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Editorial - "The Process" Research
RESEARCH >> while exploring the educational options
available for your student, it is important to realize “the best school”
is the school that fulfills your student’s needs. By first determining
their academic motivation, personality and how they process information,
you’ll have a clearer understanding in the selection process of which
schools’ philosophy, goals and long-term plans are best suited for them.
Several books have been written on the subject of “multiple intelligences”
that will help in the personal evaluation of your student and are
referenced in the
Recommended Reading section for your review.
If
your student is already in school the greatest resource to determine your
student’s academic strengths and weaknesses, work ethic and motivational
level is their current teacher(s). Establishing and maintaining an open
dialog throughout the year with your student’s instructors is the best way
to monitor their academic progress.
For
assistance in compiling a list of possible private schools in your area,
reputable publishers and national, regional and local educational
associations have simplified the school research necessary in the private
school admissions process. If you know of a particular school or schools
and just need additional information or are uncertain which if any private
schools are in your area, these directories are a good starting point.
The
most comprehensive website is sponsored by the National Association of
Independent Schools. From this site you and your student are able to sort
through a database of “nearly 1200 independent schools” in their
association by state, school type – day and/or boarding, student body –
girls, boys or co-educational, school name, and country. The added perk is
that it also lists the other local educational associations by state.
If the
private school admissions process is overwhelming to you and/or your
student seek help as early in the process as possible. There are
professional educational consultants who specialize in helping families
find the best schools for students. If you need a referral to an
educational consultant in your area contact the Independent Educational
Consultants Association (IECA)
Remember -- when hiring
an educational consultant just like when selecting a private school for
your student, you become a consumer paying for a service – Buyer Beware!
There is also a book that is a useful tool for students considering
attending a private high school entitled
I’m going to high school - A Guide to the Private High School Admissions
Process. (September 2001, Necessity breeds invention; ISBN:
0967033829.)
Written by a parent
whose own children have
been educated at private schools, this guide is a step-by-step workbook to
assist middle school students.
It
takes this very stressful, competitive, multiple-part process and
simplifies it by empowering the student to make some personal
determinations, while organizing, planning and managing the many tasks
involved in this endeavor over an 18-month period. Called a “proven
blueprint for success," this book is available from the
publisher or through
Amazon.com and
Barnes&Noble.com
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