It may seem crazy that 10-year-olds have to deal with such high stakes: an elite citywide school, changing up long-standing friendships, learning new routines. But I'm not one for sheltering my kids from all of this. If Jada had gotten in (and if Aaron gets in, when we apply for him in two years), we'd lean pretty heavily towards going for it. Choosing a new school isn't always the right answer, but it neither is it never the right answer. Kudos to those kids who got in and who are going; they are going to have a great time, and they will grow from the experience.
As for Jada, she's fine. Penn Alexander remains a fantastic school all the way through to 8th grade. Our commute is a known quantity. Some of her friends will remain with her there, and those who are going to a new school still live in the neighborhood and can be counted on to not lose touch.
Big-picture, it's good to not always get everything you want in life. Or, said another way, 10 is a better time to deal with your first crushing rejection than 20 or 30 or 40.
Thanks to all who chimed in to offer advice, moral support, and consolation. There is a lot of wisdom and love out there, and I feel humbled to have so much of it come my way.
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