Private schools that accept children that are homeschooled

[Anonymous]

Cross posting (also posted in Homeschooling Forum)
Due to the fact that our family has moved frequently including a number of stints abroad DD has been home schooled for the past 4 years. It has worked well for our family and she has enjoyed it, but we are considering a transition to a private school starting in the 6th grade (two years from now) so she can enjoy the American middle and high school experience.
DD is fluent in 3 languages and is academically gifted so the entrance exam doesn't concern us as much as the fact that there may be schools that do not welcome children that have been homeschooled. Does anyone on this list know which ones these could be? Ideally we would look at WIS, National Cathedral, maybe Sidwell, which are notoriously difficult to get into without also having to get into the home schooling issue.
Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

I believe any of those schools will be open to considering an application like yours. It would be important to try to get some recommendation letters from someone who knows your child well since you will not have traditional teacher recommendations. My other advice to you is to make sure that you apply to a number of schools and not just two or three that have low admission rates. Maybe think about having a back up plan at a K-8 school if none of your top picks work out at 6th. Finally, I would be careful about how you come across because your post here comes off a little snooty and schools don't want you to act like you are doing them a favor by letting them educate your genius child.

[Anonymous]

Op doesn't come across snooty. Just just listed her DD's attributes.

[Anonymous]

When we applied, I was somewhat surprised about which schools were more receptive to home schooling. Those schools that are most secure in their reputation were more willing to consider it than the schools that seem more "free wheeling." All of the schools required extra essays and letters of recommendation.

[Anonymous]

OP - I am a WIS parent and know for a fact that they have had homeschooled children accepted and attend (my DD had a formerly homeschooled child in her class. My DD graduated a few years ago). I wouldn't worry that WIS is not open to the idea of homeschooled children. If you're not worried about the entrance exams then I would advise you to concentrate on the shadow visit and interview.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op doesn't come across snooty. Just just listed her DD's attributes.

Former home schooled student here. I didn't read snooty either, I figured OP is signaling what kind of experiences were involved in her child's home schooling program. There are so many stripes of home schoolers, with different interests and priorities, that it can be helpful to offer a little bit about background.

I'm guessing that the student / parent essays and interviews will be great places to give the schools plenty of opportunity to see what the program has included. If in doubt, maybe solicit an extra recommendation letter since there isn't a homeroom teacher who isn't a parent.

[Anonymous]

When you write the parent essay (or answer the questions on the application) I would elaborate on DC's participation in any types of "traditional" learning environments. Week long engineering program at NASA or Mandarin classes with expert teacher.

The term homeschool is a catch all phrase that encompasses a variety of approaches. When I was a school counselor, I worked with formerly homeschooled children. Some had a very smooth transition and some had a very rough time.

Evidence that your daughter will adjust well and has enjoyed that type of learning environment in the past (even if only for a week at a time or an hour per week) will help the Admissions panel view her application more favorably.

Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

I know of one boy who was homeschooled through 8th grade and then went to Maret for high school. He graduated from Maret @5 years ago - Sean Davis, who now plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I'd think any DC private school would give serious thought to a well-qualified homeschooled kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op doesn't come across snooty. Just just listed her DD's attributes.

Oh yes she does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op doesn't come across snooty. Just just listed her DD's attributes.

Oh yes she does.

To you. Didn't to me, and apparently to other PPs here. I just re-read the original message and even when trying I couldn't find anything that smacked of snootiness. There was just one sentence stating why they weren't concerned about their child's academic preparation, only about a prejudice against home schooling.

You're free to your own reactions and opinion, but that's all they are. If someone else has a different opinion, it's not something you have the authority to correct for them.