Where Do I Belong?
Finding the right private school for you.
by Myra A. McGovern
TWEENS & TEENS
News
October 2006
Day school or boarding school? Big school
or little school? What about the panoply of
coed schools, girls or boys schools, as well
as the art schools, military schools and project-based
schools?
There are so many schools to choose from.
How do you know which school is right for
you?
If your current school fails to suit your
needs, then discuss with your family your
options for attending a different school.
The first step is to think about your ideal
school.
•Is the school big or small?
•Does it offer specific classes or extracurricular
programs?
•Is it traditional or progressive?
•Is it academically intense or more
nurturing?
•Is it close to home or far away?
The next step is to find out about the different
schools out there. “Private school”
is a phrase used to describe a school that
is not part of the public school system. “Independent
school” is one type of private school.
Specifically, independent schools are private,
nonprofit schools that are governed by boards
of trustees. In Manhattan, for the most part,
private schools are deemed independent schools.
As with many private schools throughout the
country, independent schools grant you the
opportunity to choose a school with a mission—
a school’s philosophy, teaching approach
and values— that is right for you.
Who should attend independent schools?
Many students choose independent schools because
they want to be challenged and they believe
an independent school will help them achieve
their dreams.
However, while some students are at the top
of their class and want to be challenged by
independent schools, others are struggling
and feel that they would benefit from an individualized
curriculum. Some teens merely want a school
that teaches in a way that “makes sense”
to them. Independent school teachers are experts
who can tailor the way they teach to the ways
their students learn.
Other students want to be part of a larger
community. Most independent schools draw students
from a wide region, allowing students to meet
lots of people from different backgrounds
and experiences.
What are independent schools like?
There are independent schools in almost every
part of the country. Independent schools can
be day schools or boarding schools. They can
be all-girls, all-boys or coed. Some independent
schools are small, with only a few dozen students,
while others are large, with several thousand
students.
Most independent schools offer courses in
the traditional subjects (English, history,
math, science, foreign languages), but each
school approaches the subjects a little differently.
Some schools also offer special programs,
such as bi-lingual education, a hands-on science
curriculum, or specialized training in art,
drama or music. Some independent schools offer
many sports, while others offer few sports.
Basically, each independent school has a unique
culture. While some schools are competitive,
others are more collaborative. Some are strict,
while others are laid back. It’s a good
idea to visit a few schools. Observing different
schools will help you find the one that’s
just right for you.
Why consider an independent school?
At an independent school, you’ll be
part of a close-knit community where you can
be yourself and feel comfortable. You’ll
get to know your fellow students and your
teachers— and they’ll know you.
Belonging to a community helps students to
develop strong friendships, which can last
a lifetime.
Independent schools typically have small classes,
giving teachers more time to get to know you
and find out what makes you tick. They find
out what you’re interested in and how
you learn. Excited about teaching, independent
school teachers bring their enthusiasm to
the classroom to best serve you.
At an independent school, you’ll find
a variety of ways to pursue your interests
beyond academics. Whether you’re into
sports, student government, art or something
else, you’ll have opportunities to explore
activities that could become lifelong passions.
Independent schools also teach you to think
for yourself. They encourage you to be responsible
and independent, and to become involved in
your community. These skills will help you
to succeed throughout your education—
and in life.
Perhaps most importantly, independent schools
let you choose a place to learn that’s
just right for you. At an independent school,
you’ll hone your interests and your
academic intelligence as you develop your
personality.
How do I become involved in the admissions
process?
Start looking at schools in early autumn of
the year before you want to attend an independent
school. Look at the Web sites of different
schools, and request admission materials from
the schools you think might work for you.
Most independent schools have open houses
in the fall. Visit a number of schools so
you can narrow down the number of schools
where you want to apply.
Applications are usually due in the winter.
Most schools require you to get recommendations
from your current teachers and an official
transcript from your current school. Make
sure you know the application deadlines so
you’re not rushing at the last minute.
Talk to your parents about paying for an independent
school education. Have them visit www.nais.org/admission
to learn about the different financing options.
Many people apply for financial aid to help
them afford an independent school. Applications
for financial aid are often due before the
regular application, so make sure you talk
to your parents early.
Usually, schools will send you a letter telling
you if you were accepted or not in March or
April. When you hear back from the schools
you’ve applied to, you’ll have
to make your final decision about where to
attend. Schools often encourage you to visit
again to help you make your decision.
Questions to ask when you visit a
school.
When you visit schools, talk to students,
teachers and/or the admissions director, and
ask questions to find out if the school meets
your needs and desires. Some questions to
consider are:
1. What’s special about the classes
and teachers?
2. Do students get to study things that interest
them?
3. Does the school curriculum help students
do well in high school or get into college?
4. What else is there to do at the school
besides go to class?
5. What are the students like?
Finding the best school for you may seem
overwhelming and challenging at first, but
carefully selecting a school that best suits
your needs emotionally and intellectually
results in lifelong benefits. To search for
independent schools in your area, visit www.nais.org/admission.
Myra A. McGovern is the director of Public
Information at the National Association of
Independent Schools (NAIS) in Washington,
DC. NAIS is a membership organization for
more than 1,200 independent schools in the
U.S. and internationally. All NAIS members
are fully accredited.
