chances of getting into a private for Fall for 7th and 4th grader?

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking impossible, but how would one even consider a private school if we are moving to DC from out of state? Kids are going into 7th and 4th grade, high test scores and very music/drama type kids. We are pretty typical, academia and govt lawyer progressive-minded people. Which privates might that look like and if, as I assume, getting them in for fall 2016 is impossible, what about the following year? How does one go about investigating? Do I call schools I am interested in and ask?
We just found out about job transfer and I'm starting the research process now. We still don't know where we'd be living exactly, but probably NWDC or close in MD.

[Anonymous]

Yes, just call them up. I would look at smaller PK-8 schools as they sometimes have attrition in upper grades. Plenty of progressive independents in the area: Sheridan, Lowell, Green Acres, Capitol Hill Day School would be a few to start with.

[Anonymous]

Never know until you call...

[Anonymous]

Thanks - will start looking at those listed above. Any that go through high school? We've moved my rising 7th grader across the country twice since he started school and I would love to have him stay in the same place from here on out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks - will start looking at those listed above. Any that go through high school? We've moved my rising 7th grader across the country twice since he started school and I would love to have him stay in the same place from here on out

I know that Capitol Hill Day School, mentioned by PP, has a couple of openings from attrition in a couple of grades. Not sure which ones though. Definitely worth a call. It's a great school (progressive education) in a great neighborhood, and also has some parents living well outside Capitol Hill, but drop and pick up their kids while on the way to work. It's a PK-8, like the others mentioned, so it does mean a different school in two years for your older child. But they do a nice job of outplacement, the kids remain close long after graduating, and some kids end up at the same school. And for those couple of years, or five for your younger one, they will have a great education in a wonderful environment.

[Anonymous]

other part of your question. I'm pretty sure that the only independents in DC itself that go from the lower grades through high school are Sidwell, GDS, Maret, and the Cathedral schools. That's four phone calls to see if they have openings. Are you in a private where you are, and would your current head be willing to make a couple of calls on your behalf?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks - will start looking at those listed above. Any that go through high school? We've moved my rising 7th grader across the country twice since he started school and I would love to have him stay in the same place from here on out

I know that Capitol Hill Day School, mentioned by PP, has a couple of openings from attrition in a couple of grades. Not sure which ones though. Definitely worth a call. It's a great school (progressive education) in a great neighborhood, and also has some parents living well outside Capitol Hill, but drop and pick up their kids while on the way to work. It's a PK-8, like the others mentioned, so it does mean a different school in two years for your older child. But they do a nice job of outplacement, the kids remain close long after graduating, and some kids end up at the same school. And for those couple of years, or five for your younger one, they will have a great education in a wonderful environment.

don't you think they've filled those seats since the entire admissions season is over and offers were made in March and contracts were signed and binding on June 1? do you have some insider information that the CHDS admissions decided not to fill those spots during the regular cycle, for some reason?

[Anonymous]

If your child goes to private school now, have the Head call for you. The schools often have a form of reciprocity for kids that are moving. This worked for a friend of mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks - will start looking at those listed above. Any that go through high school? We've moved my rising 7th grader across the country twice since he started school and I would love to have him stay in the same place from here on out

I know that Capitol Hill Day School, mentioned by PP, has a couple of openings from attrition in a couple of grades. Not sure which ones though. Definitely worth a call. It's a great school (progressive education) in a great neighborhood, and also has some parents living well outside Capitol Hill, but drop and pick up their kids while on the way to work. It's a PK-8, like the others mentioned, so it does mean a different school in two years for your older child. But they do a nice job of outplacement, the kids remain close long after graduating, and some kids end up at the same school. And for those couple of years, or five for your younger one, they will have a great education in a wonderful environment.

don't you think they've filled those seats since the entire admissions season is over and offers were made in March and contracts were signed and binding on June 1? do you have some insider information that the CHDS admissions decided not to fill those spots during the regular cycle, for some reason?

It's not exactly insider info-- it's listed right on the front page of their web site.

[Anonymous]

You might also look at St. Andrew's, which is in Maryland, but offers bus service from NW DC and close-in MoCo. It seems somewhat traditional with uniforms for the younger kids (though no uniforms for middle and upper school), but the academic culture is quite innovative and thoughtful. Our niece is in the US there; she and her parents -- politically liberal academic and lawyer -- are quite pleased with the school. She entered in middle school and found it to be a friendly and welcoming place. FWIW, I'm a teacher at a DC independent, which my children attended, and I've been impressed by what I've seen of the SAES curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Same sex education - Landon (boys 3-12) and Holton (girls 3-12) - people move over the summer you never know. They are both located in Bethesda and non sectarian.

[Anonymous]

Norwood is another great K-8. It is in Potomac, but they do have a bus service that picks up in northwest DC.

[Anonymous]

Academia + government lawyer?

Double check your combined HHI and what you can actually afford on it. DC is very expensive for both housing and schooling. Something will probably have to give.

Anonymous wrote:I'm thinking impossible, but how would one even consider a private school if we are moving to DC from out of state? Kids are going into 7th and 4th grade, high test scores and very music/drama type kids. We are pretty typical, academia and govt lawyer progressive-minded people. Which privates might that look like and if, as I assume, getting them in for fall 2016 is impossible, what about the following year? How does one go about investigating? Do I call schools I am interested in and ask?
We just found out about job transfer and I'm starting the research process now. We still don't know where we'd be living exactly, but probably NWDC or close in MD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Academia + government lawyer?

Double check your combined HHI and what you can actually afford on it. DC is very expensive for both housing and schooling. Something will probably have to give.

Anonymous wrote:I'm thinking impossible, but how would one even consider a private school if we are moving to DC from out of state? Kids are going into 7th and 4th grade, high test scores and very music/drama type kids. We are pretty typical, academia and govt lawyer progressive-minded people. Which privates might that look like and if, as I assume, getting them in for fall 2016 is impossible, what about the following year? How does one go about investigating? Do I call schools I am interested in and ask?
We just found out about job transfer and I'm starting the research process now. We still don't know where we'd be living exactly, but probably NWDC or close in MD.

Yes, private school for 2 kids will be over $75k/year; more with after care.
In DC the academics/government lawyer types (there are about a million of us with that exact household demographic) pretty much all use public school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

don't you think they've filled those seats since the entire admissions season is over and offers were made in March and contracts were signed and binding on June 1? do you have some insider information that the CHDS admissions decided not to fill those spots during the regular cycle, for some reason?

On the other hand, and not just for CHDS, withdrawals may happen over the summer and it's often hard to fill those slots given that many people already have contracts - so basically it's public school kids on the waitlist.

I know for example that at Sidwell this year a couple of slots in 7th grade opened up after June 1 - I assume they could fill those, but there's no guarantee of course as people may be locked into their plans.