Applying to Private Schools

How to Start the Search and What to Expect

Your first step is to research and visit schools, ideally starting the search at least a year before you plan to submit the application for your child. It takes time to determine which school is the best fit for your child. Navigating the application process can be overwhelming, but it can also be exciting. Here are tips on how to get you and your child into the right school.

After creating your short list of schools, contact the school’s admissions office to find out about open house events, school tours, private visits, or other events that will allow you to get to know the school as best as possible.

The school’s admissions office will also tell you about application requirements, including deadlines and costs. While each school has its own criteria for admitting students, the typical application package involves: • A completed application form, usually available from the school’s website, and application fee. • Parent or guardian statements. • A transcript of your child’s grades from her current school. • Results from standardized tests or a school-administered test. For middle school grades and above, the most common tests are: The Independent School Entrance Examination, or the ISEE; the Secondary School Aptitude Test, or the SSAT; the High School Placement Test, or HSPT, for

Catholic schools.

Depending on the grade to which you are applying, some schools might also ask for:

• A formal interview, though for elementary school students, the interview more often consists of a teacher observation or individual or group-administered diagnostic tests.

School admissions officers are there to help you complete your applications in a timely manner. They also want to make sure that the process is a positive experience for you and your child and that there is a good match between your child and the school.

Try to avoid:

• While admissions officers want to be helpful, don’t call too often, overload them with additional information about your child, or try to impress them with your business or social contacts. • Don’t jump on the bandwagon of applying to a school just because your child’s peers are applying. Similarly, don’t just apply to a school because it is one of the “top” schools in the area and boasts of its graduates who go to the Ivies.

Be realistic about your child’s strengths, interests, and personality. Apply to schools which are a good fit for your child. • Don’t shy away from disclosing vital information about your child or family—notably about any special academic needs your child has or about your family’s financial need for tuition help.

While most private schools cannot afford to meet the academic and financial needs of all students they would like to admit, you won’t increase your child’s chances of acceptance by failing to be upfront about certain information.

And if the school turns your child down for any special issues, it’s likely the school was not a good fit. • Don’t miss application deadlines. But if you do, some schools have rolling admissions and admit students throughout the school year. Y

Littleton

Oak Meadow School

2 Old Pickard Lane Littleton • (978) 486-9874 www.oakmeadow.org Toddlers - Grade 8 All Gender 4:1 180 Montessori Spanish $16,100 - $24,250 FA Available AMS, AISNE, NAIS

Milford

Evergreen Center

345 Fortune Boulevard Milford • (508) 478-2631 www.evergreenctr.org

Millis

Woodside Montessori Academy

350 Village Street Millis • (508) 376-5320 www.woodsideacademy.com PK-8 All Gender 10:1 91 Non Denominational Spanish $7,000 - $14,000 FA Available AMS, MSM

Milton

Delphi Academy of Boston

564 Blue Hill Avenue Milton • (617) 333-9610 www.delphiboston.org K-8 All Gender 5:1 125 Non Denominational Spanish $13,900 FA Available AISNE

K-12+ All Gender 2:1 108

Non Denominational Set by OSD DESE, EEC, MAAPS

Discover your

TODDLER–GRADE 6 KINGSLEY.ORG

Campus Locations: 26 Exeter Street, 30 Fairfield Street Back Bay, Boston

School of Early Global Education 3 months – 5 years

Elementary School Kindergarten – Grade 6

Newton Centre

Wellan Montessori School

80 Crescent Avenue Newton Centre • (617) 969-4488 www.wellan.org Toddler-8th All Gender Varies 305 Non Denominational Spanish $29,400 – $33,900 FA Available AISNE, AMS

Reading

Austin Preparatory School

101 Willow Street Reading • (781) 944-4900 www.austinprep.org 6-12 Co-Ed 8:1 813 Catholic Latin, French, Mandarin and Spanish $26,700 FA Available NEASC

Rowley

Clark School

14 Forest Ridge Drive Rowley • (978) 777-4699 www.clarkschool.com/ K-12 (and PG) All Gender 7.5:1 160 Non Denominational Latin/Spanish and additional online programs $12,000-$28,000 FA Available MDE

Walpole

League School of Boston

300 Boston Providence Highway Walpole • (508) 850-3900 www.leagueschool.org 3-22 Years All Gender 4:1 105 Non Denominational Call for Info. DESE, DEEC, MAAPS, NAPSEC

Living the Gospel, On the Road to College

Beginning at 3 months!

Call & schedule a tour today! (617) 442-2660

www.missiongrammar.org

TM

2020 2020

WINNER

TM

2021 2021

WINNER

TM

2022 2022

WINNER

Open House, November 6

Offering your child, from toddlers through 8th grade, an individualized educational journey.

Contact us for open house and virtual information session details.

oakmeadow.org

Littleton, MA 978-486-9874 x 226

Waltham

Milestones Day School and Transition Program

410 Totten Pond Road Waltham • (781) 895-3200 www.AdvancingMilestones.com K-Age 22 All Gender 5:1 92 Non Denominational $124,000 MAAPS, DESE

West Newton

The Fessenden School

250 Waltham Street West Newton • (617) 630-2300 www.fessenden.org PK-9 Boys Only 5:1 537 Non Denominational Spanish and Latin $25,900 - $79,900 AISNE, NAIS, TABS, SBSA

Winchester

Acera: The Massachusetts School of Science, Creativity and Leadership

5 Lowell Avenue Winchester • (781) 729-3489 www.aceraschool.org See pages 11, 36 K-12 All Gender 6:1 140 Non Denominational $28,900 - $30,900 FA Available

Wolfeboro (New Hampshire)

Brewster Academy

80 Academy Drive Wolfeboro • (603) 569-1600 www.brewsteracademy.org 9-12 and PG All Gender 6:1 350 Non Denominational Spanish, French, English, Mandarin $39,900-$69,900 FA Available NEASC, AISNE, NAIS, CASE

Dont see your school listed? Submit your school information at https://bostonparentspaper.com/school-profile-submission/

EVERGREEN CENTER

The Evergreen Center is a residential school supporting children and adolescents with autism and developmental challenges. Direct Care Positions Full-time & Part-time!

JOIN OUR TEAM

APPLY NOW www.evergreenctr.org BENEFITS

• Medical and Dental • Retirement Plan with Company Contribution • Flexible Spending Plan • Voluntary Benefits • Paid Holidays • Leave Benefits (Sick, Personal, Vacation)

Evergreen Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Our Partner in Education • Professional Development with Tuition Opportunities Available Our Mission At Clark School, we provide a customized learning approach that embraces innovation. Parents, teachers, and students are jointly accountable in ensuring student success while fostering an empathetic community. Clark School cultivates resilient, compassionate problem solvers, while recognizing that success takes many forms.

14 Forest Ridge Drive | Rowley, MA 01969 | 978-777-4699 www.clarkschool.com