parents essay for high school application

11 Parent Statement Tips for Private School Applications

Private schools aim to collect as much information from different sources about prospective students as possible during the application process. The perspective provided by parents and guardians is highly valued because no one knows your child better than you.

The real question is, how do you provide insight on an application form that helps schools see your child’s unique qualities?

Let’s review guidelines for the types of questions you’re likely to encounter below. The exact questions will vary from school to school, so the crucial takeaway when writing parent statements is to use examples and stories . For example, show how your child is creative, resilient, or empathetic through specific anecdotes instead of statements.

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<span class="text-color-orange" role="decoration">General Parent Statements</span> 

Many applications include a prompt similar to this: "A parent/guardian's perspective on your child's strengths and weaknesses is valuable. Please write a statement of recommendation for your child." When responding, keep the following guidelines in mind.

• One paragraph should review how your child is "smart," but don’t discuss grades or test scores here. Instead, focus on how your child is academically engaged and intellectually curious. Use stories and anecdotes to add depth. 
• Another paragraph, describe your child's character and personality. Don’t list adjectives here. Rather, use stories to bring your child to life on the page. 
• Finally, it's important to cover any challenges your child has faced and, most importantly, how they have overcome these challenges. Most schools ask about challenges and they can be wary if parents don't mention any.
• Avoid using too many words. Edit down your first draft so that the main statement is no more than three to five sentences per paragraph, and make sure to heed suggested word counts requested by the schools. Admissions teams have a lot of files to read, and if your essay is too long, you risk them skimming it and missing out on your key points.

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<span class="text-color-lightblue" role="decoration">School-Specific Questions </span>  

"Why are you applying to [our] school?" is another common question. These tips will help your answer stand out.

• Take notes on what the school says about themselves during open houses, visits, tours, etc. What is their mission statement? What are their stated values? Keep these notes handy as you eloquently match the school to your child and family. Again, use examples that really stick. 
• If you’ve visited the school or attended an open house, draw on SPECIFIC examples from your experience. Make sure your response is UNIQUE to your family and student. Don't list adjectives about the school. Tell a story or give an example about why you think your student would thrive in their environment. Is it the school's philosophy or the art program? The experiential learning component? Make sure to match this element to your child. 
• Review all answers before submitting the application to make sure you have the correct name of each school. It’s a common mistake for parents to cut and paste the wrong school name—and that’s never a good typo! 

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<span class="text-color-green" role="decoration">“Is there any further information?” </span>  

Given that applications have a limited number of questions for parents, each with word counts, this one provides valuable “real estate” to illustrate who your child is and something unique they would bring to the school. Here are some ways to take advantage of this opportunity that most parents skip. 

• This space can be used to tell the school about a learning difference that you think is relevant. If you think this will show up in your child’s record, it is a good idea to show that you know what is hard for your child and how you have partnered with the current school to help them succeed. 
• You could also use this section to describe the student’s diverse background of any kind. Schools are looking to create the most textured class possible. What will your child bring that is unique? 
• This question could be a space to tell a story that illustrates a difficult moment for your family and how your child coped. Habits of heart and mind are becoming more important for schools; they’re often screening for qualities like resilience. 
• Overall, you can discuss anything that wasn’t covered in the other parts of the application here. The information in this section should be relevant to understanding the student holistically and help the reader make sense of any apparent “holes” in the application. Keep in mind that this is not necessarily a place to list accolades or accomplishments. 

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<span class="text-color-orange" role="decoration">Thank You Notes </span>   

It’s always a good idea to send a thank you to the admission office or interviewer after a meeting or event. An email is fine, and in some ways, it’s easier since so many schools have paperless files. When you do this, think about the guidelines above and use this opportunity to match your unique child and family to the unique school!

Jamie Moffett is the founder of Walking Feet Advisors , an advising practice for families applying to independent schools. She previously served as the director of admission K–8 at Marin Country Day School in Corte Madera, Calif., where she worked for the last eighteen years.

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Parent Statements For Private High School Admissions

Christopher Coleman

December 2, 2020

When writing Parent Statements for private high school admissions, you must remember : you’re not writing your child’s resumé. For the purposes of this article, pretend that you are no longer a parent of a boarding school applicant. Instead, you are a boarding school admissions officer. Your job is to review applications and identify the applicants that are the best fit for your school from a large applicant pool. As a boarding school admission officer, you will read each page of every single admission application, which is standard operating procedure. 

In reviewing admission applications, you will read Parent Statements for private high school admissions . They will, hopefully, provide you with further information about the applicant. See, teacher recommendations primarily describe an applicant from an academic perspective. Transcripts will paint the picture of how much care the applicant puts into his or her studies. An activity list will explain how the applicant spends time outside of the classroom. What completes the applicant’s profile is information about them from the parents’ perspective, a unique vantage point that can provide very important information…or not.

As an admissions officer, Parent Statements can influence you in one of three ways: excite you, frustrate or bore you, or make little impression on you at all. 

What Should Entail Parent Statements for Private High School Admissions?

For whatever it’s worth, I am the parent of a child who is both a boarding school graduate and a college graduate. I have experienced both sides of the admission process, so I know the position in which you are in currently. 

Now, you might be thinking, “How can Parent Statements be anything but helpful and wonderful as they are written by kind, caring, and loving parents who only seek to support their children’s candidacies, Christopher?” In composing Parent Statements for private high school admissions , the writers  are only being, well, parents. More often than not, though, a parent’s point of view might come off as too promotional or lacking in objective insights. Translation: parents embody the statement made famous by Malcom X in that they wish to help their children gain admission to a school “by any means necessary,” touting their child as the second coming of Marie Curie, Serena Williams, or Stephen King. In reality, even though they are written with good intentions, these types of Parent Statements hurt their child’s application the most.

