Finding
a Private School
If you are searching for a private school, we
know you’re looking for more than just a good school: you’re
looking for the right school for your child.
We hope you will find the following information provided by
the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) useful in
making an informed decision about your child’s education, to
make the right choice for your child’s future.
Why Attend an Independent or Private School?
The reasons cited over and over again by the
families who send their children to independent or private schools
include individual attention, small classes, teacher excellence,
and high academic standards.
But the main motive for families looking into independent
or private schools can be summarized in one word: Quality.
These families want their children to be part of an
educational community with high expectations of every student.
They want, quite simply, the best for their sons and
daughters.
Ensuring Quality
How do independent or private schools ensure
the standards of quality and excellence that you want for your
child? Though schools
differ from each other in philosophy and approach, they must all
go through an approved accreditation process to become members of
a national association such as NAIS.
The accreditation process ensures that certain standards of
educational quality, operation, and staff competence are met and
maintained. The
requirements for accreditation are different in various
organizations.
School Accountability
Private and independent schools are directly
accountable to parents; this influences both structure and
services. Time and
again, exceptional teaching, emphasis on ethics, and
individualized instruction, are cited by families as the
characteristics they value most.
Parents are often pleased to discover that these school
teachers studied in college the discipline they teach, rather than
majoring in teaching. This
allows for greater depth of knowledge in the classroom, and
dedication to on-going learning in the teacher’s chosen subject
matter. Also, because
most private schools offer small classes, teachers know their
students as individuals, allowing deep relationships to develop.
Narrowing the Choices
With your “wish list” in hand, you are
ready to start narrowing your school choices.
If you haven’t done so already, contact each potential
school for materials dealing with philosophy, curriculum,
extracurricular offerings, admission process, and financing
options. Compare each
school’s literature with the items on your list; this should
give you a preliminary sense of which schools are a good match.
Take into account what type of environment would be best
for your child and consider his or her individual strengths as you
examine each school’s program.
Eliminate any school that doesn’t meet a fundamental
requirement: for instance, if your child wishes to study Japanese
but the school doesn’t offer this course, you may need to look
further.
Here are some questions to start with as you
look through each school’s materials:
-
Is the school accredited and by
whom?
-
What is the school’s mission and
does its philosophy appeal to you?
-
Does a school have a special or
particular educational focus?
-
Is the atmosphere competitive? Nurturing?
-
Does the school meet your child’s
needs?
-
How large is the school and its student
body?
-
Where is the school located and what are
your transportation options?
-
What varieties of learning experiences
are available at the school: in class, on the playing field, in
extracurricular activities, and in community service?
-
Does the school seem to have a diverse
student body and faculty?
-
Do the school materials discuss parental
involvement?
-
For high schools, what are the graduation
requirements?
-
What percentage of students enters
colleges?
-
What kind of colleges do they attend?
-
What is the tuition and how flexible are the
school’s financing options?
-
What is the school’s application
process?
-
Are deadlines drawing near?
On your own, write down additional questions
and notes. Consider
starting one sheet of paper per school.
That way, you will be able to easily look up questions that
are pertinent to the school you are visiting.
You might even want to set up a questionnaire you can copy
and use for each school.
The Visit and Interview
Though independent and private schools all
meet rigorous standards, the differences among them are great.
Admission materials are useful but they don’t always
convey a school’s atmosphere.
That’s why a campus visit and personal interview are
crucial. When you
schedule your visit, allow enough time to get a feel for each
school. (Ask how much
time you’ll need for a complete tour.)
Bring your wish list and notes to the interview and don’t
be afraid to ask lots of questions!
Remember, the interview is a two-way process allowing you
to find out more about the school, and helping admission officers
to better understand your child.
During the interview, take time to honestly discuss your
child’s candidacy as well as to ask any unanswered questions
that may be lingering in your mind. Here are a few to get you
started:
-
Is the school willing and eager to involve parents?
-
How, and how often, does the school communicate with the
family?
-
Do the students you see seem productive, engaged, and
happy?
-
How do the teachers interact with their students?
-
What will students at your child’s age be expected to
study?
-
What are the backgrounds and experiences of the faculty?
-
Does the school provide its teachers with opportunities for
continuing professional development?
-
How does the school measure individual achievement and
progress?
-
Is the campus clean, well lighted, secure?
-
What kind of leadership and governance does the school
have?
-
Are faculty and staff involved in decision-making and
curriculum development?
-
Does what you see reflect the school’s stated mission?
-
What kind of counseling and support services are offered?
-
Does the school feel like a community? Are students
interacting with teachers outside as well as inside.
-
Can you picture your child growing in this environment?
Before you leave each school, consider asking
for a list of parents you can call for personal referrals.
You may feel more comfortable if you can talk to families
experiencing the school now.
As you visit schools, keep notes on responses to your
concerns. Also, write
down any additional thoughts on the day you visit, while
impressions are fresh in your mind.
The Admission Process
Independent and private schools are as
concerned about their students’ welfare and success as you are.
