Anonymous
Post 06/03/2026 21:06     Subject: Entry years
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We will be moving to the dmv when our oldest will be entering 7th (one year from now).

I know that 6th and 9th are typical entry years. I’m hoping to identify schools that take 7th graders. My daughter is smart and earns good grades but I don’t think the pressure cooker schools will be a good fit for her. We want something that will challenge her, foster creativity and critical thinking and has a kind/warm atmosphere. Anywhere that is a 30 minute or less commute from NW DC will work. Religious schools are likely not a good fit.

Any suggestions for schools that fit this description and admit kids in 7th will be helpful. I’ve done some online research, but I’m sure I’m missing some. Thanks!


I think you’ve described Field! But yes, cast a wide net. The other schools mentioned by other posters are legitimately great schools that might be right. Sometimes, the best school is the one that says “yes” and admits your daughter.


She described Field, but 7th is not an entry year. In previous years there were some 7th grade admissions but now they maintain a healthy waitlist. It doesn't hurt to ask but our friends who applied for 10th were told there were no spots. There are half the kids in 7th than 10th.


I don't see what the rising 10th grade has to do with Field's 7th grade admissions? Regardless, "entry year" means that the school expects the grade size to increase regardless of retention or attrition.

Maret and Burke both explicitly list 7th grade as an expansion grade on their websites. Burke says they increase by 7-8 students and Maret says 5-7 students. 7th is a big entry year at Potomac (website says 18-20 new kids!), but I've heard they're more on the pressure cooker side.


I think 7th is a bigger entry year at Potomac because Fairfax County Public Schools still have 6th grade in ES, so more FCPS families are interested in 7th grade entry whereas DCPS and MCPS are K-5
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2026 21:01     Subject: Entry years
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We will be moving to the dmv when our oldest will be entering 7th (one year from now).

I know that 6th and 9th are typical entry years. I’m hoping to identify schools that take 7th graders. My daughter is smart and earns good grades but I don’t think the pressure cooker schools will be a good fit for her. We want something that will challenge her, foster creativity and critical thinking and has a kind/warm atmosphere. Anywhere that is a 30 minute or less commute from NW DC will work. Religious schools are likely not a good fit.

Any suggestions for schools that fit this description and admit kids in 7th will be helpful. I’ve done some online research, but I’m sure I’m missing some. Thanks!


I think you’ve described Field! But yes, cast a wide net. The other schools mentioned by other posters are legitimately great schools that might be right. Sometimes, the best school is the one that says “yes” and admits your daughter.


She described Field, but 7th is not an entry year. In previous years there were some 7th grade admissions but now they maintain a healthy waitlist. It doesn't hurt to ask but our friends who applied for 10th were told there were no spots. There are half the kids in 7th than 10th.


Fair points. Although with the new building opening next spring, the OP’s timing might be great with Field’s expanding capacity.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2026 17:08     Subject: Entry years
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We will be moving to the dmv when our oldest will be entering 7th (one year from now).

I know that 6th and 9th are typical entry years. I’m hoping to identify schools that take 7th graders. My daughter is smart and earns good grades but I don’t think the pressure cooker schools will be a good fit for her. We want something that will challenge her, foster creativity and critical thinking and has a kind/warm atmosphere. Anywhere that is a 30 minute or less commute from NW DC will work. Religious schools are likely not a good fit.

Any suggestions for schools that fit this description and admit kids in 7th will be helpful. I’ve done some online research, but I’m sure I’m missing some. Thanks!


I think you’ve described Field! But yes, cast a wide net. The other schools mentioned by other posters are legitimately great schools that might be right. Sometimes, the best school is the one that says “yes” and admits your daughter.


She described Field, but 7th is not an entry year. In previous years there were some 7th grade admissions but now they maintain a healthy waitlist. It doesn't hurt to ask but our friends who applied for 10th were told there were no spots. There are half the kids in 7th than 10th.


I don't see what the rising 10th grade has to do with Field's 7th grade admissions? Regardless, "entry year" means that the school expects the grade size to increase regardless of retention or attrition.

Maret and Burke both explicitly list 7th grade as an expansion grade on their websites. Burke says they increase by 7-8 students and Maret says 5-7 students. 7th is a big entry year at Potomac (website says 18-20 new kids!), but I've heard they're more on the pressure cooker side.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2026 14:34     Subject: Entry years
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We will be moving to the dmv when our oldest will be entering 7th (one year from now).

I know that 6th and 9th are typical entry years. I’m hoping to identify schools that take 7th graders. My daughter is smart and earns good grades but I don’t think the pressure cooker schools will be a good fit for her. We want something that will challenge her, foster creativity and critical thinking and has a kind/warm atmosphere. Anywhere that is a 30 minute or less commute from NW DC will work. Religious schools are likely not a good fit.

Any suggestions for schools that fit this description and admit kids in 7th will be helpful. I’ve done some online research, but I’m sure I’m missing some. Thanks!


I think you’ve described Field! But yes, cast a wide net. The other schools mentioned by other posters are legitimately great schools that might be right. Sometimes, the best school is the one that says “yes” and admits your daughter.


