<p>on the other hand this family is saying they can't afford it- and would require full merit scholarship for him to attend
It doesn't sound like the area schools are necessarily inappropriate- but for some reason this particular school has attracted him</p>
<p>My daughter attended private school ( day) K-12 on scholarship- need based. They don't have merit here- too competitive-
However- if the need based scholarship had not been available we would have moved or made do- thats what most families do.
I think a good point is that while he doesn't seem to have found a fit with his current high school, finding a good fit with college is much easier, even if more work, since so many more schools to choose from</p>
<p>EK- the son wantsto attend because he has friends there.</p>
<p>What is concerning is that mom didn't yet know about the admission process - interviews, visits, etc. ALL Of the schools in this area are well into this procces by now. My friends with kids applying are now moving into Round II (the invitation back after the initial visits and interviews). Kids who are late to the app process, but successful in the end, are usually the kids being recruited (they're being pressed to apply and may not decide to do so until later on). Perhaps this school has a Dec deadline.</p>
<p>Hmmm, now I'm totally nervous! We've got the paper application via an online query, and it's not due until Jan. I'll review it (have left most stuff to son on this, 'cause it's his ballgame/desire). I'm calling on Monday to schedule a visit/interview plus ask about parent recs. I'll also have son call/visit his middle school teacher w/whom he organized a charity project. </p>
<p>Yeah, I'm trying not to get son to invested (such a long shot w/the one scholarship per grade per year--against an international applicant pool, no less). But, at the same time, I'm a believer in---if you're going to do something, than go for it and give it your very best effort. No point in trying 1/2 way, that's a complete waste of time! :-) </p>
<p>All this additional info is just the stuff I was looking for --- 'soft info' (beyond the paper app) that wasn't immediately evident. The parents here are a fantastic resource!!</p>
<p>PS I think son would do fine at his current HS (well-considered school, though not the absolute top, he's on the honors track in everything, etc.). </p>
<p>It's just that this seems like it would be an outstanding opportunity (if a remote chance!) which he's expressed a strong interest in, for his personal reasons. I'm not going to crush his dream, esp. when he's established a personal, academic-related goal! :-) :-) [plus, this will be useful prep for the PSAT...and, if not successful, will maybe be a wake-up call re: the competition in his age range (he's used to academics coming v. easily)]. But, we're still hoping for the best!!</p>
<p>I did see that he had a friend there- but doesn't he have friends at his current school? IMO knowing someone isn't enough of a reason to switch schools- particulary when it is so expensive.
Other criteria should come first. ;) shouldn't it?
We looked at 6 private day schools- she applied to 5 mainly because they shared the same admission test- ( the 6th now uses that test as well) the ISEE <a href="http://www.erbtest.org/pages/ERB_ISEE.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.erbtest.org/pages/ERB_ISEE.html</a>
Her friends went all over the place-some to private, some to public- some to public suburban schools.
She actually was relieved that one girl wouldn't be at her school- as she was someone who really pushed her buttons- however we were a little surprised to see her mom walk in at orientation.
( they did actually mend fences and become friends- but the other girl transferred after a couple years)</p>
<p>Joylynne- Just a heads up as to what I have experienced: some private schools won't schedule an interview and visit until they have your app AND your transcripts. One school in my area (William Penn Charter) refused to let my son visit until they had transcripts (they already had the app). We decided to stop the app process right there as we, as parents, felt like the school was too controlling and didn't allow us to have enough power in the selection process and flexibility with our own evaluation method (it was sort of a "don't call us, we'll call you" approach to our app). </p>
<p>For a $30k yr school where there is only one spot for scholarship money, you might reconsider leaving that up to your son. This sounds like a high-stakes game....and he's only...what....14?</p>
<p>emeraldkity,
Well, son does have friends at his current school -- a nice group, although w/the usual ups and downs of teenagers.</p>
<p>I'm not too concerned re: his motivation, actually. It's a place w/a ton of resources & high level academics (his friend's family who relocated so friend could attend left behind a $15 private school they thought not rigorous/comprehensive enough). If a friendship motivates his interest, that doesn't matter to me -- as long as he's aiming for something that could be useful in a variety of ways and presents an opportunity for growth. :-)</p>
<p>It's not like we have a fully-funded acceptance on the doorstep at this point, anyway! :-) I figure the process can be useful, too (studying for standardized test, reviewing his past accomplishments, asking for teacher recs).</p>
<p>with additional information- I would agree that a different crop of students will make a difference
For my oldest- actually both kids- that has made a difference
They do best when they are in the middle- while some students will get a lot out of the situation even if they are the top student in class- my girls need peers to keep them challenged</p>
<p>Interesting, emeraldkity, I'm not sure about my son re: effect of peers. He sure doesn't mind being referred to by classmates as "the smart one" -- could be challenging (maybe good/motivating) to fall in the middle. Or....?! </p>
<p>Another question you might ask: has the full merit scholarship been taken up by a 10th grader? (I imagine it is already taken). Private school do have openings in 10th grade becasue students do leave--but it would be unlikely that the full merit scholarship student left.</p>
<p>J, I am going to predict your future. Your son is going to get in --with a partial scholarship--and you are going to have to make some tough financial decisions. Take the time to research th e place very very carefully becasue you will want to know the details when you make that decision.</p>
<p>Many private schools that I am aware of bring in 50% of the class as freshmen and the other 50% as new sophomores. Loomis and Salisbury are just two that I am aware of. Around here (Fairfield County) several of the private day schools go through 9th grade making the 10th grade school change necessary.</p>
<p>I am personally aware of a school in the Hartford area that has a full ride merit scholarship for one student. It's awarded by competitive exam. I was the runner up for that scholarship a million years ago!</p>
<p>As far as financial aid goes, I don't think the awards process is quite as cut and dried as the college FA process. And as someone mentioned above, the aid is used to create diversity within the school, especially at schools who see that as their mission.</p>
<p>cnp55--that sounds like a great thought for my son (school w/10th grade full-ride schoolarship based on a test alone!).</p>
<p>Except---I'm not so much a fan of boarding schools for him. Even though the school he's trying to get into offers a boarding scholarship. That one is only 40 mins from our house, so I could drive up & see him a lot, or he could come home on weekends (theoretically....should he be successful in the app). </p>
<p>(although...it <em>is</em> tempting to maybel google that Conn school after all--more options are always better! cnp--would you be interested in pming me w/the name, just to be sure I've got the right one---if you have a second? thanks so much...)</p>
<p>As far as peers go, our son, for instance, needed an environment where the bar was set high. (otherwise he'd goof off). The private school here was perfect for that. It's not cool to not care about school there. It's competitive and he goes for it. Another kid might not need that to stay on track.</p>
<p>Well, we have an interview at expensive private school on Monday. Son is eligible for the one per grade scholarship as a new student. It's all about public service. He's done a bit, and plans some more in the next few months so we'll see how it goes.</p>
<p>As it becomes more of a tangible possibility (however remote) I get more worried about the idea of a boarding school. What if son gets down, has a bad day? I've warned him that good friend is exceptionally busy, a star on the sports team there and won't have a lot of free 'hang together' time. He says he's okay w/everything (living away, friend otherwise engaged, etc.).</p>
<p>I'm a little bumming that he's eager to live away from home (seems happy, here). :-( Oh well! At least it's for a good cause!</p>