You Should Know

Basic Timeline FOR APPLYING TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL While each school follows its own schedule, here is a typical admissions timeline. Many schools are transitioning to virtual admission events and individual tours.

August October (of the year before you want • Continue scheduling tours, your child to attend) interviews, class visits, and • Define your ideal school standardized or school-based tests • Find schools that match your child’s needs • Visit schools, virtually if necessary, during open houses, • Research and ask questions attend information sessions, of schools on your preliminary and take tours list • Finalize the list of schools to September • Browse schools’ websites to learn more about their • which you will apply Take required standardized admission tests programs and philosophies November • Request admissions and financial aid material by phone or online • Continue scheduling tours, interviews, class visits, and standardized or school-based • Review admissions materials tests to determine which schools to visit • Continue to watch for open houses you may want to • Create a calendar of pertiattend • nent admission and financial aid deadlines for the schools to which you are considering applying Ask elementary schools about their test schedules and make appointments • • Request teacher recommendations from your child’s current school Start working on applications, financial aid forms, student questionnaires, and essays • • • Register for any standardized tests required for admission Review the test websites to learn about procedures and test dates, see sample questions, and purchase test-preparation books Call schools to schedule individual tours, class visits, interviews, and “shadow days” if available December • Continue to watch for any open house or school events of interest • Request transcripts at the end of your child’s first semester • Complete applications, questionnaires, and essays • Note application deadlines. Some schools have December deadlines. January • Pay attention to deadlines: Most applications are due in January or February, along with test scores, references, transcripts, and financial aid forms

February • Don’t miss deadlines: Most schools’ applications are due in February at the latest • Visit schools and/or have your child participate in a student shadow day

March • Watch for school decisions starting in mid-March • Watch for financial aid decisions • If your student is accepted by multiple schools, decide which school your child will attend

April • Sign and return enrollment contracts and send deposits

May to September

Attend events and activities for new parents and students

Reprinted with permission from the National Association of Independent Schools, www.nais.org