Applying for K? What is the schedule / what are the steps?

[Anonymous]

I am new to the city and have a set of schools I'm considering (no, not the Big 3, but they do have admissions).

I feel like I should be able to figure this out, but somehow I'm experiencing a mental block of what to do next and when. Some schools have open houses listed on their site, others a pre-application, others both. Do I call first and talk to them? Just fill out the initial application? Just go to the open house first?
I'd be totally grateful for an experienced hand to just tell me what to do here so I can stop being silly about all of this.

This is for Fall 2017, in case there's any confusion.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

we applied a couple years back and new to the process. This is what worked for us....during the summer we went onto the websites, then went to visit campuses to walk around, play on playgrounds etc.. we did fill out pre-applications and signed up to visit the open house in the fall. In late August early September, we called the schools to set up tours (if that was required) and set up to have our child tested> the testing is usually done Independently (WISC or WIPSI) Many of the schools require some sort of testing) For us, the play dates, interviews etc. started in the fall Applications were due some time in December - January. We did not apply for FA so I am not sure of those deadlines. Hope this is helpful. I am not sure how much activity is going on now but we did hit the ground running at the end of August. Good luck

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am new to the city and have a set of schools I'm considering (no, not the Big 3, but they do have admissions).

I feel like I should be able to figure this out, but somehow I'm experiencing a mental block of what to do next and when. Some schools have open houses listed on their site, others a pre-application, others both. Do I call first and talk to them? Just fill out the initial application? Just go to the open house first?
I'd be totally grateful for an experienced hand to just tell me what to do here so I can stop being silly about all of this.

This is for Fall 2017, in case there's any confusion.

Thank you!

I was in your position with the exact same question last year. Do not admit weakness, such as having a mental block on here, you will get a lot of mean comments.
I moved from LA and was given a ton of s*** about that alone. And my questions. And my assumptions. And about being entitled, apparently.

[Anonymous]

Start here with the information in the helpful sticky:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/99066.page

Start by just narrowing choices based on location.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to try hard not to be snarky,mouth believe me, it's hard because you do come across as a little pathetic.

There is no one "right" way to do it. No "one" right sequence.

Some people attend open houses before applying, others just do a tour. Some do both. Some schools combine the two.

The only thing you have to do is 1) have your child tested (WPPSI); 2) keep track of the deadlines for applications; 3) submit the applications and do interviews at the schools that require them.

If you're that overwhelmed, maybe you should pay an educational consultant to guide you through the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to try hard not to be snarky,mouth believe me, it's hard because you do come across as a little pathetic.

There is no one "right" way to do it. No "one" right sequence.

Some people attend open houses before applying, others just do a tour. Some do both. Some schools combine the two.

The only thing you have to do is 1) have your child tested (WPPSI); 2) keep track of the deadlines for applications; 3) submit the applications and do interviews at the schools that require them.

If you're that overwhelmed, maybe you should pay an educational consultant to guide you through the process.

I agree with this. You go on the school website and it tells you the dates. Not that hard. You tour. Set up a wpssi test with a psychologist. The schools have a list of providers. Then fill out application and have play date. Boom.

[Anonymous]

When should wppsi be taken?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When should wppsi be taken?

Schools have dates for WPPSI submission. For most, it's due when the application is due. But the tester sends it directly to the school, and ey will need time to write up the assessment, so it should be taken well before the application due date.

Also, the good testers get booked up early.

[Anonymous]

PP here. By good, I mean able to set kids at ease and bring out the best in them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here. By good, I mean able to set kids at ease and bring out the best in them.

Who would you recommend?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to try hard not to be snarky,mouth believe me, it's hard because you do come across as a little pathetic.

There is no one "right" way to do it. No "one" right sequence.

Some people attend open houses before applying, others just do a tour. Some do both. Some schools combine the two.

The only thing you have to do is 1) have your child tested (WPPSI); 2) keep track of the deadlines for applications; 3) submit the applications and do interviews at the schools that require them.

If you're that overwhelmed, maybe you should pay an educational consultant to guide you through the process.

I agree with this. You go on the school website and it tells you the dates. Not that hard. You tour. Set up a wpssi test with a psychologist. The schools have a list of providers. Then fill out application and have play date. Boom.

OP here. Thanks all for the guidance. I wasn't thinking this was rocket science, although if it were, I would have it covered as a have a Ph.D. in aeronautical engineering.

I'm glad to hear this is "all" there is but that I will also need to start thinking about testing as well as the obvious things. Fall is the busiest time of year for me at work and this one wil be bad so I don't want to be rushing things at the last minute. And no idea there were "good" and "bad" testers. SATs were all the same in my experience.

We'll start scheduling tours, filling out forms and looking at testing requirements. We know the set of schools we are at least potentially interested in (based on location) as another poster stated, so we'll move forward from there.

