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Is there a web site like this for those of us with younger kids? This site is terrific!

We're going through a similar application process to independent high schools and would welcome the opportunity to discuss SSAT scores, plusses and minuses of different types of schools, etc. Would it be o.k. to start that dialogue here? It would sure help us out. - Debbie

By Sally R. on Monday, December 16, 2002 - 06:19 pm: Edit

There's already a subheading called "High School Life and Pre-College Issues" on this board. If you don't find a thread there that covers the topics that concern you, feel free to start one. Undoubtedly, you will find other parents who are interested, too.

What schools--or types of schools--are you currently considering?

By Debbie on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 12:52 am: Edit

I guess this will be a new thread then. We're looking only at day schools despite the fact that where we live there are very few good schools to apply to. As a result, the chances of acceptance are similar to Ivy League colleges in terms of percent rejections (10% acceptances on average).

Public schools are not an attractive option as they don't believe in honors and AP classes so smarter kids arent grouped together.

We're applying to six schools. I've had so many SSAT questions and can find nothing on the internet. How much do scores usually go up from one testing to the next? Do 7th grade scores corerlate well with 8th grade? Do the tests vary dramatically in terms of difficulty? Any idea how much the schools weight class rank versus test scores, etc? How do school look at testing with accomodations for learning disabilties? Our daughter likley scores in the 75%-80% range without accomodations for her various LD's and in the mid 90's with. Which scores do we send?

Thanks all! - Debbie

By asaindad on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 10:54 am: Edit

What schools your daughter is applying. My son is for Andover, Exeter, Deerfield, Milton and Groton. He took SSAT on Sat Dec 14, 2002. waiting for results

By debbie on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 10:35 am: Edit

We're going for local schools here in California, but all indpendent ones that are tough to get into. The consultant we're working with says its easier to get into the prep schools you're applying to from outside of the northeast as they want geographical diversity. My niece got into Choate from Iowa, she thinks partly for that reason. I have friends whose children recently graduated from Deerfield and Exeter and they had a very tough time with college acceptances. Both boys were in the top 10% of their classes but had mediocre SAT's. They were rejected at all Ivies. Their mom says she wishes they'd gone to easier high schools so they could have been at the top of their classes but I still think with their low SAT's they would have had trouble.

Did your child take the SSAT for parctice in 7th grade? Mine got a 93% reading, 75% verbal and 39% math the first time but then got a 92% reading, 94% verbal and 95% math the second time in 7th grade. I've heard that the test section difficulties have varied wildly this year. The Dec. 14 test had a difficult verbal section. A lot of kids said it was much tougher than the prior dates. You might want to consider signing up for the January date just in case your child had a difficult time with a section since they do vary so much?

Also, be forewarned that the scores on the SSAT are usually much lower than you're used to seeing because they aren't national percentiles, they're just for kids applying to independent schools. My daughter always tests in the high 90's on every other test but this one is normed differently so it tough to do as well. The prep schools all post their average SSAT scores on their web sites - most you're looking at are in the 90'.

Good luck - Debbie

By asaindad on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 12:24 pm: Edit

My son had last year taken SAT in 7th grade and scrored more than 1300. In 8th garde we expect him to be around be 1500+. We interveiw in all places and expecting a 350 in math, nearly 350 in writing and 340 in verbal IN SSAT. NO SSAT for practice in 7th grade. I have no idea about how does he score in percentage. He has some other state level prizes in math and scince. Our main decision will be based on financial aid as all school has shown great interest in him. Without money he will stay home and be number one in present school. For him there is only one school MIT. He is doing some research there at present.

By asiandad on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 01:56 pm: Edit

English is a second language to me. So I am not that good in writing. Howvere, my son has made effort to take writing courses from John Hopkins writing courses. He actaully has won somw small scholarship on the basis for it. What do you think will be expereince for lower middle class but bright kid in these schools. Can you also tell me what was your freind's SAT range (a range will be good enough)in these two schools (exeter and deerfield). As this will tell us the level of competition. Thanks

By fernmom on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 02:48 pm: Edit

Debbie, where in California do you live? My kids go to private school in the Bay Area, and if you're looking at this part of the state I'll be happy to answer any questions if I can.

