Your Kid Got Into High School…So What’s Next?
Your kid worked super hard to make good grades this past year and ace that strenuous ISEE or SSAT exam. They prepped for interviews, remained poised on school visits, and prepared their first personal statements. All that hard work paid off and now your family has real options in front of you! So what exactly comes next once your child's high school acceptances arrive?
WEIGH YOUR OPTIONS AND PICK THE RIGHT SCHOOL
Was your child accepted into one of your top-choice schools or do you need help delineating the differences between your options? It's good to understand the nuances of each school and their environments so you can choose the absolute best fit for your child.
Trinity is a top notch school where humanities kids tend to thrive. Dalton offers students unparalleled conceptual training, but some kids need more structure. Packer isn’t the same as St. Ann’s, even though they are blocks apart. Boarding schools offer a completely different environment. Struggling at one of the most competitive schools isn’t worth it, nor is breezing through a less rigorous one. Commuting too far or being far from home can be a disadvantage. The key is to find a place where your child can thrive. We know the schools, and we know the kids--call me, and we’ll chat.
PLACE INTO THE RIGHT CLASSES
Do you have an idea of your kid's projected course load for freshman year and beyond? I'd recommend getting a head start on familiarizing yourself with the classes colleges expect to see on your kid's transcript through their four years of high school. Placement exams matter for placing into the right courses freshman year to set your child up to place into the right courses down the line. Unsure which courses your child is going to be expected to take? Give me a call and I can walk you through it!
POSITION YOUR KID FOR SUCCESS RIGHT AWAY
Not only do 9th grade courses count on the road to college admissions, but those 9th grade grades do as well. Ensuring a smooth transition is key to setting your child up for success at their new school. A lot of our kids do academic previews in August to work on their essay-writing skills or prep for Math/Science courses--whatever makes the transition easy and confidence-inspiring.
The step from eighth grade to high school is a big one, but your child doesn't have to go it alone. At TA, our students have access to behavior-tracking, anxiety-reduction techniques, exam-prep calendars, and the best tutors (at home and over Skype). We are always here to make sure your child has everything needed to thrive during these crucial four years.
