. What you share about the benefits of k-12 are exactly what some say are why they do not like a k-12 and prefer a k-8. Some do not want any interaction or influence from high schoolers for lower school students. They don’t want to attend pep rallies or varsity games, because they want the focus on whatever the k-8 students are doing, where at a k-12, the majority of big school activities and events are going to center around the upper school. There is not a right answer here, it is what works for you kid/family.

+1. We couldn’t care less about varsity games for kids 10+ years older than ours

Right. For us, we wanted a school that really focused on lower school — what we’re paying for now. It’s not about our 6 year old having access to varsity games. It was about putting our money towards a school that decided its big capitol improvement project would be a beautiful new building for PK-2. That was Norwood. We felt like the K-12s were putting a lot of emphasis on what the upper school could provide. That’s years away for our kid. We’re more concerned with what the school can provide for our kid now.

[Anonymous]

DS was accepted at GDS from a PK-8 last year. Obviously, the HS application process is stressful, but I'm happy my child had the chance to think about what he wanted in a high school. I'm also thrilled he had to navigate a new school situation before going to college. He strengthened the skills necessary to make friends and integrate into a community. Pros and cons on both sides of the coin so I thought I would mention this pro!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS was accepted at GDS from a PK-8 last year. Obviously, the HS application process is stressful, but I'm happy my child had the chance to think about what he wanted in a high school. I'm also thrilled he had to navigate a new school situation before going to college. He strengthened the skills necessary to make friends and integrate into a community. Pros and cons on both sides of the coin so I thought I would mention this pro!

I agree. My 8th grader at a K-8 is so incredibly excited about a new experience at a larger school. I think it will be good preparation for thinking about college applications, fit and trying new things. I’m a fan of the K-8 experience for a bunch of reasons. It seems that kids get to be kids, the middle school focus has great SE learning opportunities, the teachers are amazing, etc etc.

[Anonymous]

my DD at a K-8 cannot wait to start at her new school next year. she is tired of the same kids she’s been with for several years. she will miss her close friends who are all spreading out but i think her friends would agree they are excited for a fresh start

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:my DD at a K-8 cannot wait to start at her new school next year. she is tired of the same kids she’s been with for several years. she will miss her close friends who are all spreading out but i think her friends would agree they are excited for a fresh start

Same. My DD has been at this school for 7 years. It's been a great experience and she's made wonderful friends, but it's time to move on and they're all feeling it. I can't imagine her being a lifer at a K-12. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS was accepted at GDS from a PK-8 last year. Obviously, the HS application process is stressful, but I'm happy my child had the chance to think about what he wanted in a high school. I'm also thrilled he had to navigate a new school situation before going to college. He strengthened the skills necessary to make friends and integrate into a community. Pros and cons on both sides of the coin so I thought I would mention this pro!

That's a huge plus in my book. In high school, I made college application choices based on arbitrary things. If I had had the experience of thinking about what I wanted in a school, a community, etc prior to the college process, it would have been extremely beneficial.

[Anonymous]

My 3 children went K-8 and then 'graduated' to new schools for high school. If I could go back in time, I would have moved them earlier. Socially, it takes about 1.5 years to settle into a new school with friends. At the end of high school, they are flying high and loving their group of friends. But it can be a very hard process to get to that point. They must be patient and know that it takes time. Of course there are benefits to being the leaders on campus when in middle school at a K-8, but I'm not sure it was worth it. This was just our experience, but a common story amongst our friends. Good luck with your decision!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why you’d apply for k thru 8 for midddle. Unless it’s for back up if you don’t get into a k thru 12? Why out your kid through the application process twice and make them join a class of kids who all know each other in middle school just to have to leave again in two to three years?

k-8 puts the resources in the k-8. Many k-12(specially the big 5) direct the majority of resources to 9-12. These top schools are very different. What you think is a good fit in k or 4th is not by 9th and it is missable for the kid. Many times the kids want a change. They are bored by the same old insular social scene.

Once you have gone through the application processes once it is not really that big of a deal to do it again. Applying for 9th grade is about grades, teacher recs, test scores, extracurricular activities, etc. Doing the application process again in 8th really makes you think about who your kid is and what schools will be a good fit. Plus everyone else in the class is doing.

Bottom line you pick a school for the kid.

We’ve been at both k-8 and now k-12 and I’d really disagree with this. My younger kids at a k-12 get to benefit from all of the resources that would never be available at a k-8. The facilities are in a different league, they have access to specific teachers a k-8 couldn’t justify, they get the school spirit of real pep rallies, varsity games, etc. There is tons of interaction between the divisions so even when my kids were little they’d go to a varsity game in their sport and the high schoolers would greet them by name, etc. They still have all the same leadership opportunities and everything bc the divisions have their own heads, student leadership opposition, etc.