[Anonymous]

Many schools have a list of testers they recommend. We went to Dana Grasso in Dupont Circle and my son really liked her gentle manner. Keep in mind the WPPSI test is about $400, so if money is an issue, you may want to start saving for that. There are also application fees that vary with each school. Talk to one of the testers, they will tell you when a good time is to get your child tested. I don't remember exactly how it works, but kids are scored based on how they perform in relation to other children in their age group (i.e., 4 years and 9 months through 4 years and 11 months, etc).

If you can, I would start drafting a tentative list of schools you want to visit now. Ask friends and colleagues about their experiences at private schools and read through DCUM with a HUGE grain of salt to gather a general opinion about the schools. Plan to attend the open houses/parents events at the schools in September or October. This will give you a chance to go back if to schools you are on the fence about or really liked/disliked to confirm your feelings. As with anyone, people and organizations have good days and bad days, so you may get an inaccurate impression the first time you visit a school. Try to go with your gut. You know your child best at this point and what kind of environment they will do well in. We decided not to apply to a highly regarded school because we just didn't like elements of their academic program or the vibe. People would say we were crazy, but we did what we knew was best for our child.

[Anonymous]

I would add that many schools have patent essays that can be very time consuming if you allow them to be. If your fall is busy, make sure you budget time for these.

Other tips -
Start a spreadsheet now on tour timing, interview date and various deadlines
Book a tester now for a test around October/November (I
Love jean Baldwin)
Download essay questions when they're available so you can start to fill them in when you have time
Try to book tours and interviews on the same day for any schools your positive you want to apply to so you don't have to make 2 trips

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to try hard not to be snarky,mouth believe me, it's hard because you do come across as a little pathetic.

There is no one "right" way to do it. No "one" right sequence.

Some people attend open houses before applying, others just do a tour. Some do both. Some schools combine the two.

The only thing you have to do is 1) have your child tested (WPPSI); 2) keep track of the deadlines for applications; 3) submit the applications and do interviews at the schools that require them.

If you're that overwhelmed, maybe you should pay an educational consultant to guide you through the process.

I agree with this. You go on the school website and it tells you the dates. Not that hard. You tour. Set up a wpssi test with a psychologist. The schools have a list of providers. Then fill out application and have play date. Boom.

OP here. Thanks all for the guidance. I wasn't thinking this was rocket science, although if it were, I would have it covered as a have a Ph.D. in aeronautical engineering.

I'm glad to hear this is "all" there is but that I will also need to start thinking about testing as well as the obvious things. Fall is the busiest time of year for me at work and this one wil be bad so I don't want to be rushing things at the last minute. And no idea there were "good" and "bad" testers. SATs were all the same in my experience.

We'll start scheduling tours, filling out forms and looking at testing requirements. We know the set of schools we are at least potentially interested in (based on location) as another poster stated, so we'll move forward from there.

I am the immediately above PP. I am the father of the child. I looked up a WPPSI provider in Friendship Heights. Went over there on a Saturday morning, dropped off my son. Went to Booeymonger for breakfast. Some period of time later collected my son. It was in the $300s as I recall? Easy and painless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to try hard not to be snarky,mouth believe me, it's hard because you do come across as a little pathetic.

There is no one "right" way to do it. No "one" right sequence.

Some people attend open houses before applying, others just do a tour. Some do both. Some schools combine the two.

The only thing you have to do is 1) have your child tested (WPPSI); 2) keep track of the deadlines for applications; 3) submit the applications and do interviews at the schools that require them.

If you're that overwhelmed, maybe you should pay an educational consultant to guide you through the process.

I agree with this. You go on the school website and it tells you the dates. Not that hard. You tour. Set up a wpssi test with a psychologist. The schools have a list of providers. Then fill out application and have play date. Boom.

OP here. Thanks all for the guidance. I wasn't thinking this was rocket science, although if it were, I would have it covered as a have a Ph.D. in aeronautical engineering.

I'm glad to hear this is "all" there is but that I will also need to start thinking about testing as well as the obvious things. Fall is the busiest time of year for me at work and this one wil be bad so I don't want to be rushing things at the last minute. And no idea there were "good" and "bad" testers. SATs were all the same in my experience.

We'll start scheduling tours, filling out forms and looking at testing requirements. We know the set of schools we are at least potentially interested in (based on location) as another poster stated, so we'll move forward from there.

I am the immediately above PP. I am the father of the child. I looked up a WPPSI provider in Friendship Heights. Went over there on a Saturday morning, dropped off my son. Went to Booeymonger for breakfast. Some period of time later collected my son. It was in the $300s as I recall? Easy and painless.

I should add, without snark, in the amount of time it took you to write this post and review the answers you could have scheduled a WPPSI test, I mean that in the sense it is that easy. I filled out the form online. These days they make you create an online account and answer the questions online. We didn't apply to the Big 3 so I didn't spend any time on the essays. For a four year old it seemed pointless. I wrote something short and sincere. Like my son enjoys soccer and likes me to read to him.