By debbie on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 03:13 pm: Edit

To asiandad:

Wow. Your son will do undoubtedly do very well on the SSAT. No worries there! My daughter scored 1110 on the SAT as a 7th grader and we just got her SSAT scores and they were all in the ninetieth percentiles.

Thats terrific your son has taken some of the CTY writing classes. My daughter took them too and they really improved her writing. We're big fans of CTY.

I don't know my friend's children's SAT scores, but my impression was they were in the 1200's. Quite low for those schools. Your son will be in great shape competitively regardless. Scoring more than 1300 on the SAT in 7th grade virtually guarantees him 1600 in 12th grade. If I were you, I would advise him to pursue a passion to make himself stand out as interesting as well as brilliant! The MIT research seems a logical possibility.

I don't think there will be major issues as a middle class student at these schools. They are so well-endowed financially that they have a lot of scholarship students and work hard to make everyone feel comfortable socially. My friend who went to Choate is close friends with a variety of people from very wealthy backgrounds to very modest ones. The thing they all have in common is brains and motivation. Aside from the wonderful education one gets at those schools the people you meet become valuable contacts through life.

I'll be crossing my fingers for you on the finacial aid packages.

By Debbie on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 03:14 pm: Edit

To Fernmom:

We're in the bay area too! I would be most grateful for input on high schools. Should we e-mail off this list for privacy? Let me know how you'd prefer to do it.

By fernmom on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 04:32 pm: Edit

Debbie, we live in the East Bay, my kids go to Head Royce. I know people with kids at most of the other East Bay schools (CPS, O'Dowd, Maybeck), a little less about other schools in the rest of the Bay Area. You can send me your email if you like.

By debbie on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 06:04 pm: Edit

To Fernmom: My e-mail is: devon@maceachron.com. We are considering CPS but don't know anyone who has children there since we live in Marin. Thank you for offering to help! - Debbie

By asaindad on Friday, December 20, 2002 - 12:55 pm: Edit

Thank you very much. But believe me my son is lucku. We know there are more better qualified students. My son is going to be an eagle scout. He is also involved in regional level orchestra and singing. Sometime we run so much that I am exhausted. Anyway we have noticed that since we have start treating him like adult, let him make his own decision (we still tell him pros and cons). It has worked wonderfully. We are hoping to get a iracle and get some financial aid. Good luck to your daughter. I am sure if she wants to go to these school, she will be a very talanted individual. My email is doofusdad@yahoo.com

By Poppy on Friday, January 03, 2003 - 05:06 pm: Edit

Hey everyone, I am currently in the 8th grade in Ohio and I am applying to several prep schools here. If anyone has any questions about high schools in northern ohio, I would be happy to answer them.

By helen bell on Sunday, January 05, 2003 - 08:53 pm: Edit

My son is applying for admission to 9th grade at several northeast schools such as Exeter and Lawrenceville. Lawrenceville is his first choice. However, he only scored about the 86th percentile on the SSAT. However, he has all A's at a rigourous program at his present school. Does he stand a chance? The SSAT scores are what concerns me. The verbal was 93rd percentile, but the reading comp. was only 69th percentile. Go figure.

By SSAT on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 08:17 am: Edit

Did he prep ? I had no prep and scored in 95th overall.

By Masterthearts (Masterthearts) on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 09:04 pm: Edit

Does anyone know what the minimum SSAT score is for a day student applying to Exeter and Andover? I have heard that it is harder to get in as a day student and they expect higher SSAT scores and GPA's than for boarders.
Are the numbers of applications down this year?

By logic on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 - 12:16 am: Edit

Generally it is a little harder to get in as a day student, partly because a lot of people apply from the area and there are limited spots available. Where do you live?

By youngrankim on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 05:47 am: Edit

My son applied Groton this year. He scored overall 93% as 7th grader. He did 99% in verbal, 99% in math, but only 70% in reading. Does anyone have any comment as to whether he has a good chance? As i know the competition is fierce.

