Choosing the right secondary school for your child is a time-consuming process. Allow yourself plenty of time by starting at least a year before the date of admission. Seek expert advice and guidance. Why? Because the 'right' school is the one which 'fits' best for you and your child. The 'best' school is not always going to be the most competitive school. If you have questions or need help, please email me.
Starting The Process
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You are a busy parent. You are thinking about giving your child the best possible education you can afford. Where do you begin? What's involved? How do you choose the right private school for your child? How do you know which is the best school? Choosing the right secondary school for your child is a process. This Decision Center is designed to help you navigate each step of that process.
Step 1 - Decide What Kind of School You Want
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There is a private school for just about every requirement you can imagine. 29,000 of them in fact. In Step 1 you make a rough cut by deciding which kind of school you want to select. Do not try to make these decisions on your own. All parties to the process be involved. Listen attentively to your child's wishes and suggestions. Her happiness is at stake. Consult family and friends too. They know you and understand your requirements. You will benefit from their advice. Finally, hire an educational consultant. You wouldn't write your own will or diagnose your own illnesses. It pays to seek expert advice.
Step 2 - Gather Information
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The internet makes it fairly easy to gather information about schools. Many schools even have online tours. Request the schools' admissions materials online too. If you have questions, call the Admissions Office. It will save you time and help narrow your choices. At the end of this step you should have a short list of 5-10 schools. Review these with your consultant and heed her advice.
Step 3 - Visit Schools
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There is no substitute for visiting the schools on your short list. The online tour or an interview with admissions staff on the phone does not allow you to experience the school. Remember: you are selecting a school which will mold and shape your child for the rest of your life. You need to meet the molders and shapers!
Step 4 - Take the Admissions Test
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Schedule your child's SSAT or other standardized admissions test in September. The tests are offered frequently. The applications process is online. Plenty of test preparation materials are available online or at book stores. If your child needs remediation in any subject area, the time to do this is during the summer. Don't leave it until the last minute.
Step 5 - Apply
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Applying to several schools used to be a tedious process. Not any more. Most schools use a common applications process. The testing and the financial aid components are also streamlined. The critical thing here is to meet the deadlines. This is particularly important at highly competitive schools. Once the applications are submitted, relax and wait until acceptances are mailed out in March.
