Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 11:08     Subject: How hard is it to get into private school following DCPS in sixth grade?
Anonymous wrote:We started at a “Big 3” in pre-K and are miserable. Such a waste of money. I actually hired a reading tutor to help my preker learn to read because her teachers aren’t helping her learn. Three months later- reading fluently. For our older children, we started supplementing math in 1st grade. Don’t waste your money.

What? You pay for private so your kid can be a kid a little longer. If you wanted academics, your kid should have been in K in DCPS. It is brutal.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 10:51     Subject: How hard is it to get into private school following DCPS in sixth grade?
Anonymous wrote:We started at a “Big 3” in pre-K and are miserable. Such a waste of money. I actually hired a reading tutor to help my preker learn to read because her teachers aren’t helping her learn. Three months later- reading fluently. For our older children, we started supplementing math in 1st grade. Don’t waste your money.



These schools are mainly known for their upper schools. If you think their preK curriculum is the focus, you have completely lost the point. Your kids don’t need math and reading supplementation from preK to first grade. What they will have is a lower school with vast resources and a spot for them to continue through upper school. Calm down as a parent, seriously.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 10:10     Subject: How hard is it to get into private school following DCPS in sixth grade?
We started at a “Big 3” in pre-K and are miserable. Such a waste of money. I actually hired a reading tutor to help my preker learn to read because her teachers aren’t helping her learn. Three months later- reading fluently. For our older children, we started supplementing math in 1st grade. Don’t waste your money.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 09:24     Subject: How hard is it to get into private school following DCPS in sixth grade?
Anonymous wrote:We’re going to have to make a decision between public and private school in a couple of weeks for our rising K student and toddler.

We applied to see what the “other side” is like but would prefer to do k-5 in public.

How hard is it, really, to get into good private schools in DC, Bethesda, NoVa if we apply for our children to start in private in 6th?

How many would we need to apply to make sure our child got into at least one?

In case it matters, we would not need financial aid. We’re an international family, both parents work, went to top colleges. (I don’t know if any of this matters but wanted to just write it here).



My point is even if you get into these schools. You perhaps have to worry if it is worth it and if it is the right school as most of these schools, even ranked high, have many issues. The overall problem is lacking of qualified teachers, especially in science, math, and foreign languages, overall. The best you get in private school is small class and peers, but those you can also get in less elite private schools.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 09:21     Subject: How hard is it to get into private school following DCPS in sixth grade?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We’re going to have to make a decision between public and private school in a couple of weeks for our rising K student and toddler.

We applied to see what the “other side” is like but would prefer to do k-5 in public.

How hard is it, really, to get into good private schools in DC, Bethesda, NoVa if we apply for our children to start in private in 6th?

How many would we need to apply to make sure our child got into at least one?

In case it matters, we would not need financial aid. We’re an international family, both parents work, went to top colleges. (I don’t know if any of this matters but wanted to just write it here).



It is not hard to get in private school outside big 3. But it seems you’re than Sidwell, all other schools have some parents hating them.


Maret: mad at the board; like work academics.
Gds; hypocritical justice and weak STEM in middle school.
NCS: pressure cooker
Holton: bad HOS and many drama
Potomac: Rich country club no foreign languages until 4th?

Making it impossible to make sure your $69 truly with it and finger press these won’t affect your kid.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 09:18     Subject: How hard is it to get into private school following DCPS in sixth grade?
Anonymous wrote:We’re going to have to make a decision between public and private school in a couple of weeks for our rising K student and toddler.

We applied to see what the “other side” is like but would prefer to do k-5 in public.

How hard is it, really, to get into good private schools in DC, Bethesda, NoVa if we apply for our children to start in private in 6th?

How many would we need to apply to make sure our child got into at least one?

In case it matters, we would not need financial aid. We’re an international family, both parents work, went to top colleges. (I don’t know if any of this matters but wanted to just write it here).



It is not hard to get in private school outside big 3. But it seems you’re than Sidwell, all other schools have some parents hating them.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 08:21     Subject: How hard is it to get into private school following DCPS in sixth grade?
Consider how well your DCPS will prepare your kid for admissions. Make sure they are in an environment where they aren’t going to fall behind.

Also assume that almost all applicants are going to be full pay.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 08:17     Subject: How hard is it to get into private school following DCPS in sixth grade?
It depends on your goals. If you really want a top school, or one specific school, it will be tough. If you would be fine landing at six different schools, or at your backup option like a K-8, then you would probably be fine.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 08:09     Subject: How hard is it to get into private school following DCPS in sixth grade?
If you want the top 5 or so, it will be hard. If you aren't wedded to top 5, you'll be fine. For example, you mentioned you're an international family...you could always try WIS.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 07:57     Subject: Re:How hard is it to get into private school following DCPS in sixth grade?
They will absolutely get in. I’ve truly never met a family in NWDC with relatively smart parents/kids who have gotten shut out private schools.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 07:56     Subject: How hard is it to get into private school following DCPS in sixth grade?
It's fine, but open your mind to applying to your favorite schools in whatever year your prospects are best, rather than just 5th.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 07:51     Subject: How hard is it to get into private school following DCPS in sixth grade?
But - 6th grade is not the easiest year for some schools.
If it is "Private or Bust", I know families who went to Lowell or other schools that end in 8th and a place holder until HS.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 07:45     Subject: How hard is it to get into private school following DCPS in sixth grade?
You'll get in somewhere. Every 5th grader who applied to several schools, got in somewhere.


Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 07:29     Subject: Re:How hard is it to get into private school following DCPS in sixth grade?
They will get in somewhere. It depends how picky you are about the school.

Also, a LOT can change in the next 6 years. Do what is best for your family now.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 07:17     Subject: How hard is it to get into private school following DCPS in sixth grade?
We’re going to have to make a decision between public and private school in a couple of weeks for our rising K student and toddler.

We applied to see what the “other side” is like but would prefer to do k-5 in public.

How hard is it, really, to get into good private schools in DC, Bethesda, NoVa if we apply for our children to start in private in 6th?

How many would we need to apply to make sure our child got into at least one?

In case it matters, we would not need financial aid. We’re an international family, both parents work, went to top colleges. (I don’t know if any of this matters but wanted to just write it here).