<p>Nearly four years ago, our son transferred from a private school to the local public school 6 weeks into first semester of 9th grade. While he was doing fine at the private school (all A's, active in sports) we recognized that spending $16K+ for the next four years wasn't what served him and us best. We decided to cut our losses and transfer him to our local public before the first "real" report card came out.</p>
<p>He is now entering his senior year, currently slated number two in the class, NMSF, has awesome AP scores, has held elected spots in student council, etc. In short, his track record at local public school should suffice to allow him to have many choices for college.</p>
<p>BUT....must we report his little 6 week stint at the private school? He had no report card and his transcript will not show it since he was in the public school before grades were reported. The headache of calling his old school and asking for records (not sure what records would exist other than a "progress report") then having him explain on his applications why he left doesn't sound like fun.</p>
<p>It doesn't look like this would be an issue on the common app, but I want to make sure.</p>
<p>Has anyone here dealt with something like this?</p>
<p>If I were you, I would not do a thing about the first school. Having said that, the transcripts I have seen only show final grades. I would request a transcript from the current high school for a “scholarship?” application and see exactly what the transcript says. My bet? No mention of first six weeks.</p>
<p>Just be honest on the apps. Even if he did indicate attending the first school for 6 weeks how do you see that negatively affecting him since he’s obviously done extremely well? I don’t see why a college would care since the results have been great and it’s not unusual at all for students to switch from a private HS to a public and vice versa.</p>
<p>I am worried that a college will wonder why he left a school after 6 weeks and assume there was a discipline issue of some sort. I guess I am just worried it will stick out in a negative way.</p>
<p>I think it is easier to ignore it than to explain it. It isn’t as if you have something to hide. Was his time/coursework at the first school factored in to his graduation requirements at the second school? If he feels as though it needs to be addressed, it can be mentioned that he attended another school for a few weeks. I don’t think it matters.</p>
<p>If it were me filling out the apps I’d just be honest and forthright and if they asked, I’d tell them. I really don’t remember if the apps ask though. You can easily find this out by reviewing some of the apps from potential colleges from their websites.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine they’d jump to the conclusion that any student who left after 6 weeks must be a discipline problem since there are so many reasons to switch schools with relocation and financial reasons probably being the most prevalent. If they had any concerns, which I doubt they would, they could ask and he could tell them the reason why he left. Given his stellar performance since then I can’t see them ever asking (assuming the ask for the info on the app in the first place).</p>
<p>btw - congrats to him on his performance so far.</p>
<p>The common app asks the applicant to list “all other secondary schools you have attended since ninth grade”.</p>
<p>I guess if nobody can think of a reason he SHOULDN’t list this school I will tell him to go ahead and include it.</p>
<p>I am worried that if he leaves it off and, somehow, it shows up on his transcript or something then it will be misconstrued as his misrepresenting his academic record.</p>
<p>I am probably WAY overthinking this. Thanks for the responses though!</p>
<p>This might be something to ask his college counselor/guidance counselor. Also, if he has any college visits scheduled, he could ask there. (I think I’d be leaning toward including it in his apps.)</p>
<p>Yup. No one will care. Don’t worry about it for another second.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if your son learned something about himself or education generally by transferring, this could make a good application essay topic.</p>
<p>One option: you can write a short note and the guidance counselor can include it with his or her recommendation, or the guidance counselor can write it.</p>
<p>Just say that your son was in a private school for 6 weeks in Freshman year, and changed schools due to family finances at the time.</p>
<p>Your guidance counselor can guide you on this. </p>
<p>We did the note for a child w/health problems who missed some school. It was no biggie.</p>
<p>Clearly the decision you made for your son was a good one, and you could add a sentence or two about that, too, to give it a little positive lift.</p>
<p>Thanks all. I think I will follow the advice of those who suggest involving his counselor…although she is a GC and manages 500+ kids, I would hope his rank will count for something if we (or he) approach her correctly, as far as including for a note or whatever.</p>
<p>And mantori.suzuki, your idea of incorporating all of this with his essay is a good one. He actually did a first draft for the common app and it was along the lines of “I love a great adventure and moving around and trying all these new things has made me who I am…”</p>