How difficult is it to get into a good private high school?

[Anonymous]

All the posts on this forum are about getting into the good elementary schools. I don't see any about the difficulty of getting into the good high schools. Our DC is currently attending a lovely private elementary that goes through the 8th grade. I already dread going through the admissions process all over again. Is the lack of posts regarding private high school admissions an indication that it is not so bad?!! This hardly seems possible.

[Anonymous]

I think the issue is that those parents aren't on DC Urban Moms but rather are in different communities (online and in real life) due to the age of their children. I'd love any enlightenment on the topic though!

[Anonymous]

I think that by the time parents get to 8th grade with their child, they are less focused on name but more focused on finding the right fit. When you think about finding the right fit instead of getting into a name school only (which most pre-k moms on this list don't seem to be doing), it is amazing how many more options open up to you.

[Anonymous]

Also, by the time kids are applying to high school, the kids have a much much bigger body of work to show off, a portfolio so to speak. So it's not about IQ tests and playdates so much.

Strengths and areas for improvement are also much more evident, which plays into goodness of fit.

And, though I don't have the book in front of me, I recall that the intake for Grade 9 is very large in many schools, including the most competitive ones. Something to think about.

[Anonymous]

to be fair, it's hard to know what the right "fit" is for a three or four year old.

[Anonymous]

I hope it's easier. I don't think I can handle going through this again.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for your thoughtful comments. The fact that my then 8th grader will definitely have opinions on which schools to consider is something I hadn't even factored in!! Duh! It is comforting to know that there are a fair number of slots available for 9th grade is reassuring. I also agree that "fit" is terribly important--it was our most important consideration at the K level too. We did not even apply to the "big 3" for that reason alone. But that is a different thread entirely!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: And, though I don't have the book in front of me, I recall that the intake for Grade 9 is very large in many schools, including the most competitive ones.

Not to sound completely stupid, but to what BOOK are you referring? Peterson's Guide to Secondary Schools? If there is a different, better book available I would sure love to know about it! Thanks.

[Anonymous]

how about getting in a private school at 6th grade? my local elementary in nw goes through 5th grade...but no good middle schools.

[Anonymous]

My kid went to DC Public elementary and got in to 3 very good private schools and waitlisted at one. We're SO happy we didin't spend all that money on elementary school!

[Anonymous]

The number of slots available for 6th grade admissions are far more limited--you basically have to hope for slots at the k-8 schools. They have them -- in fact these schools usually increase the class size a bit at that grade -- but it's not easy to get one. This is why people are so rabid (okay, maybe eager is a better word!) to get into the k-8 schools, or the k-12 schools. Those schools offer some insurance--your kid has an ongoing option even though you are free to change to a different school if that is better for your child.

[Anonymous]

pp 11:01

Congratulations on saving all that money. Bright children can blossom anywhere -- even in a dark closet. I wonder if DC is fully prepared for the workload and expectations at the new school. Hopefully yes. There are certainly no guarantees that private elementary schools provide better preparation -- but those of us who choose to pay the money (for many reasons, but also that one) certainly are hoping that it is so.

[Anonymous]

11:01 poster here. Lots of kids from DC public schools enter private school in 6th or 7th grade every year and do quite well. I agree that the workload (especially homework) will be greater, but many of the kids I know (including my own) were given extra assignments and reading by their parents or tutors, so, while it will be an adjustment, I think they will adjust. After all, the reason we switched to private after public elementary is because we felt that the privates offered more academic challenge in the middle school years. And it is nice to have saved the money!

[Anonymous]

11:16 I'm sure your kid will do great. Involved parents are WAY more important than lots of homework! My response was probably revealing my insecurity. It is scary to spend so much money and not be completely sure it is the right/best thing to do. Hard not to second guess. Anyway, I wish your child the very best!

[Anonymous]

It is so hard not to take all of this personally... For what it's worth, I switched to one of the top private schools in NYC in 4th grade and it took maybe 2 years to really catch up. That meant being put in the less advanced classes for those years. It was annoying (I had been one of the top students in my old school) but not painful. And I went Ivy League for college.