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Prep School Articles & Resources

We put our experience as students, teachers and administrators, to work for applying families. At AQ, we work to develop and find focused tools that help families navigate the private school and boarding school world.

Below are AQ articles and thoughts on independent schools, as well as links to other online resources that we like.

Applying to Private School on Short Notice

Navigating and planning the private school admission process when time is of the essence.

Why Choose a Small Boarding School?

The benefits of attending a small boarding school are examined in this article by the Small Boarding School Association.

Accepted Student Re-Visit Days

An accepted student visit (AKA 'student re-visit day') is very different from your tour and time on campus as part of the application process. It's an opportunity to spend a day on campus to gain a feeling for how things work.

Boarding School Benefits

Students choose boarding schools for multiple reasons. Small classes, extracurricular opportunities and an edge in college admissions rank highly in the minds of many. The list below offers key reasons for attending boarding schools.

Waitlisted at a Private School?

Educational consultant Marylou Marcus offers tips for students who have been waitlisted at their first-choice school boarding school or private school.

Tips for Students Accepted at a Private School

Educational consultant Marylou Marcus offers tips for students who have been accepted at a boarding school or private school.

Gap Year Programs

As a follow up to our PG article, We've put together a list of Gap Year Programs and resources that provide a starting point for the kinds of experiences that many students and families seek.

The Fall Admission Season

AQ provides an overview of things to consider as you move into the fall admission season.

Small Boarding School Qualities & Perspectives

A look at the unique qualities and perspectives available only in small boarding schools.

Boarding School & Private School Resources

A collection of links to boarding school & private school resources.

The Admission Process: Decision Time!

The day has arrived. Are you ready? AQ offers advice on how to manage this time of year.

The Military School Experience

An overview of military schools provided by The Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States.

Prep School Application Checklist

AQ prep school application checklist gives you a month-by-month breakdown of the application process.

Assessing the Admission Process

An inside look at how to assess where you stand in the admission process.

Boarding School Tours

A big part of the boarding school search is a visit to campus for a tour. AQ offers tips to keep in mind as you're touring schools during the admission season.

Studying in a US Boarding School

A Japanese student describes her experiences in a US boarding school.

Boarding School Interviews

Boarding School interviews are of great importance to the admission process. AQ provides a set of tips to consider as you prepare for your boarding school interview.

PG Year at a Boarding School

Thinking about a PG or Post-graduate Year at a boarding school? AQ's overview provides a look into the reasons students elect to ‘PG’ before heading off to college.

Application In: What to do while you wait.

A look at how to bridge the gap between submitting your application and the school's decision.

Repeating A Grade in Boarding School

AQ looks at the reasons for repeating a grade in boarding schools.

A Post Graduate Year; what's that?

Considering a post graduate year? AQ examines the history of the 'PG' year and why they're offered by prep schools.

Why Boarding School?

Tim Weymouth, a boarding school lifer, talks about the benefits of the boarding schools.

Catholic School Benefits

Parents & their children benefit from the high academic standards; values-added education offered by Catholic Schools. AQ examines the many benefits associated with Catholic Schools.

January: Lets Apply!

Late to the admission process? Here are some items to consider when researching & applying to prep schools.

Prep School Applicants: Feature Your Strengths!

Highlighting one’s talents and interests applies to all prep school applicants. AQ looks at how an applicant should highlight his or her strengths.

Summer Reading: No list? How & what do you read?

What does it involve? Almost every prep school produces a summer reading list, has a summer reading requirement, and has some type of student evaluation upon arrival to school in the fall.

Homesickness: Challenges of Building New Bonds

A inside look at the problem of homesickness on boarding school campuses.

Therapeutic Schools: Finding Professional Help

A Mental Health Professional in Concert with an Educational Consultant.

Therapeutic Schools: Addressing a Child in Crisis

The first in a five article series looking at the therapeutic school placement process.

Therapeutic & Educational Assessment

Therapeutic assessments and environments provide the opportunity to step back and examine a child’s fundamental building blocks.

Therapeutic Schools: Educational Consultants

Tips for finding the right educational consultant to help with your therapeutic placement.

Therapeutic Schools: Building a Plan

Suggestions on how to build a plan for finding the right therapeutic program for your child.

The Admission Process: Ongoing Correspondence

What will happen and what might happen...

Prep School Admission Process

AQ's step-by-step look at the admission process.

The Benefits of a Small Private School

A conversation with Marylou Marcus, the former Director of Admission, Dublin School.

Meet the Private School!

Advice and perspectives about getting the most out fall parent visits.

Let's Apply!

A systematic guide to the admission process from consideration to final selection.

Finding the Right Private School

Andrew Churchill, former Dean of Admission at New Hampton School, answers questions and makes recommendations about beginning a school search.

Prep School Articles

School News

Fountain Valley School of Colorado

Riding Team Finishes Fifth at IEA Nationals

The Marvelwood School

ELL Summer Program

Visit a photo gallery

AQ Member Boarding Schools

A photo tour of selected member boarding schools.

Canterbury School

The Delphian School

 

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