The admissions process to get into a private school can be competitive, especially when that school is well recognized and highly accredited. Although each school has a set of expectations and requirements that is unique to its culture, there are certainly things that private schools look for across the board. Cedar Hill Prep is proud to be in the top 10% of schools in New Jersey and strives to inspire young minds who are a good fit for our program to achieve academic and personal excellence.
After years of working with parents and reviewing applications, we understand all too well the challenges many parents face. We’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and common mistakes that some parents repeatedly make. Today, we want to share our knowledge with parents who are trying to get their child into private school. We offer 5 tips to improve your child’s chances of being accepted, and what we’re really looking for may surprise you!
- Plan Ahead
The process of preparing your child for acceptance, researching schools, and completing applications — a process which, on its own, is a long one — often takes much longer than parents realize. We strongly advise that all parents plan at least one year in advance, but ideally two. Much like applying to college, getting into a top private school is a project that requires time, dedication, and parents who can stay organized.For starters, it’s important to research schools extensively. There are obvious reasons to do this, such as the considerable investment in your child’s education and the fact that your child will be spending his or her days there, but good research goes a level deeper. In order to increase your child’s chances of being accepted, it is also important to determine if your child is a good fit for what the school is looking for and if the school is a good fit for your child’s needs.
Once you have selected the schools you will be applying to, keep in mind that preparing for and executing the Admissions Tests also takes a considerable amount of time, which brings us to our second point.
- Prepare Your Child For The Admissions Tests
The two widely-used private/independent school entrance exams are the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) and the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam). Although most parents are aware that their children need to take the exam, many parents don’t realize just how challenging the material is. Often times, the material is beyond grade level and, because of this, it’s extremely rare that a child can complete the test and score at the top level with little or no preparation. Although a child may pass the exam, most elite private schools will be looking for children who score at the top level.So how prepared do you need to be? For Math, review topics that are 1-2 years ahead of where most public and private school students are currently working. Your child’s reading level will give you a clear idea of how he or she will perform on the verbal sections of the test. Even if your child is at an advanced reading level, most students can benefit from essay preparation since they will be required to write the essay in a tight timeframe.
The biggest mistake we see parents make is assuming that the test will be easy for their child simply because their child is doing well in school. Strong school performances don’t always result in strong test performances. The more familiar the test is to the student, and the more practice they have with the material, the better they will do on the test.
- Keep an Eye On Their Grades
Although final grades aren’t the only factor in a child’s acceptance into a top private school, they certainly matter a great deal, especially after the 7th grade. Since most schools begin sharing transcripts for grades 7 and 8, this will affect a child’s admission into private school and college, as well.Private high schools not only look at the results on a child’s transcript but also look at the rigor of the curriculum and at the previous school’s reputation for being a challenging school. For this reason, it is imperative for parents to ensure their child is diligent about completing homework, projects, and assignments…not only on time but to the best of his or her ability. Beyond performance, your child’s grades are a direct reflection of his/her ability to meet deadlines and show that they are enthusiastic about learning. Another way for children to demonstrate a desire to learn is through reading.
- Nurture Good Reading Habits
Fostering a passion for reading in your child will lead to positive results in the classroom and during standardized tests, ultimately helping their chances of being accepted to a top private school. The mistake many parents make is encouraging their children to read more and more with a focus on quantity, not necessarily quality.Beyond making sure that their reading material is age appropriate or educational, it is essential that parents focus on reading comprehension. It is always better for children to read books that are the appropriate length and subject matter for their age so they can not only read the words on the page but also understand the characters, plot, and lessons in the story. Not only will regular reading with true comprehension improve their vocabulary and writing skills, it will give them an advantage on the SSAT and the ISEE as mentioned above.
- Focus on Life Skills Beyond the Classroom
Getting into a private school, particularly those recognized as the top tier, is a highly competitive endeavor. Beyond your child’s transcript and test scores, we are looking to see what kind of person he or she will grow up to become. During the application process, we look for students who are well rounded and involved in some sort of extra curricular activities. Good grades are certainly taken into consideration, but with so many parents applying, children with strong leadership skills, personal drive, and even public speaking skills are the ones who truly stand out from the crowd.
At the end of the day, most private schools truly aren’t looking for academic perfection upon acceptance. Specifically at Cedar Hill Prep, we believe that children are always learning and will continue to learn. We are here to improve their minds, confidence, and social skills, and it takes a certain kind of student and certain types of parents to accomplish this. High test scores and good grades are certainly important, but an involved parent and a passionate student is truly the secret to getting accepted into a top private school in New Jersey.
