Reply to WotP elementary schools-- Attrition in older grades?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]With the exception of Sidwell, all kids I know (and I know most of them) from Mann and Key who switched to the private school starting from 6th grade (and who were proficient or above, i.e. about 90% of the class -- see the DC CAS profiles)  were able to go to the private middle school of their choice, St Albans, Nat. Cathedral, Maret, Holy Trinity (which is a very good school and is not pricey, so it is in high demand), Washington Episcopal, Washington International, Georgetown Day etc. None has been turned down (again, with the exception of Sidwell).

This is to say that hysterical parents, who started planning in 3rd grade and left in either 3rd or 4th grade to secure a spot in the top private schools, wasted money in 1-2 additional years of private school, annoyed the teachers and principals (these hyper-parents tend to apply to several schools, meaning multiple recommendation letters), stressed out their kids, annoyed and generated undue concerns in the other parents.

If your kid if a proficient kid, good report cards, good DC-CAS, I can guarantee that there's no need to start shaking from second grade (unless your kid is Baby Brain as the PP).

The outlook of enrollment in private schools in NW DC has dramatically changed in the past 5-7 years. Just take a look at the data from a dedicated topic of 1-2 weeks ago. With the raise in quality and attendance of local DCPS schools, enrollment numbers in private schools dropped by 30-70%, depending on grades. Inside sources tell me that the issue of decrease in applications (which reduces the possibility for private schools of cherry-picking the best students), and strategies to attract applications from good students, is nowadays in the agenda of all NW private schools.

So relax and enjoy your happy public elementary school experience until the end of 5th grade (and my recommendation is that there's no need to switch to private/charter if you are IB for Deal or Hardy -- two schools I am academically very familiar with).

PS: situation is different for the top charters. if your target is for instance BASIS or LATIN, then yes, go for it and apply one year ahead, for enrollment in 5th grade. Chances are much much higher by then, and specialized teaching make insertion in 5th grade (rather than 6th grade) smoother for kids.

Teacher and Parent, Ward 3.[/quote]

Let's stick with Mann, PP.

This year, there are 25 kids in the 5th grade: [url]http://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/publication/attachments/School%20by%20School%20SY13-14%20Enrollment%20Audit_0.pdf[/url]

Two years ago, there were 46 kids in the 3rd grade: [url]http://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/publication/attachments/Enrollment%20Audit%20Data%20School%20by%20School%202011-2012.pdf[/url]

So, Mann lost at least 21 kids from this year's 5th grade over the past two years.  The number is undoubtedly higher as kids do join Mann in the upper grades.

While some families might have moved OOB or out of DC, most switched to private/parochial school.  If all of the kids who switched in the past two years had waited until now to switch, the current applicants from Mann would be facing pretty tough competition for those private school spots.

The competition is bad enough already.  I know of Mann kids who will be enrolling in their 2nd or 3rd choice school next year.  Families who make the switch early, while acting in their own self-interested, perform a public service.[/quote]

Regarding Mann: about 5 kids in the then 3rd grade went back to their home country between this year and the year before (kids from diplomatic families). At least 7 kids left at the end of 4th grade to Basis (5 kids) and and at least 2 to Latin . Few (like 3 kids) were accepted on board from outside in 4th grade. No new kids this year as we only have one 5th grade class. So we "lost" only about of 6 kids who indeed turned to private schools at the end of 3rd or 4th grade.  [/quote]

Any sources for your numbers, PP?
[/quote]

Source? Mann is a very small school.  I know the faces and names of the kids I am mentioning, those who went back to their countries (we had farewell parties), the 5 who are at Basis and the 2 at Latin, those who went to the private schools... we are still in contact with most of them, playdates, playground on weekends etc.. [/quote]

I know Mann is a small school, PP.  We probably know each other.

I think you are suffering from confirmation bias.  Based on what I have heard about DC's classmates, I think the attrition to private schools is higher than you are willing to admit.  I don't have the time right now, but when I do I will sit down with the Mann directories over the past couple of years and figure out where all of DC's classmates went.  I am certain, though, that very few of DC's classmates were foreign nationals call back home.

Furthermore, I note that the OP did not ask about attrition due to private schools at WOTP elementary schools.  The OP asked about attrition, i.e., about families that have so little faith in DCPS that they leave WOTP elementary schools before their kids graduate.  The 7 kids you concede left Mann for BASIS and Latin might as well be counted in the private school column.  They represent families that had so little faith in DCPS that they fled for charters.  [/quote]

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