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Post by SweetPotato on Sept 5, 2018 10:44:52 GMT -6
It is coming up on crunch time for us to make some decisions on where we want our DS to go to school.
We’ve weighed a few options, including one very competitive private school.
Does anyone have experience with that kind of testing/interview process?
I feel like I’ll get nervous and screw it up for my kid lol
We both went to public school K-law school and have no idea what to expect with all this.
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Post by Sweetjane on Sept 5, 2018 10:53:34 GMT -6
We have not done the private school route for our kids but I went to several private schools growing up. My only advice is to just be yourselves, this will lead to a better fit for all of you. Ask alot of questions and research the school a ton. I went to more than one private that was...not a good fit. Luckily the third time was a charm😜
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tgrimes
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Post by tgrimes on Sept 5, 2018 10:59:47 GMT -6
SweetPotato Are you looking at schools closer to you or more towards my side of town? My friend just sent her daughter to private school this year and looked into several around town. If they're the same schools I can get the info for you.
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Post by SweetPotato on Sept 5, 2018 11:05:00 GMT -6
SweetPotato Are you looking at schools closer to you or more towards my side of town? My friend just sent her daughter to private school this year and looked into several around town. If they're the same schools I can get the info for you. There’s one in town that seems like it was basically made for M. If we send him there we will move back. 🤞🏼
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tgrimes
Diamond
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Post by tgrimes on Sept 5, 2018 11:08:15 GMT -6
SweetPotato Are you looking at schools closer to you or more towards my side of town? My friend just sent her daughter to private school this year and looked into several around town. If they're the same schools I can get the info for you. There’s one in town that seems like it was basically made for M. If we send him there we will move back. 🤞🏼 Move back! Move back! I'm not selfish at all.
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Post by spicysalmonroll on Sept 5, 2018 11:30:28 GMT -6
From my experience, private schools took anyone willing and able to pay for it. Sounds like yours are clearly more competitive if they have many, many applicants willing to pay. What age range are we talking? Do they interview you or your kid and base it off their past academic performance? Good luck, hope you find one that fits your family well.
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maybe
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Post by maybe on Sept 5, 2018 11:37:17 GMT -6
Yes, went through this earlier this year for DS1 who started this fall in K. A few tips, also happy to discuss more via PM: 1. Find out if it's an IQ test or a group evaluation or both. For the IQ/skills tests, review vocabulary, have them describe pictures, patterns, and be able to describe why they may pick an answer. 2. For group evaluations, they generally had teachers take kids through activities that a kid would do in a school day. They are looking at social skills, eagerness to learn, curiosity, response to the teacher and environment. Based on advice from an admin officer we described it to DS as an activity or an adventure and encouraged him to have fun with the other kids. He was happy at each one and saw them as playdates. 3. Have him wear comfortable normal clothes to prevent him from being distracted for dumb reasons. 4. Schools for K are looking also at how you will fit in as a family. In the application essays, mention people that you know who have kids there, why you think it would be a fit, any activities or things that your family would bring to the community (dual languages, interesting work/hobbies, active on parent communities or community service) 5. If your kid has quirks, mention them in the essays. They will probably see them in the evaluation. 6. If you can, get 1:1 time with Admissions Director. It shows interest and they will look out for your kid.
Good luck.
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maybe
Sapphire
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Post by maybe on Sept 5, 2018 11:38:06 GMT -6
Oh also, if the school requires recommendations from current teachers, you may want to coach them a bit and explain why you want your kid to go there.
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Post by SweetPotato on Sept 5, 2018 11:42:54 GMT -6
From my experience, private schools took anyone willing and able to pay for it. Sounds like yours are clearly more competitive if they have many, many applicants willing to pay. What age range are we talking? Do they interview you or your kid and base it off their past academic performance? Good luck, hope you find one that fits your family well. That was my experience where I grew up, but it is insane here. There are “feeder” preschools that people literally put applications in before leaving the hospital with a newborn. The top few are very competitive. And of course we fell in love with one at the last minute lol ETA this goes through HS graduation. They test and evaluate the kids and the parents have to write a letter, interview, etc.
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Post by SweetPotato on Sept 5, 2018 11:46:28 GMT -6
maybe that is all helpful. Thanks!! The test is the WPPSI People legit get private tutors for their kids like SAT prep. It’s so crazy!
