Private School Articles

  Most Popular:
•  Ranking Schools
How do I know how this school compares with the others I am considering? Has anybody ranked private schools?
•  Private School Jobs
Teaching in a private school is different from teaching in a public school. Find out more here including information on duties, compensation and where to find jobs.
•  Private School May Be Free If You Make Less Than $75,000
Harvard, Yale and Dartmouth set the pace. Now several top private schools are offering free or greatly reduced tuition for children from families making less than $75,000.
 

  Admissions:
We cover every aspect of the admissions process so that you and your child know what to expect.
•  Application Calendar
Keep track of all aspects of choosing a school as well as the application deadlines.
•  How Do I Apply?
You can apply online or submit a paper application via snail mail.
•  They Didn't Accept My Child!
You thought everything was set. The test scores were excellent. She had glowing teacher recommendations. The visit and the interview went well. But the school didn't accept your child. What do you do now?
•  Waitlisted? What Next?
Being waitlisted is not the end of the world. More here.
•  What If I Miss The Deadlines?
Finding a school which will accept your child after the normal admissions deadline has passed is not easy. But it can be done.
Test Preparation
Standardized admissions tests require thorough preparation and practice. You will find test prep texts and other materials here.
•  COOP, HSPT and TACHS
You will encounter COOP, HSPT and TACHS if you are applying to some Roman Catholic high schools.
•  SSAT and ISSE
Most private schools use standardized tests as part of their admissions process. The SSAT and ISEE are the common tests you will encounter at independent schools.
School Visits
After exploring schools on the web, you need to explore the ones which you are considering applying to in person.
•  Getting To Know You
The admissions process can seem confusing, even intimidating. In reality all the admissions staff want to do is to get to know you.
•  The Interview
Part of the admissions requirements of almost every private school is the interview. While it sounds as though this is a one sided exercise, you should be interviewing the admissions personnel as well.
•  The Visit
Visiting the schools on your short list is very important. You need to inspect the campus yourself.
 

  Choosing a School:
Step by step guides and tips on finding the right school.
•  Boarding or Day School?
Many parents agonize over sending their child to boarding school or keeping them at home and sending them to day school. A look at the pros and cons here.
•  Checklist For Comparing Schools
Use this checklist to help you compare schools on your short list.
•  Evaluating and Choosing a Private School
How should parents evaluate and choose a private school? Read about some helpful tips regarding this important decision.
•  If You Had To Choose
If you had to choose when to send your child to private school, would you send her to private school for the primary grades or high school?
•  Open Houses
You must visit schools on your short list. Open houses are an efficient way to do this. More on organizing this task here.
•  Ranking Schools
How do I know how this school compares with the others I am considering? Has anybody ranked private schools?
•  Single Sex or Coeducation?
Sooner or later you ought to consider a single sex school as opposed to a traditional coeducational school. Why? For several reasons.
•  Small Is Good
Private schools offer individualized attention to their students because their class sizes are generally small.
•  The Value of a Private School Education
Why pay $30,000, $40,000 or more for something which public education gives you for free? Here are five reasons why you would do so.
•  Which School IsThe Best For Your Child?
It depends on your requirements. But in the end only one thing matters most anyway.
•  Why Private School?
Is private school right for your child? Learn about the things you should consider and the unique benefits of a private school education.
 

  Employment:
How to find a private school position.
•  Becoming A Teacher Later
Many people have successful careers only to realize that something is missing. Teaching can satisfy that missing 'something'. Explore the possibilities of becoming a teacher in your 30's, 40's and even your 50's.
•  Can Foreign Nationals Get Teaching Jobs In U.S. Private Schools?
The answer is "No" in 99.9% of cases.
•  Finding a Private School Job
You can send in a resume and use an agency, but the very best way to find a private school job is to use your network. You do have a network, don't you?
•  Preparing to Be A Private School Teacher
Most private schools want you to be a trained teacher as well as degreed in your subject.
•  Private School Jobs
Teaching in a private school is different from teaching in a public school. Find out more here including information on duties, compensation and where to find jobs.
•  State Certification Requirements
Each state sets its own teacher certification requirements. While many private schools do not require you to be certified, it is in your best interests to obtain certification. Here is the contact information you need.
•  A Teacher's Influence
Never underestimate the influence you have on your students. You may not think that you are getting through, but you are! This little bit of fiction shows the influence teachers had on some famous people.
•  What Do Teachers Make?
What do teachers make? Not nearly enough! Teachers' salaries vary from state to state, indeed, from school to school.
 

  Facts:
Data to help you research schools.
•  Famous Names
Many famous people have attended private schools. Here is a sampling of schools and the famous folk who graced their hallowed halls.
•  Fees and Financial Aid For Overseas Parents
A brief look at fees and financial aid for overseas students.
•  Froebel, Montessori and Steiner: Champions of Children
Friedrich Froebel, Maria Montessori and Rudolf Steiner were trail blazers in early education.
•  Myths About Private Schools
Myths about private schools separates fact from fiction when it comes to private schools.
•  Summer Sessions
Summer sessions offer a chance to experience a private school in a relaxed, less stressful environment. More here.
•  What's Being Taught?
What curricula do private schools follow? Who accredits private schools? What kind of standards prevail? More here.
•  What Overseas Parents Need To Know
If you live outside the United States, choosing an American private school can be a confusing process.
 

  FAQ's:
Commonly asked questions about schools.
•  Charter Schools and Vouchers
Are charter schools private schools? What do vouchers have to do with private schools? Some answers here.
•  What is AP?
AP is short for the Advanced Placement Program offered by the College Board. More here.
•  What Is IB?
What is IB? IB or International Baccalaureate is a curriculum offered by the International Baccalaureate organization based in Switzerland.
•  What's an independent school?
The answer lies in the source of the school's funding and its governance. More here.
•  What's a private school?
Is a 'private' school the same as an independent school?
 

