Private School Guide

Guide to choosing the right private high school

To choose the right private high school for your child, you should thoroughly explore and understand the philosophy of the school. Most private high schools invite parents and students to their campus and offer to have the children meet with or 'shadow' another student for a school day. This is a great opportunity for you and your child to gain a personal glimpse of what it is like to be a student in the school.

You may also have the chance to meet with faculty and find out about the coursework. Does the school offer honors or accelerated programs? What kind of after-school programs and extracurricular activities do they offer? You can also look at the facilities including the gymnasium, auditorium, cafeteria, classrooms, and any labs.

Also try to find out how many students go straight to college after attending the school, and how many top tier universities accept the high school's graduates. These statistics are helpful for getting an idea of the school's success in preparing its grads for college and the admissions process.

Finally, find out the fee structure and the admission requirements. Check out any financial aid provided by the school. Most private schools require a certain grade point average for admission, others have an entrance exam, and some have both.

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