Admission decisions - 2016 (Paris: transfer, middle school, pros and cons)

[BLDSoon]

Originally Posted by EDS_

As a past private school dad I'd say your friend should take a couple of deep cleansing breaths and think this through, any admission into one of the better privates is high praise towards her kiddo.

1. A bird in hand is sometimes worth more than two in the bush. Her little girl has a slot now. There's a chance if they pass now the opportunity will be gone forever.

2. Clearly this little girl is smart. However, as TC80 noted although they are real life fallible human beings the people who run these schools are serious professionals, they must decide which smart kids are admitted into at all, which ones are sent away and then where the accepted kids should be placed.

3. Your friend should stow any thinking of an in-year "promotion." The chances are beyond slim.

4. I'm not a big fan of kids graduating high school at 19. But it's not a big deal.

5. IMO there are three logic tracks regarding asking the school why they placed this kiddo in Primer. And keep in mind the chances of reassignment are very slim.

A. Maybe not asking is the proper course. Either take the slot or don't. That wouldn't work for me.

B. Decline and then ask and I bet you the school will elaborate.

C. Ask why before making a decision. However, the mom needs to mind her tone and phraseology carefully, same if a dad was asking. Maybe something along the lines of, "We had hoped Y would be assigned a slot in 1st. Could you tell us a little more about why she was placed in primer and should I/we work with her on anything in particular at home?" Listen carefully and take it from there. I'd likely take this course.

Thank you EDS, great points.

[BLDSoon]

Originally Posted by JTC Mom

I agree with EDS, with one modification...when asking, .please don't say "we hoped she would be assigned to first grade". That phrasing makes it sound like it about you (the parent). Instead make sure your comments are focused on your daughter, and deferential to the school

"We are delighted (darling daughter) was admitted to (wonderful school). Based on her age we thought she would be assigned to first grade, and were a little surprised when she was offered a primer spot. Would you please tell me a little bit about the thought process behind her placement. How can we best help her succeed at (wonderfuk school)? We realize that if she starts in primer now, she will be 19 when she graduates. Will there be other students her age in the primer class?"

Oh yes, tact will be so necessary. We are starbucks reading your responses, thank you for your insight.

[fgwite]

Here's another perspective. If your friend's daughter is turning 6 in April of the academic year she will be in Primer, she is young for her class (the way it runs these days). My son is in first grade and he has classmates who are turning 8 this month.

What school is she at currently? What school did she get into for Primer?

[cordata]

I wonder how much of the "success" (NMSF numbers SAT, college admits, whatever) of the local private schools could be attributed to red-shirting of this sort ?

[stan4]

Originally Posted by cordata

I wonder how much of the "success" (NMSF numbers SAT, college admits, whatever) of the local private schools could be attributed to red-shirting of this sort ?

People are redshirting in any school.

[stan4]

Originally Posted by DFWmomdad

Called admission office , all offers have been accepted both at Greenhill & Hockaday.

Interesting.

Someone told us they were declining their Greenhill spot, but we suspected they were FOS.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by stan4

People are redshirting in any school.

And not just locally- there was a huge article in the Times on red shirting back when I lived in NYC in the early 2000's.

[stan4]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

And not just locally- there was a huge article in the Times on red shirting back when I lived in NYC in the early 2000's.

It's been a nationwide phenomenon for a while.

Even mentioned in the book Outliers.

Funny.

At Plano, our youngest classmate was valedictorian, the second youngest was 2nd in the class, and I (3rd youngest) was a National Merit Finalist/Scholar.

[cordata]

No redshirting in public schools, though, correct? (I did read Outliers, yes) My question would be is it really good for kids not to challenge them ?

From what I can see the redshirting starts even on entry to some preschools... at age 3 they decide that the kid won't be "mature enough" to start first grade 3 years from now... How mature does one have to be to enter first grade?

[stan4]

No.

People redshirt in public schools, too.

Some for the athletics and some for the academics.