Your well-known pre-school is a hook.

Waitlists are 1% maybe and 99% no, roughly speaking.

Our dc went to a well-known preschool as well. Can’t be the same as pp because the numbers don’t line up. I’m not going to be as specific About numbers or even exact year because I don’t want to out anyone, but here’s a rough idea:

Of the kids who applied out, all were full pay.

Of those who applied to sidwell, all but two got in (two waitlisted. One went elsewhere, other navigated multiple waitlists). Won’t say specific number, but more than 5 were admitted to sfs. Only one had a “hook.”

Of those who applied to Beauvoir (some of whom also applied to sfs and gds, some of whom also applied to gds, some of whom applied to other privates but not sidwell or gds), 7 or so got in, and at least 3 or so were waitlisted. About half the admits were siblings or legacies or both.

Of those who applied to gds, at least 4 got in, at least 2 were waitlisted, 1 was rejected. Not a single sibling/hook to my recollection.

Many kids got into more than one of these.

That said, this doesn't tell you a lot about anyone's admissions rates, but what it tells you, in combo with pp's post, is that there's different pools of kids applying to these schools. I know people reject the feeder preschool notion, and it's definitely not like New York. But that doesn't mean there isn't a very different set of numbers coming out of a couple select preschools versus everywhere else. Be careful you don't underestimate that reality. The combination of a couple bitter parents and parents who haven't seen anything outside the Outplacement reality for certain preschools leads to a lot of very confusing and incorrect information.

Anonymous wrote:My son is at Beauvoir. He has been there for 2 years and loves it. We applied from a very well knows preeschool in the area. While 99% of those kids applied to private schools, only about 10 applied to BVR. I think a Sidwell and Maret are more selective also because of the very small class size and siblings (for MareT). I would say that maybe of the 20 or so kids in the preeschool class, 50% of kids applied to BVR, Sidwell and Maret. The other 50% applied to less competitive schools (or at least had those less competitive schools on their list). Of the 50% that applied to the more competitive schools, most got in at BVR (not all) and 4 or 5 kids got in a Sidwell and 2 I believe at Maret. We had not applied to Maret because I did not like the school as much, but we did apply to Sidwell and Beauvoir and were waitlisted at Sidwell and got in at Beauvoir. We indicated that Beauvoir was our first choice and we got in. People that did not do that, were waitlisted. I am unaware of anyone that applied to beauvoir from our preschool and was denied, but plenty were waitlisted

They usually waitlist instead of no as a soft no. I know 9 people who applied to beauvoir pre-k this year and only one got accepted. All full pay.

My son is at Beauvoir. He has been there for 2 years and loves it. We applied from a very well knows preeschool in the area. While 99% of those kids applied to private schools, only about 10 applied to BVR. I think a Sidwell and Maret are more selective also because of the very small class size and siblings (for MareT). I would say that maybe of the 20 or so kids in the preeschool class, 50% of kids applied to BVR, Sidwell and Maret. The other 50% applied to less competitive schools (or at least had those less competitive schools on their list). Of the 50% that applied to the more competitive schools, most got in at BVR (not all) and 4 or 5 kids got in a Sidwell and 2 I believe at Maret. We had not applied to Maret because I did not like the school as much, but we did apply to Sidwell and Beauvoir and were waitlisted at Sidwell and got in at Beauvoir. We indicated that Beauvoir was our first choice and we got in. People that did not do that, were waitlisted. I am unaware of anyone that applied to beauvoir from our preschool and was denied, but plenty were waitlisted

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you can pay the full tuition, you'll get it. every school is looking for full pay families and don't think beauvoir is more exclusive than that. if you can pay, your kid will get in.

Imagine thinking that being full-pay, without more, is enough to get into the most selective private schools around here.

Agreed. You need connections, hooks.

No, actually, you don't. As these selective schools creep up in price, and DCPS gets better and more acceptable to a broader spectrum of families, all of these schools - particularly at the elementary level - are becoming more, shall we say, "welcoming," to those who can pay full freight.

That’s the opposite of what I’m hearing from those well connected in the top schools and admissions staff. It’s been getting more and more competitive the past 3 years. Full pay, sibling and other connections are not what they used to be. Seems like top schools get their pick from the best of the best (whatever they perceive that to be).

For 9th grade admissions, that may be true. For PK and K, it's a different story.

I didn’t look into PK or K, but I think it’s true for other entry years too at the top schools.

elementary applications are down while middle school and high school are up.

Source?

Given how competitive these schools are, how much money there is in dc, and how many families want private ultimately, there’s a lot of perceived pressure that you have to get your kid into the private system early or face the risk of not getting in later.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you can pay the full tuition, you'll get it. every school is looking for full pay families and don't think beauvoir is more exclusive than that. if you can pay, your kid will get in.

Imagine thinking that being full-pay, without more, is enough to get into the most selective private schools around here.

Agreed. You need connections, hooks.

