Starting an Independent School Search? Use the Four Rs ...

There’s no disputing it: applying to independent schools is a bewildering process that requires a significant investment in time and effort. In fact, a recent survey released by the Enrollment Management Association (EMA), shows that more than 50% of parents rate their anxiety level about the experience as a six out of ten or higher. That’s a lot of angst right there!

So, what is the best way to start the private school admissions process? And is there a way to make it less onerous? My advice? While there’s no big ‘fix’ that will suddenly make the legwork disappear, I always recommend using the Four Rs of Reflection, Research, Reinforce, Regroup.

Long story short, if an independent school search is on the horizon, I encourage you to follow these simple steps over the summer months. If all goes well, you’ll be ahead of the curve and ready to take a deeper dive into the admissions process by the time September rolls around.

A few words before we begin:

• When building your initial list of target schools, be as disciplined as possible. This preliminary diligence will help determine which schools you can discard and which one to explore on a more detailed level.

• Also, if they are old enough, be sure to include your child in all conversations around the search. Their input and opinions will lead to ownership of the process, which will ultimately result in better outcomes.

Since COVID, school websites have become the primary focus of the initial phase of the school search. Consequently, schools have enriched their site content to provide families with a deeper understanding of student life, academics, and extracurricular activities without even setting foot on campus. This is a huge gift to prospective students and their parents, so use it wisely!

To jump-start the initial legwork, reflect on these questions as you peruse each school website:

• At this school, will my child be seen and known?

• Will my child thrive?

• Does this school provide value in terms of programming and extracurricular activities?

• Does this school place emphasis on nurturing a love of learning and expanding moral character?

You’ve followed all the advice in Step 1 and by now, you’ve compiled a list of idealized schools. However, it’s now time to zero in on what matters most and build the definitive list. A word of caution: websites may start to blur and blend together after a while. That is why it is important to scrutinize the content beyond the jargon and take copious notes to determine how it makes you ‘feel’. 

With this in mind, be methodical. Research the answers to these two questions as you explore websites.

• Does the school’s mission statement resonate with me?

• Am I curious to learn more?

You’ll be surprised at how your replies will validate first impressions and organize your thoughts even more.

Well done … You’re making excellent progress. Your finalized list is in sight, but you’re not quite there yet!

After the website, a school’s most powerful tool in attracting new students is word-of-mouth recommendations. So, it’s important to actively solicit third-party opinions to reinforce and validate your thoughts.

To that end, seek out feedback from current parents, students, and alumni. Ask probing questions about what it means to be part of the school community; listen carefully to their personal experiences and anecdotes, and consider how this information aligns with your personal values.

You’ve fine-tuned the parameters and criteria of your search, browsed every website, listened intently to your neighbors’ storytelling about XYZ School, and you’re now proudly in possession of your child’s list of desirable schools. What an amazing achievement - and the new academic year hasn’t even begun! 

Yes, there is still a lot of work to be done, but for now, give yourself a congratulatory pat on the back and regroup. The rest can wait until September!

If you’re still unsure about which way to turn, Jacquie and I are just a phone call or email away. Whether you’re looking for advice on which schools to include on your child’s school list, seeking guidance for the interview, or looking for more comprehensive support, we’re here to help you work through the complexities of the school search. In the meantime, have fun putting the Four Rs to good use!

Written by Verona Keating | Founding Partner | Keating Quigley Educational Advisors

Reflections On The School Admissions Process

Independent school admissions decisions are out and deposits are in, and the verdict... accepted, waitlisted or denied. For some, the outcome was just what they wanted, a spot at the school of their dreams. For others the decision was disappointing because they are on  a waitlist , or worse yet, denied. So what does this all mean?

Before I go on, I should tell you that my approach to school admissions is centered on self reflection and acknowledgement. I challenge you as parents, to take a non-linear approach to the school search by not making the process about a means to an end. Instead, push yourselves outside the box and use this as an opportunity to help your child build life skills. Life skills? What do they have to do with applying to schools? First, let us think about a few: admissions interviews, applications, school research, writing a resume, and time management. These are skills that all of us have to develop and use throughout our lives. So, why not start early?

“Learning without reflection is a waste. Reflection without learning is dangerous.”

-Confucius

The first step in this exploration starts with your child and getting them to understand who they are as an academic, a person, and general member of society. At this point, you are probably wondering at what age children can start identifying these skills. A middle schooler, with coaching, can easily start pinpoint some of their characteristics and qualities. Do not underestimate your child’s ability to recognize their strengths and weaknesses! 

I would argue that regardless of the admission decision, it’s important to reflect on the school selection process. What did you learn about yourself as a parent? What did you learn about your child? And last but not least, what should you be doing as a family going forward? For parents of middle or high school students, this should be viewed as an opportunity for your child to reflect upon their profile. Okay, so this sounds interesting... but, where do I go from here?

Take a step back before you move forward and ask yourself or your child:

• What did I or my child learn about their character?

• Did I/they discover anything new about their academic profile?

• Are extracurricular activities a significant part of the child’s life?

• Should we consider academic support or enrichment?

• Have I/we adequately researched and addressed the school programs that are a “best fit” match?

• Did we put enough emphasis on the school community and environment?

• Was the application process an emotionally balanced experience?

• Did I empower my child in their school search?

Do not feel like you have to have one big conversation about this. Instead, use this as an opportunity to start a dialogue. You might want to consider putting pen to paper before engaging in conversation to show that you put time and thought into understanding their school search. We all know how hard it is to strike a conversation with our middle or high school students. Seize the moment!

While many of you might be thinking, “my child has a spot in their first choice school so what’s all of this reflection about?” These are questions every parent should be asking themselves periodically as their child navigates their educational journey. Take a pulse along the way, and make sure that your child’s school is still appropriate based on how they are developing not only as a student, but as a person.

For those of you who are still waiting for a spot or are planning on going through the school application process again next fall, turn a negative into a positive, and use this time to reassess your child, and their school list. You might find yourself wondering if you should have done things differently. Remember, it’s never too late to redirect your thought process, and change your plan.

Jacquie Quigley | Partner | Keating Quigley Educational Advisors