Independent schools, both secular and religious, exist for preschool all the way through high school. We’ve discussed admissions to selective private high schools before, and covered some of the best private schools in the country. In this article, we’ll examine what that process looks like for younger students.
We’ll first look at why you might want to apply to one of these schools, and then discuss what the process looks like. We will separate this by grade levels, as the most common entry points are during kindergarten and in 6th grade. We’ll cover what schools commonly ask for, and what they’re looking for in applicants. Let’s get started!
Why Apply to a Private School?
There are many reasons to apply to private schools. For high schools, it is generally due to the increased preparation for college some private schools offer. At all levels, it is often due to perceived or actual differences in culture and course offerings than what is available at your local public schools.
There is another reason to apply to selective elementary and high schools however. The schools which go K-12 are easier to enter early, and students already in the school are almost guaranteed to proceed into the high school without difficulty. This eliminates the need for a stressful high school application process, and ensures students will attend a great high school.
Generally, parents look at the following factors when deciding which school is the right fit for their child:
- Academics. Is the school rigorous enough to prepare their child for what comes next, and how do students perform compared to their peers?
- Extracurriculars. What clubs and activities are available through the school, and how do those complement their child’s interests?
- Culture. Each school has its own culture and areas of focus, and you should make sure this environment fits your student’s needs, and will allow them to thrive.
Each school is unique, and should be evaluated based on how it will suit your child. We recommend taking a data based approach; looking at measurable metrics to evaluate schools’ performances. While data cannot tell you everything (and certainly won’t explore school culture), it does give a good baseline to compare schools. We recommend including the following factors:
- Student to teacher ratio. This is one of the most important factors for student performance, and shows how much support and individual attention students will be able to receive.
- Standardized test scores. These are not everything, but they give a good sense of how students are performing compared to expectations.
- High school placements. This matters for schools which end in 8th grade; seeing where students go to high school, and how selective those schools are, lets you know how good the school is at preparing students.
Once you’ve determined what school is right for your child, it’s time to apply. This looks very different depending on age; we’ll cover the most common points of entry: pre-K/Kindergarten, and 8th grade.
Applying to Pre-K/Kindergarten
All applications to private schools are about both the student and the family as a whole, but this is especially true for the youngest students. It is a common trope in education that parents make the biggest difference between good and bad students, and top private schools understand this well.
These applications require the following:
An Online Application
This asks for standard demographic information about you and your student, but needs to be filled out first. Some schools require you to fill out an initial interest form before you are granted access to this application. This is not hard to fill out; just take care to ensure all information entered is accurate.
Note that schools will also ask for health information; many private schools have strict vaccine requirements for students.
An Interview
This is an interview for you as parents. This is so you and the school can get to know each other, and is for you to interview them almost as much as it is for them to interview you. The goal is to see whether or not you are compatible in terms of your goals, and the culture the school is trying to build. These schools care a lot about fit, and this is what they are looking for here.
During this interview, your student will take part in group play. This is not about determining their intelligence or other abilities, but observing how they interact and deal with their peers. Classrooms are group settings, and schools want students who will add to, rather than detract from, the group environment. Getting your student used to interacting with other children their age in unstructured settings will be helpful here, so they have some understanding of sharing and communication. They don’t need to be prodigies, but need to act in an age-appropriate manner.
Note that these schools require all students to be fully potty trained. Accidents happen, but students won’t be admitted if they are not.
The Parent Statement
This is a brief written response you will need to submit as part of the online application. This is again a chance for the school to see how you would fit into their community as a family unit. Your response should be honest and earnest, and should seek to answer the question they ask.
It is easy to get sidetracked when answering these statements; work to stay on topic and express yourself fluently, and you will be in good stead.
Standardized Tests
Of course these are not the sort of tests older students take; instead these are assessments to try and measure the students against the norms for their age, and to gain insight into their potential. There isn’t much to do to prepare for these, though making sure your child has a chance to interact with peers their age, and has some understanding of how to navigate social situations is key.
Applying to 6th Grade
This is the other primary entry point for students to enter schools. More than 90% of students who enter an independent school do so during Pre-K/K, 6th grade, or 9th grade. This application has some elements from both the Pre-K and the 9th grade application, we will go through them all.
