Pre-K-12 school vs. Prek-6 or 8?

[Anonymous]

I'm starting to look into schools, & wondering what the advantages/disadvantages are of going to a school that starts at Pre-K & goes through the 12th grade, as opposed to a school that only goes to 6th or 8th grade? Is it good to keep a child in the same school for 12 years, or is it better to swap them out around middle/high school?

I guess a deciding factor is to see how my DS develops, & see if the school can continue to meet his needs...But, I want to get other opinions. thanks.

[Anonymous]

I really like the K-8 model. I attended a pk-8 school and then went to another school for high school. It was a great experience. I got to be in "the senior class" as an 8th grader and had a huge say in where I went to high school, rather then having that chosen for me at age 4. Plus, having already gone through an application process made the college apps process less foreign - I'd already done standardized tests, filled out applications, written essays, and had interviews. And I really liked having that transition to a new school from a social standpoint. Most of my classmates and friends went to the same high school, which was great but I liked getting to know new people too.

[Anonymous]

Pre-k to 12 is a loooooooooong time to be with the same kids, especially if the school is smaller.

[Anonymous]

We chose a K-8 school in part because we want to see who DC is in 7/8th grade. That will tell all of us which high schools make the most sense.

[Anonymous]

PK-12 schools have entry years along the way, so there are new kids coming in all the time. I've heard that the percentage of lifers at PK-12 schools isn't so large such that kids would get bored with being with the same peers for many years. A PK-12 school doesn't prevent the parent or child from choosing a different school along the way. Just as with a PK-6 or PK-8 school, you can apply out at anytime that you feel another school might be a better match -- but at least you're settled through 12th grade if indeed the match is good. Two of the PK-12 schools in DC have two separate campuses, so the big kids and little kids are somewhat separated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm starting to look into schools, & wondering what the advantages/disadvantages are of going to a school that starts at Pre-K & goes through the 12th grade, as opposed to a school that only goes to 6th or 8th grade? Is it good to keep a child in the same school for 12 years, or is it better to swap them out around middle/high school?

I guess a deciding factor is to see how my DS develops, & see if the school can continue to meet his needs...But, I want to get other opinions. thanks.

Both have pros/cons. If you want someone to outline the pros, I think the Sheridan leaders and staff do a great job at that. If you are fairly certain that you want your child to attend an independent school, then the major con is that at either 6th or 8th grade, your DC will need to apply again. Sheridan and some of the other schools talk about how that is a pro. Some folks will find that a con. Our kids are at a PreK-12 in DC, but we would've been happy if they had ended up at a PreK-6 or 8, largely because you can turn the con of applying all over again to a pro of having DC reinvent him/herself if so inclined.

Finally, admissions to nearly all these schools is quite competitive. The schools can have more say over where you will attend than your family.

[Anonymous]

Another option is to look at an early elementary school like Primary Day and move to the next school going into 3rd grade. This allows you to choose a school environment best suited to your emerging student.

[Anonymous]

we chose prek-8th. i like the idea that the middle schoolers are the leaders of the school. those are hard years, and the middle school in a k-12 can get a bit lost if you're not careful.