k-12 or k-8?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is such an interesting thread, but the posts thus far are too simplistic. Based on what’s been shared above you would think the consideration is solely superior developmental experience of K-8 vs security of locking in a position early in a K-12. The reality is there are other considerations at play.

Our children did the full course in a very well regarded area K-8, with a track record of strong HS placement. While we and our children cherished the experience, making adult and kid friends for life, our children were ready to bolt by 6th/7th grade. 9 years is a long time to spend with the same group. Additionally, children start leaving terminal 8s early and while some come in for the MS experience, it doesn’t make up for the attrition and the social benefit in the MS years just wasn’t as bailable for our children as in the primary years.

When our kids did transition to HS (big 3 schools) they (and we) had another surprise. While they were indeed developmentally nurtured and confident, they were not wholly academically prepared. In particular, their grammar skills were severely lacking. We were guided by the HS to do support work over the summer and they were each further supported by faculty at the new school on arrival It took time but fortunately the skills came. We were told by long time leadership at the HS that it is common for students from K-8 to arrive confident and well rounded in general, making them great additions in HS - but also needing support in some academic areas. They mentioned how in their experience the teaching resources at the K-8s are not consistent but the families are reticent to acknowledge it or leave early because of the affinity for the K-8 communities. In hindsight, that was certainly our experience.

This isn’t a two sided discussion. It needs to recognize there are many considerations that factor into what is the best environment for any child And that sometimes those considerations are counter to the principals that make K-8 so appealing.

Every time I’ll take the confident, well-adjusted kids who are a little behind academically. Far more important for overall success in life, in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Parents with Middle schoolers in K-8, school has been amazing in so many ways—very strong academic and personal growth.

But when parents say everyone ends up where they should for HS, I call foul. The reality is if there are 50-60 kids who all want a placement out of the same K-8 into a private HS (only 2-3 want public), there aren’t enough spaces for all of them at the highly desirable high schools. K-8s prep kids for HS—kids do well on SSATs and have strong academic competence/grades. Many top private high schools are only adding 25-30 kids at most to their 9th grades. That means they will only take 2-3 kids from any single k-8. When you add in the fact that some applicants from the k-8 have siblings already at the k-12s, many kids will have literally zero chance at acceptance at some schools even if they are highly qualified. There just isn’t space for everyone. This results in kids trying to outshine each other in 7th and 8th to get into school. Kind of good because it encourages kids to step up their grades and involvement, but stressful all around. Yes they will all get in somewhere, but that doesn’t mean they are getting into the best school for them—they’re getting into the best school with space to fit them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents with Middle schoolers in K-8, school has been amazing in so many ways—very strong academic and personal growth.

But when parents say everyone ends up where they should for HS, I call foul. The reality is if there are 50-60 kids who all want a placement out of the same K-8 into a private HS (only 2-3 want public), there aren’t enough spaces for all of them at the highly desirable high schools. K-8s prep kids for HS—kids do well on SSATs and have strong academic competence/grades. Many top private high schools are only adding 25-30 kids at most to their 9th grades. That means they will only take 2-3 kids from any single k-8. When you add in the fact that some applicants from the k-8 have siblings already at the k-12s, many kids will have literally zero chance at acceptance at some schools even if they are highly qualified. There just isn’t space for everyone. This results in kids trying to outshine each other in 7th and 8th to get into school. Kind of good because it encourages kids to step up their grades and involvement, but stressful all around. Yes they will all get in somewhere, but that doesn’t mean they are getting into the best school for them—they’re getting into the best school with space to fit them.

I'm guessing your child did not get into Maret/Sidwell/Cathedral and you are confident that your child was robbed?

[Anonymous]

I went to the same school from 3rd-12th. Would never do that to my kids. Too long in one place, too many years with mostly the same people in a smaller class. Too much indoctrination into only one world view. Even K-8 at the same is a lot. The most my kids did at one school was 6 years and that was just about right. There are other things that are important besides which high school and setting them up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents with Middle schoolers in K-8, school has been amazing in so many ways—very strong academic and personal growth.

But when parents say everyone ends up where they should for HS, I call foul. The reality is if there are 50-60 kids who all want a placement out of the same K-8 into a private HS (only 2-3 want public), there aren’t enough spaces for all of them at the highly desirable high schools. K-8s prep kids for HS—kids do well on SSATs and have strong academic competence/grades. Many top private high schools are only adding 25-30 kids at most to their 9th grades. That means they will only take 2-3 kids from any single k-8. When you add in the fact that some applicants from the k-8 have siblings already at the k-12s, many kids will have literally zero chance at acceptance at some schools even if they are highly qualified. There just isn’t space for everyone. This results in kids trying to outshine each other in 7th and 8th to get into school. Kind of good because it encourages kids to step up their grades and involvement, but stressful all around. Yes they will all get in somewhere, but that doesn’t mean they are getting into the best school for them—they’re getting into the best school with space to fit them.