By youngrankim on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 05:50 am: Edit

My son applied Groton this year. He scored overall 93% as 7th grader. He did 99% in verbal, 99% in math, but only 70% in reading. Does anyone have any comment as to whether he has a good chance? As i know the competition is fierce.

By momoroo on Thursday, February 06, 2003 - 08:12 am: Edit

I'm a mom of a seventh grader in Indianapolis. I'm just curious as to why you people are so fixated on private high schools for your kids. Won't you miss out on some precious time with them by sending them away at this stage in their lives? Also, my impression is that elite universities are looking for diversity in their admissions, not just racial but also socio-economic and geographical. It strikes me that by sending your kids to expensive "elitist" high schools you're only lumping them into the priviledged ho-hum pack. We're going to send our son to a public high school with a broad range of academic, economic and racial diversity. He has thus far received an excellent education through the public system in the gifted and talented track. Our understanding is that he will have a choice of either AP courses or an IB program in high school. Why on earth would we send him away?

By youngrankim on Thursday, February 06, 2003 - 07:42 pm: Edit

Well, I think different people have different philosophy on life. Some kids thrive in public school environment, some do not. While I fully endorse your argument, you also should respect those people who decide to send their kids to boarding school. Your son is doing great and I believe you must have done a superb job in giving him successful environment. Many people dare to send their kids away because they think, in my mind, that will give their kids better opportunities. It is not money itself, but it revolves around the best or better environment for the kid going forward. We plan to send away our boy and wish him well.

By mike johnson on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 11:23 pm: Edit

My son is applying to Belmont Hill, his GPA is a 4.0, but his SSAT scores were extremely low, I was wondering just how much these Private schools take the SSAT scores into condsideration

By junior on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 11:39 pm: Edit

I believe the SSATs play a role similar to that of the SATs in the college process... just another factor to consider. I had a 4.0 and incredibly low SSAT scores but I was still accepted to a nationally prestigious New England private school. Don't worry about his SSATs--if he's qualified as a student they should see that regardless of his SSAT scores.

By Brian Malcom on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 12:34 pm: Edit

Just out of curiosity junior, what private school did your son attend?

By Brian Malcom on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 12:35 pm: Edit

Just out of curiosity junior, what private school did your son attend?
-I also live in the New England area.

By MIKE JOHNSON on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 02:08 pm: Edit

CHECK OUT MY NEW DISCUSSION TOPIC. IT IS ENTITLED: WHAT IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO GET INTO PRIVATE SCHOOLS? IT ALSO ALLOWS YOU TO STATE YOUR OPINIONS ON THE VARIOUS PRIVATE OR INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS. IT'S LOCATED IN THE PARENTS FORUM AND IS CURRENTLY AT THE TOP OF THE LIST OF SUBTOPICS. (HOWEVER, IM SURE THAT IT IS JUST TEMPORARY. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK
-THANKS, MIKE

By glor on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 05:14 pm: Edit

Hey guys.. public education, anyone?!?!

By glor on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 10:26 pm: Edit

actually i change my mind i love private schools, i dont feel like going to a ratty old school with 30 kids in a class with terrible teachers and terrible facilities

By whatever on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 09:38 pm: Edit

It's amazing people can hold such negative opinions about public schools. Where does this derive from? You people have never sent your kids to public schools (oh, God, NO!) so you obviously have no right to judge. Go fork out your 20,000 though, do what you want.. no one's stopping you.

By Mike Johnson on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 09:51 pm: Edit

I actually go to a public school this year. I have been all my life, but now i realized how much of a better education I can recieve at private school. The teachers and facilities at my public school are terrible compared to private school. I decided to try the high school for a year before applying to private school and i realized that the teachers were not dedicated at all. Most of the kids all did drugs, and weren't focoused at all. There were 35 kids in each class which is twice as many at the private school i am applying to. I have tried Public schools for the last 10 years, and what i saw during my private school tour put my public school to shame. However, i am not saying that all public schools are bad. I am just saying that in my case as well as many others, private school is the best choice.

