If you are thinking about sending your child off to boarding school, you should try to start your school search process as early as possible. Finding the right school takes time. The process itself is not difficult; however, it is time-consuming. For example, if you are considering getting your child into school for 10th grade, you should begin the process in the spring of 8th grade. Standardized admissions testing typically takes place during the fall and winter of 9th grade, depending on each school's requirements. Most boarding schools have application deadlines in January, although some schools offer rolling admission. Admissions decisions are generally released in March, with enrollment decisions typically due in early April.
Many parents think that they will have plenty of time to get everything done, but the truth is that the 18-month time frame that I am recommending flies by very quickly. Before you know it, the application deadline is around the corner. With that in mind, let's review why I feel that you need 18 months for your school search.
1. You Need Time to Visit the Schools
Visiting schools is time-consuming. It is not enough to visit the schools virtually, although if you live abroad, that might be the only viable way of visiting schools. You must experience the school. You need to use your eyes and ears to help decide whether your child will be happy there for the next three years. Possibly four if he stays for a PG year. You wouldn't buy a piece of real estate without seeing it. Same thing with choosing a boarding school. Visit it. Experience it.
Before your visit, review our guide, How to Visit a Boarding School Campus: A Parent's Checklist, to help you make the most of every tour.
2. You Need Time to Complete the Application Process
You will need about 4 to 5 man-hours to complete the application process for each school. You have a Parent's Statement to complete. It requires thoughtful prose because you know your child better than anybody. You also need to request official transcripts and obtain teacher recommendations. You will most likely have an admissions interview scheduled during the school visit. Allocate a morning or an afternoon for that important part of the admissions process.
Then registering your child for the standardized admissions testing should be done beforehand. The SSAT and ISEE remain the most commonly accepted admissions tests, although an increasing number of boarding schools have adopted test-optional or test-flexible policies. Always review each school's current admissions requirements before registering for an exam. You can also visit the SSAT website for current testing dates, registration deadlines, and score reporting information.
Use our Admissions Checklist to keep track of everything. It all takes time.
3. It's a Good Idea to Plan Visits Around Other Travel Plans if Possible
By starting your school search process eighteen months before the fall in which your child starts school, you can coordinate your school visits with other events on your schedule. For example, if you intend to travel to a wedding in June, it makes great sense to arrange a visit to any schools on your list that might be in the area. Perhaps your job will take you to part of the country with a couple of schools you feel are worth visiting. It makes sense to check them out while you are there. If these schools meet your requirements, you can schedule a formal visit with your child at a future date.
This short video shows you Fryeburg Academy in Maine. The video is great, but a visit will let you experience the school and all it offers.
The advantage of starting the search process well in advance is that you won't find yourself in full panic mode trying to get everything done at the last minute.
4. Starting Eighteen Months in Advance Gives You Time to Make Any Course Corrections That You Find Necessary
One of the realities of today's boarding school search process is that many parents think they can find all the answers they need simply by researching online. When I recommend using an educational consultant, most parents bristle at the expense. They also take exception to the suggestion that perhaps they don't know what they are doing.
Let me put it to you very plainly. Unless you have members of your family who work at or attend a particular boarding school, you really cannot know for certain what the school's admission standards are.
Most boarding schools have YouTube channels. Start there. For example, this short video introduces Lawrence Academy. When you decide to learn more about a school, contact them directly and ask questions.
Starting the school search process well in advance will give you time to make the inevitable course corrections once you realize that you are in over your head and need expert guidance. Sometimes, parents assume that their child will get into a highly competitive school. After all, her grades are excellent. She has played viola since she was three and is a champion rider. Unfortunately, the admissions staff has other considerations, including a large applicant pool for a limited number of places. It will be disappointing when the school rejects your child or, if she is lucky, perhaps the school will put her on a waiting list.
A consultant will advise you on the probability of your child being admitted to a specific school. Your consultant will also counsel you to apply to several schools, one of which will be a safe school while the other two or three will be more competitive. This approach means your child will be admitted to a boarding school that meets your needs and requirements. As you build your shortlist, you may also find our Admissions Perspective: Choosing a Boarding School helpful.
5. Starting the School Search Early Allows Your Child to Become Used to the Idea of Going Away to School
You know your child better than anybody. So, this may not be an issue in your home. Many children are uncomfortable with the idea of leaving home with its familiar surroundings and routine to which they have grown accustomed. If you know that your child will not be enthusiastic about going away to school, it makes sense not to overwhelm him with a hard-sell approach. Gently expose him to the advantages one at a time over a period of weeks and even months.
Take him to see a game or other event at a school near you. Before long, you will overhear him telling his friends that it was his idea to go away to school. Once your child owns the process, you become the facilitator. At that point, you just have to take care of all the details that I mentioned earlier.
You might want to consider having him attend a summer session at a school on your shortlist. Here is a quick look at the Loomis Chaffee Summer Program.
Start the school search process early. Stay organized. Trust your instincts. Everything will work out for the best.
If you're still exploring whether boarding school is the right fit, you may also enjoy reading Boarding School Myths to separate fact from fiction.