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Post by spicysalmonroll on Sept 5, 2018 11:47:38 GMT -6
SweetPotato, Oh my, Chilton for kindergarten?! That does not happen where I live lol
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maybe
Sapphire
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Post by maybe on Sept 5, 2018 11:48:36 GMT -6
maybe that is all helpful. Thanks!! The test is the WPPSI People legit get private tutors for their kids like SAT prep. It’s so crazy! <iframe width="36.07999999999993" height="4.199999999999989" style="position: absolute; width: 36.07999999999993px; height: 4.199999999999989px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none;left: 15px; top: -5px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_52517710" scrolling="no"></iframe> <iframe width="36.07999999999993" height="4.199999999999989" style="position: absolute; width: 36.08px; height: 4.2px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none; left: 1731px; top: -5px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_29546880" scrolling="no"></iframe> <iframe width="36.07999999999993" height="4.199999999999989" style="position: absolute; width: 36.08px; height: 4.2px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none; left: 15px; top: 149px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_58648213" scrolling="no"></iframe> <iframe width="36.07999999999993" height="4.199999999999989" style="position: absolute; width: 36.08px; height: 4.2px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none; left: 1731px; top: 149px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_51742979" scrolling="no"></iframe> The WPPSI was used in one of our interviews. If your kid has gone to a preschool that has some academics, they will ace it. Work on vocabulary and just getting him to describe why he picked an answer. They may also have to do some writing in that one, I can't remember. If you want it, I can dig out his results and tell you the buckets that the results fell in to give you a sense of the format.
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maybe
Sapphire
Posts: 3,636 Likes: 28,247
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Post by maybe on Sept 5, 2018 11:51:01 GMT -6
Also, talk to them about listening and making sure they understand the instructions.
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Post by SweetPotato on Sept 5, 2018 11:54:30 GMT -6
maybe anything you’re comfortable PMing me would be great!
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soup
Platinum
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Post by soup on Sept 5, 2018 12:20:54 GMT -6
Anecdotal and secondhand, but a lot of my friends who recently went through this indicated it was almost more of a process for vetting parents than it was for children. Sorry for the extra pressure.
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Post by SweetPotato on Sept 5, 2018 12:25:58 GMT -6
Anecdotal and secondhand, but a lot of my friends who recently went through this indicated it was almost more of a process for vetting parents than it was for children. Sorry for the extra pressure. THANKS A LOT! 😬
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McBenny
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#sickomode
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Post by McBenny on Sept 5, 2018 12:31:39 GMT -6
maybe that is all helpful. Thanks!! The test is the WPPSI People legit get private tutors for their kids like SAT prep. It’s so crazy! The WPPSI should not be an issue if he has been to preschool.
It's a very age appropriate test.
We did private school for 3 years before moving out of state. They basically want to know how good of a fit it will be for your child in their school.
Our process did not really involve interviewing us, it was all on the kid.
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agm04
Platinum
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Post by agm04 on Sept 5, 2018 12:49:27 GMT -6
SweetPotato are you in Houston by any chance? It's very much that way here.
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Post by SweetPotato on Sept 5, 2018 12:50:34 GMT -6
maybe that is all helpful. Thanks!! The test is the WPPSI People legit get private tutors for their kids like SAT prep. It’s so crazy! The WPPSI should not be an issue if he has been to preschool.
It's a very age appropriate test.
We did private school for 3 years before moving out of state. They basically want to know how good of a fit it will be for your child in their school.
Our process did not really involve interviewing us, it was all on the kid.
That’s good to hear - this is his second year in a Montessori preschool and he does well. Sounds like I don’t need to stress about the test so much
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Post by SweetPotato on Sept 5, 2018 12:50:52 GMT -6
SweetPotato are you in Houston by any chance? It's very much that way here. Ding! Ding! Ding!
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adelbert
Amethyst
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Post by adelbert on Sept 5, 2018 13:37:23 GMT -6
No help but this question reminded me so much of this Portlandia clip.
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Post by truckerhat on Sept 5, 2018 13:51:48 GMT -6
From my experience, private schools took anyone willing and able to pay for it. Sounds like yours are clearly more competitive if they have many, many applicants willing to pay. What age range are we talking? Do they interview you or your kid and base it off their past academic performance? Good luck, hope you find one that fits your family well. That was my experience where I grew up, but it is insane here. There are “feeder” preschools that people literally put applications in before leaving the hospital with a newborn. The top few are very competitive. And of course we fell in love with one at the last minute lol ETA this goes through HS graduation. They test and evaluate the kids and the parents have to write a letter, interview, etc. As HIH says, my gosh. I cannot even imagine this! I'm in OC, CA btw.
