5 tips for navigating the school selection process

×

Expand

Getty Images

* NOTE: This article appears in the 2019 Private School Handbook.

Choosing a school can be daunting. There are so many factors to consider: class size, school of thought, average test scores, extracurriculars, diversity, technology, college prep, the overall learning environment… The best place to start? A realistic assessment of your student. “Does the child do better in a cozy environment, or in a big school?” asks Erin Walsh, director of enrollment and advancement at Thomas Jefferson School, attended by both boarders and day students.“The DNA of the school is what makes the difference,” says Jim Brockman, assistant principal and admissions director at Christian Brothers College High School. It’s important to start the process early by talking to admissions reps, attending open houses, visiting schools, and connecting with other school families. Here are five things to look for during the search.

HISTORY & TRADITION

Many area private schools boast legacies spanning multiple generations. The histories can help inspire students, says Mike Duffy with the Archdiocese of St. Louis’ Education and Formation Office. “Given the rarity of so many private school choices, families need to start the process early,” he says. “A tradition of success can guide them, but they should visit in person to get a feel for the preferred schools.”

John Burroughs School boasts its own long history. The pastoral campus offered Jazz Era St. Louisans a natural setting at the end of the streetcar line. Today, more than 600 students attend the school, which weaves creativity into the sciences and science into the humanities.

Betsy Bailey found her fit at Westminster Christian Academy. “The academics prepared me for future studies,” says Bailey, who now attends a private Christian college. “At the same time, the faith-based community supported, accepted, and loved me.”

At all-boy Catholic schools, many students emphasize a certain collegiality. Jake Buganski, a student at Saint Louis Priory School, describes his classmates as brothers, adding that he feels “100 percent prepared for college.” Priory’s on-site Benedictine monks serve as administrators, teachers, and coaches.

Tim Torrez, a junior at St. Louis University High School, also touts the all-boy Jesuit school’s environment. “I didn’t believe the brotherhood mantra at first, but it’s true,” he says, adding that the supportive staff is helping him meet the school’s high standards.

Dawn Woodman, whose son Andrew, or AJ, attended Christian Brothers College High School, says the Catholic component was essential when they were choosing a high school. AJ, who’s now headed to West Point, cites CBC’s offerings as proof of the possibilities.

Maddy McCabe, a graduate of Villa Duchesne, says she often looked to her school’s French and American founders—Catholic saints Madeleine Sophie Barat and Philippine Duchesne. McCabe’s mother, also a Villa grad, named Maddy after Barat, who led education efforts in France. McCabe will be teaching art at her alma mater this year. She loves the traditions (such as the Maypole dance) carried on for years by the Sacred Heart sisters who run Villa and 146 other schools around the world.

Another recent Villa grad, Emma St. John, also draws inspiration from the school’s founders. “They were brave,” she says. “Villa girls also rely on a blend of grit and grace.”

Molly Roeder, a recent graduate of Bishop DuBourg High School, followed in her father’s and sister’s footsteps by attending the coed Catholic high school, where she played six sports and served as National Honor Society president. Several more siblings will follow her path, she says: “It’s our legacy.”

DEDICATED EDUCATORS

“It’s an amazing privilege to be part of these kids’ lives,” says Andy Abbott, head of school at John Burroughs, who lives on campus (as does the school’s athletic director) and knows all of the students. He emphasizes the importance of a close-knit community.

Grace Ho, an international student from Vietnam who’s attending Lutheran South High School, credits the school’s supportive spirit with helping her succeed. “I like the low student/teacher ratio, good college prep, and range of extracurriculars,” she says. “Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming.”

Success begins with schools’ hiring the best people to lead programs. CBC proudly claims the nation’s winningest soccer coach and a Broadway-seasoned theater director on its staff.

“It’s important to check on professional development opportunities at a prospective school,” says Therese Hagemeister, Villa’s director of enrollment management.

SLUH teachers handle only four classes at a time so they can be more available to students throughout the school day, says admissions director Ann Murphy.

“The deep relationships formed between the students and faculty are key to our success,” says Eric Brunt, director of enrollment management at Mary Institute and Country Day School. “There’s a real priority for every child to feel valued and championed.”

Walsh points to the tight bond between teachers and students at Thomas Jefferson. “It’s a true partnership between students and faculty,” she says. For boarding students in particular, teachers and administrators provide key support and accountability.

Emily Keaton, an Incarnate Word Academy grad who played volleyball in high school, is thrilled to serve as the team’s new assistant head coach. Alumni like Keaton feel a special draw in giving back to their alma maters as teachers.

A FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS

Many middle school options are provided at private high schools to foster greater alignment with secondary education goals. Priory, for instance, has separate middle and high school wings, but it combines activities at times to encourage camaraderie. Students begin Latin in the seventh grade and continue with both Latin and another language through high school.

The Middle School at MICDS builds a foundation for student success. “We give younger students time management and other tools to help them advocate for their needs,” says Brunt.

The new middle school at Lutheran North will offer an array of STEM-related activities. Incoming seventh-grader Natalie Grice wants to be an engineer. “I can’t wait to do robotics,” she says. Her mother, Michaela West, is excited that a religious middle school linked to a long-term leader is now available in North County.

The director of the new middle school, Dr. Michael Starks, says a waiting list signals the need for additional learning portals around the 47-acre wooded campus.

And the recently opened Academy of Thought and Industry in Grand Center customizes learning for its 35 students, using the Socratic method and routine outings.

SUPPORT FOR ALL STUDENTS

Serving an array of students is foundational for many schools. The founders of CBC and the Sacred Heart Schools, for instance, sought to level the playing field for all socioeconomic backgrounds.

“Students at Thomas Jefferson hail from all over the world,” says Walsh, noting that English is a second language for many of the school’s students. Recent grad Sara Halili, for instance, met school founder Charles Merrill Jr. at a student leadership workshop in Albania. He asked her to apply, and she jumped at the offer. “Two things stand out about T.J.,” Halili says. “The people and their passion for learning.”

A growing number of schools serve students with unique learning needs. Miriam Academy is one such setting in which parents help customize the curriculum. Hands-on training is paired with academic instruction and social guidance to serve a range of youth.

Sophomore Khloe Ciaccio enjoys the chance to work at the school-sponsored Miriam Switching Post in Brentwood, a resale shop that funds scholarships and tuition assistance. “I’m not very good at organizing my binder,” Ciaccio says, “but I like to work at the shop, pricing and arranging items.”

Funding is also available at many private schools. Some 30 to 35 percent of Priory students receive some sort of tuition assistance, says associate headmaster Jared Rashford. Many students at Incarnate Word Academy also receive financial aid, says president Dr. Randy Berzon-Mikolas.

EVER EVOLVING

These days, nearly every campus boasts technological improvements and project-based collaboration aimed at increasing and improving STEM offerings. MICDS was a pioneer of sorts. Four years ago, with input from the math and science faculty, the school added a STEM building. Students also served on the building’s architectural committee. Now, several disciplines use the classrooms, open spaces, robotics lab, maker space, and conference quarters. Countless other schools have followed suit, boosting their STEM offerings.

Parents and caregivers need to keep in mind that schools evolve over time. “Ask about specific programs,” says Brunt, “‘Will my child be supported and engaged?’”

St. Louis has a vast range of private school options. “Each has its strengths,” says Duffy. “It’s up to the student, in the end, to succeed at even the best fit.”