Step by step guides and tips on finding the right school.

Getting Started

Issues to consider and points to ponder.

• 4 Things to Know Before You Choose a Private School
  There are way more than four things to know about private school. But this will get you started.
• 5 Factors for a Successful Private School Experience
  As you consider sending your child to private school, think about these five factors which make for a successful private school experience.
• 5 Questions Your Consultant Can Ask and You Can't
  Use an educational consultant to ask those tough questions you are not comfortable asking.
• Before You Spend $30k on Private School...
  Before you spend $30,000 or more on a year at private school for your child, you need to ask five questions and be guided by the answers you receive.
• Changing Schools and Moving to New Area
  Find out tips and services for changing schools and moving to new area.
• Choosing an Elementary School
  You would think it would be easier to get your child into an elementary or primary school than into a prep school. But in fact it is almost as complicated.
• Choosing a Prep School
  Here's a recap of the steps you need to follow to find the right school for your child. Work through the process in sequence from beginning to end.
• Don't Just Look at Price!
  Identifying schools which fit your requirements includes dealing with paying for that education. But don't just look at price.
• How to Convince Your Child to Go to Private School
  You want your child to go to private school. But how will you convince her to go?
• IDEA
  Use this simple mnemonic to help you organize your search for a private school for your child.
• Is It Worth Using a Consultant?
  Here are the reasons why using the services of a professional educational consultant is worth it.
• The Rumors About Private School are True
  What is private school really like? Is there any truth to the rumors you keep hearing? Let's find out.
• Should You Send Your Child to Private Primary or High School?
  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?
• 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.
• What Overseas Parents Need To Know
  If you live outside the United States, choosing an American private school can be a confusing process. Here is an overview of the process.
• 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.
• What Do Schools Say About Ranking?
  Ranks really don't matter. I have said that for years. But let's see what the schools have to say about the matter.
• What If They Won't Have Your Child Back?
  It's spring. You receive a letter from the school advising you that it will not be renewing its contract with you for next year. How can this happen? We offer some answers.
• What is Really Important in Choosing a School?
  What is really important in choosing a private school? Ranks? Academics? Financial aid? Sports programs? Arts programs? One of these criteria doesn't matter. The others do.

Identifying Schools

Make lists of schools which seem to fit your requirements.

• Saving Time and Money Choosing a School
  The Internet has made finding schools and finding out more about them much more efficient than it was ten years ago.
• Choosing Schools: Look Beyond the Competitive Schools
  Competitive schools are wonderful. But they are not the only game in town. Here's why.
• Should You Consider Sending Your Child to a New School?
  You have just heard about a new private school opening soon in your area. Should you consider sending your child there? A look at the pros and cons of such a decision.
• Choosing Schools: The Safe School
  The idea behind a safe school is that you know your child will get into at least one of the schools on your short list. Let's start by reviewing the steps in the process.
• Considering a Jewish Education
  Should you send your child to a Jewish school? We explore the issue and suggest some talking points.
• 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.
• Do Ranks Matter?
  How do I know how this school compares with the others I am considering? Has anybody ranked private schools?
• If We Did Rank Schools...
  Ranking private schools is almost impossible because it is so difficult to gather the data needed to compare statistics. If we did rank schools, this is how to do it.
• 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.
• When Should You Consider A Special Needs School?
  Dealing with the reality that your child has a learning difference can be a defining moment for many parents. So much is at stake. Special needs schools offer programs and highly trained faculty.
• When Should You Consider a Therapeutic School?
  It is a heart-stopping moment for any parent when you realize that your child needs much more help than you can give him at home and at his current school. Perhaps a therapeutic school is the answer.
• Which School Is The Best For Your Child?
  It depends on your requirements. But in the end only one thing matters most anyway.

Evaluating Schools

Doing your due diligence.

• Visiting Schools: Open House, Shadow, Overnight or Tour?
  Visiting schools is a necessary part of evaluating the schools on your short list. Here are several ways schools will arrange those visits.
• 5 Reasons Why You Might Change Schools
  Here are five reasons why you might want to change schools.
• 5 Questions You Need To Ask
  As you begin to evaluate schools, keep these five basic questions in mind.
• How Do They Teach?
  Part of evaluating the schools on your short list is examining how the teaching is done.
• Checklist For Comparing Schools
  Use this checklist to help you compare schools on your short list.
• Checklist for Comparing Schools: Administration and Faculty
  Here are some of the questions to ask and things to look for when comparing schools' administration and faculty.
• Checklist for Comparing Schools - Curriculum and Instruction
  What's being taught and how it is being taught are important parts of your checklist for comparing 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.
• 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.
• Sports Programs
  Sports are important in private schools. But they are also balanced properly by the emphasis on solid academics.
• Technology in Private Schools
  Private schools use technology to support and enhance their academic programs. Most of them have been doing this since the early 1990's.

All Categories:

• Paying For It (17 articles)
• School Life (21 articles)
• News (3 articles)
• Employment (35 articles)
• Facts (2 articles)
• FAQ's (3 articles)
• Admissions (35 articles)
• Schools (53 articles)
• Running a School (18 articles)
• Teaching (16 articles)

• SEO for Private Schools - Part 3: Using Social Media
  Social media for private K-12 schools is a bit different from social media for businesses. Some tips and strategies here.
• Handbooks
  A private school handbook is essentially a set of guidelines for life in the school community.
• Why Should I Send My Child to Your School?
  There are many reasons why you would want to send your child to a particular school. Let's examine the main ones.
• More articles: Most Popular, Admissions, Choosing a School, Employment, Facts, FAQ's, News, Paying For It, Schools, School Life, Running a School, Teaching