Check when middle school
starts at each school to get a sense or simply contact admissions. They can tell you how many spots they typically have per year. For example, at least one of those schools starts middle school at 6th so 7th and 8th are simply based on attrition. Still possible but may not be many spots available. Good luck!

7th is a big expansion year at Holton because that is when middle school starts. They usually take around 25 girls for 7th grade.

7rh is best.

My child got in at 7th at one of these schools mentioned.

Good thing is you are not competing with ALL the k-8 schools for 9th grade admissions!!!

Basically everyone from a K-8 has to apply out for 9th! For 7th, there are only a few K-6 schools and the most applicants are applying out early from their k-8 if they want, but numbers are way lower. Also for 9th, many schools start recruiting from public’s for sports, debate, band, things they need filled in for the class to be balanced. So some slots are pretty much reserved for those kids. So it’s even harder to competed if you are just a “regular” smart kid.

Op, it’s not impossible. My kid was admitted and entered one of these schools in 7th. Any year is an odds game though. My impression is there are less people applying in 7th, but still a significant amount of kids applying than spaces available. Your child is in 4th, go to events next year and make your choice then.

Anonymous wrote:It's pretty late in the season to just be starting an application for Sidwell and probably for Maret as well. I can't speak for the other two you listed but suspect they are similar. Sidwell, for example, has already completed their admissions events (which include student testing dates) and the entire application (with transcripts and teacher recommendations) is due January 5th. While I guess it's possible to get teacher recommendations and transcripts together this week, if your child hasn't done a visit day for testing - the chances of admission are likely extremely slim.

OP has already said they have a 4th grader and are thinking ahead to whether to apply next fall, as a 5th grader, for 6th.

It's pretty late in the season to just be starting an application for Sidwell and probably for Maret as well. I can't speak for the other two you listed but suspect they are similar. Sidwell, for example, has already completed their admissions events (which include student testing dates) and the entire application (with transcripts and teacher recommendations) is due January 5th. While I guess it's possible to get teacher recommendations and transcripts together this week, if your child hasn't done a visit day for testing - the chances of admission are likely extremely slim.

Anonymous wrote:Haven’t most applications already closed? How do you go about getting records and teacher recommendations? Or do you just need the app submitted before then?

A lot of the schools have January deadlines. It would be a scramble, but doable if no standardized test scores are needed. If tests are needed, many schools will accept scores later than the rest of the app, and there are January or spring test dates.

Anonymous wrote:Haven’t most applications already closed? How do you go about getting records and teacher recommendations? Or do you just need the app submitted before then?

I have a fourth grader and am starting to think about whether or not to submit applications next year.

Haven’t most applications already closed? How do you go about getting records and teacher recommendations? Or do you just need the app submitted before then?

Try for 6th and if there's no slot offered, try again for 7th.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How hard is it to get into schools as a seventh grader? Want to see if public middle school is okay for DC, but know 6th grade is a common entry year. We’re full pay, but tuition would be a burden on our family income. No hooks, though DD scores well on standardized testing and is strong in a sport. Would mostly be interested in Sidwell, Maret, Holton, and WIS. Or are these schools hard enough to get into as a sixth grader?

All of those schools take at least 8 - 10 new kids in the 7th grade, as well as the sixth grade. I don't think one year is harder than the other. Both are easier admits than 9th.[b]

That's a myth.

Anonymous wrote:How hard is it to get into schools as a seventh grader? Want to see if public middle school is okay for DC, but know 6th grade is a common entry year. We’re full pay, but tuition would be a burden on our family income. No hooks, though DD scores well on standardized testing and is strong in a sport. Would mostly be interested in Sidwell, Maret, Holton, and WIS. Or are these schools hard enough to get into as a sixth grader?

All of those schools take at least 8 - 10 new kids in the 7th grade, as well as the sixth grade. I don't think one year is harder than the other. Both are easier admits than 9th.

Nearly impossible for most kids, even harder in 7th.

Depends entirely on the specific school.

How hard is it to get into schools as a seventh grader? Want to see if public middle school is okay for DC, but know 6th grade is a common entry year. We’re full pay, but tuition would be a burden on our family income. No hooks, though DD scores well on standardized testing and is strong in a sport. Would mostly be interested in Sidwell, Maret, Holton, and WIS. Or are these schools hard enough to get into as a sixth grader?