Strategic School Choices

Navigate the private school search with confidence. Gain valuable insights into selecting the ideal institution that aligns with your priorities and aspirations for educational excellence.

View the most popular articles in Strategic School Choices:

How To Identify Schools

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How To Identify Schools
Identifying or evaluating private schools is the second part of the private school search process. This hub aggregates more than twenty-five articles that deal with this topic with the hope that they will help you search for the right private school for your child.

I know what you're thinking. "I have already chosen a couple of private schools to look at. So, why do I need to identify schools? What's that all about?" Identifying or evaluating schools is the next step in your school search process. In the first step, you surfed the Web looking at alOur website listsl kinds of schools. Depending on where you live, you had a handful of schools to possibly a hundred or more schools available. The first step involved your scanning school. The second step involves a detailed examination of three to five schools to determine which might best meet your needs and requirements.

A Guide To Schools Within 10 Miles Of Philadelphia

Philadelphia is home to some of the oldest K-12 schools in the nation. Our website lists eighty-four K-12 private schools within twenty-five miles from the Center City. You literally can find just about any kind of school you are looking for. Read more...

This video offers us a look at Cristo Rey High School.

A Guide to the Cleveland Council of Independent Schools

The Cleveland Council of Independent Schools is an organization that currently has thirteen member schools in the greater Cleveland area. Use Private School Review to find schools that do not belong to the CCIS. Read more...

Boarding or Day School?

Many parents agonize over sending their child to boarding school or keeping them at

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Choosing A Private School

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Choosing A Private School
Choosing a private school is a process with many parts to it. It also takes 18-24 months to complete. This collection of articles deals with the first part of the process in which you begin to look at private schools and what they offer.

So, you are thinking about sending your child to private school. You know what you want your ideal school to do for your child's education and her development. The next item on your school selection punch list is figuring out which of the dozens of schools out there is the best one for your child and you. I wrote the following twenty-six articles with you in mind. We sent our two daughters to private school from their pre-school years through high school. I remember how little I knew about private schools. Back then I didn't know what to look for. I trusted the head of school and her teachers and expected them to give my daughters a solid academic education. That's how innocent I was! Of course, there's much more to finding a school. The following articles draw on my experience as a parent and a private school teacher and administrator.

5 Factors for a Successful Private School Experience

By a successful private school experience, I mean one where your child is happy. As you consider sending your child to private school, think about these five factors which make for a successful private school experience. Read more...

5 Mistakes Parents Make When Choosing A Private School

Choosing the right private school for your child is a lengthy process. You should begin your school search process at least eighteen months before the first day of school. I want you to achieve the success which you deserve without making

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When Do You Send Your Child To Private School?

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When Do You Send Your Child To Private School?
Think of the school search process as a series of checkpoints, each of which has a due date. We show you when to do the various items in the search process.

You have been thinking about private school for your child for some time now. Finally, you have decided to proceed. Naturally, you will have many questions about how to organize your school search process. Here are some answers to your questions about when to tackle the various steps in the school search process. I hope this will help you plan and execute the process efficiently and with a minimum of angst. If you want more detail on any aspect of the search process, start with How To Search For Schools.

When do you send your child to private school?

At what age to send your child to private school depends on several things. The first thing which you need to consider is the quality of the education available in your local public schools. No matter what grade you are thinking about, start with that consideration first. This step requires you to do some serious research and due diligence. Don't skip this research.

Begin with the school's reputation. You may have heard good things about a particular public school in your area. That's a start, but take time to look carefully at the school profiles on sites such as Great Schools. Videos posted on YouTube by private schools will give you a useful point of comparison.

Here is an overview of teaching Spanish at The Rectory School.

Then, the next

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Where Did the 115th Senate Go to High School?

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Where Did the 115th Senate Go to High School?
After conducting a survey of the educational backgrounds of current U.S. senators we were able to draw some interesting conclusions. Keep reading to learn more.

Since the year 1913, American citizens have voted to elect state senators, but that has not always been the case. Up until the mid-1850s, senators were appointed by the legislatures of the state they represented in a system that worked quite well. The idea behind this method of selection was that allowing state legislatures to elect their senators would strengthen their ties to the national government and allow them to conduct business without the distraction of pressure from the general population.

Upon the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, however, things changed. Senators are now elected by popular vote with each senator representing a single state, and each state is represented by two senators. Senators play an important role in the U.S. government by writing and voting on bills, and legislation that affects the people in their representative state.

Because U.S. senators have the power to approve or deny legislation that directly affects their constituents, it is important that each senator be a fair representation of the people and the politics of each state. Problems arise when there is a disconnect between politics and the people – when a senator votes based on his own agenda rather than the will of the people. Each senator’s educational background and upbringing bear significant weight in the decisions he makes for his state.

We recently conducted a survey of all U.S. senators to collect some information about their educational background. After collecting this information, we analyzed it and were able

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Which Schools Did Our Presidents Attend? Part 2 - Johnson to Taft

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Which Schools Did Our Presidents Attend? Part 2 - Johnson to Taft
Depending on their family circumstances, our Presidents received a wide range of primary and secondary schooling.

In the nineteenth-century education for several of our presidents was strictly hit or miss for a variety of reasons. On the other hand, a couple of presidents enjoyed what you and I know in the 21st century as Ivy League educations. Fortunately for our young nation, most of these men were leaders who were able to guide our country through so uncharted waters and perilous times.

17 - Andrew Johnson

President from April 15, 1865 to March 4, 1869
Born: December 29, 1808, Raleigh, North Carolina
Died: July 31, 1875, Carter County, Tennessee, Tennessee
Political party: Democratic Party

North Carolina native Andrew Johnson succeeded Abraham Lincoln. He had no formal schooling as his family was very poor. His meager educational background notwithstanding, Johnson apparently was a skilled public speaker.

Book Scrolling has a list of books about our 17th president.

18 - Ulysses S. Grant

President from March 4, 1869 to March 4, 1877
Born: April 27, 1822, Point Pleasant, Ohio
Died: July 23, 1885, Wilton, New York
Political party: Republican Party

Ohio native Hiram Ulysses Grant appears to have had formal schooling from the age of five. He attended a subscription school, i.e., a school which his parents paid for him to attend, as well as two private schools, the Maysville Seminary, and John Rankin's Academy. He matriculated to West Point. Ron Chernow's book about President Grant was #1 on the New York Times

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Recent Articles

Transferring from Public to Private School Mid-Year: What to Expect
Transferring from Public to Private School Mid-Year: What to Expect
Considering a mid-year transfer from public to private school? Learn what to expect with admissions, academic placement, social adjustment, and financial aid to ensure a smooth transition.
A Guide to Day vs. Boarding School: Which Is Right for Your Family
A Guide to Day vs. Boarding School: Which Is Right for Your Family
Discover the key differences between day and boarding schools to determine the best fit for your child. Explore benefits, costs, lifestyle factors, and questions to help guide your family’s decision.
The A to Z of Private Schools 2025
The A to Z of Private Schools 2025
Explore the A to Z of private schools in 2025—from admissions to tuition—offering parents and educators clear insights into today’s options.

Strategic School Choices