WHAT MAKES A SCHOOL GREAT?
Lynden, Washington, United States
Fremont, Northern California, United States
San Francisco, Northern California, United States
All parents dream of their children getting into the best schools in the country. However, admission to a top school can be exciting but at the same time, challenging. With all the private school admissions requirements and deadlines to beat, families have to be strategic and organized in planning. A child’s portfolio should include GPA, grades, letters of recommendation, writing samples, student statements, and parent statements. ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT may be required for admission so it is important to avail of test prep services to become familiar with the test format and content as well as gain acquire test-taking skills and gain confidence in undertaking the tests. A well-informed, prepared, and confident test-taker generally produces great results.
College admission is no different. The best strategy to gain leverage in the college admissions process is to secure a good high school education. Private schools, boarding schools, and preparatory schools give more focus and attention to students in helping them prepare for college applications. An applicant’s portfolio will contain the same requirements - GPA, grades, letters of recommendation, ACT or SAT scores, essays, and personal statements, and interviews. There are several educational consulting firms that give comprehensive ACT practice tests, and SAT practice tests to help students achieve high scores. Applicants must undergo interviews where admissions officers assess a student’s personality and determine if he/she is a good fit for the school. Interview prep is the best way to learn techniques on how to present yourself and stand out from others.
We have chosen the top schools that could be the most suitable for your child. These are the schools that offer the best quality of education in the country based on their curriculum, test scores, extracurricular activities, and high acceptance rate to universities. We hope this list will help you decide which private school is the best fit for your child.
A great school produces confident, mature, and responsible students who are ready to take on the challenges of the outside world. This can be achieved by having a community that gets along with and supports one another towards a common goal. These are the factors that make a school great:
In choosing the best school, you have to be attuned to your child’s personality, strengths, needs, and interests. Does your child have any special learning needs and would benefit more from a highly individualized program? Is your child interested in arts, music, or sports? Is your child a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner? Whichever category your child belongs to, you will find different schools that will be able to address these needs and maximize his learning potential. Teaching methods will play a big role in your child’s development.
If possible, do a school visit with your child to see if the school would be a suitable environment. Check the facilities and physical structure, and observe how the staff and students interact with each other. More than your impressions, it is important to ask how your child feels about the school. He should feel comfortable and welcome enough to make him feel excited about attending classes and taking part in the school activities.
Understand the curriculum and determine if it suits your child’s present level of academic achievement and most especially, his learning style and study habits. Many schools have great scholastic programs but if it doesn’t suit your child, it will only cause undue stress and compromise his will to achieve.
Changing schools can be an exciting process to learn about the opportunities out there. It can also be a personal experience of growth that will allow your child to learn more about themselves and have the right mindset that would help them succeed.
Top schools produce the highest caliber of high school graduates. Admissions can be competitive but you can always get the advantage if you prepare well and seek the services of reputable admissions consultants because, with their expertise, they can assist and guide you every step of the way.
Practice and prepare for student essays, parent statements, and interviews well. These let the admissions officer get to know you better beyond your grades and test scores. So make sure that you come up with outputs that differentiate you as well as impress the admissions team.
Grades and test scores are indicative of how students perform academically. Receiving solid test scores in the SSAT, ISEE, or HSPT is a great way to demonstrate how you’ll succeed in a challenging academic environment. Doing practice tests will let you master the kinds of questions and general flow of the tests and in turn, give you the confidence to take them.
Schools are also looking for well-rounded individuals, so participating in a myriad of activities would be a plus. Top-tier schools offer a lot of programs and they want to make sure that the students they accept would participate in these programs, making their school environment richer and complete. These opportunities also allow students to contribute to a greater school community.
Great schools produce great graduates, and coming from one already differentiates you from the rest when you apply to any college or university. The experience of attending a top school would also prepare you for the academic rigor required in these universities.
But more important than preparing you for college, studying in a top school prepares you for life. You develop skills necessary for success like self-discipline, time management, and lifelong learning. Top schools set high standards in educating their students. If you are aiming for academic excellence, good principles and values, and a holistic approach to learning, you should consider getting your child into a top school.