By Andoverhopeful (Andoverhopeful) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 03:38 pm: Edit

10 Schools letters come out today. I am waiting from Andover

By Autodidact (Autodidact) on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 01:32 am: Edit

There are major differences among high schools, I am appalled by our local school's lack of offerings, mediocre teachers at the high school level--none of which have a Masters, and general attitude of horror at the prospect of anyone going (getting!)out of state to a private school. My daughter's public regional academy, on the other hand, is extremely good. Par with private schools, but without the hefty price tags--and you can't buy your way in anyway. Wealthy kids do make up the majority of the classes however due to the educational advantages which can be bought: computers, enrichment programs, tutors, and access to homes in neighborhoods with higher socio-economics status, better educated, informed and involved parents. My daughter was offered the opportunity to attend a private boarding school at half tuition, but passed so that she could spend time with her family and friends--moot point since we couldn't really afford even half tuition. In retrospect her EC's would have been better in a residential setting with more offerings than our local lacklustre sports-intensive offerings.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 10:24 pm: Edit

if i am the first one ont he waiting list a belmont hill do you still think i have a GOOD chance?

By Andoverhopeful (Andoverhopeful) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 06:12 pm: Edit

Yes, I GOT INTO ANDOVER !!!!!

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 06:43 pm: Edit

congradulations

By Critical (Critical) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 10:02 pm: Edit

For all the worried parents out there- I was accepted to Groton with 75th percentile verbal and 46th percentile math on the SSATs with no connections at the school. I had great teacher recommendations and great grades. Also, SSATs are not an indicator of SATs, as I scored 770 Verbal and 690 Math. With boarding schools, character counts much more than test scores ( after all, you are going to be living at the school). Good luck to everyone and try not to stress! Everything happens for a reason.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 10:08 pm: Edit

DOES ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT WAIT LIST

By Dadster (Dadster) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 10:41 pm: Edit

Bhs4life, you should ask the school if they usually draw on their waitlist. If you are indeed the first one on the list, that's a great position. You should also let them know that you are still very interested in attending. In fact, if you search the main site here, you'll find some waitlist strategies for college applicants. Perhaps a few of those could be adapted to your situation. Good luck!

Andoverhopeful, congratulations!

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 11:15 pm: Edit

Thank you very much dadster

By Rcambrai (Rcambrai) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 04:39 pm: Edit

My son was accepted at St. Paul and Exeter as a 3rd former (9th grade). he had fairly good grades (couple of b+) and 92 percentile SSAT (Kaplan helped but lotta practices made the difference). I believe that the most important thing was the interview and making sure that the school knew that they were our first choice. Then, he sent them emails regularly updating on his work and activities. He took 2 years of Stanford EPGY math course, speed reading, Science Olympiad and he plays tennis on a regular basis (USTA average ranked). We aslo submitted a Wechsler IQ evaluation from a spycologist (300$)

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 06:15 pm: Edit

I think it should be up to the family whether they go for private or public school. Some kids need the controlled environment of a day or boarding school, some kids feel suffocated.
We have known kids who have gone to Hotchkiss and Andover, the Athenian school and Lawerenceville, and kids who have done early entrance at Universities to kids who stayed at their local urban public school. Interestingly enough , when you look at their college choices, they are indistinqushable from each other.
Middle school is where I think kids really need a controlled environment, high school not so much. But if you've got the bucks why not? although we currently have our youngest in public school, and we are saving the money for college not to mention these field trips they go on.
Biology trip to Maui in November, can we say hooray for parent participation?

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 03:21 pm: Edit

-"We aslo submitted a Wechsler IQ evaluation from a spycologist (300$)"

What exactly is that?

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 09:21 pm: Edit

Wechseler is an IQ test, Stanford Binet, and Wisc-R, Wppsi, are other versions
My daughters grade school required an IQ test for application, but as she was in a special premie study at the U, we already had a few, otherwise that school would have been off our radar.
But we did submit the scores and aside for that rather pretentious start, it was a great school- but thank the goddess she got through while it was a pretty down to earth school, although the director liked to refer to himself as a headmaster, and parents were quick to refer to their kids as "gifted" blech. Goddess only knows what it is like now with Bill and Melindas kids in attendance.

( But nothing against their kids, they are very nice sweet kids. I just don't like the whole Microsoft conglomerate- one reason my daughter likes Reed, many many, Macintoshes)