The High School Admission Process at Prep

PREP FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER

A GUIDE TO THE HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSION PROCESS

HIGH SCHOOL AWAITS!

The high school placement process at Charlotte Prep is a partnership between the school, student, and parents. The placement team, which consists of the head of middle school, the assistant director of placement, and the placement coordinator, guides parents and students through every step of the process.

We begin by considering the many high school choices that are available, including independent, boarding, public, and charter schools. As the process unfolds and families research and visit schools, we help identify those that are the best fit for each student. We continue to assist and guide parents and students as they submit applications, weigh options, and choose the right high school.

But we do more than just offer guidance. We actively prepare students for this process. From conducting mock interviews with the head of school to providing free ISEE test preparation classes to our special 8th-grade leadership class, we help students present their best selves to the schools they are considering.

The placement process allows students to further develop their leadership skills, confidence, self-knowledge, and maturity. And Prep’s PreK-8 structure affords another important benefit: it is so much easier and more effective to choose the right high school as an 8th grader than guessing what it might be at an earlier age.

Our process is personalized and proven – our graduates have a long track record of success at the high schools they attend and are more than ready to write the next chapters of their educational and life stories. This is the power of the Prep PreK-8 experience.

TESTIMONIALS FROM THE PREP COMMUNITY

“Academically I was prepared. Prep really instills hard work and study, so I felt comfortable in high school.”

Charlotte

Prep Graduate

“Our son is happy to report that Charlotte Prep really prepared him academically. He was accepted to every independent high school he applied to. Now he’s playing football, lacrosse, and in all kinds of clubs. He adjusted, and Prep was just a great springboard for him.”

Charlotte

Prep Parent

“That’s the piece of Prep most parents don’t understand: the work that goes into getting them ready to graduate and for real-world situations. They go into high school ready because they have a strong foundation to build on.”

Charlotte Prep Faculty Member

“My son is grateful because he feels Prep prepared him for the next step. He had no trouble transitioning into a big public high school. It was easy for him, quite frankly.”

Charlotte

Prep Parent

“Prep left me incredibly ready for the next step into high school. And later, I was so thankful for that transition from Charlotte Prep to high school because it equipped me to handle the process of applying to and picking a college. I already had that experience handling choices and change.”

Charlotte Prep Graduate

THE PATH BEGINS

Students at Charlotte Prep navigate an exciting path in a known community where they can explore their talents, challenge their minds, broaden their understanding, and develop confidence to prepare them for the next step into high school.

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EXPLORE SCHOOLS

We encourage parents to visit area schools for open houses and tours. Our relationships with boarding schools offer additional choices for consideration.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

From early school to middle school, leadership development is a cornerstone of the Charlotte Prep experience. Our four pillars of leadership – respect, integrity, perseverance, and courage – are woven into every aspect of the educational experience.

APPLICATIONS

While the application process is parentdriven, our team continues to guide parents to develop a final list of schools that are a good fit for their child. Our team manages all other aspects of the process to minimize stress and provide all necessary materials.

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PREPARE FOR ADMISSIONS TESTING

Students learn test-taking strategies and prepare for admissions testing to gain comfort and fine tune skills that benefit their preparedness for high school and college testing that follows.

CONTINUED COMMUNICATION

Our team is closely attuned to each family's path throughout the process whether it is independent, public, or boarding school. We continue to advise and support our families in their choices every step of the way.

HIGH SCHOOL FAIR

Each fall, our 8th-grade students and parents have the opportunity to meet with representatives from local and regional schools. Admissions counselors always enjoy meeting our Charlotte Prep scholars and prospective families.

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PRACTICE INTERVIEWS

Our team provides students with multiple opportunities to practice interview styles, hone skills, and become comfortable with the process. Each practice provides more confidence and experience for our students to shine.

PARENT MEETINGS

Our high school placement team meets with parents throughout the process. Grade level meetings provide clarity about the process. Individual parent meetings highlight each family's unique hopes and dreams as we work together to find the best fit school.

SCHOOL VISITS

Our 8th-grade students are well prepared to visit schools and interact with student peers, faculty, and administrators. These important day visits allows the student a deeper perspective while schools enjoy getting to know our students better.

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TEAM MEETING WITH SCHOOLS

We meet with each high school for in-depth conversations about our student applicants and to provide further insight to ensure each student is well known. The integrity of our relationships with high schools allows for important feedback.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Our graduates are ready to write the next chapter in their educational journey. Prep graduates are poised, mature adolescents solidly prepared for the rigorous demands of high school and ready to explore new opportunities.

PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE

AUTHENTIC SELF

THE PREP GRADUATE...

