Independent and Boarding School Admissions: The Basics

While many families are aware that the college application process is comprehensive and multi-faceted, far fewer anticipate a similar process for admission to K-12 independent and boarding schools. Although there are significant differences, many younger students will still need to complete testing, interview, and submit an application for middle and high school admissions.

The requirements surrounding independent school admissions vary extensively based on the age of your student and the schools on their best-fit list. Keep reading for an overview of what to expect during the independent and boarding school admissions process, as well as the next steps families should take to learn more.

Independent School Admissions Timeline

Families need to stay on top of deadlines and ensure that they have completed every component of the application process. This can include submitting test scores, sending in transcripts, compiling letters of recommendation, interviewing, and/or writing a personal statement. The requirements and deadlines vary tremendously between different institutions, so parents need to stay on top of every important date to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Depending on the age of your applicant, encourage your student to guide this process as much as possible to build important habits that will prepare them for college applications in the years to come.

While there’s a lot of variation around dates and deadlines, here’s a general idea of the admissions timeline for independent and boarding schools. Make sure to check with the admissions office at every school on your best-fit list for the most accurate and updated information:

• August: Determine what you’re looking for in a school and begin researching schools that meet your child’s needs. This is how you can start to develop a list of schools that you want to start learning more about.
• September: Request materials from those schools of interest, like admissions requirements, financial aid materials, and more, paying close attention to important deadlines. You should also register for testing if required, and start contacting schools to schedule tours, interviews, class visits, and shadow days.
• October: Visit open houses and take school tours, finalize your student’s application list, and take standardized tests if needed.
• November: Keep an eye out for additional open houses you might want to attend, start lining up teacher recommendations from your student’s current school, and start working on applications and financial aid forms.
• December: Request transcripts at the end of your student’s first semester and complete any remaining applications.
• January: Submit all materials by the relevant deadlines! Most application materials are due in January or February.
• February: Make sure application materials are in, and visit schools or have your child participate in a student shadow if you haven’t already.
• March: School decisions will usually be released in mid-March followed shortly by financial aid decisions. Take time to evaluate all your options and decide which school is the best fit for your student.
• April: Secure enrollment by returning all required enrollment documents and deposits.
• May-September: Attend events and activities for new parents and students during the spring and summer.

What Independent School Admissions Committees Are Looking For

When evaluating applicants to upper and lower schools, admissions officers at independent and boarding schools aren’t just looking at students’ academic achievement and test scores, they’re also looking at the “softer” factors, like maturity, emotional development, social development, and more to ensure that students are not only academically prepared for the rigors of the curriculum but that they are developmentally prepared. This is where essays, recommendation letters, and interviews come into play and can be a key part of the application process.

The admissions process for independent and boarding schools is also more of a family exercise than college admissions. Often parents have to write their own essays and be interviewed as part of the application to a lower or upper school.

How to Apply to Boarding Schools

There are many factors to consider during your search for an independent school or boarding school. For many families, location may be a top consideration, in addition to academic offerings, extracurricular activities, faculty, and counseling resources. It’s important to do as much research as possible, including both reviewing websites and touring campuses when available. Take notes throughout your search process so that your family can come together and discuss the pros and cons associated with each option. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a school with any pressing questions, as it’s important to have all the information necessary to make the best decision for your student.

Finding Your Best-Fit School

As opposed to focusing on name recognition or prestige, every family needs to prioritize fit when searching for an independent or boarding school. After doing ample research on multiple different choices, use this information to pinpoint exactly which options align with your student’s needs. While academics are a top factor, don’t overlook the importance of finding a school that is a good financial fit as well. Many boarding schools and independent schools have their own financial aid application process that takes a family’s demonstrated need into consideration. Schools must also be a good fit for your student based on their temperament and social and environmental preferences.

Standardized Testing for Independent and Boarding School Admissions 

Much like college admissions, standardized testing is often a component of the independent school application process. The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) is one of the most commonly accepted exams, with more than 80,000 test-takers completing the exam each year. The SSAT measures basic verbal, math, and reading skills and is available in three levels: Elementary Level (for students applying to 4th and 5th grade), Middle Level (for students applying to 6th-8th grade), and Upper Level (for students applying to high school).

Students can also take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE), another popular and widely accepted exam. This exam is broken down into four levels: Primary Level (for students applying to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade), Lower Level (for students applying to 5th and 6th grade), Middle Level (for students applying to 7th and 8th grade), and Upper Level (for students applying to 9th-12th grade).

The independent and boarding school admissions process is an exciting opportunity to pinpoint a best-fit institution for your student and build a strong foundation for college applications. If you are interested in learning more about applying to boarding school or independent school, get in touch with our team of admissions counselors.

Financial Aid

Much like college admissions, financial aid may be a significant decision factor for many families when evaluating independent and boarding schools. Similar to the CSS profile students may need to fill out when applying to college, families will be asked to complete TADS (Tuition Aid Data Services) when submitting their applications for independent schools. For almost 50 years, TADS has served the unique needs of private schools by offering streamlined solutions for their tuition aid processes.

Although there might be a lot of similarities between college financial aid and financial aid for private and independent schools, there are also some key differences that families will need to keep in mind. Most notably, independent schools are generally more tuition-driven than universities, making the ability to pay a bigger part of the application review process.

With that being said, TADS enables individual schools to go in and refine what they are going to consider in terms of determining financial aid packages, so some institutions may be able to offer substantially more aid than others. If tuition assistance is an important component of your student’s application process, don’t be afraid to reach out to the financial aid offices affiliated with each institution on your best-fit list to learn more about what kind of assistance you may be eligible for.

There’s a lot that goes into applying to independent and boarding schools, including finding the best-fit school where your student will be successful and happy. At IvyWise, we work with families as part of our WiseStart™ program to help them navigate the complex independent school admissions process, providing guidance on everything from identifying the best-fit schools to preparing for testing, applications, interviews, and more. For more information on our school placement services as part of our WiseStart™ program, contact us today.