Secondary School Admissions: What You Need to Know

Finding the best secondary school for your family can feel like an intimidating process. Are you interested in boarding schools? Day schools? Language immersion programs? Do you care about a school’s religious background? What about the academic opportunities? Are there AP-level classes or an IB curriculum? Study abroad programs? What does college placement look like?

To understand the private school admission process, we suggest beginning your research a full 12 months before the school year begins. In other words, in early fall of a student’s 8^th grade year or earlier for 9^th grade admission.

RESEARCH AND SCHOOL VISITS

Before your student applies to private high schools, you should identify the types of schools that interest them most and match your family’s priorities. The process looks slightly different if you’re applying to New England boarding schools versus parochial schools versus NYC private schools, for example.

To learn about a broad swath of schools, it can be helpful to begin with the 2023 Niche K-12 Best Schools rankings, which include categories for boarding, charter and magnet schools (though we always suggest you take these rankings with a grain of salt). You should also gather information about each school’s selectivity. Schools like Philips Academy Andover, for example, have single-digit acceptance rates. Last spring, Director of Admission Jill Thompson explained how the pandemic has led to increased selectivity at prestigious private schools: “Over the past three years, our admit rate has declined from 13% in 2020 to 10% in 2021 to 9% in 2022. Since the fall of 2019, we have seen increased interest in Andover education given the challenges families and schools have been facing in the course of the pandemic. “

SECONDARY SCHOOL SELECTION: FACTORS TO CONSIDER

Look at the high school profile. This document can be requested, but it is often publicly available on a school’s website, usually nested within their college counseling page. The profile includes key information such as number of honors and AP classes available, information about the academic curriculum. (Is this an IB school? Are there independent studies available? Community service obligations? Required electives?) This document also usually includes average test scores and college placement.
Cost of tuition and financial aid opportunities.
Educational philosophy.
Teacher background and turnover.

In addition to attending open houses (these often take place in October and November) and campus tours, take a look at the helpful websites below, which offer further information and resources as you conduct research on the private school offerings across the country:

Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE)
Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY)
New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS)
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)

As with the college process, applying to schools that fit your family and student’s needs will lead to better results. The interview process and application essays will attempt to gauge fit as well.

TTA Tip: Use Your Network

The more you can speak with current students and families, the better! Unlike tour guides and admissions officers, current students and parents can offer an unfiltered perspective and help you understand current campus debates, opportunities, and drawbacks. Does your middle school have an active alumni network? It will help your student to speak with someone who has navigated the transition from their specific school community to a new high school.

STANDARDIZED TESTING

Don’t forget to arrange for standardized testing. The SSAT (Secondary School Admissions Test) is the most common test required for independent high school admissions. Some private schools and charter schools use their own entrance exam, though this is not typical. The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is an equivalent test, more often used for private elementary schools but also accepted by high schools. International students must also take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or the Duolingo English test.

If you are applying to 11^th grade, 12^th grade or PG (Post Graduate) years, you can usually submit any SAT, ACT, PSAT, or SSAT score.

Many private high schools now offer a test-optional application process, but we still suggest taking the recommended standardized tests if you have access to a testing site and test prep resources.

THE INTERVIEW

The personal interview is a critical stage of the high school admissions process. Usually, this is a one-on-one conversation with an admissions officer and should feel like a natural conversation as they evaluate your fit with the school community. You should be prepared to explain why you are considering private secondary school and what makes that specific school a perfect fit for your interests and goals.

As you prepare, take a look at our interview tips, which apply to high school interviews as well as college interviews.

Here are a few questions you might encounter:

Tell me about your current school.
Tell me about your classes this year. Do you have a favorite class or teacher?
Where did you grow up?
What have you done of interest over the summers?
How would your friends describe you?
What world issues do you feel strongly about?
What do you envision yourself doing 10 years from now? 20?
What books or works of art have influenced how you think?
What are you reading now?
Who has had a profound impact on you?
Describe any unique talents you possess.
Do you have any questions about our school?

Essay Guidance

Get our expert guidance on your college essays.

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THE ESSAYS

As part of your application, you will be asked to respond to school-specific essay prompts. This is an important aspect of the application and an opportunity to put your grades and activities in context.

Take a look at these sample essay questions from previous application cycles:

Who inspires you and why? (Examples: teacher, coach, family member or historical figure)
What is your favorite piece of literature? Please explain why.
Describe a moment when you faced adversity. What was your response, and what was the ultimate outcome?
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Describe a favorite learning experience or your favorite part of the school day.
Given your passions and hobbies, how would you spend your perfect day and who would you spend it with?
Tell us about a time when you helped a classmate, peer, or friend through a challenging moment, or a time when they helped you through a difficult situation. What did you learn from that experience?
Describe a time when you took action to make a change at your school, in your community, or in your home.
Describe the environment in which you were raised—your family, neighborhood, or community—and how it influenced the person you are today.
Which of the activities or interests that you selected in Part One are most important to you, and why?

In addition to these student essays, other elements of the application might include:

Parent essays.
Graded writing samples.
Letters of recommendation (typically two letters, one from an English teacher and one from a math teacher).
A list of extracurricular activities.

SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS DEADLINES

At most private schools, applications open around August or September with an application deadline on or around January 15. Decisions are usually released in mid-March. Many private and independent PS-12 schools use the application platform Ravenna.

WORK WITH AN EXPERT

Our Senior Private Counselors can assist you with every step of the secondary school admissions process. Our Private Counseling program for 8th graders offers customized, virtual, one-on-one counseling and includes unlimited time with a dedicated Senior Private Counselor.

If you are just looking for help with the application essays, our essay guidance program is for you! Other options for middle school students include our Enrichment Program to expand your student’s interests beyond the classroom or our Writing Guidance Program, which offers targeted help with academic writing projects.

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Dr. Elizabeth Doe Stone

President at Top Tier Admissions

A veteran college admissions consultant, Liz has over a decade of experience working with Top Tier Admissions. As President, she is responsible for managing all content, recruiting, product development, and partnerships to maintain Top Tier’s standards of excellence. In her capacity as a Senior Private Counselor, she has helped hundreds of students successfully navigate the college admissions process to earn spots at Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and other selective schools. Liz pairs her extensive knowledge of the college admissions process with her experience as an educator to provide in-depth guidance with an empathetic approach.

Liz graduated Magna Cum Laude with high honors from Dartmouth College and earned her MA and PhD in Art History at the University of Virginia, where she taught undergraduate courses, earned the All-University Graduate Teaching Award, and received a Fulbright Research Grant.

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