I'm guessing your child did not get into Maret/Sidwell/Cathedral and you are confident that your child was robbed?

I don’t see any sign of this in PP’s post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love k-8. But please keep in mind man are struggling right now. Check class size and grade size and ask about annual growth or attrition. Classes may be so small by middle school they are socially suffocating. And the school’s financial health could be struggling too. It’s more common at smaller schools than larger. If it’s not a religious school subsidized by its parish, etc. be doubly aware.

Many* are struggling. Please forgive typos.

. Definitely agree with this, and I'd say that the K-8 struggles are apparent even before middle school . I visited some in Bethesda a few years ago in April-ish and they all told me they would be willing to accept an application for the next school year that late in the game. It was very eye opening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We applied to a few k-8 schools and enjoyed our tours. How much stress is it to get kids from their k-8 into a new school. Going through this round of applications takes up so much of our time- we are wondering if it is worth the trouble and if choosing a k-12 makes it easier all around. Any k-8 parents out there who loved their k-8 expereince enough that the exit year was worth it?

It is a HUGE amount of stress. We made the mistake and this is our 2nd time with an 8th grader trying to get their "school of choice" for next year in our lovely k-8. The first time it was hard and our kid didn't get into their first, second or third. And she was super smart kid but it is so competitive out there. She is now applying to college and it actually feels easier then getting from 8 to 9. Better to switch out of a k-12 if it is not a good fit then to get in. NEVER do it unless you can't get in anywhere else. The outplacement at our school is run by a small group and you need to count on them and their own "unique" personalties to advocate for your kids to get into a school plus the history of their relationships with the said schools which sometimes sour. There is no benefit to a k-8. The k-8 grades at my daughter's school seem identical to the k-8 school she went to as far as progressive curriculum etc.

k-8 is for kids who can't get into k-12. Or parents who like added stress. All the schools keep the younger kids separate - even separate campuses most of the tie. You will regret it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did the K-8 for our children and while we had a great experience the HS search was more involved than I ever anticipated and it overshadowed the whole K-8 experience. I don’t regret having chosen the K-8. However, with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight I wouldn’t choose it again. Lesson learned for my next life.

You must have misspoken. There is no way that the brief process of applying to high school during Oct-Dec of the 8th grade year overshadows the experience of the entire preceding 8 years (kindergarten, first, second grade, etc).

— BTDT at Sheridan

In middle school at my kids k-12 - the kids get a lot of leadership opportunities with the younger kids and great mentorship from the older kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We applied to a few k-8 schools and enjoyed our tours. How much stress is it to get kids from their k-8 into a new school. Going through this round of applications takes up so much of our time- we are wondering if it is worth the trouble and if choosing a k-12 makes it easier all around. Any k-8 parents out there who loved their k-8 expereince enough that the exit year was worth it?

It is a HUGE amount of stress. We made the mistake and this is our 2nd time with an 8th grader trying to get their "school of choice" for next year in our lovely k-8. The first time it was hard and our kid didn't get into their first, second or third. And she was super smart kid but it is so competitive out there. She is now applying to college and it actually feels easier then getting from 8 to 9. Better to switch out of a k-12 if it is not a good fit then to get in. NEVER do it unless you can't get in anywhere else. The outplacement at our school is run by a small group and you need to count on them and their own "unique" personalties to advocate for your kids to get into a school plus the history of their relationships with the said schools which sometimes sour. There is no benefit to a k-8. The k-8 grades at my daughter's school seem identical to the k-8 school she went to as far as progressive curriculum etc.

k-8 is for kids who can't get into k-12. Or parents who like added stress. All the schools keep the younger kids separate - even separate campuses most of the tie. You will regret it.

Yes right! I did not choose k-8 cause my DC couldn’t get in anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents with Middle schoolers in K-8, school has been amazing in so many ways—very strong academic and personal growth.

But when parents say everyone ends up where they should for HS, I call foul. The reality is if there are 50-60 kids who all want a placement out of the same K-8 into a private HS (only 2-3 want public), there aren’t enough spaces for all of them at the highly desirable high schools. K-8s prep kids for HS—kids do well on SSATs and have strong academic competence/grades. Many top private high schools are only adding 25-30 kids at most to their 9th grades. That means they will only take 2-3 kids from any single k-8. When you add in the fact that some applicants from the k-8 have siblings already at the k-12s, many kids will have literally zero chance at acceptance at some schools even if they are highly qualified. There just isn’t space for everyone. This results in kids trying to outshine each other in 7th and 8th to get into school. Kind of good because it encourages kids to step up their grades and involvement, but stressful all around. Yes they will all get in somewhere, but that doesn’t mean they are getting into the best school for them—they’re getting into the best school with space to fit them.

