Getting into High School: What You missed

In case you missed it, today we're sharing a few key takeaways pertaining to each portion of the admissions process discussed at our panel last week...

Last Wednesday, our VP Sasha DeWind was pleased to serve as a panelist for Getting into High School, A Panel Discussion hosted by Leslie J. W. Singer. With a stellar panel joined by Michele Newman and Evelyn Tomasson of Trusted Insights and Kaley Bell of St. Bernard’s, the panel geared their discussion towards parents looking to gain understanding of the (sometimes ambiguous) high school admissions process.

1) TESTS: Now is the time to plan! We recommend scheduling diagnostics in both the SSAT and the ISEE to find out which one is best for your child. Then plan ahead for official testing and map out a study plan. More on choosing the right test here.

2) VISITS: Get these done in the fall--ideally October or November before your son or daughter is bogged down with school and testing.

3) GRADES: Everyone on the panel agrees that your child’s grades are the most important part of the admissions package. We know it’s tempting to focus heavily on testing, and while it does matter, we advise that you prioritize your child’s academic performance and engagement in activities outside of school.

4) INTERVIEWS: Kids need to speak comfortably about two things: him/herself and details of the high school. Interviewers are looking for sincerity, both about students themselves and their interest in a given school.

Thank you again to all of the parents who joined us for the panel and to Pratt Mansion and The SingerVenekamp Team for having us. We hope to see you all at the next one!