It’s a personal preference and determination based on what each family wants for their kids. What you share about the benefits of k-12 are exactly what some say are why they do not like a k-12 and prefer a k-8. Some do not want any interaction or influence from high schoolers for lower school students. They don’t want to attend pep rallies or varsity games, because they want the focus on whatever the k-8 students are doing, where at a k-12, the majority of big school activities and events are going to center around the upper school. There is not a right answer here, it is what works for you kid/family.

+1. We couldn’t care less about varsity games for kids 10+ years older than ours

Let me put this another way. At a K-12, your kid has access to the top rated high school robotics instructors, debate coachs, music instructors and facilities which they won't get in a K-8 (yes, as part of their approach the K-12 have these coaches dip down and have offerings for the younger kids. . Yes ,the K-8 might ALSO have robotics and debate--but the calibur of what is offered is just fundamentally different--not even close. I've had kids at both--the K-12 resourcing bleeds downward--giving the younger kids access to amazing resources K-8 just can't afford in that model. That's not hte reason to choose a K-12--but if you think a K-8 gives so much more focus to the younger kids than a K-12, that is just not correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why you’d apply for k thru 8 for midddle. Unless it’s for back up if you don’t get into a k thru 12? Why out your kid through the application process twice and make them join a class of kids who all know each other in middle school just to have to leave again in two to three years?

k-8 puts the resources in the k-8. Many k-12(specially the big 5) direct the majority of resources to 9-12. These top schools are very different. What you think is a good fit in k or 4th is not by 9th and it is missable for the kid. Many times the kids want a change. They are bored by the same old insular social scene.

Once you have gone through the application processes once it is not really that big of a deal to do it again. Applying for 9th grade is about grades, teacher recs, test scores, extracurricular activities, etc. Doing the application process again in 8th really makes you think about who your kid is and what schools will be a good fit. Plus everyone else in the class is doing.

Bottom line you pick a school for the kid.

We’ve been at both k-8 and now k-12 and I’d really disagree with this. My younger kids at a k-12 get to benefit from all of the resources that would never be available at a k-8. The facilities are in a different league, they have access to specific teachers a k-8 couldn’t justify, they get the school spirit of real pep rallies, varsity games, etc. There is tons of interaction between the divisions so even when my kids were little they’d go to a varsity game in their sport and the high schoolers would greet them by name, etc. They still have all the same leadership opportunities and everything bc the divisions have their own heads, student leadership opposition, etc.

It’s a personal preference and determination based on what each family wants for their kids. What you share about the benefits of k-12 are exactly what some say are why they do not like a k-12 and prefer a k-8. Some do not want any interaction or influence from high schoolers for lower school students. They don’t want to attend pep rallies or varsity games, because they want the focus on whatever the k-8 students are doing, where at a k-12, the majority of big school activities and events are going to center around the upper school. There is not a right answer here, it is what works for you kid/family.

+1. We couldn’t care less about varsity games for kids 10+ years older than ours

Let me put this another way. At a K-12, your kid has access to the top rated high school robotics instructors, debate coachs, music instructors and facilities which they won't get in a K-8 (yes, as part of their approach the K-12 have these coaches dip down and have offerings for the younger kids. . Yes ,the K-8 might ALSO have robotics and debate--but the calibur of what is offered is just fundamentally different--not even close. I've had kids at both--the K-12 resourcing bleeds downward--giving the younger kids access to amazing resources K-8 just can't afford in that model. That's not hte reason to choose a K-12--but if you think a K-8 gives so much more focus to the younger kids than a K-12, that is just not correct.

You do not know what you are posting about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why you’d apply for k thru 8 for midddle. Unless it’s for back up if you don’t get into a k thru 12? Why out your kid through the application process twice and make them join a class of kids who all know each other in middle school just to have to leave again in two to three years?

k-8 puts the resources in the k-8. Many k-12(specially the big 5) direct the majority of resources to 9-12. These top schools are very different. What you think is a good fit in k or 4th is not by 9th and it is missable for the kid. Many times the kids want a change. They are bored by the same old insular social scene.

Once you have gone through the application processes once it is not really that big of a deal to do it again. Applying for 9th grade is about grades, teacher recs, test scores, extracurricular activities, etc. Doing the application process again in 8th really makes you think about who your kid is and what schools will be a good fit. Plus everyone else in the class is doing.

Bottom line you pick a school for the kid.

