They can both be good, but if you care a lot about where your kid goes to HS, do k-12. People say you get to “see what kind of kid you have” when applying out at 8th, and that’s true, but there’s no guarantee you get the best school for that kind of kid—lots of people end up at less preferred high schools.

Although we are not excited about applying out for high school, we have been very happy with our K-8. PP said something like kids will be "nurtured but hungry for change" and I agree with that. DC is enjoying MS in a way that I didn't think was possible and that's really tough at a K-12 where the MS is often the forgotten or weakest link. That said, I can start to see how DC will be ready for something bigger and new by 9th and that change will be welcomed.

We went with a K-12 for older DC and it was fine, but they stayed for HS, but it was honestly too long at one school and MS was a disaster.

Anonymous wrote:Which is better for the child long-term? Or does it not really matter?

At one point I would have said K-8 has advantages but the marketplace has changed in recent years. Now it matters which K-8 you're talking about. If it is a school with strong, trusted, competent leadership that articulates a tangible and useful pedagogical purpose, prioritizes the relationship between teachers and students, and provides proof of success through published results, more prestigious high schools take notice and judge accordingly. If it is a school that has been resting on laurels of the Covid-era enrollment swell while focusing on everything but the above, more prestigious high schools take notice and judge accordingly.

K8
Nurtured and then hungry for change.
The outcome will not be bad unless you only accept one outcome and burden your kid with it. Or, there are heavy learning issues, in which case the best thing you can do is find a good learning fit.

I love the k-12 model. I have never once felt like my lower school kids somehow have less resources due to having an upper school on the campus. I could write an essay about the things I love, but I also feel very strongly that kids applying out in 8th grade are at an awkward point in their development, and a somewhat random application outcome isn’t going to do any favors for their self esteem.

I actually did go to a k-8 and then a large public high school, which wasn’t the best fit, so I admit I may have some bias. I was always envious of my friends at the one k-12 in my town.

K-8 turns their high school into a lottery unless you want your public option. That is the biggest issue. Learning to adapt to change means dealing with the consequence of rolling the dice.

K-8. It’s healthy to have to learn how to adapt to change before college. You also have no idea what type of student you kid will be a K.

It is nice for your kids to have friends going into 9th and be familiar with a school so they can focus on academics without as many distractions.

K-8….always

K-12 all day.

At k-12, a lot of the focus and resources go towards high school.

K-12....always have the option to apply out but don't have to.

K-12 if you can get in.
if not apply out at every expansion year.

Kids are in a K-8. I would recommend it hands down, though ask me next year for my final opinion b/c that's when we need to apply out. The only concern I had was whether we would regret applying to the most competitive grade. But otherwise, no complaints. Really a big fan of the K-8 model and I like that we know our kids so much better now and know what high schools will be the best fit. Fingers crossed.

Which is better for the child long-term? Or does it not really matter?