The Online Application
This covers basic demographic and academic information about the student, and includes details about where they went to school previously, and how academically prepared they are for middle school. You will be required to submit an official transcript from all schools attended.
This is not difficult, but make sure not to have any needless errors in this. Some schools require you to fill out an initial interest form before you can gain access to the online application.
Parent Statement
This is a brief written response included as part of the online application. The point of this is to understand how the entire family will fit into the school environment, to make sure you and the school are compatible with each other. This is generally around a page in length.
You should focus on answering the question as it is asked. You will be able to reuse much of this statement between schools, but be sure each properly addresses what the prompt is specifically asking about. You should also strive to be earnest in your response, and not pretend to be something you are not.
Interviews
Generally, both the parent and the student are required to complete an interview at this stage of the application process. The parent interview is again about determining fit between you and the school. You are encouraged to ask questions, and they want to see what your goals and values are as they relate to education.
The student interviews are about understanding who the student is, and what their passions are. It is normal not to know exactly what you’re going to do with your life at this point, but the student should show excitement about opportunities, and be able to give responses which sound natural, rather than overly rehearsed. The best way to prepare for these is to have similar conversations with them. Ask about their likes and interests, and get them used to speaking fluently.
Letters of Recommendation
These are an important part of applications, as they describe how a student behaves in and adapts to a classroom environment, and the kind of learner they are. Since they are going to school to learn, this is very important to know. Schools require one or two letters of recommendation; usually from math and English teachers if students have differentiated subjects.
Some schools accept additional letters of recommendation from other adults who know the child well, such as a coach or another teacher. This depends on the school; do not submit letters they did not ask for. You cannot write letters of recommendation for your own student; that is what the parent statement is for.
Activities
These are not as important as in later applications, but it is good to show that students are passionate about and involved with activities. These do not need to be fully fleshed out and realized passions, nor does your student need to be busy every hour of every day. Instead, schools want to see that students have interests outside the classroom, and that they are eager to actively explore them.
These can take many forms; sports, the arts, volunteering as a family; there is no one right activity schools are looking for. Instead, your child should be able to find things they enjoy, and devote time to exploring them.
Standardized Tests
Students intent on entering 6th grade will be required to submit standardized test scores. Schools generally require either the ISEE or the SSAT; many schools will let you choose one or the other to submit, but some schools mandate which test you take. You will need to take these tests in the fall of the year you apply; applications are generally due in January, which makes December the latest possible testing date.
Practicing for these tests is a good idea, as they are generally unlike anything students will have encountered before at school. While the material will be familiar, the format of the test, and the length, may throw off some students. We recommend not scheduling a test until your student has had ample time to prepare.
Applying to Other Grades
It is possible to apply to other grades besides pre-K/K and 6th, and most schools do admit a limited number of students in these grades. Just note that spaces in other grades only occur due to attrition, and they do not take on full classes except at designated entry points.
At some schools, however, it can be easier to get in at 7th or 8th grade than at 9th. This is the case in K-12 schools which do not expand much at the high school level, perhaps having only ten to twenty additional spots available. Due to the number of applicants aiming for those spots, it can be easier to apply in 7th or 8th grade, and securing a place preemptively.
The application process mirrors the ones listed above. Applications through 2nd grade more closely mirror the pre-K admissions, while in 3rd grade and beyond, they more closely resemble 6th grade. 3rd grade is where standardized test scores begin being considered, and where students will often have to complete their own interview, along with a parent interview.
Note that these applications will not always be available; because they only occur due to attrition, not every school will have openings in these grades every year. If you are interested in applying to specific schools, check in with admissions to see if there is space available.
Final Thoughts
There are many reasons to want to apply to independent schools before a student begins high school, and many opportunities you can take advantage of if you do. We hope that this article has explained what this process requires, and allows you to enter fully prepared for the task ahead.
Of course, the first step is determining which school is right for your child, and what will best serve their needs. If you want advice on this, or on any other aspect of the independent school application process, schedule a free consultation today. We have a long experience helping students make the most of their situations, and are always happy to hear from you.
