High school. You can move anything before that and kids will make new friends and adjust.

Now or when they start high school. HS usually have a larger catchment area so there are lots of new people.

OP said the middle school is the same for current area and target area. So as long as they move before HS the kids change nothing.

I agree with other posters and research supports that middle school is a very hard time for kids to move but o think that’s when you’re moving schools - it seems like everyone is responding assuming the kids community and schools would totally change, but from your op it sounds like even if it was in middle school their school would say the same so just moving houses? I don’t see how that is an issue and know families that have done that at many ages. If at the same middle then it sounds like it splits for high school? I guess I’m confused. If you’re changing the whole cluster/community than definitely ideal to do it by 4th so they have fine to build friendships in the new schools before middle school. If staying in the same schools or community it’s mostly a non issue

“I moved a lot growing up. I would say 3rd grade is the latest I would move and start a new school. It’s really hard when you get into the tween years. You might also have a short window at the beginning of high school/going into 9th grade because a lot of kids start at a new school for HS.”

+1
We did this. Moved summer before oldest went into 3rd and littlest started K. And my kids - loudest especially - really mourned the old neighborhood and school for a LONG time.

I moved several times as a kid too and after it is hard. No idea how military kids adjust so well but maybe because it is part of the wider culture and so many other families you know well doing the same.

I side with your husband - ASAP and definitely not in MS. Buy what you can.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Easy then - move when they are in 6th and 8th.

That was my thought, but DH would prefer to move as soon as we possibly can.

So why are you asking us when is too late? That’s moot if he wants to move ASAP

Anonymous wrote:I moved a lot growing up. I would say 3rd grade is the latest I would move and start a new school. It’s really hard when you get into the tween years. You might also have a short window at the beginning of high school/going into 9th grade because a lot of kids start at a new school for HS.

Interesting. That would jive well with how FCPS does AAP. Even if DS doesn’t get in ( we’re not really sure if he would), other kids will likely be separated by the process, and be in the market for a new friend.

Middle school or going into high school.

Anonymous wrote:Easy then - move when they are in 6th and 8th.

That was my thought, but DH would prefer to move as soon as we possibly can.

I moved a lot growing up. I would say 3rd grade is the latest I would move and start a new school. It’s really hard when you get into the tween years. You might also have a short window at the beginning of high school/going into 9th grade because a lot of kids start at a new school for HS.

Easy then - move when they are in 6th and 8th.

Finally, two kids who will be two grades apart.

Also, current area shares a MS with target area, but not HS.

We still can’t afford a tent in our target pyramid . How old is too old to move him away from his friends ? Ten? Thanks.