Let’s be honest. Parent Statements rarely make or break the success or failure of an admission application. Only in very rare cases has an applicant been accepted or denied admission solely based on the weight of a Parent Statement. So, it is best for parents to provide honest and objective information that will determine what kind of impact your child could make if he or she were to join that school’s community. 

Examples of Parent Statements

With that said, we’ll use the prompt and Parent Statement copied below as a sample for what ingredients should go into successful Parent Statements for private high school admissions .

Prompt: Please share with us the values you've instilled in your child and how our community might benefit from those values/lessons.

Response: We’ve taught our son Jimmy the value of volunteering and that not only does it benefit others, but that volunteering can also be a benefit to himself. Following our suggestion, Jimmy chose to volunteer on Saturdays at our neighborhood’s community center. He tutors younger kids in math and science. While the community center director has explained to my husband and me that Jimmy seems to be in a “happy place” whenever he tutors. The director also pointed out that Jimmy has a lot of fun interacting with the other children. My husband and I also noticed an increase in Jimmy’s grades since he started volunteering. You know what they say, the best way to learn is to teach.

Even more, Jimmy has also found that helping others is a practical way to further his own interests. During summer break, Jimmy loves to go fishing, but knows that he cannot go to the lake behind our house without being accompanied by an adult. My husband and I work during the day Monday through Friday and have lots of chores and errands on the weekends. So in previous summers, we have not had much time to take Jimmy fishing. To solve this issue, Jimmy taught his grandmother how to fish and goes fishing with her almost every day!

Experiencing firsthand the benefits of helping out others has made a positive impact on Jimmy’s life. My husband and I believe that as a student at your school, Jimmy would be likely to join or supervise a community service project or choose to become a peer tutor.  

Assessing the Example

Using the above example, here is how you, as an admission officer, should assess it:

• Clean writing. There are no spelling or grammar errors and the sentences should flow together. You should expect to compose several drafts for each of your Parent Statements. Take the time in between each draft so that you read each draft with a fresh perspective. 
• Answer the prompt. In directly answering the prompt, the Parent Statement provided a load of information about Jimmy. It pays for parents to brainstorm their child’s positive personality traits prior to responding to each prompt. These descriptors can act as a guide and give direction to the answer.
• No GPAs or academic accolades were found in this response.   I understand being proud of a child’s academic performance as a parent. However, the admissions officer will gain an understanding of that through academic transcripts and recommendations. Your job is to give further perspective on your child. Jimmy’s grades improved as a result of his behavior, but the grades themselves were not included.
• Tell a story…but not a novel. First and foremost, everyone likes a good story. Why do you think we watch movies and read books? The above example provides insight into Jimmy’s personality and his character. His academics have improved since becoming a tutor. He derives joy from helping and interacting with other children. He likes to fish. His family has set rules that Jimmy follows. One also learns that Jimmy is a problem-solver and has a positive relationship with family members from older generations. Lastly, by teaching his grandmother to fish, he now can participate in an activity he enjoys. The implication in all of this is that, if accepted, these are the qualities that Jimmy has to offer any school.
• Parent Statements do not have to be as dry as legal documents or tax forms or be as tedious to read as assembly directions for an Ikea dresser. Adding interesting details or humor to a Parent Statement will benefit its readability.
• Imagine a stack of Parent Statements stretching from your living room’s floor to its ceiling. As you are still reading this article, you are still an admissions officer. If your school requires each applicant’s parents to write five Parent Statements and during the course of an admission cycle you need to read 853 or more admission applications, you might just end up reading thousands of Parent Statements. From that perspective, you become quite eager to read Parent Statements that neither bore you, are majorly hyperbolic nor leave you with little to no insights into the applicant.

I hope that this blog has provided you with the basics towards building great Parents Statements for private high school admissions . When writing them, remember to think like an admission officer and not as a parent. If you were reviewing an admission application, what kind of Parent Statements would you find enjoyable to read and most insightful into an applicant’s personality? Did the Parent Statement you wrote meet those two criteria?

My best advice to you: Parent Statements are only meant to tell the parents’ side of a child’s story, not all of it. Put the care and attention into telling your side of your child’s story and do it well, leaving a positive impression.

Tags : how to write parent essays , Parent Statements for private high school admissions , boarding school admissions , private high school admissions , parent essays

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Applications - The Parent's Statement

I wrote this article and its companion article Applications - The Candidate's Statement to explain how to understand and complete these important forms. The problem with these parts of the application is that they require you and your child to express your thoughts in your own words. You won't be able to check any boxes to select from prepared answers. You will have to write out responses to the school's questions in any way you choose.

David Petersam of Admissions Consultants offers some tips in the following video. While he targets colleges admissions, the advice is quite sound for private high school admissions.

Many schools require a statement from the applicant's parents. After all, you probably know your child better than anybody. The school also wants to know what your concerns and educational objectives are. The goal here is to make sure that everybody's expectations are the same. For example, if you want your son to play on a varsity hockey team and the school offers limited hockey time, you need to deal with that before you decide to send your son to that school. Perhaps your daughter finds math challenging. You will want to point that out so that the school can discuss how it might deal with that concern. The following questions posed by McCallie School and The Hun School are fairly typical of what you will encounter as you prepare your applications. I will add editorial comments to try to give you some insight into what the school might be looking for.

