Atlanta Private School Admissions (Ideal: fit in, how much, home)

[schoolqs]

Has anyone been given admission to a private school in Atlanta and deferred admission a year? For example, if we wanted to hold our child back a year, could we apply him this year, knowing he will stay at his current school one more year and ask for a deferment for one year? Has anyone ever heard of this or had this happen?

[lastminutemom]

Originally Posted by schoolqs

Has anyone been given admission to a private school in Atlanta and deferred admission a year? For example, if we wanted to hold our child back a year, could we apply him this year, knowing he will stay at his current school one more year and ask for a deferment for one year? Has anyone ever heard of this or had this happen?

No. It is very unlikely. If you decline enrollment, you need to reapply the next year.

By hold back, what exactly do you mean?

[LovelySummer]

Yes, it has happened but the parents did not go in intentionally applying for a subsequent year. Circumstances called for them to need to come in a year later after their child had already been admitted. But they got admitted to the class that they were supposed to be in at the time of the application. But you are talking another situation it seems - I think that is where you may lose the school. Are you talking about intentionally redshirting your child but applying early? The school must be able to evaluate your child against the other children competing for that slot at the time that your child would be coming to the school ideally - not a year later. Ideally, they would want to know how your child would fit into the dynamics of the actual class (e.g., gender, intellect, background, etc.) but they have no way of knowing that for a class that they have not even seen yet, which is the class that you'd be asking to be part of.

[AtlJan]

Originally Posted by schoolqs

Has anyone been given admission to a private school in Atlanta and deferred admission a year? For example, if we wanted to hold our child back a year, could we apply him this year, knowing he will stay at his current school one more year and ask for a deferment for one year? Has anyone ever heard of this or had this happen?

No, that's not really how it works. If you have a crack baby (May, June) and you're not sure whether to hold him back or not, you can apply to the schools and tell the admissions office you are unsure and some of the friendlier schools will say, "You know, he doesn't make the cut this year, but try us next year after he's done a 5-6 program." They will not hold your spot but they may give you an indicator that they think it is a maturity issue.

However, if you get offered a spot at a good school, it is best to take the spot that Fall. I wouldn't pass on it and then expect to get the offer again the following year. However, if you turn in the applications now, and then around January you realize your child is totally not ready, it is perfectly acceptable to withdraw the applications with a short note explaining you've decided to wait a year.

[CMMom]

I would be shocked if schools were willing to count a child who won't attend for another year in their enrollment planning (e.g., leaving an empty seat for a year that could be filled with a child who would actually fill the seat). Perhaps at a smaller private out in the 'burbs somewhere, but I can't imagine any of the "old guard" schools doing it.

[schoolqs]

OK, thank you, everyone! We really want to hold our child back a year, but were told to apply this year. If our child gets a spot, I was wondering if they would hold it for another year or if they would be more inclined to have our child start and let our child repeat the grade (taking the same grade twice at the same school).

[LovelySummer]

You're going in with the attitude that your child will not be able to cut it - because *you* have preconceived notions and want to hold your child back. Has your child asked to be held back? How much of this is about you and how much is about your child? Obviously, if the school evaluates your child and thinks that he/she is ready then why not go in with full faith in your child that he/she is ready instead of anticipating the worst (that your child will have to repeat the grade)? Sorry. Your child needs you to have full faith and confidence in him/her not awaiting his/her imminent failure. That can't feel good.

Originally Posted by schoolqs

OK, thank you, everyone! We really want to hold our child back a year, but were told to apply this year. If our child gets a spot, I was wondering if they would hold it for another year or if they would be more inclined to have our child start and let our child repeat the grade (taking the same grade twice at the same school).

[lastminutemom]

Originally Posted by schoolqs

OK, thank you, everyone! We really want to hold our child back a year, but were told to apply this year. If our child gets a spot, I was wondering if they would hold it for another year or if they would be more inclined to have our child start and let our child repeat the grade (taking the same grade twice at the same school).

There are many reasons why it is a bad idea for you to have your child repeat a grade at the same school. You are much better off keeping them where they are and, if needed, have them repeating the grade at a new school.

How old is this child? When is his birthday?

What schools (or types of schools) are you looking at?

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by LovelySummer

You're going in with the attitude that your child will not be able to cut it - because *you* have preconceived notions and want to hold your child back. Has your child asked to be held back? How much of this is about you and how much is about your child? Obviously, if the school evaluates your child and thinks that he/she is ready then why not go in with full faith in your child that he/she is ready instead of anticipating the worst (that your child will have to repeat the grade)? Sorry. Your child needs you to have full faith and confidence in him/her not awaiting his/her imminent failure. That can't feel good.

A kindergardener cannot make these sort of decisions. That's why they live at home with parents... Sorry to disagree.

[schoolqs]

Thank you, AnsleyPark! I think we do know what's best for our child. We know more than our child, and certainly way more than LovelySummer.