Independent and boarding school admissions, explained

For many families, the first truly competitive admissions process isn’t college. It’s high school. Independent day schools and boarding schools run admissions processes that look a lot like a smaller version of college admissions, with their own tests, interviews and calendar. Here’s how it works.

What schools ask for

Requirements vary, but most independent and boarding schools ask for some combination of:

• An application, often through a shared platform or the school’s own portal.
• An entrance test: commonly the SSAT or the ISEE. Some schools have made testing optional, so check each school’s policy.
• Student essays or short-answer questions in the student’s own words.
• A parent statement describing your child from the family’s perspective.
• Teacher recommendations, usually from current English and math teachers, plus a school report.
• Transcripts or recent report cards.
• An interview and, often, a campus visit.

SSAT, ISEE or HSPT?

If your target schools accept either the SSAT or the ISEE, have your child take a practice test of each. The formats differ, and many students do noticeably better on one than the other. Many schools also accept scores from more than one test date.

The typical calendar

For fall entry, most independent and boarding schools follow a similar rhythm:

• Spring and summer before applying: research schools, attend open houses and plan testing.
• Late summer to early fall: applications open.
• Fall to early winter: testing, tours and interviews.
• November and December: essays, parent statements and teacher recommendations.
• Around January 15: a common application deadline.
• Winter: financial aid applications.
• Around March 10: many schools release decisions on this common notification date.
• Around April 10: families typically reply and sign enrollment contracts.

Dates vary by school, so confirm each one directly. Selective public and Catholic high schools usually follow their own district or diocesan calendars.

The interview

Interviews help schools understand a student’s curiosity, maturity and fit, and they help families learn about the school. Admissions officers aren’t looking for polished answers. They want to meet a genuine young person.

• Practice relaxed conversation about favorite classes, books and interests.
• Prepare two or three stories your child enjoys telling.
• Have your child prepare a few real questions about the school.
• Keep practice light, so the real conversation stays natural.

Essays and parent statements: whose voice?

Schools read many applications and can tell when an adult has written a student’s essay. Let your child’s voice come through, even if the writing is imperfect. The parent statement is your chance to add context: how your child learns, what they care about, and why the school appeals to your family.

The goal is the school where your child will thrive, not the most selective school on the list.

Financial aid

Many independent schools offer need-based financial aid, and some meet a significant share of families’ demonstrated need. Families usually apply through a service such as SSS, which collects financial information that schools use to determine aid. A few tips:

• Apply for aid at the same time as admission, and note each school’s aid deadline.
• Compare the actual cost after aid, not the published tuition.
• Ask each school about other costs, such as books, travel, uniforms and activities.

Building a balanced list

Just like college admissions, it’s wise to apply to a range of schools with different levels of selectivity, including at least one you’d be happy with where admission is likely. If a selective public or magnet school is an option in your area, it can be an excellent part of a balanced plan.

Our free high school assessment builds a timeline for your child’s entry year, and our high school admissions page explains how we help.