  News:
News and information pertinent to the world of private K-12 education.
•  Ask Mr. Chips
You have questions about private schools. We have answers.
•  Blogs, Pods and More
Education blogs, podcasts and sites worth a read and a listen.
•  Private School News
Browse current private school news from across the country.
•  State Regulation of Private Schools
State Regulation of Private Schools provides a brief description, by state, of the legal requirements that apply to private schools. In addition, each state entry includes statistics on private schools by type in the state. This manual is intended to serve as a reference for public and private school officials, state policy makers, and researchers. This manual is an update of a 1993 publication by the (then) Office of Private Education, The Regulation of Private Schools in America: A State-by-State Analysis.
 

  Paying For It:
Guidance on paying for a private school education.
•  Affording Private School
Borrowing money to pay for your child's private school is one of several options you have.
•  Paying for Private School
Some people can write a check for a year's tuition and never miss it. The rest of us have to be creative. Here are some options for paying for a private school education.
•  Private School May Be Free If You Make Less Than $75,000
Harvard, Yale and Dartmouth set the pace. Now several top private schools are offering free or greatly reduced tuition for children from families making less than $75,000.
•  Private School Supplies
Find out which supplies you might need in the school.
•  Scholarships
Scholarships for private school students are few and far between. Most are local in nature. Here are links to organizations offering funding.
•  Will The School Give Me A Refund If My Child Withdraws Early?
What happens if my child suddenly takes sick before the end of the school year? What if he is expelled? Answers here.
 

  Running a School:
Information and advice for trustees and administrators.
•  School Strategic Planning - How To Ensure Success
Strategic planning is a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide what an organization is, what it does, and why it does it, with a focus on the future.
 

  School Life:
What is life like in a private school? Find out about programs and activities. Read books and watch DVD's about private schools.
•  Books About Private School
What's private school really like? Find out from people who have been there.
•  Changing Schools and Moving to New Area
Find out tips and services for changing schools and moving to new area.
•  Codes of Conduct
Discipline in private schools generally begins with a code of conduct.
•  DVD's About Private Schools
While it is not a long list, movies set in private schools include several classics such as the Harry Potter series and Dead Poets Society.
•  Graduation Gifts
Graduation is always a warm, happy occasion. Mark this important milestone with a memorable gift. Here are some suggestions.
•  How Diverse Are Private Schools?
Decades ago private schools could have been accused of being elitist. You had to have money to attend. The student populations were fairly homogeneous. Fortunately that has changed.
•  The PG Year
A PG or Post Graduate year offers time to mature and time to perfect a sport or other interests.
•  School Year Abroad
Several private schools offer a whole academic year abroad. Still others offer a summer abroad.
•  Sports Programs
Sports are important in private schools. But they are also balanced properly by the emphasis on solid academics.
•  Technology
Private schools use technology to support and enhance their academic programs. More here.
•  Uniforms and Dress Codes
School uniforms are largely found at religious, parochial and military schools. Dress codes have replaced uniforms at most schools.
 

  Schools:
Different kinds of schools, schools in various locations, associations and directories.
Kinds of Schools
Various kinds of schools
•  Alternative Schools
Sometimes a regular school is not the right fit for a child. Perhaps she needs an alternative school.
•  Classical Christian Schools
Classical Christian schools combine strict adherence to Christian beliefs with classical principles of education.
•  Hockey Schools
Got an aspiring hockey player in your family? Many American private schools enjoy a great reputation for excellent hockey teams as well as superb academics.
•  International Schools
Sending your children to an international school might make sense if you plan on being in the U.S. only for a few years.
•  Military Schools
Military schools offer structure and discipline as well as a top-notch education.
•  Montessori Schools
Montessori schools are popular world-wide with parents of children in the primary grades.
•  The Oldest Schools
The oldest American private school is Collegiate School in Manhattan founded in 1628.
•  Religious Schools
Religion is important to you. You want your children to be educated in a school where your religion matters.
•  Schools For The Arts
Schools for the artistically gifted child are in short supply.
•  Special Needs Schools
Do you think your son has a learning disability? Not sure what to do? A special needs school might be the way to go.
•  Waldorf Schools
Waldorf schools offer a well thought out approach to K-12 education.
Associations
National, state and regional association of private schools
•  National Associations
As you research schools, check the national and state associations. Is the school you are considering a member? If not, why not?
•  Regional Associations
Some states do not have their own private school associations. Schools band together across state lines forming regional associations. These associations have the same purpose as state associations. More here.
•  State Associations
Do the schools you are researching belong to state independent school associations? If not, find out why not!
Directories
Guides and web sites with lists of schools
•  Directories
A list of directories of private and independent schools.
•  Guides To Schools
Do you prefer to peruse a book rather than going online to find private schools? If so, there are some excellent guides to private schools available.
Locations
Schools in major cities
•  Boston Area Schools
The metropolitan Boston area offers a wide range of academic and cultural activities. Just as impressive is the area's selection of private schools.
•  Litchfield County Schools
Litchfield County, Connecticut, is home to a couple of dozen excellent schools catering to just about every need. The setting about 90 miles north of New York City is convenient to one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world.
•  Seattle Area Schools
The Seattle area is home to many fine private schools as well as to Microsoft and Boeing.
 

  Teaching:
•  How Do You Get Two Piccolos To Play In Tune?
If you are a music teacher or, for that matter, a music student, you will probably appreciate the sardonic wit and occasional puns found in these jokes.
•  Political Science
Teachers know that their students can, and often do, confuse their facts. These are examples of confusion in political science.