Your Choice

With each school's decision in hand, it is time to make your choice. While there are no hard and fast rules to guarantee your child and an individual school will be the perfect match, most families advise the following: Follow your heart. Discuss your decision as a family and revisit your wish list one last time to ensure your priorities have been met. In the end, you must feel assured that your child will not only develop but thrive in the independent school community he or she joins. If you aren't entirely sure, consider a second visit to the school, meeting a few teachers, or talking to current families or alumni.

Whatever you decide, do make your decision within the time frame set by the schools and inform all schools of your final decision. Often, other candidates are on waiting lists, anxious to learn whether a space will become available. Therefore, prompt responses are not only polite but important. Once you return a signed enrollment contract together with a tuition deposit, your family will be considered part of the school community. Many schools offer "big brother and big sister" programs for incoming students who would like to communicate with currently enrolled peers; some schedule special gatherings in order to introduce new families to currently enrolled ones.

We know you're looking for more than just a good school: You're looking for the right school for your child. We hope you use the NAIS Family Guide to make an informed decision about your child's education, to make the right choice for your child's future. The following page lists additional resources you may find helpful in your search.

The Decision

Admission officers take many factors into consideration before making a decision on each applicant. Among the factors influencing your child's candidacy are:

• results of standardized tests
• personal insights from your child's essay
• impressions gathered from the formal interview with your child
• your alumni connections to the school
• your sibling or other connections to the school
• your child's potential contribution to the life of the school
• number of applicants and number of spaces available
• past academic performance and previous school records
• recommendations from teachers/counselors
• special strengths and talents (academic, artistic, etc.)

Keep in mind that no independent school weighs factors in the same way, or follows the exact list printed above. While one school may highly value your child's achievement record, another might be impressed by his or her theatrical talents. It is a good idea to ask about the most important factors influencing each school's admission decisions during your visits.

While some schools notify all families on March 10, others offer rolling admission and will give you a decision once your child's application file is complete. When you receive word about your child's acceptance, you should also learn about financial aid awards. If the grant you receive does not meet your needs, or if you are not awarded any aid, contact the school's financial aid officer to learn about other options.

Financial Facts

In recent years, independent schools have successfully opened their doors to students of many economic backgrounds. While financing a child's education is still considered primarily the family's responsibility, schools have increasingly provided various options to help make an independent education more affordable. Schools are glad to include financial aid information in their first mailing, so be sure to ask for it. When you visit, ask any remaining questions. And be careful to watch for financial aid application deadlines, just as you watch for admission and testing deadlines!

Most independent schools use the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) to assess a family's ability to contribute to their child's education. Many also request some certification of family finances, usually federal tax returns. Schools use the difference between their tuition and fees and your resources to determine financial need. Grants can range from small amounts up to full tuition, depending on the availability of funds.

Many independent schools also offer payment plans and loan programs to help families balance tuition and other financial obligations. Indeed, in recent years, a greater number of families are financing tuition through a combination of financial aid, monthly payment plans, and loans. If you do not qualify for direct financial aid, or if the school grant does not meet your needs, consider one of these other options.

While most assistance comes in the form of need-based aid, some schools also offer merit awards. Quite often, these awards are offered to students demonstrating a certain skill or talent desired by the school. Information about merit awards is available through the admission office. Remember, the school's financial aid officer is there to help. Don't hesitate to ask as many questions and explore as many options as necessary.

The Admission Process

Independent schools are as concerned about their students' welfare and success as you are. They want to be sure that the match between your child and the school is a good one. After you visit several schools, create a "short list" of those you wish to pursue. Complete each selected school's application form, triggering the rest of the admission process. Most schools require a complete application file before making a decision. The following items are typically required:

• a completed application form
• the most recent academic transcript with grades
• past standardized testing results
• teacher recommendations
• results of a standardized admission test and/or a school-administered entrance exam
• notes from a formal interview with your child*

Depending on the applicant's age, some independent schools may ask for other materials, such as:

• parent statements
• student writing samples
• student artwork/portfolios
• specialized testing (e.g. results of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children)

Remember, all independent schools have slightly different admission procedures, so review each school's requirements carefully. Do not miss individual school application deadlines, but if you do, don't panic. There are many fine independent schools that continue to admit students throughout the academic year and during the summer months.

