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| 1/2/2008 11:30:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Private School: It's not just for the wealthy anymore
By Sandra L. Frazier
Have you ever thought about putting your child in a private school but concluded you could not afford the tuition? Contrary to what many people believe, private school is actually available for people with a variety of incomes. While considering the possibility of private school, think in terms of getting the best education for your child. Many private schools offer an excellent learning environment.
The book Private School, It's Not Just for the Wealthy Anymore, guides you through the process of applying to private schools. The biggest part of the process is preparing your child through parenting. Being an involved parent in your child's activities and learning is essential to making the best educational choice for your family. Additionally, focusing on what your child does well helps to build a confident person with good self-esteem. Whatever mentally healthy activities your child likes, embrace it. Regularly scheduled sporting outings for cheerleading, martial arts or soccer just to name a few, can contribute to creating the whole child. Parents can also use supplemental learning to encourage children's learning. Supplemental learning can be as formal or as informal as your family life allows. Some parents use workbooks, others use learning centers or tutors. The key is consistency with whatever method you use.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
When deciding what features or attributes you are interested in from a private school education there are a lot of factors to consider. Most parents focus on academics; however, some of the other values of a private education include community service, religion, exposure to various cultures, sports, technology, travel, music, uniforms and ergonomic features. Whatever your preference is, the goal is to pursue the schools that are going to be a good fit for your child and your family. Attend as many Open Houses as your schedule will allow you to find out what each school has to offer. Keeping the information on each school in a folder will make your process smoother when you start to fill out applications. Find out which schools will accept the universal application form to make the process easier for submitting applications to multiple schools.
Even if you think you know your child, you may get quite an education in watching your child interact at some of the Open Houses. Some of the surprises I experienced were pleasant. An example was seeing how my child interacted with children he didn't know and how he was able to make a quick connection with many of the teachers. One of the blooper situations that occurred for me was when my child asked the Spanish teacher at one school why any person would take a trip to Peru without their parents. In some instances, you can take their comments with a grain of salt; however, some of their comments can give you a feel for their comfort level and likes or dislikes for each school. Children are interested in learning about the school also, so take their cues and keep them in mind when deciding on whether or not to apply. Each school has a deadline for its application submission. If you know you are going to apply, submit the application.
NAVIGATING THE APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are not a paperwork person, don't jump ship yet. Private School, It's Not Just for the Wealthy Anymore, includes a free online companion guide with all of the necessary letters you will need to apply to private school. It also provides a sample list of tasks in the form of a spread sheet along with a blank spread sheet that you can use to keep up with your information. There are instructions on how to download the information. Any questions can be sent to the website: www.abettertomorrowpublish-ing.net.
Part of the application process is testing your child. The age of your child has no bearing on whether he or she will be tested for entrance into a private school. All schools need to estimate your child's academic aptitude and will look at test scores and grades. Many private schools are also striving to create more cultural diversity in their student populations. Although testing and grades are important, schools base entrance decisions not only on test results but also on other criteria, such as grades, interviews, recommendations, writing samples and personal information.
For children from grades one to 11, many schools require the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). The schools you are interested in applying for will indicate which test or tests they will accept. Most schools accept both. If any one of the schools you are applying for will only accept one, then select that test. That way, your child only has to take one test.
For pre-kindergarteners, kindergartners and children up to grades three or four, many schools administer different forms of tests. For kindergartners, it may be a test to determine if a child can participate in a classroom away from his or her caregiver. It could also be a test of motor skills and object recognition. Many of the Independent Schools require the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children test (WPPSI or WPPSII) or a similar test. The WPPSI test is an individual test that does not require reading or writing. The testing facilitators ask children questions and have them perform certain tasks like building blocks, picture arrangement, math questions, etc.
WHAT ABOUT FINANCIAL AID?
The Financial Aid process will depend on the type of school. Various religion-based schools will have their own process. You will need to contact the school to obtain the information. Many Independent Schools have an endowment fund, which gives schools the opportunity to offer grant money to families who cannot afford to pay the full tuition. The grant money is intended as a supplement, and the family is responsible for making up for the difference. The endowment differs from school to school. Some schools publish their average grant amount in their enrollment information. If you choose to apply for grant money, the process for Independent Schools is friendly to parents in that you only have to complete one application. The results of your application will be sent to the schools based on what you select on the application. The financial aid application process is similar to the testing process. There are identification numbers for each school, which you will indicate on your application.
Everyone's path to finding a new school for their children will differ. Talk to other parents you meet along the way to gain as much information as you can. I found many people were helpful in that they shared the positives and the drawbacks of each school. Feel free to visit our website at www.abettertomorrowpublishing.net.
Sandra L. Frazier is a corporate systems manager for an insurance company with more than seven years' of project management experience. She graduated from the University of Maryland and subsequently received an associate's certificate in Project Management from ESI International. Sandra researched private schools extensively while deciding where to send her own son and daughter and is now sharing her findings with others who also want to pursue the best possible education for their children. Her book, Private School: It's Not Just for the Wealthy Anymore, is available at www.abettertomorrowpublishing.com.
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