Private School Applications: What You Need to Know

Applying to private school in New York City can be an arduous process. Parents need to be available to take their kid on tours and help navigate the multi-faceted journey. That said, the rewards are immense—a hard-won acceptance at a prestigious institution can brighten any child’s future. We outlined the process which might be worth beginning as soon as this spring.

How to Research Private Schools

Emily Glickman, an educational consultant in NYC who runs Abacus Guide Educational Consulting, recommends families start their private school admissions-research 1½ years before the student will start private school. In addition to online research (on sites like privateschoolreview.com) and polling friends and family for recommendations, it’s important to see the school firsthand—which these days might be online or in-person. Keeping track of deadlines and dates is important—and many tutors recommend parents seek the advice of a professional guidance counselor and/or closely follow an admissions-process calendar.

The Private School Application Process

In addition to an online application, most private schools will require a student- and/or parent-written essay (depending on the age of the student), an interview with the student and parents, school records/transcripts, teacher recommendations, and a portfolio or footage of creative and extracurricular achievements. Most schools also require Education Records Bureau test scores. The complete application is typically due in January or February for the following school year, depending on the school.

Private School Application Essay

While the essay is not as crucial as it is on college admissions, it should be a substantial piece of writing clearly written by the student, not the parent (unless the school asks for a parent essay). Most applications will provide a list of prompts, such as Who is the person you most admire? “Helping your child brainstorm which topic to write about is a great way for you to be involved without heavily editing or actually writing the essay,” according to Kate Fisher, a Noodle Pros essay expert. Glickman suggests kids work on their essays during the summer, so it doesn’t interfere with schoolwork.

Private School Interview

Most schools will meet with the parent(s) and child at some point during the admission process. Make sure you know what to expect prior to the meeting, especially for young children, so you will be able to tell your child about the process. Child visits might be in a small group or 1-on-1 with an admissions officer. Some schools require children to separate from their parents, and students applying to older grades are often asked to visit with the current class during the school day.