• What do you hope your child will accomplish at McCallie?
• From what activities does your child derive self-confidence?
• What are your child’s strengths and weaknesses? (Please comment on social characteristics: e.g., self-reliance, sense of humor, ability to mix, shyness, assertiveness, etc.)
• Include any particular concerns of which the school should be aware: e.g., Has your child experienced any difficult challenges or personal setbacks in recent years? Are there any medical conditions of which we should be aware?
• Has your child had any psychological or educational testing?
• Does your child regularly take any prescription medication?
• Does your child's health limit or interfere with the normal performance of everyday activities, including classwork, athletics, or other duties?
• Please make any additional comments about your child which you feel may be helpful to us.

The school is asking a lot of questions but, as this video demonstrates, the school is asking those questions for all the right reasons.

My comments

Always be realistic and honest. As far as accomplishments are concerned, you may want your child to go to Harvard but since that is a long shot, I would suggest mixing in your academic hopes with every parent's hope that your son will emerge at the end of high school confident that he can take on anything life throws at him.

You can probably assess your child's strengths and weaknesses better than anybody. Choose your words carefully. Allow the reader to feel your unconditional love and involvement with your son's upbringing through the years. A statement similar to the following acknowledges that there was a weakness and demonstrates how you addressed that weakness. "Jon used to struggle with math, but we found this wonderful tutor who showed Jon how to work math problems logically. Now he loves the subject."

If there are health issues, discuss them candidly but with bold strokes. There is no need to delve into clinical details. What the school really wants to know is that any medical issues have been dealt with.

Be careful with the last section which asks you to make any additional comments which you feel may be helpful. Focus on the positive. "Rich has just taken up riding. He really enjoys it which is why we decided to apply to your school." The school may be asking the questions but never forget that you are also a potential customer.

From The Hun School It is very helpful for us to learn about our applicants through their parents’ eyes. Your answers to these questions will help us to better understand your child’s social and educational needs. Please attach additional pages if necessary.

• Please list any relatives who have attended The Hun School (name, class, relationship).
• Please discuss your primary reason for considering a new school for your child.
• Describe your child as an individual, explaining briefly what you believe are his or her strengths, weaknesses, goals, and aspirations.
• Has your child ever had an educational evaluation? If so, please explain the circumstances and send us a copy of the written evaluation.
• Has your child ever required any academic support or accommodations? If so, please explain.
• What are your expectations of The Hun School?
• What role do you play in your child’s education?
• Please list the names, ages, and current schools of other children in your family.
• We welcome any additional comments you may wish to make.

Once again each school will ask for a snapshot of your child in your own words. Their reasons for wanting to know your child has much to do with getting the fit right, both for your child and the school.

As you can readily see from these two examples, the schools are assembling a composite picture of your child via written applications and statements, an interview and academic testing. Once the admissions staff has a clear idea of your child's strengths and weaknesses, interests and achievements, then it can begin to make a final determination as to whether your child will fit in and vice-versa. What you may not be aware is the size of the applicant pool. If there are fewer applicants for the available places, your child's chances could improve markedly.

Since so much is riding on the Parent's Statement, do the following:

• Download and print out the forms, even if you plan to apply online.
• Prepare a rough draft of your answers.
• Put that draft away for a day or two.
• When you have some quiet time, review the draft and revise it as necessary.
• If you have an educational consultant, be sure to discuss and review this part of the application with him.
• Make a fair copy of your answers.

Then set aside 30-45 minutes to enter the information online or to write it out in your neatest penmanship. Some schools may have PDF forms that you can fill out and print. In any case, take time to complete this step with great care. Your statement will create an impression of you and your family. You want that impression to be the best one possible. One last tip: use the Applications Calendar to keep on top of all the deadlines involved in the admissions process. There is much to organize in the application process. In most cases, the application process will collide with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and vacations. Bear that in mind as you schedule time for completing applications.

Don't forget to start your search for a private school at least 18 months before the date your child will actually start school. For example, if you are thinking of having her attend 10th grade, begin the process in the spring of her eighth grade. You will find that the last three or four months will be rather hectic. There is much to do at what is historically a very busy time of the year.

Questions? Contact us via Facebook. @privateschoolreview

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How to Write the Parent Statement for Private School

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Most applications to private schools require parents to write about their children in a parent’s statement or by filling out a questionnaire. The purpose of the parent's letter is to add dimension to the candidate’s statement and help the admissions committee better understand the applicant from the parent’s perspective.

Parent statement is your chance to provide a personal introduction to your child and share details about how your child learns as well as what their interests and strengths are. The following are a few simple steps that will help you write an effective parent letter.

Think About Your Responses

It can be difficult to step back and consider your child objectively, but you need to do exactly that. Think about what your child’s teachers have said over time, particularly the ones who know them well.

Reread report cards and teacher comments. Think about consistent themes that emerge from the reports. Are there comments that teachers have consistently made about how your child learns and acts in school and in extracurricular activities? These comments will be helpful for the admissions committee. 

Consider also your own observations of your child as well as what you hope your child will get out of their private school experience.

Real children aren’t perfect, but they can still be great candidates to private schools. Describe your child accurately and openly. A full, real, and descriptive parent’s statement will show the admissions committee that you are being honest, and when they will read about the amazing sides of your child, they will be more likely to believe them.

If your child has had serious disciplinary actions or other issues in the past, describe them. Let the admissions officers know what happened and draw positive lessons from it. The school is looking for a real kid—not a perfect pupil.

