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Editor's note: This story first appeared in our 2020 Private School Handbook.
The homework’s just beginning. With an abundance of options across the region, identifying the ideal school for your student requires considering an array of factors: tuition, location, student/teacher ratio, extracurricular options, coed or single-sex, religious affiliation or independent… With so many options, how do you determine the best fit—and where do you begin if the COVID-19 pandemic prevents you from visiting campus? Students, parents, and school officials shared their advice.
1. Get started now.
It’s never too early to start thinking about the school selection process. “The admission season begins almost an entire academic year ahead of enrollment,” says Caroline Leonard, associate director of upper school and international admissions at Mary Institute and Country Day School. “We welcome families who wish to tour and attend events ahead of their application year.” On the flip side, don’t be afraid to reach out to schools even if you fear it’s too late. “Many of the schools are on a rolling deadline, so there might still be options,” says Katie Mallette, director of admissions at Notre Dame High School.
2. Identify what you value.
Before you get too far in the process, think about your top priorities in a high school experience and what your child needs to be successful. Do you value small class sizes, numerous extracurricular activities, a nearby location, a range of students from different backgrounds? St. Louis University High School sophomore Ian Manion, for instance, wanted a diverse school near his home in the city.
3. Do your research.
Use your top priorities to help guide your search. “Spend some time on the website,” says Caroline LaVigne, director of admissions and tuition aid at John Burroughs School. “Every school is very different, so see how the schools are presenting themselves virtually, but don’t let this be a substitute for reaching out to the schools.” Look at the academics, both from a curricular and pedagogical standpoint. Consider what type of environment your student needs to succeed in the classroom. Note extracurricular options, which are also important in creating a vibrant school culture and providing additional opportunities. Ensure that the schools offer activities that will interest your student. For Will Seemiller, a sophomore at MICDS, looking at the variety of academics and extracurriculars was an important part of his search. For Nerinx Hall parent Sara Barnett, understanding the school’s mission statement was an important first step when beginning the process for her eldest daughter, Paige, who recently graduated.
4. Don’t overlook social media.
Focus not only on what schools are posting but also on how they are responding to questions and concerns. “With the climate in St. Louis right now, it’s important to see where the school stands not just on an educational platform but on a social justice platform,” says Monica Sullivan, director of admissions at Nerinx Hall. “Social media channels are the best indicator of that right now, because you are going to learn so much about an institution by the way people are interacting.”
5. Contact the school.
Once you’ve identified several schools that interest you, reach out to them for more information. Each school’s admissions staff can help guide you through the process. The schools will often learn more about students’ interests, so the school can connect students with the appropriate contacts and meaningful opportunities. Getting in touch with admissions staff will also help ensure you don’t miss deadlines or events that would be important to your search. “We are here and want to help,” says Leonard.
6. Visit the school.
If campuses are hosting events on campus, consider taking advantage of these opportunities to get a better sense of the school. Open houses can help offer a comprehensive overview of a school by meeting faculty, students, and other families. On shadow days, schools pair a prospective student with a current one. Pairings are typically intentional, based on a prospective student's interests, and have led to many lasting friendships. Many students determine which school they want to attend after their shadow visits. Myles Kee, a senior at Saint Louis Priory School, remembers being nervous before his shadow day; four years later, however, he remains close with the student he shadowed. “Visit as many schools as possible,” he says. “You’ll eventually find the school that you feel is the one.” Notre Dame High School senior Caroline “Carrie” Sottoriva began her search by looking at several Catholic high schools. By lunchtime on her shadow day at Notre Dame, she knew that she wanted to attend the Lemay school. “I could feel the environment when I first walked in,” she recalls. “The sisterhood was there, and it just felt like home.” Emma Scott remembers the welcoming academic environment during her trips to Visitation Academy. “I liked how all the students were asking questions and answering their classmates’ questions and braining storming together,” she recalls.
7. Reach out to other families.
Families can provide a wealth of information. If you don’t know any families from a school you are interested in, ask the school to connect you with families who might provide valuable insights. “Sometimes it seems like school officials are trying to sell the schools to you,” says Barnett, “but you can get the good and the bad from parents.”
8. Communicate with your student.
Selecting a school is a collaborative process. For some families, the parents make the final decision; in others, the students lead the way. In either situation, it’s important to talk through the school selection process together so everyone has a voice. The process provides an opportunity to reflect on students’ needs and gifts. “Parents can help students by discussing their children’s hopes and dreams, along with their habits and interests,” says Leonard. SLUH parent Peter Manion found that casting a large net was helpful when considering schools for his son Ian. “We thought it was important to include Ian in the discussion, so we could narrow schools together,” Manion recalls. Charlie Sottoriva began the process for his daughter Carrie with an open mind. “We trust Carrie’s decision,” he says. “She’s the one who has to go to school there; she’s the one who has to love it. Obviously we asked questions and made sure she’s going there for the right reasons, but she has a good head on her shoulders, and we trust her.”
9. Make an informed decision.
With so many great schooling options, making the final decision can be difficult. “Families need to narrow in on their must-haves and look at how it aligns with the educational philosophy and environment of the schools they’re exploring,” says Sullivan. “It’s the car analogy: You really have to test-drive the institution to make sure it’s a great fit. You don’t walk into a car dealership saying, ‘I want a car.’ You know walking onto the lot what type of car you’re looking for and how you’ll be utilizing it, and families need to approach the school selection process with the same mindset.”
10. Acclimate.
Once a school choice is made, the student should take advantage of orientations and opportunities to help acclimate to the new environment. Ian Manion found that the summer school session offered by SLUH helped ease his transition, because he knew people and had a sense of the campus by the first day. Sophomore Sanchi Vishwakarma transferred from the Parkway schools last year to begin her high school career at MICDS. Her advice in making the transition? “Just breathe. And stay on top of the homework load. Get a planner, and make sure to check emails, utilize study hall to the best of your ability, and reach out to teachers if you ever need help. And remember: You are not alone.”
