Choosing a School

Parents considering private or independent schools for the first time can find the process daunting. If completely new to independent education, one can expend much energy working to learn the vocabulary and ways of independent schools all before focusing on the most important piece of the equation, your student. The school search is akin to a life-size jigsaw puzzle in which the objective is to find the best fit between school and student. No two are alike and dovetailing the talents of school and student is difficult even for the experienced parent. The expertise and services of an educational consultant can help families find the best school for their children.

What An Educational Consultant Can Help With

Each family's unique setting and student determine the exact role that a consultant plays in the school search. IECA educational consultants are credentialed professionals- members of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)- who add expertise and independent judgment to a family's school search.

A consultant brings clear eyes to a school search. A consultant's perspective helps a family set aside biases and preconceived expectations and notions in favor of clear examination and what is best for the student.

Using his/her broad vision and expertise, a consultant may shape all or some of a family's school application plan. Most importantly, the consultant can see and think critically about the family, student, and school choices, providing guidance driven and shaped by what's best for the student. An educational consultant

A post-graduate year is a year beyond high school graduation, spent at an independent school. Some students will consider doing an “extra” year of high school in order to better prepare themselves for college in a number of areas. Reasons for pursuing a post-graduate year vary, as does the timing of this decision. Some students know early on that they would like to pursue a post-graduate year and don’t go through the college application process at all, while others decide to consider both options. Still, others go through the college application process and then realize that they are not pleased with their college options and would like another year to strengthen their candidacy for colleges.

In any of these cases, the post-graduate year is a worthwhile option to consider. This “extra” year allows a student to mature socially and/or academically, provides another year of academic preparedness and time to enhance study skills and time management, and perhaps another year to strengthen the athletic ability to pursue a sport in college. These are all valid reasons for pursuing a post-graduate year.

Many independent schools offer this option, usually to a group of 10-20 students who are essentially members of the senior class. As post-graduates, these students will have already earned a high school diploma so will be making academic choices that will enhance their profile for college by maybe filling in gaps on their transcript or

The Benefits of a Small Boarding School

When choosing a boarding school, size can quickly determine the ultimate experience your child will have, both educationally and socially. Small boarding schools provide both intimate learning environments and close bonds within the student body and are an excellent choice for any student looking for personal attention in the classroom.

What is the Definition of a Small Boarding School? While boarding schools are generally already small compared to public schools, small boarding schools typically have less than 200 students enrolled in the program, with some institutions boasting as small a roll call as 25 students. According to the Small Boarding School Association, they are characterized by low student-teacher ratios and emphasis on individual learning.

Small boarding schools can also be highly specialized. For example, some schools within this category have programs designed for children with learning disabilities like Attention Deficit Disorder.

What Advantages Do Small Boarding Schools Offer?

Small Class Sizes For students who want more attention in the classroom, small boarding schools are a great option. Small classroom sizes help students find and build relationships with mentors. This opportunity for more personal contact and communication with teachers and counselors is unique to the small boarding school environment.

Accessibility of Teachers and Academic Help Not only is close teacher-student interaction a priority, but the depth of relationships in small boarding schools reaches far beyond the classroom as teachers often serve additional roles as coaches and dorm parents. Students will have

Editor's note: Lynette Assarsson of the Westtown School wrote this article offering an overview of Quaker education.

While each Friends school has its own unique style and personality, they all have a common purpose: not only to provide a rich and challenging education but also to foster the ideals of community, spirituality, responsibility, and stewardship. A hallmark of the Quaker school experience is the basic belief that we are all teachers and learners and that each child has unique gifts and talents. Students are called upon to discover their own voices and interests within the framework of rigorous, college-preparatory academics. The foundation of the educational experience is built upon the idea that students’ quality of character – what kind of people they are becoming – is as important to their lives and to the world as their intellectual growth and exploration.

Because Quaker education endeavors to be a socially responsible one, Friends schools’ curricula emphasize service, social action, and experiential learning. Can education be socially responsible and academically rigorous at the same time? Educators in Friends schools believe that one is not developed at the expense of the other; instead, they work in tandem to prepare students for college and for life.

This video explains a Quaker education.

How do students learn community, responsibility, and stewardship? By living it! The Quaker belief in the “Inner Light” or that of God in each of us

The staff wrote this article on Boarding Schools in the USA.

Arts programs are an especially appealing aspect of selecting a U.S. boarding school. You may be narrowing your search to U.S. programs because contemporary and traditional art forms flourish in this country, and many of our boarding schools excel in arts instruction and practice.

To be sure, arts programs vary widely. Some programs specialize in visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, and computer graphics), theatre (acting and theatre design), dance (ballet, jazz, or modern), creative writing, music (vocal or instrumental), or filmmaking. Other schools offer relatively little instruction in the arts and specialize more in outdoor activities, military training, etc.

When choosing a boarding school in the U.S.A., it is important to match your interests and goals, which may change over time, with the school's strengths.

Research each school's offerings to see if the arts are part of your interests and passions. Spend time reading the school's literature and visiting its website. Be sure to look for the qualifications of the teachers, who may themselves be artists, and the range and level of available courses. Examine the facilities available—the theater, studios, and practice rooms. If possible, visit the school yourself.

You should evaluate whether the arts are your priority. Arts courses may be just a part of the well-rounded education that you wish to enjoy. If you want to concentrate on your