Private schools have their own jargon. Many of the terms found in common use at private schools come from Britain. As a result you will come across familiar words used in strange ways. Other terms are merely acronyms frequently found as you research schools and explore their websites.
- ADD/ADHD
Attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are mental disorders which can develop most commonly in children.
- AP
Advanced Placement is a very popular sequence of courses organized by the College Board.
- COOP
COOP is the Cooperative Entrance Examination.
- Eurythmy
Eurythmy is a movement art commonly found in Waldorf schools.
- Form
A grade is a form in some older prep schools. The terms are interchangeable.
- Grade Scales
An A on one school's grade scale may not be the same as an A at another school.
- Headmaster
A headmaster is the principal or chief administrator of a private school.
- House
A house is a subset or grouping of students within a private school.
- HSPT
HSPT® is the High School Placement Test.
- IB
IB refers to International Baccalaureate.
- IPSL
The Ivy Preparatory School League is a consortium of top New York City private schools.
- ISEE
The Independent Schools Entrance Exam is a commonly used standardized admissions test.
- Junior Boarding Schools
Junior boarding schools typically serve 6th through 8th grade.
- Legacy Admissions to Private Schools
Legacies is a term which refers to applicants whose close relatives currently attend or have attended the same school.
- Montessori
Montessori is usually applied to schools which follow the teachings and methods of Dr. Maria Montessori.
- NAIS
The National Association of Independent Schools has about 1700 member schools.
- NEPSAC
New England Preparatory School Athletic Council has over 150 member schools.
- Nonsectarian
A nonsectarian school is a school not affiliated with any particular religion or belief.
- OLSAT
The Otis-Lennon Test is an aptitude test developed by Pearson Education.
- Orton-Gillingham
Orton-Gillingham refers to an approach for teaching reading to children who have dyslexia.
- PFS
The Parents Financial Statement is one part of the financial aid request process.
- PG
A post graduate year is the year following 12th grade.
- Progressive Education
Progressive education is rooted in the teachings and philosophy of John Dewey.
- Rolling Admissions
Rolling admissions means that a school has no fixed admissions deadline.
- Safe School
A safe school is a school you are certain to be accepted at.
- SSAT
The Secondary School Admissions Test is a widely used private school admissions test.
- Sundries
Sundries refers to all the extras on a private school bill.
- TACHS
TACHS is the Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools.
- Wechsler Intelligence Tests
The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children(WISC) is an intelligence test which produces an IQ or intelligence quota.
