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.

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. Once you are convinced of  the value of a private school education, then you must determine which private school is going to be best for your requirements.

Which School IsThe Best For Your Child?
It depends on your requirements. But in the end only one thing matters most anyway: The fit.

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. There are benefits to both kinds of schools. This is an important choice to make.

Single Sex or Coeducation?
You ought to consider a single sex school as opposed to a traditional coeducational school. Why? Because your son or daughter might just truly thrive in a single sex environment.

Religious Schools
If your religion is important to you, you will want your children to be educated in a school where your religion matters.

Once you have made your choices about which kind of school is right for your child, it's time to get down to the process of evaluating  the schools which you have chosen.

Checklist For Comparing Schools
Use this checklist to help you organize the data for your school visits.

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.

One final tip: use the services of an educational consultant. Educational consultants know their schools. They will help you find a good match for your child. They will advise you as to what your child's chances of admission are as well.


  Read Related Choosing a School Articles:

Step by step guides and tips on finding the right school.
 5 Questions Your Consultant Can Ask And You Can't
Use an educational consultant to ask tough questions you are not comfortable asking.
 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.
 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.
 Which School Is The 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.
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