New parent here

Prep School Admissions Prep School Parents
1

<p>Hi, I am a new parent here on the message board. My child is in 5th grade right now, and we are just starting to look at boaring school as a possibility for her. And am looking for advice and what schools she may be a good fit with.</p>

<p>I don't think we would want to send her until high school, because I like the grade school she is in and feel she should finish it with her friends. But the local high school is not what I want for her, and it is the only choice because we live a small city that is isolated from basically everywhere.</p>

<p>My daughter, like many here, is a straight A student, she is very creative and bright, but she is not a star athlete or supreme genius. She is not yet totally sold on boarding school, and neither is her father. I went to boarding school and loved every single minute of it, and want her to at least have a chance at a similar experience while getting a top notch education.</p>

<p>I think, she would be a good fit with a smaller school, in a smaller city. Although a large city nearby for great outtings would be perfect. Somewhere with financial aide, because she will need a full financial aid. My husband and I are truely middle class, and make between 60 and 80K a year. Though we could probably swing around 10K of our own money if we really need to. She is against uniforms, but I would love have her in them - it just makes things easier. Single sex schools are fine with her, so far anyway. She is interested in art programs (not music), and foreign langauges.</p>

<p>Any suggestions for schools we should start looking with?</p>

2

<p>Welcome to the forum! Your daughter has 3 more years until she applies, so you will have plenty of time to research choices. These websites are a good starting place:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.boardingschools.com/[/url]”>http://www.boardingschools.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>[Boarding</a> School Review - College-Prep & Jr. Boarding Schools | BoardingSchoolReview.com](<a href=“http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/]Boarding”>http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/)</p>

3

<p>Have your daughter engage in extracurricular/athletic activities that she likes. She doesn’t have to be a star athlete to get into the good BS. </p>

<p>Also, I would recommend her to spend more time on reading and writing, as it takes longer time. When she reaches 8th grade, you can decide whether or not she applies to BS. It is very important that she herself really wants to go to BS. </p>

<p>Meanwhile the ECs and reading/writing that she has been doing will not be a waste of time. They are very important when she applies for college anyway.</p>

4

<p>Check out the Caroline D. Bradley scholarship - must apply as 7th grader, and it covers full tuition for 4 years of high school - anywhere.</p>

<p>General possible suggestions for applicants - take up an unusual musical instrument (oboe, bassoon), a sport (crew, lacrosse or field hockey), get involved in community service, and prepare thoroughly for the SSAT.</p>