Showing that your child and your family are capable of dealing with setbacks might be even more valuable than presenting a flawless picture. Of course, describe your child’s strengths and don't only feel the need to be negative—but everything you write should be truthful.

Also, helping the committee members understand your child with their strengths and challenges will help them make the best decision for everyone. Your child will be most successful if they attend the school that fits them best , and describing your child candidly will help the admissions committee decide if the school and your child are the best fit for one another. Children who succeed at their schools are happier and healthier and stand in better stead for college admissions.

Consider How Your Child Learns

The parent’s statement is a chance to describe how your child learns so that the admissions committee can decide if they are likely to benefit from being at the school. If your child has moderate to severe learning issues, reveal them. Many private schools grant students with learning issues  accommodations or changes in the curriculum, so that they can best demonstrate what they know.

Students with mild learning issues might be able to wait until they are admitted to the school to ask about the school’s accommodations policy, but students with more severe learning issues should ask about the school’s policies about helping them beforehand. You may also have to do some research into what kind of resources the school offers to help your child—before they attend the school. Being open and honest with the school will help you and your child find the school where they can be happy and successful.

How to Organize Your Letter

Parent statements for private schools are typically composed of three parts: description of your child, description of your family, and the alignment of your values with the school values. The first two or even all three may be blended together, as through descriptions of your child, the nature of your family and your values will come through.

Sometimes, school websites offer useful prompts to guide your letters, and if that is the case, you should definitely make use of them. Some of the frequent questions are:

• What do you hope for your child to accomplish with the help of our school?
• Has your child ever had any intellectual, emotional, or behavioral evaluations? If so, describe their contexts and results.
• In what situations does your child thrive? Describe your child as an individual, with their hopes, values, goals, aspirations, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Has your child been through any adversity? Describe the context and how they navigated it.
• What has your role been in your child's education?
• Does your child require any academic or other support or accommodations?

Ideally, your letter would respond to these questions as thoroughly, yet as succinctly as possible.

The simplest way to go about this is to choose three to five aspects of your child's personality that you would like to highlight and compose the statement around them. Include illustrative anecdotes that will also portray a little about your family life. If it comes naturally to you, feel free to make these funny or quirky, as you are ultimately trying to stand out from the rest of the applicants.

As mentioned, you should also make a point of familiarizing yourself with the school's values and objectives and show in your letter how connected these are to your family. The more natural this is the better. All in all, as long as you provide the admission officers with an honest snapshot of your family and your child's nature and potential, your letter will hold its ground.

Article edited by  Stacy Jagodowski

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Parent Statements

Best parent statement tips for private school admissions.

CONTACT US TODAY

Most private schools require parents to answer prompts or fill in a questionnaire about their child. The parent statement is an introduction to your child taken from your perspective as a parent. The main idea is to provide a written statement about your child’s personality, interests, and strengths. 

With two decades of experience in private school admissions , our educational consultants have deep knowledge of how to write parent statements for private schools that would differentiate your child. This guide outlines a list of tips that will prevent you from making common mistakes in the Parent Statement section of school applications. 

• Begin the writing process well in advance. Many families underestimate the time and thought it takes to complete parent statements and puts it off until the last minute. We recommend writing several drafts until you feel confident that you’ve provided all the necessary information.
• Research the school extensively. Admissions officers are looking for students who will be a good fit, so make sure to research and learn about the differentiating values of each school. Explain clearly how your child will be a good fit and an asset to the school.
• Be specific. Answer the questions clearly and be honest with your statements. Although you might want to impress the admissions officers by putting in a lot of information, they are only interested in things that matter.
• Be objective and honest. The purpose of the parent statement is for admissions officers to gain insight into your child from your perspective. Don’t be afraid to mention your child’s weaknesses.  

As experts in private school admissions, we know what you should and should not include in your parent statements. Parents who come to us for help are surprised that writing parent statements is not as easy as it seems. They recognize the importance of seeking professional help when they learn that their statements can ruin their child’s chances of admission.

Why are parent statements important?

Parent statements are important because admissions officers need to know about your child’s personality and determine if they are a good fit for the school. They would also want to know about the dynamics of your family. How supportive are you as parents in helping your child become successful? What are your goals as a family? Do your values align with those of the school? 

How long are parent statements?

Each school will have its own requirements but typically, parent statements are 500 – 1500 characters long. It is important to keep to the maximum requirement because admissions officers will not be interested to read very long paragraphs especially if the first sentences are not interesting enough.

How do I make my parent statement interesting?

A well-written parent statement is one that not only showcases your child’s positive attributes but is also compelling enough for admissions officers to read from start to finish. Write anecdotes instead of just plain narratives that describe your child because everybody loves reading stories. Read different parent statement examples to get ideas on how to write parent statements that are interesting. 

Do I need help in writing my parent statement?

Yes, especially if you are not a strong writer. You may know your child well but if you cannot write about their strengths, weaknesses, and goals, you might lose your chances of admission. Contact us to learn more about our writing program. 

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How to write a great parent statement.

Admissions season is in full swing. Preliminary applications have been submitted and interviews are being scheduled. A key component to any student’s application not to be overlooked is the parent statement. These offer a window into who your child is as a student, as a community member, and quite frankly, as a human being. Here are some guidelines to follow to make the most out of what you write:

Start early

Waiting until the 11th hour to write your parent statement is never a good idea. Don’t make the mistake of quickly jotting down some thoughts and clicking “submit.” Be thoughtful about what you would like the schools to know. Give yourself the time and space to really sit with the question and think about your answer. Otherwise your statement will be generic and read like hundreds of other essays they have already read.