They want to be sure that the match between your child and
the school is a good one. After
you visit several schools, create a “short list” of those wish
to pursue. Complete
each selected school’s application form, triggering the rest of
the admission process. Most
schools require a complete application file before making a
decision. The
following items are typically required:
-
a completed
application form
-
the most
recent academic transcript with grades
-
past standardized testing results
-
teacher recommendations
-
results of a standardized admission test and/or a school-administered
entrance exam
-
notes from a formal interview
with your child*
Depending on the applicant’s age, some
independent or private schools may ask for other materials, such
as:
Remember, all independent and private schools
have slightly different admission procedures, so review each
school’s requirements carefully.
Do not miss individual school application deadlines, but if
you do, don’t panic. There
are many fine schools that continue to admit students throughout
the academic year and during the summer months.
Standardized Test Services (for
entrance into grades 6-12)
Below are two of the most commonly used
standardized admission tests; however many schools prefer using
their own entrance exams.
The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE)
Educational Records Bureau
Lincoln Center
140 West 65th Street
New York, New York 10023
1-800-446-0320
The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT)
The Secondary School Admission Test Board
12 Stockton Street
Princeton, New Jersey 08540
(609) 683-4440
*Elementary schools often require other forms
of evaluation, such as teacher observations, school administered
group tests, and/or individual diagnostic tests for young
children. These
methods offer a more useful measurement of a child’s readiness,
intelligence, and developmental abilities.
Financial Facts
In recent years, independent and private
schools have successfully opened their doors to students of many
economic backgrounds. While
financing a child’s education is still considered primarily the
family’s responsibility, schools have increasingly provided
various options to help make an education more affordable.
Schools are glad to include financial aid information in
their first mailing, so be sure to ask for it.
When you visit, ask any remaining questions.
And be careful to watch for financial aid application
deadlines, just as you watch for admission and testing deadlines!
Most independent and private schools use the
School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) to assess a
family’s ability to contribute to their child’s education.
Many also request some certification of family finances,
usually federal tax returns.
Schools use the difference between their tuition and fees
and your resources to determine financial need. Grants can range
from small amounts up to full tuition, depending on the
availability of funds.
Many schools also offer payment plans and
loan programs to help families balance tuition and other financial
obligations. Indeed,
in recent years, a greater number of families are financing
tuition through a combination of financial aid, monthly payment
plans, and loans. If you do not qualify for direct financial aid, or if the
school grant does not meet your needs, consider one of these other
options.
While most assistance comes in the form of
need-based aid, some schools also offer merit awards. Quite often, these awards are offered to students
demonstrating a certain skill or talent desired by the school.
Information about merit awards is available through the
admission office. Remember,
the school’s financial aid officer is there to help.
Don’t hesitate to ask as many questions and explore as
many options as necessary.
The Decision
Admission officers take many factors into consideration
before making a decision on each applicant.
Among the factors influencing your child’s candidacy are:
-
results of standardized tests
-
personal insights from your child’s
essay
-
impressions gathered from the formal interview with your
child
-
your alumni connections to the
school
-
your sibling or other connections to
the school
-
your child’s potential contribution to the life of the school
-
number of applicants and number of
spaces
available
-
past
academic performance and previous school records
-
recommendations from teachers/counselors
-
special strengths and talents (academic, artistic, etc.)
Keep in mind that no independent or private
school weighs factors in the same way, or follows the exact list
printed above. While
one school may highly value your child’s achievement record,
another might be impressed by his or her theatrical talents.
It is a good idea to ask about the most important factors
influencing the school’s admission decisions during your visits.
While some schools notify all families on
March 10, others offer rolling admission and will give you a
decision once your child’s application file is complete. When
you receive word about your child’s acceptance, you should also
learn about financial aid awards.
If the grant you receive does not meet your needs, or if
you are not awarded any aid, contact the school’s financial aid
officer to learn about other options.
Your Choice
With each school’s decision in hand, it is
time to make your choice. While there are no hard and fast rules
to guarantee your child and an individual school will be the
perfect match, most families advise the following: Follow your
heart. Discuss your
decision as a family and revisit your wish list one last time to
ensure your priorities have been met.
In the end, you must feel assured that your child will not
only develop but thrive in the independent or private school
community he or she joins. If
you aren’t entirely sure, consider a second visit to the school,
meeting a few teachers, or talking to current families or alumni.
Whatever you decide, do make your decision
within the time frame set by the schools and inform all schools of
your final decision. Often, other candidates are on waiting lists,
anxious to learn whether a space will become available.
Therefore, prompt responses are not only polite but
important. Once you
return a signed enrollment contract together with a tuition
deposit, your family will be considered part of the school
community. Many
schools offer “big brother and big sister” programs for
incoming students who would like to communicate with currently
enrolled peers; some schedule special gatherings in order to
introduce new families to currently enrolled ones.
****If you are searching for a private school
for your child, be sure to check out the
Private School
DIRECTORY which can be found on this Web site.**** |
