Anonymous
Post 04/16/2026 11:05     Subject: Triaging schools to call looking for last minute opening for 6th grade
Lowell, Sheridan, Burke, Norwood, Barrie, Green Acres
Call all of these to ask
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2026 06:26     Subject: Triaging schools to call looking for last minute opening for 6th grade
SSFS has been a great choice for us. Yes it was rocky but I'm glad we held on. The new admin and board have restored our confidence.
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 22:33     Subject: Triaging schools to call looking for last minute opening for 6th grade
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for the suggestions! Definitely not here to trash on any school. Honestly SSFS looks so well suited to my kid. Read some recent threads and seems like the jury is out (rebuilding better than ever vs it’s changed/we are worried it can’t ever bounce back/we are worried it will still close). Also creeped the college admissions Instagram and seems decent. Am I missing any other considerations?


If SSFS is well suited, look at Friends Community as well.


Agree on FCS (Friends Community School). They only go through 8th but the 7th/8th classes gave my child excellent preparation for high school (more so than I even realized at the time). 6th is not a typical entry year for them but they had some extra spaces last year so worth a call to see.


+1
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 21:44     Subject: Triaging schools to call looking for last minute opening for 6th grade
Seconding that WES is worth a try, even if they are full in that grade. Sounds like such a good fit for your family!
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 21:15     Subject: Triaging schools to call looking for last minute opening for 6th grade
Most schools will make space for a kid they want, so it is always worth trying.
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 18:35     Subject: Triaging schools to call looking for last minute opening for 6th grade
You could try Bullis. They might be full but you never know. May 1 is the date where if you withdraw after, you’re stuck paying tuition.
Even if there was a waitlist and someone gets off from another private, they might decline because they would have to pay 2 tuitions and that’s very steep.
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 15:20     Subject: Triaging schools to call looking for last minute opening for 6th grade
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Looking at past posts I think the only way to try to find unexpectedly open spots is to call. Any idea on which schools to try first (or is this hopeless for 6th grade)?


Did you not get the lottery spot you wanted?

You couldn’t even make it to the sixth post in the thread to learn the reason?
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 14:43     Subject: Triaging schools to call looking for last minute opening for 6th grade
SSFS is the obvious choice. Loved our middle school experience there and love the upper school even more. We are still here.
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 13:53     Subject: Triaging schools to call looking for last minute opening for 6th grade
Anonymous wrote:Looking at past posts I think the only way to try to find unexpectedly open spots is to call. Any idea on which schools to try first (or is this hopeless for 6th grade)?


Did you not get the lottery spot you wanted?
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 13:27     Subject: Triaging schools to call looking for last minute opening for 6th grade
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Religious or non-religious? Or any particular learning styles?

Try Lowell school, they have been signaling a lower return rate so you might get a quick win there (better to have a few choices so you can make the right move for your kid).


Lowell is facing significant financial challenges and has had to delay teacher contracts as they struggle to keep things afloat. Best to steer clear for now.


We're at Lowell and are quite happy. I do think 6th might be full though. You can always call and ask!
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2026 05:30     Subject: Re:Triaging schools to call looking for last minute opening for 6th grade
Anonymous wrote:Washington Episcopal School
j

I believe that grade is full.
Anonymous
Post 04/14/2026 23:14     Subject: Re:Triaging schools to call looking for last minute opening for 6th grade
If you’re Jewish, I would consider the Charles E Smith Jewish Day school. No knowledge of Hebrew is required and the education is fantastic.
Anonymous
Post 04/14/2026 19:07     Subject: Triaging schools to call looking for last minute opening for 6th grade
Anonymous wrote:I think k-8s are your best bet, as kids sometimes leave at that point for k-12s or schools that start at 6th. When you call, I would say something along the lines of the following, “I know we’re past the deadline for next year, but we did not explore any private schools for middle school as we were planning to move. As it turns out, we will be in the area for middle school and now are looking. Do you possibly have any openings?”

I think this is important because it:

1. Explains why you’re looking after the deadline.

2. Makes clear that you don’t have a contract at another private that is about to become binding in two weeks, so you have some time to work through the application process and realistically could attend. Schools will be more likely to consider you in these circumstances.


+2
Anonymous
Post 04/14/2026 18:06     Subject: Triaging schools to call looking for last minute opening for 6th grade
Anonymous wrote:Lowell 6th grade for next year is full with a waiting list.

There’s been a lot of misinformation regarding Lowell with teacher contracts being delayed, but it is not in financial straits.


Not only is it in financial straits, but it protects perpetrators of sexual violence while silencing and shunning 13 year-old victims.
Anonymous
Post 04/14/2026 16:04     Subject: Triaging schools to call looking for last minute opening for 6th grade
I believe SSFS may have openings. Our kids is in US and happy. I would reach out to them and see for yourself.