OP: thanks for all the responses! We are definitely concerned about having to switch at some point and having to make new friends. But then, for right now I feel like private would definitely be better, so I feel like I should make the decision based on dc's needs now. I hope that by the time middles school rolls around (or HS) transitions will come more easily to dc, as well as ease in making friends. Maybe wishful thinking...

My siblings and I all went parochial K-8 and then lg. public h.s. It was a wonderful for us and we all turned out successful and normal.

Anonymous wrote:once you get a taste of the good life it's hard to go back. beware.

Especially DC or PG school, they are all horrible even the charters. You would be ok if it is MOCO or Fairfax Count or Arlington (most of the north)

Absolutely. I was told by more experienced moms at the time that if you are going to do private at all, do it in the younger years. We did until 8th, then made the transition to Langley High. Guess what? Son's teachers are better than at the tony private school and the program is far more rigorous. Very happy. Also he can navigate a school with 2400 kids so can handle university next year. Worked out very well.

Anonymous wrote:My colleague planned on private only for the lower years. When the time came to leave private, the transition away from friends was daunting, so she's made the financial stretch to do private K-12.

Our child left at 9th from private to public and it has been a great change-- new friends and new experiences. So, I guess it depends on the child.

it certainly has some advantages; but the big advantages of doing private in HS is the outplacement. **in general** (of course there are exceptions), other things equal, the outplacement is better from the good privates than from the public schools. in that sense, many choose the opposite route of what you are suggesting

i agree with PP about its tough to break away. very tough as i have a few that have done it.

our plan is parochial k-8 and then any private school for HS. the nice thing about k-8 is that it forces you to start again. some go to public, many go catholic HS, some go private HS.

once you get a taste of the good life it's hard to go back. beware.

That's our plan. My kid is only in kindergarten, though. I must say that the small, family feel of the school has made the transition to elementary school wonderful. It's great for the early grades. He might need a bigger environment a bit later.

My colleague planned on private only for the lower years. When the time came to leave private, the transition away from friends was daunting, so she's made the financial stretch to do private K-12.

OP: thank you! To poster 21:22, this is very nice to hear. We are considering a few schools, none of which end beyond 8th grade. Very reassuring to hear your dc is doing so well! Thanks again!!

That's our plan. Small classes were essential for DC, but now my instinct says that he could thrive in almost any environment. He has a solid foundation, amazing study skills, got early exposure to science (from PreK), and is good at making connections between disciplines. I credit all that to his excellent private school. It was worth the investment -- and now at 4th grade, we go public until college.

Agree - studies show that the formative years are much more important with small classrooms (up to 3rd grade).

absolutely! It would probably be easier if you went to a private that just went to 8th grade. (Natural transition point where everyone is going someplace different for high school.)

We are zoned for a great public school cluster, but think private might be better for dc for a variety of reasons. Is it reasonable to think that after several years in private (say, elementary or through MS) dc could go on to a large, well-regarded public? I feel like if dc grows up to become a self-starter and has developed a love for learning, public high school could be a really great place. Thoughts?