We’ve been at both k-8 and now k-12 and I’d really disagree with this. My younger kids at a k-12 get to benefit from all of the resources that would never be available at a k-8. The facilities are in a different league, they have access to specific teachers a k-8 couldn’t justify, they get the school spirit of real pep rallies, varsity games, etc. There is tons of interaction between the divisions so even when my kids were little they’d go to a varsity game in their sport and the high schoolers would greet them by name, etc. They still have all the same leadership opportunities and everything bc the divisions have their own heads, student leadership opposition, etc.

It’s a personal preference and determination based on what each family wants for their kids. What you share about the benefits of k-12 are exactly what some say are why they do not like a k-12 and prefer a k-8. Some do not want any interaction or influence from high schoolers for lower school students. They don’t want to attend pep rallies or varsity games, because they want the focus on whatever the k-8 students are doing, where at a k-12, the majority of big school activities and events are going to center around the upper school. There is not a right answer here, it is what works for you kid/family.

+1. We couldn’t care less about varsity games for kids 10+ years older than ours

I think you’re missing the point. There is nothing the k-12 model takes away from the kids. These are all extras. Not forced on them but you’d better believe my LS student loves going to varsity games at the same fields she plays on on the weekends. The upper schoolers are so sweet and take time to pass around with her, etc. That might not be your kids interest, but maybe using the 3d printers is. There are a thousand extra benefits and they’re not taking away from anything they’d be getting if it ended in 8th. The only thing we don’t have to do is waste time and teachers time and admin time on outplacement. I watched my nephew miss multiple days for school tours, shadow days, interviews, etc. Thats all time my 8th graders had for actual learning at the current school. I don’t want their teachers using hours writing references.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why you’d apply for k thru 8 for midddle. Unless it’s for back up if you don’t get into a k thru 12? Why out your kid through the application process twice and make them join a class of kids who all know each other in middle school just to have to leave again in two to three years?

k-8 puts the resources in the k-8. Many k-12(specially the big 5) direct the majority of resources to 9-12. These top schools are very different. What you think is a good fit in k or 4th is not by 9th and it is missable for the kid. Many times the kids want a change. They are bored by the same old insular social scene.

Once you have gone through the application processes once it is not really that big of a deal to do it again. Applying for 9th grade is about grades, teacher recs, test scores, extracurricular activities, etc. Doing the application process again in 8th really makes you think about who your kid is and what schools will be a good fit. Plus everyone else in the class is doing.

Bottom line you pick a school for the kid.

We’ve been at both k-8 and now k-12 and I’d really disagree with this. My younger kids at a k-12 get to benefit from all of the resources that would never be available at a k-8. The facilities are in a different league, they have access to specific teachers a k-8 couldn’t justify, they get the school spirit of real pep rallies, varsity games, etc. There is tons of interaction between the divisions so even when my kids were little they’d go to a varsity game in their sport and the high schoolers would greet them by name, etc. They still have all the same leadership opportunities and everything bc the divisions have their own heads, student leadership opposition, etc.

It’s a personal preference and determination based on what each family wants for their kids. What you share about the benefits of k-12 are exactly what some say are why they do not like a k-12 and prefer a k-8. Some do not want any interaction or influence from high schoolers for lower school students. They don’t want to attend pep rallies or varsity games, because they want the focus on whatever the k-8 students are doing, where at a k-12, the majority of big school activities and events are going to center around the upper school. There is not a right answer here, it is what works for you kid/family.

+1. We couldn’t care less about varsity games for kids 10+ years older than ours

Let me put this another way. At a K-12, your kid has access to the top rated high school robotics instructors, debate coachs, music instructors and facilities which they won't get in a K-8 (yes, as part of their approach the K-12 have these coaches dip down and have offerings for the younger kids. . Yes ,the K-8 might ALSO have robotics and debate--but the calibur of what is offered is just fundamentally different--not even close. I've had kids at both--the K-12 resourcing bleeds downward--giving the younger kids access to amazing resources K-8 just can't afford in that model. That's not hte reason to choose a K-12--but if you think a K-8 gives so much more focus to the younger kids than a K-12, that is just not correct.

You do not know what you are posting about.

Agreed. I’m proud that Norwood’s robotics, Lego, and STEM teams have won at state championships this year. I believe one of the Lego teams is going to the national championship. Resources and quality certainly don’t seem to be an issue.

[Anonymous]

I don't think PP is saying robotics/STEM resources can't be good at K-8s, but rather they are on average going to be better at K-12s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think PP is saying robotics/STEM resources can't be good at K-8s, but rather they are on average going to be better at K-12s.

My kids are at a k-12 big 3 and don’t have access to the high school robotics or debate resources. They have access to the middle school resources only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think PP is saying robotics/STEM resources can't be good at K-8s, but rather they are on average going to be better at K-12s.

Do you have data to back that up?