Admissions 101: The Open House

Thoughts From Jacquie & Verona…

There’s no denying it, the independent and boarding school admissions process can be overwhelming: the to-do list looks endless, the multitude of components can be bewildering, and the number of hoops to jump through feels convoluted. But it’s important to point out that there’s intentionality behind every step along the way: each school is simply doing its due diligence to determine if your child will be successful in their community.

So let’s dive right in and take a look at this week’s installment: The Open House.

This Week’s Lowdown: The Open House

Last year, schools were forced to rethink Open House formats due to the pandemic, with many pivoting to virtual events out of necessity. This year, many have returned to in-person admissions events, but some continue to offer online options only, while some are offering a hybrid menu of virtual and in-person events. Be sure to check out each school’s website carefully to take full advantage of all the options available.

So let’s dissect the Open House to understand its purpose and what it looks like…

The overarching objective of these events is to give you the opportunity to meet teachers, students, and parents from the community so that you can ultimately determine if it’s a good fit for your child. Whether being held in-person or virtually, the Open House generally features:

• Words of welcome from the Head of School

• Informal opportunities to engage with teachers

• Classroom visits

• Parent and/or student panels

• Campus tours

KQ Tips

As you will most likely be attending several open houses, we encourage you to take notes at each one to ensure you don’t forget important details along the way. It also goes without saying that if your child is old enough, have them attend the events with you and ask them to do the same so you can compare notes afterward. For example, as you listen to speakers, reflect on the substance of their words to determine:

• Will my child be seen and known at this school?

• Will my child thrive here?

• 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?

A final word from KQ …

Don’t forget that KQ is here to help you devise your personalized admissions plan, from identifying the school list through working on essays, preparing for interviews, and ultimately determining the best fit for your child. We’re always just a phone call or email away.

We can’t wait to hear from you!

Written by Keating Quigley | Educational Consultants

Admissions 101: ISEE vs. SSAT

Thoughts from Jacquie & Verona…

There’s no denying it, the independent and boarding school admissions process can be overwhelming: the to-do list looks endless, the multitude of components can be bewildering, and the number of hoops to jump through feels convoluted. But it’s important to point out that there’s intentionality behind every step along the way: each school is simply doing its due diligence to determine if your child will be successful in their community.

So, if a school search is on your horizon, we’ve compiled a series of mini-blogs over the coming weeks. Each article will focus on a key element of the process and is intended to give you an overview of what’s involved and help you manage your time more effectively. For additional pointers, you can also read our previous blog, Starting an independent school search? Use the four Rs ... 

For the first installment in our mini-series, we invited Business Development Director at Summit Educational Group, Whitney Longworth, to help answer the perennial question that parents frequently ask us, “Which is better for my child: ISSE or SSAT? “ Here’s what Whitney had to say …

This Week’s Lowdown: ISEE vs. SSAT - Five Key Differences

While many independent schools specify which test they prefer in the admission process, you may be in a situation where you have the choice of taking the Secondary School Admission Test or the Independent School Entrance Exam.  Here are some key differences to help you decide between the two tests:

1. Vocabulary

Both tests have sections devoted to vocabulary through identifying synonyms.  A key difference is that the other half of the verbal section on the SSAT is devoted to analogies, whereas the ISEE has sentence completions.  If your student struggles with vocabulary, they might find that the sentence completions section on the ISEE is less challenging because of the additional context within the sentences.

2. Essay

Each test has a timed writing sample component.  The SSAT provides students with a choice between two prompts and is the first section on the test.  The ISEE only provides a single prompt and is the final section of the test.  If your student struggles with writing, it may be worth considering the SSAT since they will be able to complete that section first, instead of having to wait until after they have completed the rest of the test on the ISEE.

3. Math

Both tests have similar math concepts, but the Upper Level ISEE includes more advanced concepts, including trigonometry.  The ISEE also has a Quantitative Reasoning section that can be more challenging for some students.

4. Guessing Penalty

The SSAT has a guessing penalty; if you answer a question incorrectly, you lose a ¼ point.  Students need to practice and strategize whether or not they should guess on a question or leave it blank.  The ISEE does not have a guessing penalty; you simply receive points for correct answers. 

5. Opportunities to Test

Students are allowed to take an ISEE test once during a testing window.  The windows are August – November, December – March, and April – July.  Students can take the SSAT on monthly standard test dates, as well as through flex tests and computer-based.  If you are working with a tight timeline, the SSAT may be more convenient as your student will have more opportunities to test.

Still unsure about which test might be the right choice for your student?  You can have them take a practice test of each and compare their results and experiences. 

A final word from KQ …

When it comes to deciding how best to navigate a school search with your child, don’t forget that KQ is here to help you devise a personalized admissions plan that includes building the school list, essay support, preparing for interviews, and ultimately determining the best fit for your child. We’re always just a phone call or email away.

We can’t wait to hear from you!

’ISEE vs. SSAT - Five Key Differences’ Written by Whitney Longworth | Director of Business Development | Summit Educational Group

Whitney graduated cum laude from Connecticut College where she was a selected scholar for the Holleran Center for Community Action and Public Policy. She started as a test prep tutor with Summit Education Group before joining the team full-time. She enjoys collaborating with school and independent counselor partners in her role at Summit. Whitney is a frequent expert panelist and guest speaker at industry conferences.

