"Admission Process"
Preparing for the Boarding School Interview
Because boarding schools typically provide a higher level of education, the entrance requirements for these opportunities are extremely competitive. And because the application doesn’t really give a whole lot of insight into the student’s demeanor, personality, etc. most boarding schools require an interview prior to acceptance. The whole interview concept causes many applicants anxiety because [...]
Read MoreMy child needs a change!
Do you have a teenager who seems unmotivated and under-stimulated in his or her school? Is it perhaps more than just ‘a phase’? Are you worried that their current school is unable to provide the necessary academic challenge, extra-curricular opportunities, structure and accountability that you feel is your child requires? Are you worried about the [...]
Read MoreWhat? Boarding School?
Hey mom? Dad? I’ve been thinking… what would you think if I told you that I wanted to go to a boarding school? Silence. I mean, I’ve been looking into it and it looks pretty cool. Dad helps mom off the floor… No really… check out these websites. It’s totally amazing. What these kind of [...]
Read MoreConsidering a Junior Boarding School for Your Child?
Yesterday, a mom called the office asking about junior boarding schools in the south- a quick straightforward question that quickly grew from the practical to philosophical. The family was new to the notion of boarding school and, within that, working to come to terms with an eighth grade daughter who might be best served in [...]
Read MoreInterlochen Arts Academy Earns a Brief Mention in New York Times “The Choice” Blog
In their post “The College Decision From The Professors’ Perspective,” Lynn Jacobs and Jeremy Hyman mention Interlochen Arts Academy as an example of a strong program and how to temper and weigh collegiate expectations. “Don’t make a hobby into a deal-breaker. Whether — and how well — a college can accommodate your extracurricular interests is [...]
Read MoreThe Boarding School Decision: Some Thoughts From a Reluctant Mother
This timely post comes from our friends at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School. We share an open letter from EA Raines-Whorton (SA-S mother) written to fellow parents as they grapple with their school boarding decision and, perhaps, more fundamentally, the whole notion of boarding school. In her “A Message for Reluctant Boarding Parents,” Raines-Whorton gives voice to [...]
Read MoreStoneleigh-Burnham School Adopts the IB
Stoneleigh-Burnham School (Greenfield, MA) joins the growing list of American boarding schools adopting the International Baccalaureate program to shape their acdemic programs. Stoneleigh becomes the third girls boarding school, and the first in New England girls boarding school, to adopt the IB. Stoneleigh is currently wrapping up its IB accredidation and adoption process. SB-S will [...]
Read More“I was waitlisted at my first choice school, how can I get off the waitlist?”
There’s no guarantee that a private school will have an opening and move to accept you from their waiting list. We suggest some basic waiting list strategies.
Read MoreSSAT & ISEE Study Tips: Verbal Section and Essay Writing
Editor’s note: Building on Aristotle Circle’s first post that looks at the SSAT & ISEE and their math sections, this second entry offers test prep advice for each exam’s verbal essay writing sections. Preparing for the verbal section The verbal section of both tests relies heavily on a strong grasp of vocabulary. This means understanding [...]
Read MoreAn Intro to the SSAT & the ISEE
Editor’s note: Testing is one of the realities of private school admission. Parents and students labor and pour over the tests, test preparation and divine clues about what roles test scores play in each school’s admission decision. Our colleagues at Aristotle Circle are kindly sharing their expertise in private school admission tests through a two [...]
Read MoreTips For Choosing a Boarding School
Searching for a boarding school can be a difficult task considering the sheer number of schools from which to choose from. When considering an alternative to their child’s current education, many parents consider boarding school for their reputation at providing superior educational resources and lifelong experiences. Below are tips to follow when choosing a boarding [...]
Read MorePrivate School Decision Day 2011: Acceptance, Rejection, & Financial Aid
With many admission and financial aid letters arriving today (the traditional boarding school notification day), it’s a good time to highlight and provide quick links to our library of articles and blog posts covering the post admission-decision landscape. Keep in mind- no matter what decisions the schools make and no matter what decision you make- [...]
Read MorePerspectives on Private School Rejection
Washington Post, writer Jay Matthews has a timely piece addressing private school rejection (albeit a little bit ahead of the traditional boarding school acceptance date of March 10). “Private School Rejection? Don’t Panic Yet” covers some well travelled ground quoting a couple of consultants and touching lightly on the concept of ‘school fit’ and he’s [...]
Read MoreSchool’s (Almost) Out For Summer…Now What to Do?
The start of the New Year clearly symbolizes one thing for students…the halfway point of the school year! Though the seasons may differ for students residing in different parts of the world, many still refer to the months of June and July as “summer” and begin looking ahead to their break from school. However, this [...]
Read MoreICEF is Coming to Vancouver in May!
Many schools use educational consultants to help them find and select suitable students. It makes sense. Why fly half-way across the world to find students when you can hire someone on the ground in any specific country to find students for you? These consultants (sometimes referred to as agents) vary in ability and professionalism, so [...]
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