Thinks creatively to solve problems, apply learning, share ideas, and find connections across disciplines

Embraces learning as an iterative process

Pursues interests, both academic and extracurricular

Contributes to a dynamic and inclusive learning environment

Connects and collaborates with peers

Embraces opportunities to practice diverse modes of expression

Views and applies feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow

EMPATHETIC GLOBAL CITIZEN

THE PREP GRADUATE...

Makes meaningful connections between historic and current events

Identifies relationships between local and global issues to make a positive impact

Values community partnerships

Seeks thoughtful resolution to conflict Demonstrates curiosity to drive connection and engagement

Celebrates others and honors diverse traditions

Listens actively and empathetically to understand different perspectives

JOYFUL LEARNER

THE PREP GRADUATE...

Embodies the Prep pillars of respect, integrity, perseverance, and courage

Exhibits pride in work

Practices patience with learning

Learns from failures and adapts to challenges

Evaluates and takes appropriate risks Develops habits of introspection, independence, and resourcefulness

Advocates for personal well-being

Explores personal passions and uses individual gifts intentionally and altruistically

Guided by our mission, Charlotte Prep graduates emerge as reflective and authentic thinkers, dynamic and joyful learners, and engaged and empathetic global citizens—ready to write the next chapter of their stories.

CHARLOTTE PREP GRADUATE DESTINATIONS

Charlotte Independent Schools

British International School of Charlotte

Cannon School

Carmel Christian School

Charlotte Catholic High School

Charlotte Christian School

Charlotte Country Day School

Charlotte Latin School

Covenant Day School

Davidson Day School

Gaston Day School

Providence Day School

Trinity Preparatory School

United Faith Christian Academy

Boarding School Destinations

American Hebrew Academy

Asheville School

Baylor School

Chatham Hall

Choate Rosemary Hall

Christ School

Interlochen Arts Academy

McCallie School

Mercersburg Academy

Peddie School

Riverside Military Academy

South Carolina Governor's School for Arts

St. Andrew’s School

Suffield Academy

Woodberry Forest School

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Charlotte Area Public Schools

Ardrey Kell High School

Central Academy of Technology and Arts

Charlotte Lab School

Cuthbertson High School

East Mecklenburg High School

Hickory Ridge High School

Independence High School

Marvin Ridge High School

Myers Park High School

Northwest School of the Arts

Northwestern High School

Olympic Community of Schools

Porter Ridge High School

Providence High School

Queen's Grant High School

South Mecklenburg High School

Union Academy

Weddington High School

West Mecklenburg High School

Other Cities and Countries

American School in London - England

American School of Marrakech - Morocco

Campolindo High School - California

Carlisle School - Virginia

Christian-von-Dohm-Gymnasium - Germany

Georgetown Day School - Washington, D.C.

Lincoln Community School - Ghana

Sidwell Friends School - Washington, D.C.

South Portland High School - Maine

Washington-Lee High School - Virginia Wesleyan School - Georgia

College Destinations

American University

Appalachian State University

Auburn University

Babson College

Bentley University

Boston College

Brown University Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University

Catholic University of America

Central Piedmont Community College Clemson University College of Charleston College of William and Mary Colorado College

Connecticut College Cornell University

Dartmouth College Davidson College

Denison University Dickinson College

Duke University

East Carolina University

Eckerd College

Elon University

Emory and Henry College

Emory University

EU Business School of Barcelona - Spain

Ferrum College

Fordham University

Furman University

George Washington University

Georgetown University Georgia Tech

Hampden-Sydney College

Harvard University

High Point University

Indiana University

James Madison Univeristy Kenyon College

King’s College - England

l’Escola Massana of Barcelona - Spain

Liberty University

Loyola Marymount University

Marquette University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Middlebury College

Montclair State University

North Carolina State University

Northeastern University

Oberlin University

Ohio Wesleyan University

Pratt Institute

Purdue University

Queen’s University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rice University

Roanoke College

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rollins College

Rutgers University

Savannah College of Art & Design

Scripps College

Sophia University - Japan

Southern Methodist University

Swarthmore College

Syracuse University

Texas A&M

Tufts University

Tulane University

University in Madrid - Spain

University of Alabama University of Arizona University of Colorado University of Delaware University of East Anglia - England University of Kentucky University of Maryland University of Mississippi University of North Carolina University of Notre Dame University of Oregon University of Richmond University of San Diego

University of South Carolina University of Utah University of Virginia University of Washington Vanderbilt University

Villanova University

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest University

Washington & Lee University

Washington University Wesleyan College

Wirtschafts-Gymnasium Hanover - Germany

Our Mission: Charlotte Preparatory School fosters lifelong learning and provides an exemplary educational experience founded on academic excellence, positive character, and leadership development in a diverse, inclusive community.