My sons did public k-8 before switching to private high school. Senior and sophomore next year. The older one had Covid Freshmen year- as such he had stronger bonds to friends in the neighborhood. His group of 6-7 that met in kindergarten and live nearby are still close and are hanging out many nights a week this summer. They do a lot together. 3 go to private now too, and there are 2 public HS among the others.

My rising sophomore hangs out mostly with his public school friends this summer (same neighborhood) and a few friends from private high school that live a few neighborhoods over but still able to meet by bike.

DD's good elementary school friend went to private for middle school. They are still friends but definitely not as close as they used to be because simply because they don't see each other as much. In addition to not attending the same school, the friend had a lot more homework in private school and had less free time to socialize. DD is going to a different private school for high school, and I fear that with both kids being so busy, they will grow farther apart even though they still enjoy each other's company.

Yes, they lose their public school friends. No, there is nothing you can do. You/she made your choice.

Anonymous wrote:It seems like some posters here are measuring their kids' success by how many friends they amass.

So you have a lonely kid with out friends. Got it. Don't be jealous of everyone else's kids.

Just depends on the friendships - what does school have to do with it? I mean at age 9 and 10, they know who they like. The biggest factor is distance but everyone can get online. I mean you make friends as a kid like adults do - you keep some, lose some.

It seems like some posters here are measuring their kids' success by how many friends they amass.

It’s all about common sports and/or activities. My kids stayed friends with kids they saw on a regular basis. It didn’t matter which schools they attended. If they didn’t see each other outside of school they lost touch. That was true even if they attended the same school.

Kids who switch in 9th tend to keep old friends and add new ones, similar to when you leave for college.