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Post by SweetPotato on Sept 5, 2018 14:08:00 GMT -6
That Grover is adorable adelbert. Hopefully my H and I can play it a little cooler 😂
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jr
Silver
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Post by jr on Sept 5, 2018 14:14:21 GMT -6
There’s a cute book called The Ivy Chronicles about a woman who, post divorce and job loss, becomes a kindergarten admissions advisor in Manhattan. It’s great, but read it after the application process is over - it will be funny then but maybe just stressful during!
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Cher
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Post by Cher on Sept 5, 2018 15:17:09 GMT -6
So. I did private school, my kid is doing private K this year and MH went to a NYC prep school which is on another level.
MH and I had a tour with the director and then they set up an interview for my kid. My kid had an interview for his school. They basically took him into a room, played with him, asked him to do things and then came back to talk to me.
My experience was always an entrance test, letters of recommendation, things like that.
MH’s experience was like going to college. Entrance exams, interviews for parents and kids, waiting lists ... and donations.
I think it’s a mostly straightforward process. The only person I know who ever had a nasty experience was rejected from schools because there was some bad press about her (the mother) at the time. And NYC is a whole other animal in that respect. Otherwise it’s about being on your best behavior, meeting deadlines, utilizing contacts if you have them. M is the best, he will be great.
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Post by SweetPotato on Sept 5, 2018 21:31:02 GMT -6
So. I did private school, my kid is doing private K this year and MH went to a NYC prep school which is on another level. MH and I had a tour with the director and then they set up an interview for my kid. My kid had an interview for his school. They basically took him into a room, played with him, asked him to do things and then came back to talk to me. My experience was always an entrance test, letters of recommendation, things like that. MH’s experience was like going to college. Entrance exams, interviews for parents and kids, waiting lists ... and donations. I think it’s a mostly straightforward process. The only person I know who ever had a nasty experience was rejected from schools because there was some bad press about her (the mother) at the time. And NYC is a whole other animal in that respect. Otherwise it’s about being on your best behavior, meeting deadlines, utilizing contacts if you have them. M is the best, he will be great. I’m guessing this is somewhere in between a normal private school scene and NYC For sure it’s not NYC level, but the top 3-5 schools here have an insane number of applicants. And for real apps put in at birth So M needs to show up on testing day!
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Cher
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Posts: 57,627 Likes: 442,460
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Post by Cher on Sept 5, 2018 21:35:41 GMT -6
So. I did private school, my kid is doing private K this year and MH went to a NYC prep school which is on another level. MH and I had a tour with the director and then they set up an interview for my kid. My kid had an interview for his school. They basically took him into a room, played with him, asked him to do things and then came back to talk to me. My experience was always an entrance test, letters of recommendation, things like that. MH’s experience was like going to college. Entrance exams, interviews for parents and kids, waiting lists ... and donations. I think it’s a mostly straightforward process. The only person I know who ever had a nasty experience was rejected from schools because there was some bad press about her (the mother) at the time. And NYC is a whole other animal in that respect. Otherwise it’s about being on your best behavior, meeting deadlines, utilizing contacts if you have them. M is the best, he will be great. I’m guessing this is somewhere in between a normal private school scene and NYC For sure it’s not NYC level, but the top 3-5 schools here have an insane number of applicants. And for real apps put in at birth So M needs to show up on testing day! He’s legit so smart and so in tune with adults. Hes going to be great. I would prob have to sedate my kid with some Benadryl before. 😬😂
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Post by SweetPotato on Sept 5, 2018 21:37:55 GMT -6
I’m guessing this is somewhere in between a normal private school scene and NYC For sure it’s not NYC level, but the top 3-5 schools here have an insane number of applicants. And for real apps put in at birth So M needs to show up on testing day! He’s legit so smart and so in tune with adults. Hes going to be great. I would prob have to sedate my kid with some Benadryl before. 😬😂 Thank you for saying that. I am a champion of public school so I don’t even know who I am right now lol But this school is just perfect for my kid so I’m hopeful!
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loony
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Post by loony on Sept 5, 2018 21:38:47 GMT -6
I almost wish we had private schools here. Almost.
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Cher
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Post by Cher on Sept 5, 2018 21:45:06 GMT -6
He’s legit so smart and so in tune with adults. Hes going to be great. I would prob have to sedate my kid with some Benadryl before. 😬😂 Thank you for saying that. I am a champion of public school so I don’t even know who I am right now lol But this school is just perfect for my kid so I’m hopeful! Right school for the right kid.
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