Just remember that “highly desirable” means different things to different people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did the K-8 for our children and while we had a great experience the HS search was more involved than I ever anticipated and it overshadowed the whole K-8 experience. I don’t regret having chosen the K-8. However, with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight I wouldn’t choose it again. Lesson learned for my next life.

You must have misspoken. There is no way that the brief process of applying to high school during Oct-Dec of the 8th grade year overshadows the experience of the entire preceding 8 years (kindergarten, first, second grade, etc).

— BTDT at Sheridan

In middle school at my kids k-12 - the kids get a lot of leadership opportunities with the younger kids and great mentorship from the older kids.

There are several events at our school that pair the upper school seniors with kindergartners, and it’s really really sweet. The rest of the time, the lower, middle, and upper schools all have separate buildings in separate parts of the campus, so I don’t feel that there’s any negative at all.

[Anonymous]

A Boston transplant here. Some K-8 schools like Shady Hill School in Cambridge seems like a gem that truly seems to have creative curriculum to foster the joy of learning etc. For the naysayers, would it be foolish to apply to even a great K-8 just for middle school years so that kids can enjoy the learning vs looking at K-12, 6-12 private "prep" schools for the assurance of avoiding a competitive high school application process down the road?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A Boston transplant here. Some K-8 schools like Shady Hill School in Cambridge seems like a gem that truly seems to have creative curriculum to foster the joy of learning etc. For the naysayers, would it be foolish to apply to even a great K-8 just for middle school years so that kids can enjoy the learning vs looking at K-12, 6-12 private "prep" schools for the assurance of avoiding a competitive high school application process down the road?

Not foolish! It can work out just fine either way. And either way, you may or may not have regrets.

Our k-12 has been fantastic, but I’m sure a k-8 would’ve worked out just fine too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents with Middle schoolers in K-8, school has been amazing in so many ways—very strong academic and personal growth.

But when parents say everyone ends up where they should for HS, I call foul. The reality is if there are 50-60 kids who all want a placement out of the same K-8 into a private HS (only 2-3 want public), there aren’t enough spaces for all of them at the highly desirable high schools. K-8s prep kids for HS—kids do well on SSATs and have strong academic competence/grades. Many top private high schools are only adding 25-30 kids at most to their 9th grades. That means they will only take 2-3 kids from any single k-8. When you add in the fact that some applicants from the k-8 have siblings already at the k-12s, many kids will have literally zero chance at acceptance at some schools even if they are highly qualified. There just isn’t space for everyone. This results in kids trying to outshine each other in 7th and 8th to get into school. Kind of good because it encourages kids to step up their grades and involvement, but stressful all around. Yes they will all get in somewhere, but that doesn’t mean they are getting into the best school for them—they’re getting into the best school with space to fit them.

I'm guessing your child did not get into Maret/Sidwell/Cathedral and you are confident that your child was robbed?

How is anyone upset not getting into Maret? Geez.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents with Middle schoolers in K-8, school has been amazing in so many ways—very strong academic and personal growth.

But when parents say everyone ends up where they should for HS, I call foul. The reality is if there are 50-60 kids who all want a placement out of the same K-8 into a private HS (only 2-3 want public), there aren’t enough spaces for all of them at the highly desirable high schools. K-8s prep kids for HS—kids do well on SSATs and have strong academic competence/grades. Many top private high schools are only adding 25-30 kids at most to their 9th grades. That means they will only take 2-3 kids from any single k-8. When you add in the fact that some applicants from the k-8 have siblings already at the k-12s, many kids will have literally zero chance at acceptance at some schools even if they are highly qualified. There just isn’t space for everyone. This results in kids trying to outshine each other in 7th and 8th to get into school. Kind of good because it encourages kids to step up their grades and involvement, but stressful all around. Yes they will all get in somewhere, but that doesn’t mean they are getting into the best school for them—they’re getting into the best school with space to fit them.

I'm guessing your child did not get into Maret/Sidwell/Cathedral and you are confident that your child was robbed?

PP poster here—we didn’t apply to any of those schools, nor do I feel my kids were robbed all. We have loved many things about being at a K-8. I was simply trying to explain the potential reality of not getting into your top choice of high school even if you are highly qualified, and the dynamic that once kids and parents figure out their competition is largely their own classmates, it inevitably creates a more competitive and stressful environment.