News

Where will my child go to school after Springmont? When is the right time to leave?
My short answer to these questions is…to the school that is right for them and your family (we have an excellent placement record with our alumni), and the right time to leave for almost all our children is after Middle School. Hear me out!

I have spent my entire career in pre-K through 8th-grade schools and firmly believe in this model. At smaller schools like ours, the focus is on the young child. Materials and resources go to younger students, not high schoolers, like at so many K-12 schools! And children here are afforded so many leadership opportunities that they would not get elsewhere. Lastly, by the end of Middle School, it becomes much clearer to both children and parents/caregivers what type of school will serve them best. If anyone had told me when my son was in 2nd grade and struggling in school that he would be ready for boarding school by the end of 8th grade, I would never have believed them. But indeed, he was, and the confidence he gained from that experience helped greatly with his recent transition to college in Pennsylvania.  

What if my child doesn’t get into their “perfect school” for 9th grade? Shouldn’t I start trying now?
Our track record for placement is very strong, and our students are highly sought after at area schools – including independent, religious-based, and public/charter schools. Our alums report being more than prepared for 9th grade. Secondly, schools that go through high school increase their enrollment most significantly at 9th grade, making this the best time to transition. 

But I don’t want you to just take my word for it. We invite you to join our Outplacement Meeting for Middle School families on Thursday, September 25, from 4:30-6:00 p.m. in the Middle School Liberal Arts classroom. Regardless of your child’s current age, it might be wise and reassuring to look ahead and get a sense of our process, hear about our results, and see what lies ahead. We take a whole-team approach to 9th-grade outplacement, which includes mock interviews, essay writing support, reminders to help meet all recommendation and testing deadlines, and individualized guidance sessions for families. Please click the link in Springmont Weekly News if you plan to attend.

I hope to see you there!

Elizabeth