Hi, I’m starting to look for schools for my son. He has not taken the SSAT yet but he scored poorly on the ISEE. His grades are mediocre- pretty good in English, Social Studies and Science- and average in Math. Thoughts? Schools to consider? I have not seen any schools with a test optional policy. Are there any?
Are you looking for boarding or day?
Either but preferably boarding
If your child has a learning disability, there are schools that will accept a neuropsych report in lieu of the SSAT. If that’s the case, I can message you a list. If there is no documented learning disability, there are schools that will require it, but not weigh it very heavily. If you’re boarding, does it have to be in MA? Feel free to message me. I’ve been compiling a list.
@vwlizard can you PM me the list?
Thanks @vwlizard
I just inboxed you regarding my son. I suppose we could get a neuropsych report. Is this something the schools publicly state on their website, or do I need to call and ask if they accept reports in lieu of the SSAT. Do you know any off the top of your head? And which schools in your opinion, don’t weigh it heavily? Thanks again.
Both of my kids scored better on the SSAT than the ISEE (in %ile terms). It’s worth trying it. Does your son’s current school feel that a neuropsych evaluation is warranted?
Thanks @GMC2918
I will have my son take both. Poor kids. He has had a neuropsych done in the past at my request, and it was very interesting. Confirmed my suspicions re: strengths and weakness. However, the report is too old.
I ask because there is such a broad range of learning “differences” and an equally broad range of schools that would be appropriate.
In brief, my son was diagnosed with ADD and mild dyslexia when he was in 1st grade. He has always been in “mainstream” schools, but with learning support (meeting with the in-school learning specialist weekly plus test accommodations). His early SSAT scores were not great - in the low 30s %ile-wise - the first two times that he took them, after really bombing the ISEE. He worked with a tutor and did some test prep on his own and ended up with a score in the high 80s. So don’t think that one test will necessarily accurately predict future tests. Our boarding school search included schools like Suffield & Berkshire, which have excellent learning support programs and aren’t shy about promoting them. My son ended up choosing St. George’s and they have been beyond incredible so far.
My point is that it’s hard to make the call based on one ISEE sitting. Try the SSAT a couple of times, and in the meantime yes, you may want to update the neuropsych (in order to qualify for accommodations in high school). Consider a range of schools - there are many posters here who have such great insight into these schools and can help you put together a reasonable list based on what you know now about your son’s strengths/weaknesses. Then just jump in! You don’t have to have it all figured out right now - we sure didn’t. Put a broad list together, give the SSAT a try, and see what happens. If (when!) you have choices in March, take a long hard look at each school and the learning support that they provide. I even give this advice to people whose kids have never had any learning issues, because odds are, at SOME point, they will need academic support. It may be a late ADD diagnosis, or simply help getting through advanced Bio, but it’s good to know what’s available.