5 Strategies for the Private School Search

Understand this about your school search: You are not alone in this process, and it is not as daunting as you might think!

For many, the pandemic only highlighted the benefi ts of a private school education, and thus, the demand has increased applicant pools while concurrently decreasing available spaces. While the diff erent types of schools are numerous –public, private, independent, charter, homeschool – there is a private school that may be the perfect fi t for your child and your family.

KNOW YOUR WHY.

Before you begin the search process, it is important to understand and be able to articulate why you are looking for a private school. Is the search being driven by you, your child, or both? Are there programs or an environment you are looking for? Are you unhappy with your child’s current school and, if so, why? Knowing your “why” will help guide the search process, center your discussions with the various schools, and ground your fi nal decision. You and your child are likely to be asked “what prompted you to consider us?” by school administrators in a family meeting or student interview. Remember they are trying to ascertain your fi t within their school setting while you are trying to determine the same thing.

HERE ARE THE TOP FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SEARCHING FOR A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

START EARLY.

Many schools begin accepting applications and fi lling spaces a full 8-12 months in advance of the fi rst day of the school year. Schools will have fi rm timelines for admission, fi nancial aid, and enrollment confi rmation. In addition, schools will require advanced notice for scheduling personal visits, shadow days, or open houses. Pick schools where you believe your child has a reasonable chance of being off ered admission when academics, personal attributes, and available spaces are all in alignment. Begin by doing general web research and requesting information from a handful of schools.

GET OFF THE WEB, GET TO CAMPUS.

The most obvious place to begin the school search process is the internet. Here you can search each individual school as well as comb through local and national ranking sites such as Niche.com and Private School Review. But nothing beats making an actual campus visit and getting to know the place, people, and programs fi rsthand. Be sure to check your preconceived notions about what you saw online at the door, and give each school an equal opportunity to inform and impress. See if you can picture your child and family as part of that community.

3

MAKE A PERSONAL CONTACT.

Nothing is more important than establishing a personal contact at the school. Most admission teams will have a staff member assigned to your child’s applicant fi le, and this person will be invaluable throughout the process.

Whether by phone, email, or appointment, you will want to check in often as deadlines approach. The admission team is there to guide you along the way. Remember, schools want to know as much about you and your child as possible, especially when it comes time to make fi nal admission decisions for a limited number of available spaces.

TRUST YOUR GUT AND AFFIRM YOUR “WHY.”

You know your child best. How did the school present itself both online and in person? Did you enjoy the people you met there? Most importantly, will your child thrive there both academically and personally? Remember to base your fi nal decision on what brought you to this process in the fi rst place – does the school satisfy your original “why” for looking? Understand that your “why” may shift over time. But by following these steps, you will be well prepared to begin the search for your child’s next level of learning or fi nd that your child has landed in a perfect spot through graduation.

Aaron Kellenberger is the director of enrollment management at Cincinnati Country Day School. He has more than 30

of admission experience with both

and independent schools. With

in communications and educational administration, he is an active leader and presenter of school admission, retention, marketing, and financial aid topics. He also co-founded a regional, five-state “think tank” of admission professionals.

and benefi ts,