She described Field, but 7th is not an entry year. In previous years there were some 7th grade admissions but now they maintain a healthy waitlist. It doesn't hurt to ask but our friends who applied for 10th were told there were no spots. There are half the kids in 7th than 10th.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2026 11:17     Subject: Entry years
So my daughter is entering 7th next year. Applied to Sidwell, NCS, Holton and Stoneridge. I believe Holton and Sidwell were entry years, but NCS and SR were not, but both start middle school then and do accept.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 19:13     Subject: Entry years
Not an expansion year, but SSFS is worth a look given your daughter’s profile. There are buses to NW DC.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 12:05     Subject: Re:Entry years
Middle school starts in 7th at Holton and it’s a big expansion year. Great option for secular all girls.
Anonymous
Post 06/01/2026 19:27     Subject: Entry years
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We will be moving to the dmv when our oldest will be entering 7th (one year from now).

I know that 6th and 9th are typical entry years. I’m hoping to identify schools that take 7th graders. My daughter is smart and earns good grades but I don’t think the pressure cooker schools will be a good fit for her. We want something that will challenge her, foster creativity and critical thinking and has a kind/warm atmosphere. Anywhere that is a 30 minute or less commute from NW DC will work. Religious schools are likely not a good fit.

Any suggestions for schools that fit this description and admit kids in 7th will be helpful. I’ve done some online research, but I’m sure I’m missing some. Thanks!


I think most schools have an entry year for 7th grade (Cathedral schools, Sidwell, GDS, Holton, Landon, Field, Burke). Naybe not WIS.


WIS doesn't have any entrance years after Kindergarten, but they also don't have parents waiting until X year to get them in to game the system financially. So it is always worth a shot, kids move in and out of DC all the time so you have 1 or 2 spots opening up in pretty much every school every year. For non entry years, your chance of getting in could be higher because the competition isn't as high.
Anonymous
Post 06/01/2026 19:22     Subject: Entry years
Many schools have 7th as an entry or expansion year, and many others will accept 7th graders even when it isn’t a typical entry year.
Anonymous
Post 06/01/2026 17:52     Subject: Entry years
Anonymous wrote:We will be moving to the dmv when our oldest will be entering 7th (one year from now).

I know that 6th and 9th are typical entry years. I’m hoping to identify schools that take 7th graders. My daughter is smart and earns good grades but I don’t think the pressure cooker schools will be a good fit for her. We want something that will challenge her, foster creativity and critical thinking and has a kind/warm atmosphere. Anywhere that is a 30 minute or less commute from NW DC will work. Religious schools are likely not a good fit.

Any suggestions for schools that fit this description and admit kids in 7th will be helpful. I’ve done some online research, but I’m sure I’m missing some. Thanks!


I think you’ve described Field! But yes, cast a wide net. The other schools mentioned by other posters are legitimately great schools that might be right. Sometimes, the best school is the one that says “yes” and admits your daughter.
Anonymous
Post 06/01/2026 16:35     Subject: Entry years
Maret also expands in 7th.
Anonymous
Post 06/01/2026 15:21     Subject: Entry years
Burke has a substantial expansion year in 7th. My kid started in 7th
Anonymous
Post 06/01/2026 15:18     Subject: Entry years
Anonymous wrote:We will be moving to the dmv when our oldest will be entering 7th (one year from now).

I know that 6th and 9th are typical entry years. I’m hoping to identify schools that take 7th graders. My daughter is smart and earns good grades but I don’t think the pressure cooker schools will be a good fit for her. We want something that will challenge her, foster creativity and critical thinking and has a kind/warm atmosphere. Anywhere that is a 30 minute or less commute from NW DC will work. Religious schools are likely not a good fit.

Any suggestions for schools that fit this description and admit kids in 7th will be helpful. I’ve done some online research, but I’m sure I’m missing some. Thanks!


Sounds like GDS, Burke, Field are all good options. For Single sex consider Holton.
Anonymous
Post 06/01/2026 15:18     Subject: Entry years
Anonymous wrote:We will be moving to the dmv when our oldest will be entering 7th (one year from now).

I know that 6th and 9th are typical entry years. I’m hoping to identify schools that take 7th graders. My daughter is smart and earns good grades but I don’t think the pressure cooker schools will be a good fit for her. We want something that will challenge her, foster creativity and critical thinking and has a kind/warm atmosphere. Anywhere that is a 30 minute or less commute from NW DC will work. Religious schools are likely not a good fit.

Any suggestions for schools that fit this description and admit kids in 7th will be helpful. I’ve done some online research, but I’m sure I’m missing some. Thanks!


I think most schools have an entry year for 7th grade (Cathedral schools, Sidwell, GDS, Holton, Landon, Field, Burke). Naybe not WIS.
Anonymous
Post 06/01/2026 13:59     Subject: Entry years
We will be moving to the dmv when our oldest will be entering 7th (one year from now).

I know that 6th and 9th are typical entry years. I’m hoping to identify schools that take 7th graders. My daughter is smart and earns good grades but I don’t think the pressure cooker schools will be a good fit for her. We want something that will challenge her, foster creativity and critical thinking and has a kind/warm atmosphere. Anywhere that is a 30 minute or less commute from NW DC will work. Religious schools are likely not a good fit.

Any suggestions for schools that fit this description and admit kids in 7th will be helpful. I’ve done some online research, but I’m sure I’m missing some. Thanks!