So, what happens after your child “officially” becomes a student? Are you immediately hooked up with a parent network? Is there a school-sponsored forum similar to CC to ask questions? When is all the nitty-gritty stuff worked out?
It probably varies by school. Our school matches current parents and students with new ones to reach out to and answer questions. The new families also get access to the password-protected school website, which has ton of parent and student info and resources that take awhile to wade through. In May, the kids will get their placement tests and roommate questionnaire, then a bunch of health forms will be due, then class selections, etc. Our school sets up a FB account for each class/form, but the kids usually get their informal networking going way before then.
You will receive information about setting up parent and student accounts. Also, you may (depending on school) be notified about placement tests in math and foreign language- usually done online before June.
Now is a good time to start preparing your student for taking on more responsibility for school generated emails and correspondence. Your student needs to check for emails from the school - every day. We made a large calendar with due dates for required items and actions. We made a large binder (together) of all required information, within which we also organized COPIES of everything sent to the school!
And if your kid hasn’t quite mastered laundry yet, now’s a good time to start practicing, lol.
You probably won’t hear much until the summer time, since classes are still in session. But here are few things that Lawrenceville sent us the summer before son started:
Received invites for parents events (summer sendoff, cocktail receptions, etc)
Parents association connect with nearby parents to ask questions.
Signup sheets for Parents association volunteer duties
Emails contact information for housemasters
Preseason sports (if applicable)
Lots of paperwork from the health center (immunizations, etc). You’ll probably need to get a recent physical from the pediatrician.
Veracross sign up (school wide portal)
Details on how rooms are selected
Signup for international student ‘host family’
Ice cream social for host families
Your son will probably also hear from a current student ambassador over the summer to give him the opportunity to ask questions of a student. You’ll get a packing list and probably information on technology. I think some schools send all the paperwork at once and some do it more gradually, but you will get the information you need and the contacts to ask additional questions. If you’re reasonably close you should also feel free to go to the campus to see spring athletic events.
In addition to comments above:
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Repeat: Make copies of everything you fax and/or send to your new school - items get lost. This includes medical -vaccine records, a photocopy of the health insurance card, and your final transcript from your old school. Bring a binder of these copies with you to drop-off. Be prepared to present any missing documents. Bring this binder home with you and keep it updated all 4 years. Then wash & repeat for college.
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Before the end of this school year, do confirm with your current school that they have sent the final transcript or any other requested items.
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Do make your reservations for hotel and car/truck rental now - don’t wait until August!
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Do make your reservations now for next year’s parent weekends or big games.
Wow! This is exciting and nerve-wracking for both of us!! We are narrowing down the choice between 2 schools. WE just had a revisit today and my kid is in love with the two schools, but really likes the one we went to today the best. Problem is this school offered no FA and the other school offered quite a nice package. Kid already has boarding spot and admissions and if we were FP it would be a 100% in when the offer arrived 3/9. That being said we need to keep our options open. It’s so hard knowing what you want but can’t necessarily have.
How likely is it that we will get some FA thrown our way? Also, is ABC scholarship money from the school directly or from a different organization? I only ask because kiddo was talking to another student who received ABC $$ and said they were going somewhere else but mom forced him to see the school to make sure. So unsure if that $$ will come about. Keeping fingers crossed and trying to remain positive.
@FirstTimesACharm what do you mean by ABC money? If you’re talking of A Better Chance then there is no money per se associated with them. They are a placement organization only and all money is either FA or in rare cases merit money.