No, actually, you don't. As these selective schools creep up in price, and DCPS gets better and more acceptable to a broader spectrum of families, all of these schools - particularly at the elementary level - are becoming more, shall we say, "welcoming," to those who can pay full freight.

That’s the opposite of what I’m hearing from those well connected in the top schools and admissions staff. It’s been getting more and more competitive the past 3 years. Full pay, sibling and other connections are not what they used to be. Seems like top schools get their pick from the best of the best (whatever they perceive that to be).

For 9th grade admissions, that may be true. For PK and K, it's a different story.

I didn’t look into PK or K, but I think it’s true for other entry years too at the top schools.

elementary applications are down while middle school and high school are up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you can pay the full tuition, you'll get it. every school is looking for full pay families and don't think beauvoir is more exclusive than that. if you can pay, your kid will get in.

Imagine thinking that being full-pay, without more, is enough to get into the most selective private schools around here.

Agreed. You need connections, hooks.

No, actually, you don't. As these selective schools creep up in price, and DCPS gets better and more acceptable to a broader spectrum of families, all of these schools - particularly at the elementary level - are becoming more, shall we say, "welcoming," to those who can pay full freight.

I’m sorry I think you’re very very disconnected from how many people at these top private schools view public schools. There is a lot of money in DC. In fact a new report just showed pockets of DC and close in suburbs are now some of the wealthiest in the country. There is no shortage of people who are able to drop $30 or $40,000 a year for pre-K. I know a lot of people that applied to these top privates for pre-K and they did not get in. None of them would send their kids to public as a back up. Sure some of the publics are great and while we would consider them when kids were younger none of our friends would. Not a single one. They all grew up going to private and they would never send their kids to public. There is no shortage of people who are willing to pay. I know many people that were full pay this past year that applied to Beauvoir, Sidwell, and GDS for pre-K and they did not get admitted. There were many discussions about waitlists and waiting for a spot to open up. I think you are very disconnected from the reality of how many people in this area view public schools, whether their view is correct or not.

Completely agree. There is no shortage of wealth in DC and no shortage of people that are committed to a private education.

Exactly. Many many families get shut out of Beauvoir, sidwell, and gds (and at k, maret). They don’t then go to public. They go to other privates.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you can pay the full tuition, you'll get it. every school is looking for full pay families and don't think beauvoir is more exclusive than that. if you can pay, your kid will get in.

Imagine thinking that being full-pay, without more, is enough to get into the most selective private schools around here.

Agreed. You need connections, hooks.

No, actually, you don't. As these selective schools creep up in price, and DCPS gets better and more acceptable to a broader spectrum of families, all of these schools - particularly at the elementary level - are becoming more, shall we say, "welcoming," to those who can pay full freight.

That’s the opposite of what I’m hearing from those well connected in the top schools and admissions staff. It’s been getting more and more competitive the past 3 years. Full pay, sibling and other connections are not what they used to be. Seems like top schools get their pick from the best of the best (whatever they perceive that to be).

For 9th grade admissions, that may be true. For PK and K, it's a different story.

Go on, tell that story. Give us your numbers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you can pay the full tuition, you'll get it. every school is looking for full pay families and don't think beauvoir is more exclusive than that. if you can pay, your kid will get in.

Imagine thinking that being full-pay, without more, is enough to get into the most selective private schools around here.

Agreed. You need connections, hooks.

No, actually, you don't. As these selective schools creep up in price, and DCPS gets better and more acceptable to a broader spectrum of families, all of these schools - particularly at the elementary level - are becoming more, shall we say, "welcoming," to those who can pay full freight.

Where’s your data? Your point isn’t necessarily illogical, but it’s also not necessarily accurate. You just sound grumpy about tuition (fine), but your grumpiness doesn’t mean demand is down. Lots and lots of money in the dmv.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you can pay the full tuition, you'll get it. every school is looking for full pay families and don't think beauvoir is more exclusive than that. if you can pay, your kid will get in.

Imagine thinking that being full-pay, without more, is enough to get into the most selective private schools around here.

Agreed. You need connections, hooks.

No, actually, you don't. As these selective schools creep up in price, and DCPS gets better and more acceptable to a broader spectrum of families, all of these schools - particularly at the elementary level - are becoming more, shall we say, "welcoming," to those who can pay full freight.

I’m sorry I think you’re very very disconnected from how many people at these top private schools view public schools. There is a lot of money in DC. In fact a new report just showed pockets of DC and close in suburbs are now some of the wealthiest in the country. There is no shortage of people who are able to drop $30 or $40,000 a year for pre-K. I know a lot of people that applied to these top privates for pre-K and they did not get in. None of them would send their kids to public as a back up. Sure some of the publics are great and while we would consider them when kids were younger none of our friends would. Not a single one. They all grew up going to private and they would never send their kids to public. There is no shortage of people who are willing to pay. I know many people that were full pay this past year that applied to Beauvoir, Sidwell, and GDS for pre-K and they did not get admitted. There were many discussions about waitlists and waiting for a spot to open up. I think you are very disconnected from the reality of how many people in this area view public schools, whether their view is correct or not.