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

Why Boarding School?

In conversation with families, we are frequently surprised that more students don’t have boarding schools on their radar screen. Why is that? Could it be that the perception of this type of educational experience is stuck in the past? Or, is it that families simply don’t understand what they have to offer?

To answer these questions, we invited our colleagues at Great Boarding Schools (GBS) to share their perspectives on the benefits of a boarding school education.

The Benefits of Boarding School…

Who we are…

The Great Boarding School group consists of fifteen top boarding schools from the Northeast. We come together as a consortium to offer interested families a look at a wide spectrum of benefits and options of the various signature programs and 21st-century teaching and learning models embodied by the individual member schools.

Our goal is to help enlighten families regarding boarding school options including; educational philosophies, academic curriculum, extracurricular offerings, single-gender education, and residential life curriculum. We share a unified belief in the positive outcomes a boarding school experience can have on your child.

So, as you embark on the admissions process, let’s answer that refrain ‘why boarding school?’ To do this, we narrow in on the four differentiating pillars of campus life that every parent and candidate should examine when contemplating a boarding school education.

#1 Community

Boarding schools are more than just schools — they are communities. Communities made up of talented and diverse students, accomplished and caring faculty and staff members, and loyal and dedicated alumni and families. They are communities designed to challenge and support, encourage and celebrate. Communities built on relationships that extend beyond the classroom and into dorms and dining halls, onto playing fields and stages, and far from campuses. They are communities that enhance all aspects of the educational experience, instilling in students the value of connection and collaboration, and preparing them to be leaders in the years to come.

#2 World-Class Academics

The Goal: To foster academic exploration, feed curiosity, and challenge students as independent learners and thinkers. 

Small class sizes help students learn to share ideas, ask questions, and work collaboratively as they build relationships with their peers and with faculty. Students are encouraged to self-advocate and their needs are seen and understood by teachers who are engaged, passionate, and dedicated to each student’s individual growth and development. Learning continues beyond the classroom at boarding school. Faculty live on campus and serve as coaches, club sponsors, and dorm parents. This affords the opportunity to create teachable moments beyond the classroom - further enriching the student academic experience.

#3 Athletics

Athletics at a boarding school is about more than wins and losses. No matter what your path in life, physical activity plays an important role in your health and well-being. 

Under the careful mentorship of our experienced and passionate coaches, you learn important life lessons that transcend sport. Our varsity squads routinely compete against the best competition, but also offer great sub-varsity options for developing talent. Whether you play for the love of the game or are bound for college glory, we have a team for you.

While many students choose to play team sports all three seasons, each school offers athletic alternatives and recreational sports.

#4 Arts

The opportunity to engage in creative endeavors like music, dance, theater, and visual arts is one of the hallmarks of a boarding school education.  Each boarding school has a unique arts curriculum complete with light-filled studios to provide the perfect setting for students to immerse themselves in the creative process.  Whether you want to explore the basics of many different art forms or immerse yourself in your particular passion project, there is something for every kind of artist at boarding school.

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Find out more at upcoming GBS Workshops

One last thing…if boarding school is on your child’s horizon, it’s never too early to start the search process. To help you on your way, GBS is hosting a series of virtual workshops on May 4, 6, and 11. These interactive discussions will provide an excellent opportunity for parents and prospective candidates to meet students, who will talk about their personal experience with dorm life and co-curricular programming. Admissions officers will also be available to address topics such as:

• How COVID-19 has changed the way that students and their families research, identify, and select boarding schools

• Tips on how and when to visit a campus

• Applying and interviewing

• Financial Aid

Click here to register for any or all of these events. And if you’d like to dig in deeper, email us at KQ any time!

The GBS member Schools are:

• Bishop’s College School

• Cardigan Mountain School

• Emma Willard School

• Gould Academy

• Holderness School

• Kimball Union Academy

• Milton Academy

• Northfield Mount Hermon School

• Pomfret School

• Proctor Academy

• Salisbury School

• Tabor Academy

• The Governers Academy

• Westminster School

• Williston Northampton School

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

COVID: will it impact school admissions?

What a spring! For any of you with school-aged children, you know how your life changed almost overnight right around March 11, the day that the state of Connecticut asked K-12 schools to close. At Country School, we were two days away from the beginning of spring break so, while startling in some ways, beginning vacation early didn’t seem all that bad and many went home and started to pack.

