At Lowell in the end everyone got in somewhere and I know of 1 going to Sidwell, 4 to GDS, 4 to St Andrews, 5 to Burke, 1 to Gonzaga, 1 to DeMatha, 1 to Field, 1 to Banneker. Lots more I don’t know.

Anonymous wrote:Focus on percentage of students who were admitted to their first choice school. It’s about fit, not how many are attending big 3.

Yes, exactly.

Focus on percentage of students who were admitted to their first choice school. It’s about fit, not how many are attending big 3.

What I remember from Sheridan was 6 to GDS, 4 to Maret, 2 to St. Andrews. 4 leaving DC area. 1 to McKinley Tech. None to Sidwell, though kids were admitted and chose other schools. Also 1 or 2 to Field. 1 to Landon. Maybe 1 to Bullis. I think 1 to Holton and 1 to NCS, but not sure about those. Can’t recall the rest.

Anonymous wrote:K-8th parent here. Over the years, I have gone from worrying about my children's outplace so obsessed with these numbers to realizing it is SO class/grade specific. Our school had a great year this year, but I've heard a lot of mixed feelings about the current 7th grade class so who knows what to expect for next year.

What do you mean mixed feelings? They haven't applied yet.

K-8th parent here. Over the years, I have gone from worrying about my children's outplace so obsessed with these numbers to realizing it is SO class/grade specific. Our school had a great year this year, but I've heard a lot of mixed feelings about the current 7th grade class so who knows what to expect for next year.

Now that ink has dried…how did it go for the schools?

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.”