Probably would still do it again. But for a younger child, we are considering applying out for 7th given that there are fewer applicants for that grade and the eighth grade year in particular is somewhat odd in a K-8. Not bad, but an unusual experience for a 13-14 year old.

Still K-8 all the way. DC is headed to their top-choice HS and has really loved the K-8 experience. As others have said, it’s particularly beneficial for middle schoolers.

Bumping this back up now that all school decisions are out. Given the choice with hindsight 20/20 would you choose a k-12 over a k-8 for lower school, entry for 4th grade?

Anonymous wrote:We loved our k8 experience, and our kid also has learning challenges (dyslexia). Maybe we got lucky with a very smooth transition to 9. The application process last year was a lot but we wouldn’t change anything. DC attended k8 from 5-8 and it really was transformative, especially the experience with the learning center. Really set DC up for success in HS.

If you don’t mind sharing, I’m curious as to what school this is that had the great learning center?

We loved our k8 experience, and our kid also has learning challenges (dyslexia). Maybe we got lucky with a very smooth transition to 9. The application process last year was a lot but we wouldn’t change anything. DC attended k8 from 5-8 and it really was transformative, especially the experience with the learning center. Really set DC up for success in HS.

Anonymous wrote:As someone who went to a K-8 and hated the process of applying out (and a few classmates got shut out of catholics and independents), I knew I needed to transition my own children out of our K-8 before 8th. We left after 3rd (applying out for 4th). I saw many students doing this and a lot of it had to do with gender imbalance in classrooms, classes that were too small (making it difficult socially), and a lot of behavior issues. Sure, it could have just been the school - but both my kids are now in a PK-12 school and they both love it. They love that the school is much larger, and have really enjoyed the all school events where they get to interact with even some of the high school students.

What's interesting is we had a group of kids leave after 3rd grade for one of my DC's cohorts and they were the ones in the gender majority and while not overly problematic behaviorally - their departure was a huge improvement once they were out of the mix. They moved to a single gender school - I suppose it worked well for them (although now many years later, my DC said one of those students says they probably would have been better to stay back at the k-8)

No regrets whatsoever. My kids are so nurtured and loved at their K-8. Childhood is so fleeting and they are making the most of it. It's big enough to have a choice of friends and small enough that we feel like we know the other families and their teachers.

And a bonus is that I want my kids to have some self-determination in the high school process and not just to get carried by momentum. They change so much year to year, I can't imagine trying to guess what high school would be a good fit back when they were in pre-k.

And remember, even if you do go to a K-12 now, it's not a sure bet. You may still be applying out for high school! Do what make sense for who your kids is/what your kids needs in the very foreseeable future and take it from there.

I have twins in 8th grade at a K-8. Both have had really stellar experiences, and have particularly thrived socially/academically in middle school (the social side was extremely important to me, and I could not be happier). Around 7th grade, the academic rigor seemed to feel not quite enough - but it was still worth it for us to stick through to the end.

One reason it was easy for us to stay is because both of my kids are stellar students and good test takers. I knew that they'd find somewhere to land in 9th grade. No regrets, although this admission season has been incredibly stressful (mostly for me, because I'm holding all the uncertainty and trying not to telegraph it to my kids).

If you are on the fence, I would chose the K-12. Its so much less pressure on the kid--- and of course, you or your kid can always decide that a move at 9th grade is warranted regardless - but you don't have to move and that is a pleasure.

We did re-evaluate for my kid in 8th grade and he wanted to stay and we agreed, but he didn't have to move.

Loved my kids K-8. Kids were turned down by the local K-12 but we never went to that high school. They probably would have both locked in to the high school if they’d been admitted.

Both went to high schools that are better fits for them. I do dislike the longer commute to their schools.

We’re so happy at our k-8 but we haven’t gotten to 8th yet so no idea how outplacement may go. Our friends with older kids have all gotten their top choices so I’m not worrying too much - and in the meantime, our very different kids are thriving and our older kid actually loves middle school, which I didn’t even think was possible given my own MS experience.

None at all.

As someone who went to a K-8 and hated the process of applying out (and a few classmates got shut out of catholics and independents), I knew I needed to transition my own children out of our K-8 before 8th. We left after 3rd (applying out for 4th). I saw many students doing this and a lot of it had to do with gender imbalance in classrooms, classes that were too small (making it difficult socially), and a lot of behavior issues. Sure, it could have just been the school - but both my kids are now in a PK-12 school and they both love it. They love that the school is much larger, and have really enjoyed the all school events where they get to interact with even some of the high school students.

Anonymous wrote:A little regretful in ninth grade because the transition was HARD and most of our close friends did not get into the schools they wanted. But several years later we’ve all adjusted and it’s fine.

I would probably do it over because the K-8 was great. Though maybe not all the way. I pulled my younger kid out in 6th and that was better—most of the benefits of the k-8 but time to adjust and make close friends before HS.

I know people say this - but the problem with this strategy is that 7th/8th at our k-8 are the best years of all. Our older had a hard time adjusting in 9th socially. Academically, they did great and honestly this transition issue is more about their personality. They would not have wanted to change their trajectory to have entered their high school earlier. They got their top choice high school.

A little regretful in ninth grade because the transition was HARD and most of our close friends did not get into the schools they wanted. But several years later we’ve all adjusted and it’s fine.

I would probably do it over because the K-8 was great. Though maybe not all the way. I pulled my younger kid out in 6th and that was better—most of the benefits of the k-8 but time to adjust and make close friends before HS.