Paint a complete picture

Take this opportunity to share specific details as to what makes your child unique and special. Rattling off a list of adjectives, activities, or achievements doesn’t really sound impressive. We recommend that you start with an outline of the key character traits you want to share and see if any themes begin to emerge that tell a story. You know the common advice of “show, don’t tell” when writing? That’s exactly what you want to do. Use anecdotes to show how your child is “athletic” or “a brainiac.” Then tie everything together with interesting details to create a compelling story for the school.

Sometimes less is more

Some schools have maximum word limits, others don’t. Regardless, you want to shoot for quality over quantity. Writing 10 paragraphs that list every possible detail about your child will not make for a better application. You want to keep your reader interested and wanting more. And remember: it’s always great to save some stories for your interview!

These are just a few of the suggestions we have for writing a memorable parent statement. Want to hear more? Call us at The Admissions Plan to find out how we can help support you and your child on this educational journey.

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Published on: october 30, 2017.

It’s that time of year again: the busy admissions season for private and independent K–12 schools. Keeping track of each school's open houses, campus tours, parent and student interview dates and test requirements can feel like a full-time job. 

Each year, more families are considering private schools for their children and competition for top private schools in the greater Seattle area has become increasingly fierce. Some elite private schools admit fewer than 10 percent of their applicants from a highly qualified candidate pool. High standardized test (SSAT and ISEE) scores and GPAs alone, unfortunately, don’t guarantee a spot at these coveted schools. They're interested in forming a diverse and well-rounded student body that delves beyond students’ test scores and grades.

Some elite private schools admit fewer than 10 percent of their applicants.

One of the biggest mistakes I've seen families make in preparing their child’s applications for admission is to treat the information they submit as separate data points. Rather than painting a complete picture of their student, parent and student essays often read like a student activity form.

To give your child the best chance of success, it's important to be intentional and thoughtful about your child’s application. Remember that admission committees are interested in learning about your child and what your family can offer, and how you will contribute to their schools and school communities.

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your child's private school application.

Know what it is you want to say about your child and your family: What are the key messages you want to convey?  

• Think about how you and others see your child. You as parents? Grandparents? Their siblings? How would their friends describe them? Teachers? Neighbors?
• What keywords begin to emerge? Kind? Mature? Creative? Curious? Inventive? A maker? A leader?
• Choose three to five themes that best capture core identities of your child.
• Use your child’s essential qualities, be it their achievements, unique experiences, activities or interests to make the connection to these themes.
• Once themes emerge, look broadly and creatively at parent and student essays, activity profile, teacher recommendations, and other application elements for opportunities to weave these ideas together for differentiation.

Start working on essays and other application elements

• Typically, families apply for three to five schools and, depending upon schools under consideration, you may end up with writing not only a common set of essays but also other unique ones they require from applicants and their families.
• These requirements all add up, expecting a significant amount of time and efforts on your and your child’s end. Good writing is a process; it doesn’t happen overnight. Be prepared to go through three rounds of drafts of parent and student essays to get to final “quality” ones you and your student feel proud of. Try to have solid first drafts by the end of October, the second one by the end of November and the final draft by the end of December.   
• Make sure you write parent essays while your child writes their student essays. You can lend help to your child, but they need to provide original and thoughtful answers in their portion of the applications as well as during interviews. Schools can tell if a parent writes student essays and even go so far as to collect writing samples.

Use essays and other application elements for effective storytelling

• Use a parent statement, student essays and an extracurricular activity profile to let the reader in: Who is your child? What do they care most? Who is their hero? Why? How do these insights connect with other information you are submitting about your child and your family? Is there a particular story(ies) that helps to describe your child and your family best?
• Distill the story that defines your child and your family in the space provided in online applications before the deadline for completed applications. Each essay question has a specific word count you can’t exceed, so be mindful of how you will use precious real estate to convey main messages for differentiation.

Effective storytelling alone won’t necessarily put your child over the top if they aren't already a competitive candidate. But it goes hand-in-hand with solid standardized test scores and GPAs for robust applications. Let schools know how unique your child and your family are. Let them know how your child and family will contribute to a diverse student body. Good luck!

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About the author.

Soojung Smith is a family education coach, author, CEO and board advisor, and former Microsoft marketing executive. Her children attend two private schools on the Eastside. Soojung supports parents with challenging issues such as private school vs. public school, private school admissions, and students’ executive functioning skills and their public speaking competencies. Email Soojung at  [email protected] .

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How to Write a Private High School Application Essay Worth Reading

Forget everything you’ve ever learned about writing an essay.

Okay, I may be being a bit melodramatic. You still need appropriate grammar, syntax, spelling, and formatting.

But as for the generic boring cluster that begins with “In this essay I am going to be discussing ___ by looking at x,y, and z,” throw that out the window because it’s nothing but a one way ticket to Snoozeville not only for you but for anyone tasked with reading it.

Remember Your Private High School Application Essay Audience

The biggest mistake students make when writing an essay is that they forget who their audience is . Your audience, be it a teacher, an administrator, or an admissions committee, has likely read hundreds if not thousands of student’s admissions essays.

This means that you are going to have to do more than throw in a few SAT words to impress them. The key to writing an essay worth reading is writing an essay that has not been written before by any other essay writer . It needs to be your own story, not the story you think they want to hear.

One of my favorite things about writing is that there is no right or wrong answer. An essay isn’t a scantron that you have to correctly bubble in or risk some computer incorrectly grading you.  You can’t just play eenie miney moe and hope for the best. Writing is personal. It’s written by one individual and read by another.