The Visit and Interview

Though NAIS schools all meet rigorous standards, the differences among them are great. Admission materials are useful but they don't always convey a school's atmosphere. That's why a campus visit and personal interview are crucial. When you schedule your visit, allow enough time to get a feel for each school. (Ask how much time you'll need for a complete tour.) Bring your wish list and notes to the interview and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions! Remember, the interview is a two-way process allowing you to find out more about a school, and helping admission officers to better understand your child. During the interview, take time to honestly discuss your child's candidacy as well as to ask any unanswered questions that may be lingering in your mind. Here are a few to get you started:

• Is the school willing and eager to involve parents?
• How, and how often, does the school communicate with the family?
• Do the students you see seem productive, engaged, and happy?
• How do the teachers interact with their students?
• What will students at your child's age be expected to study?
• What are the backgrounds and experiences of the faculty?
• Does the school provide its teachers with opportunities for continuing professional development?
• How does the school measure individual achievement and progress?
• Is the campus clean, well lighted, secure?
• What kind of leadership and governance does the school have?
• Are faculty and staff involved in decision-making and curriculum development?
• Does what you see reflect the school's stated mission?
• What kind of counseling and support services are offered?
• Does the school feel like a community? Are students interacting with teachers outside as well as inside the classroom?
• Can you picture your child growing in this environment?

Before you leave each school, consider asking for a list of parents you can call for personal referrals. You may feel more comfortable if you can talk to families experiencing the school now. Use the space below to write down your own questions. As you visit schools, keep notes on responses to your concerns. Also, write down any additional thoughts on the day you visit, while impressions are fresh in your mind.

Narrowing the Choices

With your "wish list" in hand, you are ready to start narrowing your school choices. If you haven't done so already, contact each potential school for materials dealing with philosphy, curriculum, extracurricular offereings, admission process, and financing options. Compare each school's literature with the items on your list; this should give you a preliminary sense of which schools are a good match. Take into account what type of environment would be best for your child and consider his or her individual strengths as you examine each school's program. Eliminate any school that doesn't meet a fundamental requirement � for instance, if your child wishes to study Japanese but the school doesn't offer this course, you may need to look further. Here are some questions to start with as you look through each school's materials:

• Is the school accredited and by whom?
• What is the school's mission and does its philosophy appeal to you?
• Does a school have a special or particular educational focus?
• Is the atmosphere competitive? Nurturing?
• Does the school meet your child's needs?
• How large is the school and its student body?
• Where is the school located and what are your transportation options?
• What variety of learning experiences are available at the school � in class, on the playing field, in extracurricular activities, and in community service?
• Does the school seem to have a diverse student body and faculty?
• Do the school materials discuss parental involvement?
• For high schools, what are the graduation requirements? What percentage of students enter colleges � and what kind of colleges do they attend?
• What is the tuition and how flexible are the school's financing options?
• What is the school's application process? Are deadlines drawing near?

On your own, write down additional questions and notes. Consider starting one sheet of paper per school. That way, you will be able to easily look up questions that are pertinent to the school you are visiting.

Independent School Accountability

Independent schools are directly accountable to parents; this influences both structure and services. Time and again, exceptional teaching, emphasis on ethics, and individualized instruction are cited by families as the characteristics they value most. Parents are often pleased to discover that independent school teachers studied the discipline they teach in college, rather than majoring in teaching. This allows for greater depth of knowledge in the classroom, and dedication to on-going learning in the teacher's chosen subject matter. Also, because independent schools offer small classes, NAIS teachers know their students as individuals, allowing deep relationships to develop.