For those of you reporting good experiences at application HSs, where did your kids do middle school and did you have that experience there?

I actually worry more about my kid getting list in the crowd in middle. She's highly academic but super shy and teachers like her but when there are louder/extroverted kids around in these general ed classes, she tends to get lost in the hubbub. I expect that in high school she'll be able to find more of a nice because you can select your classes more, but worry that in MS this will be hard.

I don't have direct experience, but I get the feeling Capitol City (another small school) is like this.

How about walls, MacArthur and Jackson reed?

Anonymous wrote:This has been our experience at Truth. So, if your kid isn't headed for a competitive HS and you didn't get in to Latin in 5th grade may be a good spot to look. The academics aren't as rigorous as Banneker (and maybe Latin, but I've got no first hand experience there), but that actually works well for our kid.

This school has not really been on our radar bc it is a bit harder to get to from our house, and also as a charter that is 6-12 we weren't sure how many kids get in for 9th grade. Is there a large cohort that starts new in 9th grade, or do most of the kids already know each other?

Very strong student/teacher relationships at E.L. Haynes

This has been our experience at Truth. So, if your kid isn't headed for a competitive HS and you didn't get in to Latin in 5th grade may be a good spot to look. The academics aren't as rigorous as Banneker (and maybe Latin, but I've got no first hand experience there), but that actually works well for our kid.

I've been really pleased at Banneker. And it's not corny or inauthentic. The teachers really seem to care.

I've been really pleased at Banneker. And it's not corny or inauthentic. The teachers really seem to care.

Several of DS's teachers at McKinley have developed relationships like this with him. They all have office hours during lunch or after school. Sometimes he takes his lunch to his English teacher's room just to hang out.

We are at Latin and it’s been great for our child. She is very close with her teachers and feels very supported.

Yeah, Banneker parent and the number of strong teacher relationships is surprising to me.

Anonymous wrote:This has been the highlight of our (middle school) experience at Latin. Small schools have cons but the relationships and being known has been wonderful.

This is exactly what I would say about my child’s experience at Banneker: a small school with a rigid curriculum has its drawbacks, but relationships with teachers have been an absolute highlight.

Anonymous wrote:This has been the highlight of our (middle school) experience at Latin. Small schools have cons but the relationships and being known has been wonderful.

Same at my DS middle school (hardy). I agree with OP and for sure want a Highschool like that for my son once he’s going to Highschool.

This has been the highlight of our (middle school) experience at Latin. Small schools have cons but the relationships and being known has been wonderful.

We are starting to look into high schools and would really appreciate insight from parents who’ve been through it.

Are there schools where students tend to have strong relationships with teachers, places where teachers are accessible, know their students well, and genuinely care about their progress both academically and personally?

My kid and I especially interested in environments where kids feel supported, advocated for, and comfortable going to teachers when they need help.

Any experiences (good or bad) would be incredibly helpful. Thanks so much!