But all too often students, especially in the application process , forget this. They write the essay they think that the admission committee wants to read when in reality it’s an essay that the committee has probably already read a million times.

The Importance of the Essay Topic

What is the root of this cause? The topic.

If your topic is flawed, cliché, generic, or boring, it doesn’t matter how well crafted your essay is it will be forgotten. When approaching your admission essay, think of it this way: when the admission committee begins reading your essay they’ll view you as just a number, but when they finish it you want them to view you as an individual student.

So, how do we accomplish this?

It’s simple: don’t write the essay you think an admissions committee wants to read, write one that YOU would want to read . If your own essay bores you, it’s highly likely that it will bore everyone else.

Let’s say that your topic is to discuss an extracurricular activity that has played a large impact on your life. A lot of times students are tempted to write what they think the admission committee want to hear.

“I love to volunteer because it has taught me to be appreciative of what I have,”

Or “I love National Honors Society because it allows me to combine my love of academics with my love of service.”

While both of these are wonderful extracurricular activities, unless you are truly passionate about either and have specific details to intertwine into your narrative, it’s going to come off dry and predictable.

What Your Topic Should Be Instead

When describing their ideal student, one of the top words used by the Director of Admissions at some of DC’s top private schools is “passionate.”

Admissions Committees are not looking for a cookie-cutter student; rather they are looking for a student who genuinely loves something and will share that love with other students .

So if you love to spend your weekends driving four-wheelers or riding horses or making short films on iMovie, write about that because I can assure you that your natural enthusiasm will read a whole lot better than the stale and generic “I love to volunteer” response – unless that is actually what you spend your weekends doing.

The Essay’s Opening Paragraph

Don’t believe me?

Consider these two opening paragraphs. You tell me which one you want to keep reading?

1. “’Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.’ These famous words were spoken by John F. Kennedy, one of the best politicians of all life. John F. Kennedy led America and has become my role model. He encouraged me to get into politics which is why I joined student government. When asked what extracurricular activity has had the largest impact on me as a person, I immediately thought of student government. In this essay I will discuss how student government has impacted me as a person by growing my leadership skills, developing my social connections, and making me take academics more seriously.”

2. “I don’t ride for blue ribbons or Olympic gold, although I respect and admire those chosen few who do. I don’t ride for the workout, although my trembling muscles at the end of a good lesson indicate otherwise. I don’t ride because I have anything to prove, although I’ve proven a lot to myself along the way. I ride for the feeling of two individual beings becoming one, so perfectly matched that it’s impossible to tell where rider ends and horse begins. I ride to feel the staccato beat of hooves against dirt echoed in the rhythm of my own heart. I ride because it isn’t easy to navigate a creature with a mind of its own around a course of solid obstacles, but in that perfect moment when horse and rider work as one, it can be the easiest thing in the world. I ride for an affectionate nose nudging my shoulder as I turn to leave, searching for a treat or a pat or murmured words of praise. I ride for myself, but for my horse as well, my partner and my equal.”

Next Steps: Your Perfect Admissions Essay

Okay now you have the framework.

First, remember that you’re writing to a private school admissions audience that has probably seen every high school application essay in the book. So don’t write the one you think they want to read… write the one that you care most about.

Then, choose the essay topic that resonates most with you as a student. That enthusiasm will shine through in your writing, and hopefully “wow” the reader enough to convince them they have to have you at their school.

The Parent Statement: What Not To Say

Much has been written about how to write a parent statement or essay for your child’s applications to private preschool or continuing K–12 schools, but little has been written on what not to write.

For parents of preschoolers to students at older points of entry (and all the years in between), the finest example of admissions/application essay instructions can be found in the Common Application to U.S. colleges and universities.

The Common App asks applicants to write a statement of 650 words about anything — anything at all — so long as the statement is about them . You may think that sounds easy, but it’s not. For example, the finest Common App essay I have ever read was by a high school senior who, at age seven, started volunteering with kids diagnosed with cancer. The little girl became a national advocate for volunteering with sick children, appeared in the media, and won prestigious awards for her work. Over a decade, she worked with over 100 hospitalized children, befriending each one as well as their families. Her college essay, however, wasn’t about her work or the accolades she received for it. It instead detailed how she had stayed close to these parents and siblings, and talked about the emotional impact upon realizing that she was a link, often the final one, to the children the families had lost.

The same principles apply to parent essays. To make it easier, we ask parents to not use adjectives when they write and describe applicants. Terms like brilliant , gifted , caring , talented , and a host of others not only bore admissions committees, but scare them. If, for example, a parent genuinely feels his child is brilliant or gifted, is that same parent going to expect and demand “special” treatment for that child if and when she is admitted to the school, taking teachers’ precious time away from the class at large? That is how to get rejected on the spot.

Try to write an anecdotally-driven parent statement.

For young children, a day in the life of your child is far more interesting and introductory than a list of his or her attributes as observed by Mom or Dad. For older kids, one or two academic or social experiences is a good suggestion for parent admissions statements, especially the effect these experiences had on the child’s development.

Do not write a statement longer than a single page.

There is much to say about every child, but school applications may not be the venue in which to say it. If schools receive 900 parent statements for a particular point of entry, how much do you believe actually gets read if the statements are overwhelmingly long? More saliently: will it get read at all?

Do not feel you have to impress.

