Info on schools, SSAT score Help

<p>Our son has excellent recommendations and ec activities but he did horrible on his SSAT scores. He averaged out in the 69 percentile. He is going to retake the test in December and again in January if he has to. He is already working with a tutor. He only had trouble on the math section which lowered his average by a lot. I was wondering if the SSAT score will affect his application severely? Also, if you can offer any help about these schools it would be greatly appreciated.We were looking for info on campus vibe, buildings, academic rigor and so on. If you would like to see a more detailed list on him it will be below the schools.</p>

<p>List:
Berkshire
Taft
Westminsiter
Epsicopal High
Deerfield
Choate
Hotchkiss
Exeter
St. Pauls
Groton
Milton
Lawrenceville
St. Georges
The Hill
Loomis chaffee</p>

<p>Academics
Eight grade
o Maintained straight A average for the 2012 first quarter.
Seventh grade
• Selected for the Duke 7th Grade Talent Search based on scoring in the 97th percentile on math on the ERB.
• As per the opportunity provided by the Duke 7th Grade Talent Search, took the SAT Test. Against all Duke 7th Grade Talent Search participants that took the SAT, scored in the 65 percentile for Critical Reading, 69% for Math, and 81% for writing.
• Named All Honor Roll (Straight A Average) each quarter for entire 7th grade
• Holy Spirit Scholar for achieving straight A average for entire 7th grade
• Awarded Seventh grade Spanish honors, (best student)
Sixth Grade
• Awarded Sixth grade math honors, (best student )
• Achieved Straight A’s
Activities / Sports
• Participated in school play in 6th and 8th grade.
• Sixth grade – JV basketball, Track and Field
o Played center / forward in basketball
o Named “Most Dedicated Player” by the coaching staff
o Track and field events included 100M, 400, 4x400M, 4x100M, 1600, & Long Jump
• Seventh Grade – Varsity Soccer, made basketball team but did not participate
o Played defender in soccer
o was injured / on crutches for basketball and track season
o Played defender in soccer.
• Eighth Grade – Varsity soccer, will participate in track and field in spring.
o Played defender in soccer.
o Track and field events to be determined.
• Runs 5K on weekends with father for fun.
Very competitive timing 18 minutes
• Family vacation ski trip with either church group or families from school each winter break. Can ski expert slopes comfortably.
• Workout at Westside Tennis and Lifetime Fitness periodically.
Language & Educational Enrichment
• Attended Holy Spirit Student Exchange for one week in Costa Rica in 7th Grade to develop language skills and experience culture.
• Attended Holy Spirit 8th Grade Trip, Backpacking in Noah’s Ark Colorado program, with focus on
• Attended Holy Spirit 7th Grade Trip, Key Largo in with focus on marine biology.
• Attended Holy Spirit 6th Grade Trip, Red Cloud Colorado, with focus on environmental preservation.
• Attended Holy Spirit Student Exchange for one week in Costa Rica in 5th Grade to develop language skills and experience culture.
Community Service / Out of School Activities
• Regular attendance at Chapelwood United Methodist Church youth activities
• Organized peanut butter and jelly sandwich drive to feed the hungry as part of National Junior Honor Society
• Completed confirmation at Chapelwood UMC during 6th grade.
• Attended Chapelwood Summit mission trip in Bullard Texas in 2011 and 2012 Approximately 300 youth participate repairing homes and serving the needy.
• Box top committee head to collect box tops to fund school supplies for Holy Spirit.
• Head of the student recycling committee at Holy Spirit.
• Student ambassador for Holy Spirit for Open Houses.
• Organized candy drive for poor children in Houston.
• Attending Chapelwood Legacy Retreat, which includes service at the Houston Food Bank. </p>

<p>Leadership
• President, National Junior Honor Society – 8th Grade
• 7th Grade Student Council Representitive
• Treasurer, National Junior Honor Society – 7th Grade
• Selected as part of leadership team for the Chapelwood United Methodist Summer Mission trip for June, 2013. Approximately 300 youth participate repairing homes and serving the needy.

He speaks 2 languages fluently and would like to take a 3rd at BS
He would like to compete in Sports at BS</p>

<p>Because of his SSAT scores, unless he has an exceptional “hook” (i.e. an athletic recruit or has a compelling life story)—simply being well-rounded will probably not be enough to be admitted into some of the schools on your list.</p>

<p>You need to be pragmatic. Have a look at the avg SSAT percentiles at the schools and see if his score is within striking range:<br>
[Sort</a> Boarding Schools by Key Criteria | BoardingSchoolReview.com](<a href=“http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/school_ranking.php]Sort”>Sort Boarding Schools by Key Criteria)
You need to click on “Average SSAT percentile” </p>

<p>I would advise against providing this level of detail of his activities in his application, because his major achievements just get buried beneath the minor ones.</p>

<p>Yes, concur with GMT. Your son may also want to fine tune what he is looking for in a boarding school, as the list above includes schools which are very different.</p>