Anonymous wrote:I think the point is that some kids were shut out.

On the question of the dedicated outplacement counselor: it's certainly helpful, though not mandatory. This is only Sheridan's first year with one. The person doing the job was leading the outplacement team in previous years while also teaching.

The bottom line is k-8s need to get this right to be able to stay viable. That doesn't mean that all kids go to Sidwell or GDS but that all kids go to where they want to go. The great thing about applying for HS is that the criteria expands. Parents are a lot more narrow minded when choosing a school in K. Then they later realize that jr. is a hockey prodigy in a school with no team. Or that DD wants to play volleyball but her K-12 school is last place in the state. Or that the debate team is better at another school. So many more factors in play for HS and that ultimately means that families can find better fits for their kids than when applying to K.

Is it easier to apply form K-8 to a Big 3? Or is it easier to apply out of a K-12? For example, is it easier to apply for Sidwell or Maret from Sheridan or easier from GDS?

Anonymous wrote:Norwood had an outstanding year!
-8th grade parent

Great to hear! (current LS parent planning to stay through 8th)

I think the point is that some kids were shut out.

On the question of the dedicated outplacement counselor: it's certainly helpful, though not mandatory. This is only Sheridan's first year with one. The person doing the job was leading the outplacement team in previous years while also teaching.

The bottom line is k-8s need to get this right to be able to stay viable. That doesn't mean that all kids go to Sidwell or GDS but that all kids go to where they want to go. The great thing about applying for HS is that the criteria expands. Parents are a lot more narrow minded when choosing a school in K. Then they later realize that jr. is a hockey prodigy in a school with no team. Or that DD wants to play volleyball but her K-12 school is last place in the state. Or that the debate team is better at another school. So many more factors in play for HS and that ultimately means that families can find better fits for their kids than when applying to K.

Anonymous wrote:The results speak for themselves.

Not without context, they don’t.

You’re trying to draw conclusions based only on numbers. It’s just not an accurate picture of how good the K-8 school is. There are so many factors that go into whether a student is accepted in a given year. Even with an exceptionally strong applicant pool, the high schools have their own set of circumstances with the rising class. Maybe there’s no turnover that year, maybe they’re boy-heavy, maybe their out of financial aid for that class, &c.

It’s also a question of what you define as success. “Number of kids accepted at a ‘top 3’ school is very different from “number of kids accepted to their first choice school”

Part of the value of a K-8 school is that the kids have a chance to really consider what school fits with their learning style, lifestyle, talents, interests, etc. The teachers know them well and can help them identify which schools those preferences best align with.

There’s a difference between “get into XYZ school, so you have a better chance at an Ivy” and “identify the optimal environment and school program where you will thrive.”

The results speak for themselves.

Anonymous wrote:Does it matter if a school has a specific outplacement person? Can the head of school do the job or does it need to be someone else full-time? Our DC has been accepted to two K-8 schools (one with and one without) and now I’m wondering if we should be considering this as a factor.

It completely depends on the school and the individuals who are part of the outplacement team. I don’t think most have a dedicated person to handle outplacement and it’s more likely the head of school/head of middle school who handles this.

Anonymous wrote:Does it matter if a school has a specific outplacement person? Can the head of school do the job or does it need to be someone else full-time? Our DC has been accepted to two K-8 schools (one with and one without) and now I’m wondering if we should be considering this as a factor.

A dedicated outplacement specialist can make or break admission. Heads of schools have so many responsibilities, they can’t possibly give every case the necessary time and oversight they need.

Does it matter if a school has a specific outplacement person? Can the head of school do the job or does it need to be someone else full-time? Our DC has been accepted to two K-8 schools (one with and one without) and now I’m wondering if we should be considering this as a factor.

Anonymous wrote:Which schools have good outplacements? I understand these are St Pat’s, NPS, WES and Sheridan. Is that right?

Norwood outplacement is consistently good.

Are they good at it?

Lowell has no staff member dedicated to outplacement. It’s the head of middle school, plus the head of school, and weirdly, the head of school’s executive assistant. All have other responsibilities, obviously.

Anonymous wrote:Sheridan’s outplacement is great and has been for many (recent) years, as far as I am aware of. Also last year, 12 were accepted to GDS (of 31 so closer to 40% of the class).

Yes, it is great. And, yes, it was indeed a total of 12 admitted to GDS last year. There was a patch where there were some hiccups maybe six or so years ago, but the last three years (at least) have been very strong. They now have a dedicated outplacement director who is extremely experienced. This year several kids have four or five choices. I've heard of multiple (at least five, could be more) admits to GDS and multiple admits to Maret (with some overlap, of course). Heard Haven't heard much about other schools yet, but I haven't been actively seeking info. I assume it's along the lines of previous years. Heard the class is very happy overall. This is the first year where they have a dedicated outplacement director (same person who has been leading for years, but now it's a full time job). She's amazing. And the whole outplacement team just rocks.

Sheridan’s outplacement is great and has been for many (recent) years, as far as I am aware of. Also last year, 12 were accepted to GDS (of 31 so closer to 40% of the class).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lowell has had bad results this year so far. Just objectively bad. One kid got in everywhere so the school will say they got kids into Sidwell, Maret, GDS but it’s all one kid. There were maybe 2 more in at GDS, 1 more in at Sidwell, and the rest of the class on the waitlist or just rejected. Some kids got in literally nowhere. Not good.

Three kids in at GDS, 2 at Sidwell, and 1 at Maret is pretty standard for a small grade. A couple more would be a great year. Kids who applied to those three and didn’t get in anywhere is not surprising. Not getting in anywhere and also throwing in a few more schools (Burke, Field, SAES, St. John’s) without any red flags or the need of large amounts of financial aid would be strange. I think one of the issues is that so many kids from Lowell want the same schools (GDS, Maret) and have less interest in a wider schools like Holton but also Burke which used to be a bigger draw for Lowell and now Sandy Spring seems risky.

Sheridan getting 10 kids into GDS last year is a lot. If that kept up it may say more about how confident GDS feels about how the kids from Sheridan are prepared and that they are more likely to come to the school due to proximity and fit. Otherwise, it may have just been a strong class.

Lipstick, meet the lips of a pig