Usually when parents write to impress, it has the opposite effect. The “leader” who is always first to finish the reading or art or math project and “help” his peers in the classroom, while at the same time designs the group’s imaginary games and activities, is often perceived as demanding and overbearing. This is a more central question: can that same leader also assume the role of follower, giving others a chance to shine and create?

Don’t try to conjure the future.

The kid who likes playing with a science kit is not necessarily destined to become a neuroscientist, just as the kid who enjoys writing about his summer vacation is not necessarily tomorrow’s Pulitzer Prize-winning author.

Above all, don’t overstate.

A child who donates his or her gently used clothes or toys to charity is not Mother Theresa helping the poor, or Jimmy Carter building homes for humanity. She is a kid learning about charity and community service.

Balance what you write.

Few kids, especially younger children, actually sit around all day trying to perfect a task or learned skill, whether that be math, writing, art, or computer science, and if they do, they are missing out on many other aspects that childhood and adolescence exist to introduce them to. Admissions directors are famous for asking the magic question, “What else is your child interested in?” Schools do not teach one subject; they teach many.

Don’t brag, even inadvertently.

Your child’s interest in the ocean, marine life, and swimming is fine to write about as is his fascination with changing seasons, nature, and animals, as long as it isn’t preceded by the words: “At our vacation home …”

Finally, an admissions essay is not the place to list the people you know who are connected to a school (parent, alumni, board member, etc.). For the most part, admissions directors do not like the “powers that be” to dictate which students to accept, and that is the subtle message of a parent statement that name drops.

We are taught to be ourselves at every turn. It’s hard to do in private school admissions, when you suspect that other parents are presenting better selves than they really are, and, of course, painting rosier, larger-than-life pictures of their children. Yet, being honest often yields the best results in terms of admission at virtually every point of entry. Think about the simple, beautiful message of the aforementioned Common App essay.

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High School Application Essay

Embarking on the high school application process can be daunting, but mastering the art of the application essay can set you apart. This comprehensive guide, enriched with essay examples , will navigate you through crafting an impactful and memorable high school application essay. From understanding the prompt to showcasing your unique story, we’ll provide practical tips and examples to enhance your writing skills, ensuring your essay stands out in the competitive world of high school admissions.

Download High School Application Essay Bundle

Essay writing as part of the application to enter the institution may sound kind of difficult. But it really wasn’t as the applicant was given a set of instructions on how to come up with what she or he had to write. They were given a topic to write and this was the test they had to take to see if they fit the qualifications to get admitted to the institution.  The most common topic to write in an essay was a career type. What you wanted to be when you grow up. It was a challenge but most of us have gone through that and could say, it was worth it.

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How to Write a High School Admission Essay

Embarking on the journey of writing a high school admission essay can be a significant step in your educational path. This piece of writing, often referred to as a college essay or application essay, is more than just a formality. It’s a chance for you to showcase your personality and aspirations, making it crucial for not only high school applications but also for college and scholarship applications.

Understanding the Essay’s Purpose

At its core, the admission essay is your chance to provide a glimpse into who you are beyond your academic scores. It’s not just about showcasing your achievements; it’s about narrating your story and aspirations. This narrative is what the admission committee will use to distinguish you from other candidates, making it a key component of your middle school application essay or any other educational application process.

Choosing the Right Topic

Selecting an appropriate topic is essential. Your topic should reflect an aspect of your personality or an experience that has played a significant role in your personal development. Whether it’s a challenge you’ve overcome, a unique experience, or a personal achievement, it should give insight into your character and how it has shaped you. For a short essay for high school , choosing a concise yet impactful topic is vital.

Crafting Your Essay

Organizing your thoughts is the first step in the writing process. Draft an outline to structure your essay effectively. Begin with a captivating introduction, followed by a body that provides a deeper insight into your topic, and conclude with a summary that ties back to your main thesis, demonstrating why you are a great fit for the school.

Engaging Introduction

The introduction is crucial in grabbing the reader’s attention. Start with an engaging hook – it could be a compelling anecdote, a question, or a surprising fact. This initial engagement is particularly important in a short essay for high school, as you have limited space to make an impact.

Body of the Essay

In the body of your essay, provide detailed accounts of your experiences or reflections. Use vivid descriptions to bring your story to life. This part of the essay is where you can elaborate on your experiences, making it relevant in a scholarship essay or any admission essay.

Concluding Your Essay

Your conclusion should leave a lasting impression. It’s not just about ending your essay, but about tying your narrative back to the main goal – to showcase why you are a suitable candidate for the school. A strong conclusion is essential in any application essay , whether it’s for high school, college, or a scholarship.

Revising and Editing

Revision is key in the essay-writing process. Pay attention to clarity, detail, and the flow of your essay. Grammar and spelling are equally important. Consider getting feedback from others, as a fresh pair of eyes can often catch things you might have missed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Stay true to yourself in your essay. Avoid embellishing your experiences or straying from the essay prompt. Keep your language clear and straightforward, avoiding clichés and overly complex phrases.

Final Touches

Remember, your high school admission essay is a reflection of your personality. Let your individuality shine through your words. With a well-thought-out narrative essay , your essay can become a compelling part of your application, whether it’s a college essay, a middle school application essay, or a scholarship essay. Be honest, authentic, and let your unique story guide your writing.

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Tips on Writing a Good High School Essay

To all students wishing to write a good high school essay to wow the right people. I have some tips for you to use. These tips of course vary with people but these are the common ways to writing a good high school essay to amaze the right people as well as to get you accepted to the institution of your choice.  So without further ado, let’s get right to it.