Here in the admission office, my team and I lingered for two more days to wrap up our end-of-term business which now included leaving slightly different messages on our voicemails and email auto replies:

Greetings! Following the State of Connecticut’s orders, Country School is closed to visitors for the next two weeks during which time we are also on spring vacation. We are due to reopen and begin classes again on Monday, March 30, if allowed; otherwise we will begin our Distance Learning program until further notice. Alongside Distance Learning, the admission office will also be working remotely however we continue to welcome your calls and emails in anticipation of working with you this spring! …

Messages in place, we were delighted to issue five more offers of admission on Friday the 13th (they all accepted our offer a week later!) on our way out the door - our satchels now filled with laptops and memo pads - imagining that we’d be working from home for just a couple of weeks…

You know the rest of the story. Few traveled for break and if they did, they did so with an awareness that they might not return for a long time. We hunkered down at home, bracing for the unknown. Looking back, I continue to be amazed at the nimbleness and ability to pivot that our faculty and families employed this spring. And my admission colleagues across Fairfield and Westchester Counties followed suit, continuing to host information sessions, conduct interviews and administer assessments, all Zoom.

With a little bit of time to breathe, admission directors are all turning our attention to the fall as we prepare to return to campus. This is indeed the plan for most of us, at least in the state of Connecticut. With new guidelines and protocols in place, admission teams are plotting our 2020-21 “seasons” with excitement and hope, if also a little trepidation. Having attended several “Fairchester Admission Directors” meetings this spring and summer, I’m confident that, collectively, we are committed to conveying the uniqueness of our schools, providing thoughtful admission and selection processes and ensuring that our prospective families feel known and supported throughout the experience. We are committed to clear and timely communication, adherence to new safety norms, creativity and flexibility, access for a variety of families, and collaboration school to school in the spirit of helping our families create choice and reduce stress.

So, what will the admission season look like this year? Much the same in some ways, and quite different in others is the answer. A typical season entails the following steps - here’s my sense of what each of these may look like this season:

1. Campus visit/tours: Be prepared for modified tours, possibly to include an online tour coupled with some kind of on-campus tour. Campus tours - if they happen at all - will vary from school to school depending on each school’s best judgment about adhering to their standards of safety. You should anticipate anything from no tours at all to outside only tours to quick walk-throughs of one building to tours of empty buildings on weekends.

2. Other programming: Open Houses, receptions, information sessions, etc. These, too, will vary from school to school and may well be online as often as in person. Again, school’s individual interpretations of health standards will shape their programming.

3. Interviews: It’s my guess that many of us will conduct interviews via Teleconference rather than bringing people to campus. If family tours are offered, certainly this is a time to get acquainted but don’t be surprised if you’re still invited to chat by phone or Zoom. The same will apply for student interviews.

4. Assessments: Depending on the age of student, assessments have always varied. Older students tend to take the ISEE or SSAT and that will likely continue (stay tuned as to how students will take those tests…) and younger students have often come to campus for their assessments. In the COVID environment many of us shifted to online assessments (facilitated by our teachers and usually with a parent present on screen) for our younger students and/or issued prompts for video recordings - at home - which then allowed us to evaluate our youngest learners. This is probably the area about which the least has been decided to date, but by the fall schools will post their instructions and, where possible, even collaborate among themselves in order to reduce “testing time” for our applicants.

5. Notification, Revisits and Decision Timelines: A typical schedule for most of us is application deadlines of January 15, notifications in mid to late February and Family Decisions are due in mid-March. It remains to be seen whether some schools may accelerate their timelines in order to provide families with the reassurance of a decision sooner in the year, or push deadlines back in order to allow for enough time - particularly as campuses may have to close at various times in the winter months - for families to investigate all of their options. Admission directors are working as we speak to come to a broad agreement about timelines - my bet is that they will remain largely the same as the past with the anticipation of rolling admission as space is available into the spring...

As prospective families prepare for the year ahead my final counsel, in addition to what I mentioned earlier, is to do what you’d always do:

• Articulate why you’re looking at the independent school option and determine what your criteria is for the right kinds of schools (mission, culture, academic options, specialized focus, commutable distance, etc.)

• Explore websites, ask questions (of the schools, of your friends) and become acquainted with an array of places in the spirit of creating good choices

• And, this year especially, get creative - if you can tour one school but can’t tour another, maximize other tools (website, word of mouth, conversation with admission parent volunteers, etc.) as a way to become acquainted with schools. Don’t immediately conclude that because one school hosted an Open House and another didn’t, you need to eliminate the latter. This is a year like none other and we all need to be patient, flexible and understanding as we prepare to work together.

• And finally, remember that your children will follow your lead. If you exhibit curiosity, flexibility and a sense of adventure, they’ll surely enjoy the process. If you are tense, distraught, irritated, they’ll wonder why and begin to imagine that this whole private school thing may not be right for them!

Good luck, and have fun!

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Written by Pam Safford | Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid at New Canaan Country School

Pam Safford joined Country School in 2016. She has extensive experience in admission and enrollment management work, most recently having served as Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at Deerfield Academy and, prior to that, as Associate Head for Communications, Enrollment and Planning at Concord Academy. She held previous roles in admission at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Northfield, MA and Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault, MN. She holds a Master of Science degree in School Leadership from University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. of Sociology and Anthropology from Carleton College. Pam is a founding trustee and former board chair for the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals (AISAP). She currently sits on the Enrollment Management Association (EMA) board and the Ethel Walker School (her alma mater) board, and is the treasurer for the Fairchester Admission Group. Committed to supporting professional development among her peers, Pam has presented at various national conferences including IECA, NAIS, EMA and TABS.