Middle School Admissions: Redwood Day to Add Extra Sixth Grade Class

Oakland's Redwood Day School, a K-8 private school located at 3245 Sheffield Ave., will add a third sixth-grade class and admit about 15 to 18 more students than usual for the 2013-14 academic year, according to Sarah Wachs, the school's director of development.

Wachs said the school's board of trustees voted unanimously for the expansion after "record-breaking demand" for sixth grade admissions this year.

She cited a demographic trend toward increased numbers of middle school-aged chidlren and the school's strong reputation as among probable reasons for the large number of applications.

The school plans to add extra sixth grade classes for the following two academic years (2014-15 and 2015-16) as well, Wachs said.

Admissions decision letters for fall 2013 will be mailed to families on Thursday, March 8, 2013, with a family decision required by Friday, March 16. (Those are the same dates used by other K-8 private schools that are members of the East Bay Independent Schools Association, or EBISA.)

Do you have a child approaching middle-school age? Have you made a decision yet on private vs. public school? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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