2018 Private School Admissions - Anyone else having a hard time deciding? (Atlanta: home, buy)

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Wow, do things change! When I was in second grade our STEM curriculum consisted of learning the multiplication tables and growing seeds in a paper cup.

Don't forget about sprouting the potato in a glass of water, and making a volcano with baking soda and vinegar!

[New2AtlantaArea]

Originally Posted by allikok

We are in a bit of an odd predicament... I have three boys going into 1, 8, 10. The oldest and youngest are on the WL at Pace. We are relo so schools are willing to talk to us past the deadlines. I may have a few options. Here's where we are.... would love thoughts??!!

(1) possibly send all to Woodward. Seems amazing but will be a haul... (we are under contract in Sandy Springs ITP)
(2) might be a space in Galloway for 1 and 8. Oldest could go to Pace if he gets in, or Woodward, or Riverwood IB program or Galloway might have a spot but not sure. Oldest is super academic, so I'm not sure if Galloway would be the right fit.
(3) 1 and 8 can go to St Martins (but then 8 leaves after this year and I could have 3 different schools)
(4) Public School? Heards Ferry....

I won't know any for sure until after the 12th but then I'd have to give up my St Martins spots... Would love input!

My family is relocating as well with two kids applying to elementary in non-expansion years. Kids did manage to get off of the waitlist at the same school, but I believe it to be an utter miracle.

(I also have a preschooler, so I was staring down 3 kids in 3 schools in a new city as well at first. That is a lot to navigate as a parent logistically, socially, etc.)

Have you spoken to your waitlist schools to reiterate interest and inquire about even the remote possibility of movement on the list? In non-expansion years, they might only offer 1 admission; the odds of waitlist movement is remote compared to filling a class of 60+ kids.

Could you go with option #3 and then reassess both kids next year? Can then look into 10th grader at Woodward? How much stability do you want before you move?

Keep the hope alive - it will all work out, and it often does in a way you didn't even imagine.

[allikok]

Originally Posted by New2AtlantaArea

My family is relocating as well with two kids applying to elementary in non-expansion years. Kids did manage to get off of the waitlist at the same school, but I believe it to be an utter miracle.

(I also have a preschooler, so I was staring down 3 kids in 3 schools in a new city as well at first. That is a lot to navigate as a parent logistically, socially, etc.)

Have you spoken to your waitlist schools to reiterate interest and inquire about even the remote possibility of movement on the list? In non-expansion years, they might only offer 1 admission; the odds of waitlist movement is remote compared to filling a class of 60+ kids.

Could you go with option #3 and then reassess both kids next year? Can then look into 10th grader at Woodward? How much stability do you want before you move?

Keep the hope alive - it will all work out, and it often does in a way you didn't even imagine.

Congrats to you!!!! Where are they going? I did speak to Pace and was told if there’s movement it’s likely this week. I’m ok with my oldest and middle at different schools. Middle and youngest will be together the longest, so I’m hopeful to get them together. Worst case the oldest goes to the IB program at Riverwood which is supposed to be excellent although might be a nightmare socially. It’s just so hard being patient!

[AtlJan]

Originally Posted by allikok

Congrats to you!!!! Where are they going? I did speak to Pace and was told if there’s movement it’s likely this week. I’m ok with my oldest and middle at different schools. Middle and youngest will be together the longest, so I’m hopeful to get them together. Worst case the oldest goes to the IB program at Riverwood which is supposed to be excellent although might be a nightmare socially. It’s just so hard being patient!

I wouldn't be worried about social life at Riverwood at all! Your child will have countless opportunities to join clubs, teams, do community service to make friends. Not to mention, the friends he make will live close by--that is huge!

[nkiy]

We have declined some offers to open up the wait list for the others. I think we will go with Lovett because the commute to Woodward would be too tough and I am afraid I will see too little of my child that way. He is all in love with Woodward and liked the idea of being on a bus with his friends. I think ultimately these are all great schools and the burden now is on us as parents to make sure our kids contribute to the schools they attend.

BTW, I was looking at the college admission stats for all these top schools and I was a bit disappointed on how few Ivys are on the list. Also almost no one went to MIT, Caltech, and Berkeley?! Westminster seems to have the best results of them all.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by allikok

Worst case the oldest goes to the IB program at Riverwood which is supposed to be excellent although might be a nightmare socially.

Gee, I would have thought Riverwood was top flight. What kind of social problems are they having up there?

[CMMom]

Originally Posted by nkiy

We have declined some offers to open up the wait list for the others. I think we will go with Lovett because the commute to Woodward would be too tough and I am afraid I will see too little of my child that way. He is all in love with Woodward and liked the idea of being on a bus with his friends. I think ultimately these are all great schools and the burden now is on us as parents to make sure our kids contribute to the schools they attend.

BTW, I was looking at the college admission stats for all these top schools and I was a bit disappointed on how few Ivys are on the list. Also almost no one went to MIT, Caltech, and Berkeley?! Westminster seems to have the best results of them all.

Well, even at Westminster, the #1 college choice is UGA. After you pay $25K/year for private school (times twelve years), the lure of the Hope scholarship is pretty strong. It's hard to turn down a full ride to a state school and many choose to save the money for grad/professional school.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by nkiy

BTW, I was looking at the college admission stats for all these top schools and I was a bit disappointed on how few Ivys are on the list. Also almost no one went to MIT, Caltech, and Berkeley?! Westminster seems to have the best results of them all.

I would guess that most of the students at colleges like that come from public schools, but maybe not.

[allikok]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Gee, I would have thought Riverwood was top flight. What kind of social problems are they having up there?

Sorry - not Riverwood problems.... just my kid.... he's 15, socially awkward and I worry about putting him in a large public school in a new state. I'm just afraid he'll get lost and have a tough time getting integrated. He's been in a small private school since 6th grade and it would be a big change.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by allikok

Sorry - not Riverwood problems.... just my kid.... he's 15, socially awkward and I worry about putting him in a large public school in a new state. I'm just afraid he'll get lost and have a tough time getting integrated. He's been in a small private school since 6th grade and it would be a big change.

Ah, gotcha. Best of luck to you and your son.

You know, I was reflecting the other day about the time I went to a new school. I was painfully shy but there was this one kid who was nice to me and it really changed my life. 60 years later and I'm still grateful. It really just takes one person.