6 Tips to Complete a Private High School Application
Many families are opting to attend private school these days for one reason or another. Some private schools offer a specialized education in the arts or technology, for example. Others offer smaller classroom sizes. Students who choose to investigate their options at a private school will need to go through an application process. Some schools require a straightforward and concise application while others require an application that’s almost as long as the college admissions process. Students may need to give an interview, take an exam, or fill out numerous application forms. It’s a good idea to familiarize oneself with this process ahead of time to meet important deadlines and streamline the process overall – get into your dream private high school with the help of our Orange County private school admissions consulting.
1. The interview
Most private high schools require that a student come in for an interview. They may meet with members of the administration, experienced teachers, or even other students. Interviews can be incredibly nerve-racking but the most important thing is for the student is just to be themselves. There are several private schools to choose from in most areas in Southern California, so there’s plenty of opportunities to find the right fit. It’s also important for students to know who will be interviewing them ahead of time, so they know what to expect and how to prepare themselves.
2. Exams
Some private high schools require an exam to determine where a student will fit within the school academically. Often, these exams are not pass/fail in that a student does not receive a particular grade. Rather, it’s meant to determine what math, English, or science class the student will be placed in. Private schools often have the opportunity to bump a student up a grade, if necessary, or provide extra help. Students generally can’t study for these exams like they would study for a college entrance exam but they can get some information ahead of time and make sure that they have a chance to review any particular information that will be covered.
3. The social element
Private schools often offer a particular social element as part of their curriculum. Maybe they are geared toward science and technology and have several after school programs along these lines. Perhaps the overall feel involves arts and music or sports. The best way for a student to get an idea of the social element within a specific school is to request to visit as a guest for the day. In such a circumstance, students will be paired up with a current student and attend their classes with them on that day. They also have a chance to go to lunch, recess, or even after school activities. This is one of the best ways for a child to see if that school is the right fit for them.
4. Tuition
Private school tuition varies greatly from anywhere between $10,000 and $30,000+ a year in most areas. Some private high schools will offer financial aid or scholarships, but they are not available in the same amount that they would be from a college or university. It’s important to investigate this option before getting too involved in the application process because it may be a make-or-break situation for many families.
5. Success after graduation
Another thing parents and students will want to investigate is the type of success students achieve after graduation. Some questions parents might ask include: how many students were accepted to one of their top five colleges? What is the overall graduation rate (from university)? How many students were able to get a job in their field (after college graduation) within six months of their graduation date? There are tons of questions parents can ask, but it’s helpful to know how the education helps past students succeed once they move on.
6. Community opportunities
Many private schools are involved in the local community through volunteerism or extracurricular activities. If a student has a particular interest in a certain type of activity, such as sports or volunteering, they should be able to get this information during the interview process. It’s important for students to be able to feel like they’re a part of the community within their school as well as the community where the school is located. This is especially important because many students will travel from a different area to attend a private school.
Our Irvine private school admissions consultants have a 97% success rate. Call us today for more information.
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