Completely agree. There is no shortage of wealth in DC and no shortage of people that are committed to a private education.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you can pay the full tuition, you'll get it. every school is looking for full pay families and don't think beauvoir is more exclusive than that. if you can pay, your kid will get in.

Imagine thinking that being full-pay, without more, is enough to get into the most selective private schools around here.

Agreed. You need connections, hooks.

No, actually, you don't. As these selective schools creep up in price, and DCPS gets better and more acceptable to a broader spectrum of families, all of these schools - particularly at the elementary level - are becoming more, shall we say, "welcoming," to those who can pay full freight.

I’m sorry I think you’re very very disconnected from how many people at these top private schools view public schools. There is a lot of money in DC. In fact a new report just showed pockets of DC and close in suburbs are now some of the wealthiest in the country. There is no shortage of people who are able to drop $30 or $40,000 a year for pre-K. I know a lot of people that applied to these top privates for pre-K and they did not get in. None of them would send their kids to public as a back up. Sure some of the publics are great and while we would consider them when kids were younger none of our friends would. Not a single one. They all grew up going to private and they would never send their kids to public. There is no shortage of people who are willing to pay. I know many people that were full pay this past year that applied to Beauvoir, Sidwell, and GDS for pre-K and they did not get admitted. There were many discussions about waitlists and waiting for a spot to open up. I think you are very disconnected from the reality of how many people in this area view public schools, whether their view is correct or not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you can pay the full tuition, you'll get it. every school is looking for full pay families and don't think beauvoir is more exclusive than that. if you can pay, your kid will get in.

Imagine thinking that being full-pay, without more, is enough to get into the most selective private schools around here.

Agreed. You need connections, hooks.

No, actually, you don't. As these selective schools creep up in price, and DCPS gets better and more acceptable to a broader spectrum of families, all of these schools - particularly at the elementary level - are becoming more, shall we say, "welcoming," to those who can pay full freight.

That’s the opposite of what I’m hearing from those well connected in the top schools and admissions staff. It’s been getting more and more competitive the past 3 years. Full pay, sibling and other connections are not what they used to be. Seems like top schools get their pick from the best of the best (whatever they perceive that to be).

For 9th grade admissions, that may be true. For PK and K, it's a different story.

I didn’t look into PK or K, but I think it’s true for other entry years too at the top schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you can pay the full tuition, you'll get it. every school is looking for full pay families and don't think beauvoir is more exclusive than that. if you can pay, your kid will get in.

Imagine thinking that being full-pay, without more, is enough to get into the most selective private schools around here.

Agreed. You need connections, hooks.

No, actually, you don't. As these selective schools creep up in price, and DCPS gets better and more acceptable to a broader spectrum of families, all of these schools - particularly at the elementary level - are becoming more, shall we say, "welcoming," to those who can pay full freight.

That’s the opposite of what I’m hearing from those well connected in the top schools and admissions staff. It’s been getting more and more competitive the past 3 years. Full pay, sibling and other connections are not what they used to be. Seems like top schools get their pick from the best of the best (whatever they perceive that to be).

Yes, the very best five-year-olds. With affluent, connected families.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you can pay the full tuition, you'll get it. every school is looking for full pay families and don't think beauvoir is more exclusive than that. if you can pay, your kid will get in.

Imagine thinking that being full-pay, without more, is enough to get into the most selective private schools around here.

Agreed. You need connections, hooks.

No, actually, you don't. As these selective schools creep up in price, and DCPS gets better and more acceptable to a broader spectrum of families, all of these schools - particularly at the elementary level - are becoming more, shall we say, "welcoming," to those who can pay full freight.

That’s the opposite of what I’m hearing from those well connected in the top schools and admissions staff. It’s been getting more and more competitive the past 3 years. Full pay, sibling and other connections are not what they used to be. Seems like top schools get their pick from the best of the best (whatever they perceive that to be).

For 9th grade admissions, that may be true. For PK and K, it's a different story.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you can pay the full tuition, you'll get it. every school is looking for full pay families and don't think beauvoir is more exclusive than that. if you can pay, your kid will get in.

Imagine thinking that being full-pay, without more, is enough to get into the most selective private schools around here.

Agreed. You need connections, hooks.

No, actually, you don't. As these selective schools creep up in price, and DCPS gets better and more acceptable to a broader spectrum of families, all of these schools - particularly at the elementary level - are becoming more, shall we say, "welcoming," to those who can pay full freight.

That’s the opposite of what I’m hearing from those well connected in the top schools and admissions staff. It’s been getting more and more competitive the past 3 years. Full pay, sibling and other connections are not what they used to be. Seems like top schools get their pick from the best of the best (whatever they perceive that to be).