What is the acceptance percentage these days? Anyone have a sense of how many students apply for 9th grade? Our understanding is that Field is a hard admit.

Will sound a little weird, but I think Field and its team are genuinely focused on making a difference in kids lives. Determining that 'they can' really make a difference, I think, influences who they admit. I have multiple kids. All are solid across the board and started at a big 3, but one just hated it there. Other friends at the same school had similar situations, moving one, and leaving the rest at the big 3. Its very common at TFS. Ours loved Field. Great teachers and made great friends. They helped DC find own voice, become a leader, and DC was a recruited athlete at a solid college. At DC's prior school, they cared, but it was very structured....and they missed the athletic gifts that Field found DC had. DC loved beating them regularly in competition -; The others did fine at the big three. All will end up in the same 'good place' that us parents seek. Solid citizens, with poise, self confidence, and a good education and solid credentials, and all happy with who they are as people. Viva la difference.

TFS threads that talk about the school focusing on different drummer kids is not a good read. Its a different drummer school. They are looking for kids where they think THEY bring something to the table.

Is 6th grade admission as competitive as 9th grade admission?

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Anonymous wrote:It's pretty high but then you have to pay for it. I think they may have priced themselves out a but as this years 9th grade is a good deal smaller than usual.

If you've got the 40000 you're in

Wishful thinking. Field has become very popular.

+1 I know many (5 or 6) kids that didn't get into Field recently that received acceptances to what DCUM would consider "top tier" privates.

Baloney.

To "Baloney"-- you are just wrong. We know a number of kids who did not get into Field, who have gone to top schools.

Fine but I have no doubt something they said or did made the school think they would not have Field as their first choice. I also know from the head of school at our K-8 that sometimes Field has passed on a kid if the parents are rude at the open house or interview. They are a school who looks at the whole family when putting together the class.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's pretty high but then you have to pay for it. I think they may have priced themselves out a but as this years 9th grade is a good deal smaller than usual.

If you've got the 40000 you're in

Wishful thinking. Field has become very popular.

+1 I know many (5 or 6) kids that didn't get into Field recently that received acceptances to what DCUM would consider "top tier" privates.

Baloney.

To "Baloney"-- you are just wrong. We know a number of kids who did not get into Field, who have gone to top schools.

Anonymous wrote:The special secret formula has something to do with maintaining a diverse community of learners.

Who can afford 40k a yr you mean.

The special secret formula has something to do with maintaining a diverse community of learners.

Anonymous wrote:Field has seen by far more applicants for 9th grade in the past few years than before. I've known quite a few kids who didn't get in. Its not about being qualified in the sense of credentials that other schools look for. It isn't even about yield. Its about preserving the character of the school. They don't want to become Sidwell/GDS/Maret and that means accepting what they call "Field kids." Its the fit.

Oh please...I have a kid at Field and the kids there are just like kids at any other private school in DC. There isn't some "magical" fit and the character of the school is pretty much like the character of the other "progressive" schools in DC my kids have attended. There are all kinds...super-smart kids and kids who need support, artsy kids and sciencey kids....Spreading the notion that is is some sort of "oasis in the desert" just isn't correct. It is a great school and my kid is very happy but I don't think Field chooses to accept kids based on some special secret formula.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's pretty high but then you have to pay for it. I think they may have priced themselves out a but as this years 9th grade is a good deal smaller than usual.

If you've got the 40000 you're in

Wishful thinking. Field has become very popular.

+1 I know many (5 or 6) kids that didn't get into Field recently that received acceptances to what DCUM would consider "top tier" privates.

Baloney.

What is the fit? It doesn't seem like Field wants athletes. Or kids who want to be at a Big 3. What are they looking for?

Field has seen by far more applicants for 9th grade in the past few years than before. I've known quite a few kids who didn't get in. Its not about being qualified in the sense of credentials that other schools look for. It isn't even about yield. Its about preserving the character of the school. They don't want to become Sidwell/GDS/Maret and that means accepting what they call "Field kids." Its the fit.

The parents and she made it clear that Field was her #1 choice.

If she is at GDS Field probably looked at her grades and scores and knew she was being accepted at GDS and assumed she would not choose Field. Simple as that. Unless she specifically told them she preferred Field to GDS, they probably assumed that was the case.

Field is very selective. They are looking for fit vs who can pay. Our friend's daughter did not get in last year, and parents could afford it. She had average grades and average scores. She's at GDS now.

A lesson my friends learned is you do not get in just because you can pay tuition. Field is not like other privates in DC.

Yes--from last year. Currently a 9th grader