What To Consider When Choosing a School for Your Child

Choosing a school that will be the right fit for your child can be a confusing and daunting process for parents. There are, however, factors that can and should be considered. We recently sat down with GEP Educational Consultants Vicky Newman and Jacquie Quigley to ask them what every parent wants to know when selecting a school for their child.

What factors should I consider when choosing a secondary or independent school for my child?

VN: Go for the best fit. Look for courses that the school offers that will interest your child. Look at the extracurriculars, look at the sports, look at the mission of the school. Attend the open house. Ask yourself if you can see your son or daughter in this environment and as a part of this community.

JQ: I agree. It’s important to take a look at the whole child. One of the other things that is very different from a public school environment is that, at a private school, the individual grades each have their own personality. You want to get a flavor for the composition of the grade – their interests, their strengths, and the social aspect. When an admissions group is putting together a class, they are also looking at the dynamics of that particular grade and where they might need to fill holes. And there is a school for everyone – that’s the most important thing to keep in mind.

What are the advantages of sending my child to a private school?

JQ: One of the biggest advantages of sending your child to a private school is really one of the most obvious: they offer smaller classes and the ability for a child to really create a relationship with their teachers. The other thing is that, unfortunately, public schools do not have the same type of resources and time to spend getting to know each child and understanding their individual learning styles. Private schools also give children the ability to participate in activities that may not be available to them at a public school. There are a lot more extracurricular activities, clubs and athletics. From an athletic standpoint, even a child that isn’t a super athlete will be able to play and participate.

VN: I also think that private schools make a greater investment in their students. I think they’re held to a higher accountability standard. And I think the relationships between parents, teachers, and students are a lot closer. They communicate more.

What will make my child’s application more attractive to top-tier schools?

VN: Top-tier schools are looking for well-rounded kids. But they are also looking for motivated kids who already excel in one area. A child may still be looking for their passions, want to try more clubs, or try things that they’ve never tried, but they really need to be talented at something already. Whether it’s a sport, an instrument, or performing arts, schools look for that one thing that makes a child stand out, in addition to being well-rounded and having a good interview. They’re looking for a hook.

JQ: I think your points are well taken. The bottom line is that the top-tier schools are looking for students who shine. One of the important things about the application process is that kids really need to do their homework and research the schools they’re applying to, and then, based on what they learn about the school, be able to loop back into their own background and identify what is going to make them really stand out as an exceptional candidate for the school they’re applying to.

How or where can I find information on individual schools?

VN: There are a number of resources available to parents. One is calling the school and getting a viewbook. The second is online – look at each school’s individual website, read the blogs. You can also go to two different websites: www.boardingschoolreview.com and www.privateschoolreview.com are great resources. In addition, there are a number of guides out there that give a good summary of schools, day and boarding, such as Peterson’s. There is also the TABS book that summarizes each boarding school by state.

But how can you get the inside story?

VN: Talk to friends who have kids at the schools. Attend the receptions that schools host.

JQ: Independent school fairs are great. They’re usually held in September, October, and the beginning of November, so now is the time to investigate.

VN: Yes, and if your child attends a Pre K-9 private schools, use your placement counselor as a resource. Educational consultants can also be a huge help. They visit the schools, know the programs, know the directors of admission, and have contacts at the school. A good educational consultant will be honest with you about each school’s strengths. And they’re able to match your child’s academic and special interest background to the programs at the various schools.

What scores will my child need to get into top private schools?

VN: All of the schools are looking for a well-rounded child. The ISEE or SSAT is one piece of the puzzle. It is the one thing, however, that puts all of the candidates on a level playing field. But keep in mind that it is just one piece of the puzzle.

JQ: The other thing to consider is the academics. Your child’s report cards, records, standardized test scores will also be another piece of this puzzle. They will take a look at your child’s special interests and athletic abilities. The interview plays an important part in the process as well. And there’s no real tell-tale formula. Even though the school may say that they want kids with an ISEE score in the 7th or 8th stanine, or an SSAT score in the 80-90th percentile, if they get a child with strong academic records, a good interview, and strong special interests, that kid is definitely a viable candidate.

Does legacy matter?

VN: It certainly helps. But if a child can’t truly make it in that academic setting, they’re not  going to take that child just because he or she is a legacy. But they will reach out to the parents and give them that advice. They will be honest, and they’re not going to take a kid they think is going to sink.

JQ: To the best of their ability, the admission staff will try to give a spot to a legacy candidate if he or she is the right fit, but they won’t do it unless they think that the child is going to be successful at that school.

What tips would you give about the interview process for applying to private schools?

JQ: I really hate to use the word “interview” when we talk about the process. When the interview comes up, I always tell kids that it’s really not an interview. It’s an information sharing session. Just as much as the school is there to learn about the child and see if he or she is a fit for their school, it’s also an opportunity for the child to learn about the school and decide whether or not he or she will be happy there. When the parents position it in this way, it doesn’t become such a frightening experience for the child. The bottom line is that you have children interviewing from elementary, middle, and high school, and it’s a life skill that will improve over time.

VN: I completely agree. I also think that you need to be yourself when you are interviewing, and you need to learn how to present yourself so that the school views you as a viable candidate.

JQ: Speak about your passions…

VN: …and why you think you can make a difference at this school. They want you to want more. This is what comes out in the application process.

JQ: And make sure to do your research ahead of time!

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 17th, 2009 at 3:55 pm and is filed under Academic Tutoring. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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