I wrote Part 1 of What I Do When...? a few years ago. It contained eight questions and my answers. Here are another ten questions. If you think of any other questions you would like answered, all you have to do is message me on Facebook @privateschoolreview. I will give them my best shot.
So, here goes Part 2 of What Do I Do When....?
What do I do when...
I can't decide whether to send my child to private school for the early years or high school. Which is more important?
There are two schools of thought on this subject. Some parents feel that the early years give their children a solid educational foundation and love of learning, which is desirable. Other parents think that an intense three or four years of high school and college preparation is what their children need. And others send their children right through from prekindergarten through to twelfth grade.
I want my child to have a religious education.
Our faith means so much to us. We have raised our children to be observant and to practice our religion. I hear you, and in this situation, your best option would probably be a private religious school. The biggest obstacle that you will face has to do with the available options in your area. Private schools exist in just about any faith you can think of. They also exist in various levels of orthodoxy within those faiths. Most religious schools will be day schools. On the other hand, there are a hundred or so faith-based boarding schools. Private School Review and Boarding School Review offer robust search engines to help you compile lists of schools to research in depth.
Eileen Wirth discusses the mission of Jesuit High Schools.
I want my child to get into an outstanding school.
The answer to this question asks another question. What do you mean by an outstanding school? Do you mean a very competitive school? Or are you thinking of a school that is a perfect fit for your child? It is possible to have both. You must understand that the very competitive schools are challenging to get into. You have to check all the boxes and then some. Frankly, I would focus on identifying schools that fit your requirements and your child's. Get the fit right, and you will have a happy child. That is the most critical outcome as far as I am concerned.
My child doesn't test well?
I would opine that you have two options. Option one is to give your child plenty of practice in taking the standardized admissions tests most private schools use, namely the SSAT and the ISEE. Option two is to consider sending her to a school that doesn't do much testing, if any. Check out a progressive school or two. I think you will be happy you did.
We live overseas. How do admissions to American private schools work?
You will face several challenges. None of them are complicated in and of themselves, but the deadlines involved are critical. Read my article 5 Admissions Tips for International Students for a detailed look at what is required.
I can't choose between day school or a boarding school for my child.
If you live in an area with several private school options and have the time to be a full-time parent, then day school is a severe option. The two main advantages are that the cost is less than boarding school and you can exercise your parenting skills daily. When you send your child to boarding school, you are buying the whole package: academics, athletics, social life, extracurricular activities, and 24/7 supervision all rolled into one. However, the school and its community will parent daily.
I want my son to go to a boys' school, and he is resisting.
As long as he has bought into the idea of going away to boarding school, I would suggest including a boys' school on your short list of schools to visit. He will be pleasantly surprised when he visits a boys' school. Just be very careful to ensure all of this is his idea. I have often stated that we parents must be proficient at manipulating to get the long-range results we need and want for our children. This is one of those cases where that is very true.
In this video, five young men discuss their experiences attending all boys' schools.
My child has a learning disability. Are there schools that can help him?
There indeed are. Teaching children with special needs is something private schools do very well. Many schools have remediation of learning differences as their only focus. Other schools offer personalized, specialized one-on-one teaching, which most special needs students require. Because this kind of instruction requires much one-on-one time, these schools can cost more than regular private schools.
I just found out my wife has been posted to her company's Paris office. Our children are in Grades 6 and 8.
Most major foreign cities, such as Paris, have a lot of Americans, Canadians, and other expatriates. As a result, you will find so-called American schools or international schools. Your children will almost feel as though you never left home. Whether you choose to expose your children to an international school with children from all over the world and a few local children or decide that sticking with an American school is best is a decision you must make based on what you feel is best for your children. Don't worry about your children's education overseas. You will have plenty of options.
I think my daughter would do well in the structured environment of a military school.
Military schools offer a structured, highly disciplined approach to high school. Many parents and their children appreciate the combination of military training and solid academics. You do not have many options. There are approximately 40 military schools in the United States.
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