Private schools in the USA

Generally, the standard of education fostered in American private schools is considerably better than that of public schools. Private schools in the USA do not have to conform to government educational directives and therefore teachers have more flexibility and opportunity to customize the curricula and implement a variety of teaching styles.

Because of the higher fees charged by private schools, these institutions tend to afford greater extra-curricular opportunities to their students. They can also offer greater support to students with special needs.

Unlike public schools, securing a place at a private school in the USA is not determined by geographical location. Children from outside the local area may be granted a place at the school and private schools often have boarding facilities.

Expat parents hoping to send their child to one of the more popular US private schools should be aware that competition for places can be stiff and schools can be very selective about the students that they accept.

In certain states, there are also private schools that are religious institutions. If a child meets the entry requirements for a school with a religious affiliation, parents will find that fees at such schools are considerably cheaper. Some religious schools are willing to accept students from other faiths.

Typical Timeline for Private School Admission: (contact school for exact requirements)

School Tours: Typically, school tours start as early as the spring before the September in which applications are due. Tours take place throughout the fall semester.

Application Deadlines: At present, most admissions applications are due during the fall semester one year before a child will actually enroll. Some schools distribute unlimited applications while others will accept only a certain number. Schools may have a strict due date in November or December, or may stop accepting applications when they have received a sufficient number. So, applying early is a good strategy.

Testing: One of the below tests might be required.

(1)  ERB or ISEE  (www.erblearn.org/parents)

ISEE testing is generally completed during the fall. However, many students are tested during the previous spring semester.

The ISEE test has four standard sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Mathematics Achievement. The Middle and Upper Level tests students have just under three hours to complete the test.

The verbal reasoning section consists of a sentence completion portion and a synonym portion. The quantitative reasoning section consists of problem solving, data analysis and probability, measurement, number and operations, geometry, and algebra. The reading comprehension section includes topics concerning contemporary life, literature, science, and history. Finally, the mathematics achievement section consists of math-related questions that meet the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards

Preparing For ISEE Admission Test

https://www.erblearn.org/sites/default/files/images/services/ISEE/WTE_Upper_July2016%20FINAL.PDF

 

ISEE Testing Schedule

Starting in Fall 2016, students may register to take the ISEE up to three times in a 12-month admission cycle, once in any or all of three testing seasons. The seasons are Fall (August­–November), Winter (December–March), and Spring/Summer (April­–July)

(1)  SSAT (Secondary School Admissions Test)  (www.ssat.org)

The SSAT measures the basic verbal, math, and reading skills students need for successful performance in independent schools.

Parent and Child Interviews: Student and parent interviews take place during the autumn one year in advance of admission.

Supplemental Materials: Recommendations and prior school grades must be received while the rest of the child’s information is being assembled, generally during the fall semester.

Writing Sample: Essay may be required

Decisions: Admissions decisions are announced as early as December for legacy admissions, and in February for non-legacy candidates.

Family notification: For legacies, families must notify schools of their intent by mid-January. For non-legacy students, depending on grade level, families should notify the schools by February or March. But, above all, it is important to check each school’s own website to make sure you adhere to their specific timetable.

Magnet schools

Magnet high schools are public high schools that attract the most talented students in a region using an application process that typically involves test scores and grade-point averages.

Magnet schools are free public elementary and secondary schools that focus on a particular area of the curriculum such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), Fine and Performing Arts, International Baccalaureate, International Studies, MicroSociety, Career and Technical Education (CTE), World Languages (immersion and non-immersion) and many others.These schools do, however, still cover all subject areas.

The current role of magnet schools, therefore, is to promote academic opportunity and excellence beyond that which is offered at their regular public school counterparts. Magnet schools often attract “gifted” students who score well on tests and receive good grades. Approximately one-third of all magnet schools use academic performance as selection criteria to decide who will be invited to enroll for that year.

Magnet schools have three distinguishing characteristics:

• Distinctive curriculum and/or instructional approach.
• A diverse student body that represent various neighborhood.
• Represent diversity as an explicit purpose.

Most districts manage the admissions process using a lottery format. Others rely upon a first-come, first-served arrangement. Only about one-third of all magnet programs use a selective admissions policy; these usually involve either a minimum test score requirement or in a performing arts magnet, performance in an audition.

