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Private School Supplies
Your child will need lots of supplies when she goes off to private school. These lists will help get you organized.

Starting a new year always brings much excitement as well as a little trepidation. In terms of planning, getting a preview of what you need to take to school with you can help settle nerves. While traditionally, private schools are better stocked in terms of student supplies, it is still customary for students to bring their personal school supplies at the beginning of each school year.

Your school supply list will depend on what grade you are going in and what school you go to. Each school has its own way of doing things. Sometimes, schools will charge a supply fee and provide the student with almost everything they need. Sometimes, schools will ask for items that become communal property, i.e. computer paper, tissue boxes, and even pencils. More than likely, the private school student will be asked to bring in their personal school supplies which they will use the ensuing year.

The purpose of this article is to give you a preview of what the typical private school supplies list will be like, provide shopping tips and give you our favorite online school supplies shopping sources. Our example supply lists are broken down: one for elementary students and one for high school students. Remember to check with your school for their actual list before you start shopping.

Elementary Private School Supplies

At the elementary school level more so than at the high school level, supplies can end up as "communal" in nature, since students tend to stay in the same

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Exploring Private School Jobs: Opportunities and Insights

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Exploring Private School Jobs: Opportunities and Insights
Want to teach in a private school? Discover what it's like. Learn what's involved, licensing requirements, benefits, and more.

Exploring Private School Jobs: Opportunities and Insights

What is it really like to work in a private school? Is it the same as teaching in a public school?

  • I'll explore private school jobs and the opportunities they offer.
  • I'll also share some insights into teaching in a private school versus a public school.
  • I'll also look at the benefits of working at a private school, preparing for work in a private school, and finding a teaching position.

My Experience Teaching in Private Schools

I taught Latin, English, World History, Music, and Computers in private schools and was also the Deputy Director of one in The Bahamas.

  • I love the small classes. I never had more than 15 students.
  • What I liked most was that my students loved learning. Their curiosity was boundless.
  • My students also worked very hard. I remember my middle school and high school students lugging wheeled suitcases filled with textbooks.
  • The John E. Warriner English Grammar and Composition texts were thick and heavy, as was the world history text.
  • The students were generally gifted. Indeed, several were probably geniuses.

Photo of Rob Kennedy in the 90s when he was teaching.

The partnership with parents was constructive.

  • My parents appreciated the education we were giving their children.
  • I appreciated the support they gave us at home.
  • In the 90s, I know that
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Changing Schools and Moving to New Area

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Changing Schools and Moving to New Area
Moving and changing private schools? Follow this practical 2026 checklist to stay organized, navigate admissions, manage your move, and help your children transition successfully into their new school.

Changing schools and moving can be stressful, even if the entire family is excited about the move. The purpose of this article is to give you a checklist of all the things you may need to think about as you orchestrate your move and what you may need to do when changing schools. We have set up a list of things to do along a timeline to mirror your busy schedule as you get your household and school paperwork in order.

As Soon As You Decide to Move

Changing Schools?

  • Private schools often have rigorous admissions. As soon as you realize that a move is necessary, it would help if you researched the private schools in the area and set up interviews so that you can better ascertain your family's fit for the school.
  • One of the easiest ways to begin your search is by using the Private School Review directory to compare schools by location, grade level, tuition, enrollment, and academic offerings before scheduling campus visits.
  • Get on the waiting list. Even if you cannot get your children into your first choice school because they do not have room, stay on their waiting list. Students drop out, move themselves, and enrollment openings occur throughout the year.
  • Consider using an educational consultant from your target destination to help you decide where to place your children when you move.
  • Give yourself enough time for your children to take admissions tests, if required, or placement tests so that the school can best determine fit
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Applications Calendar

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Applications Calendar
Stay on track throughout the admissions process with this 2026 private school applications calendar, featuring key deadlines, testing requirements, and planning tips.

Applying to a private school is a process. It is a process with many sections and parts to it. If you are accustomed to managing projects and meeting deadlines, this is just another version of that kind of exercise. I strongly recommend that you set it up just as carefully as you set up any major 12 to 18-month project at your office. When you organize yourself this way, you can put the project on the back burner for a week or so in the first six months without losing any momentum because you have your notes and "must-do" items listed. You can see what has to be done at a glance.

Start the Process Well in Advance

Begin your private school search at least 18 months before you actually want your child to begin classes. For example, if you want your child to begin Grade 10, then you would begin your private school search process in the spring of Grade 8. That will give you summer and fall to identify and visit schools. That will also allow time for admissions testing and submitting applications.

You can start earlier if you prefer, but this timetable will give you enough time to thoroughly research and visit schools without feeling rushed. You will be able to arrive at well-informed decisions about where to apply. Starting far in advance ensures that you have enough time to take care of all the details and arrangements involved with visiting schools for admissions interviews,

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Evaluating and Choosing a Private School

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Evaluating and Choosing a Private School
This guide gives you a roadmap for selecting a private school, emphasizing the importance of identifying family needs, researching schools, conducting visits, and making informed decisions. It provides a step-by-step approach to help parents navigate the complex process of choosing the right private school for their children.

Evaluating and Choosing a Private School

You have your reasons for thinking about sending your child to a private school.

Perhaps she has unique needs that you feel the public school system cannot remediate. Maybe you are less than satisfied with the academic achievements or the safety records of the public schools where you live.

Perhaps you attended private school as a child, and you want your children to enjoy the same experience.

The Rationale

No matter what the reasons are for deciding to enroll your child in private school, the fact remains that deciding which school to send your child to is a tough decision.

  • With so many schools from which to choose, selecting a school is not simple by any standards.
  • Several aspects of school and child must be considered before deciding.

Let me help you work out a process with which you can evaluate and choose from private schools.

  • First, you need to identify your needs.
  • After you identify and prioritize your needs, you can survey private schools.
  • After you’ve narrowed your list, you’ll want to set up school visits and interviews.
  • Deciding on that final school can be a two-way street between your family and the private school.
  • After interviews, you’ll need to prioritize your school list again to make that final decision as offers to enroll your child come in.

This video offers a video of Stuart Country Day School, Princeton, New

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