Admission requirements for schools may include the following: (contact school for exact requirements)

At the high school level, entrance criteria have been established for admission to most of the Magnet school. Students interested in applying to Magnet school should contact the specific school staff to determine if there are entrance criteria for the program(s) of interest. Admission requirements for schools may include the following:

•  1st trimester/semester grade point average
•  Attendance
• Citizenship
• Prerequisite classes

Prospective student might be invited to take a standardized, proprietary test. This test will include multiple choice math (Algebra I and Geometry for rising 9th-10th graders, and Algebra II/Calculus/Trigonometry for rising 11th-12th graders); multiple choice reading comprehension, and a writing prompt. There is no time limit on the test, and no special preparation is required.
Students must submit an application online at www.myschooldc.org
If there are more qualified applicants than there are seats available, a computerized random lottery will be used to select students.

International schools in the USA

The majority of expats who only plan to stay in the USA for a few years opt to send their children to international schools, as these schools follow curricula from their home country, allowing for a smoother transition into life in the USA. International schools can be found in all of the USA’s major cities, including New York, Boston, Washington DC and Los Angeles.

Students at international schools in the USA can be dually taught in English and a foreign language. Expats hoping to send their child to an international school should be aware that certain popular schools have long waiting lists, and so students will need to apply well in advance.

International schools are considerably more expensive than other schooling options.

International Schools in Washington DC

Washington International School (http://www.wis.edu/page.cfm?p=1)

and the British School of Washington (http://www.nordangliaeducation.com/our-schools/washington). Both of these institutions offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

What You Might Need for Applying: (contact school for exact requirements)

• Application Form
• Application Fee $75
• Parent Questionnaire
• Applicant Statement
• Current School Reports/Grades
• School Reports/Grades for the Past Year
• Administered Admissions Testing
• Applicant Skype Interview
• Recommendation Letter
• Standardized Testing Results
• Supplemental Teacher Recommendations

Charter Schools

A charter school is an independently-operated public school. In Washington DC, they are open to all DC residents, regardless of their neighborhood, socioeconomic status, or previous academic achievement. Parents can choose among a variety of schools to meet the needs of their child. There are schools that specialize on specific interests such as math, science and technology; the arts; public policy; language immersion; etc. Such schools are run by the Washington DC Public Charter School Board (PCSB) and have more flexible academic programmes and curricula than traditional public schools.

Do charter schools have admission requirements?

No. A charter school is part of the public education system and must be open to all students, without discrimination, on the same basis as other public schools. If the number of students applying to enroll in a charter school is greater than the number of seats in a school, then students are chosen at random from a lottery. Charter schools cannot require an admissions test, audition, minimum grade point average, or any other criteria to admit students

What does it cost for a child to attend a charter school?

Nothing. Charter schools are tuition-free for all DC resident students. Just as in the DC Public School system, only non-DC residents can be charged tuition.

What You need to Apply:

http://www.myschooldc.org/how-apply/what-you-need-to-apply/

 

Public Schools in the USA

Expat students will be eligible to attend a public school in their local area. The registration process is usually very straightforward. As public schools in the USA are generally funded by property taxes, expats will find that schools in wealthier suburbs are likely to have better facilities.

While public education is generally free, there are some fees associated with public schools, including the purchase of books, equipment and uniforms. These fees vary from state to state and between schools themselves.

While the standard of public education in the USA varies dramatically, there are a number of advantages for expat parents who opt to utilise this system. Firstly, costs are minimal and a lot less than the cost of a private or international school education. Secondly, as school placement is determined by geographical location, the public school system allows children to attend a school close to home, and this means they tend to have more interaction with local children in the neighbourhood.
For expats planning on relocating to the USA for the long-term, having their children attend a public school is likely to allow them to mix with a wider, more varied and representative sample of American children.

For applying to Public School:

http://www.myschooldc.org/faq/faqs/

Selective Citywide High School

A selective citywide high school is a high school with no boundary. DCPS (District of Columbia Public School) has six selective citywide high schools that admit students based on specific admissions requirements and selection criteria. Anyone can apply to these schools, but only students who meet the school’s requirements will be eligible to attend that school.

Requirements for applying to Selective Citywide High Schools:

http://www.myschooldc.org/how-apply/applying-selective-citywide-high-schools/

Useful Links:

(1) To see which school is your neighborhood or assigned school, search using your home address

http://www.greatschools.org/washington-dc/washington/

(2) To find details and ranking of Schools in a given area

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/search?magnet=true&state-urlname=district-of-columbia

 

Author: Kalpana Dang