• Think: It may sound cliché, but the best thing to do before writing a good high school essay is to think. Think of what you are planning on writing. Think of the topic and the subtopics you want to add in your essay.  Ask yourself what you wish to talk about. Make some notes in a different paper as a guide.
• Planning : After thinking about what you wish to write, plan on it. This is often taken for granted. But when you get to plan on what you wish to write, everything goes smoothly. Just a reminder though, an essay does not have to be very long since that would be a different literary piece.
• Short and Concise : As stated above, an essay does not have to be very long. Essays usually have one to three paragraphs long. Beyond that is usually unheard of, so make it short and concise as possible.
• Make some notes:  A reminder when writing a good essay is to always make some notes. Make a draft if you wish. This helps with how you construct your sentences and construct what you wish to write about.
• Review: after you write your essay, review. Check the necessary things like spelling, grammar, and sentence construction. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just as long as it follows the strict grammar guidelines.

How many sentences do I need to write to let it be considered an essay?

One to three paragraphs, with 5 to 8 sentences can already be considered an essay. The one thing you need to know is when writing an essay, all you need is one topic, and you talk about it.

What are the usual topics to write for a high school essay application?

The most common topic they often ask students to write is about career goals.

Is there a limit to how many words needed to write?

This may depend on the directions in the paper, but for a high school essay application it would range between 300 words to 1000 words.

Do I need to reach the word count for it to be considered a good essay?

It is not the word count that matters but what you have written. This is what counts.

What other types of essays are there?

There are a lot of types but the most common are career essays , narrative essays and argumentative essays

Writing an essay can be tiresome or difficult if you have no idea what to do or what to write. But with some examples shown above and some tips on writing them, it would be easier. Remembering how to write an essay and how to construct the right words would make a whole lot of difference. A few things to consider when writing, be creative but concise the same time.

Choose a topic you want to talk about and go from there. Do not make it too lengthy that you lose sight of what you really wish to convey. Lastly, you don’t need to reach the 1000 word word count, as long as you reach the minimum word count. For a high school student, that would be around 300 words. Now that you have some ideas on what to write and how to do it, I hope your next essay would be something to be proud of.

High School Application Essay Generator

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Write a High School Application Essay on why you want to attend this high school

Discuss your academic and extracurricular achievements in a High School Application Essay

Private School Admissions Student Essays: What Do I Say?

Posted on: December 7, 2021

One of the most stressful parts of the private school admissions process is the looming idea of writing an essay, or even multiple essays. In many ways, the essays make this process feel much like the dreaded college admissions process, even though you may be in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade now. I work with lots of students facing this very challenge, which become especially acute around the holidays. Right now, your fall semester is mostly behind you, you’re close to finished with standardized testing, and the only thing looming between you and a restful holiday break is a stack of essays.

Here are my tips and tricks learned from years of reading admissions essays on the school side of things and from supporting students on the application guidance side of things.

An essay is not your autobiography. You do not need to share everything you have ever done or every aspect of who you are. The goal is to introduce yourself to the admissions committee. Make a few key points and give yourself space to expand on those points.

Your essay should not feel like a list (even of accomplishments). It is tempting — understandably! — to feel like you need to write about everything you have done to demonstrate that you are worthy of admission and ready to take on the next level of school. You probably want to impress the admissions readers. But remember: those readers are people! They’re people who have chosen to work in schools because they love getting to know students. They want to read this essay, so it should feel like an enjoyable read. If they wanted a list of accomplishments, they would have asked for a resume.

Make sure it feels like an essay. Use your best writing skills! Think about transitions and style. You want your essay to reflect your voice, to feel authentic, and be interesting.

Use examples . Even though you DON’T want your essay to read like a resume, you DO want to be concrete. Abstract ideas are a start, but if you want to be memorable, you need to offer a tangible sense of who you are. Writers often use a rule this rule: Show, Don’t Tell . Rather than telling the reader that you are kind, why don’t you share a story when you felt that your kindness made a difference?

Think deeply. This essay is your chance to introduce yourself. Be reflective and thoughtful. A great way to accomplish this kind of reflection is to take a look at every point you are making and ask yourself, “Why?”

If the school asks what kinds of books you like to read, choose a few titles you like and ask yourself if they have anything in common. Maybe you like adventure books, or maybe you like books with great main characters who you can really get to know. That’s the first step. But the second step is “Why?” Why do you like adventure books? Why are great, strong characters appealing to you?” Write a few sentences about the books and then think about adding something that begins with “because.”

Consider your values. While you are thinking deeply about your ‘why’s, make a list of what is important to you. Every school has a sense of its mission as a school. They’re trying to get a sense of your mission as a student and as a young person. Think about what is important to you and then share those thoughts. Maybe you are super-committed to service, so you want to be in a school with lots of opportunities for volunteering and serving your community. Think about what makes you happiest, whether that’s learning, athletics, leadership, the arts, or something else altogether. Whatever it may be, spend some time on it. Sharing your real sense of who you are and what makes you thrive will help the school the reasons you could be such a great student.

The essays or short-answer questions on the private school application can seem daunting. But if you are thoughtful and true to yourself, you’re sure to find a great spot.

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Applying to Private Schools: A Guide for K-12 Families

For parents considering private school, here are the typical steps in the admissions process.

A Guide to Applying to Private Schools

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At least a year before you plan to enroll your child – or even longer for older students – you should identify your child’s needs and what type of private school you're looking for.

When it comes to private school admissions, Taryn Siegelberg understands the importance of doing your homework.

As a parent of two children who have attended both public and private K-12 schools – as well as the director of nursery and elementary school admissions for the educational consultancy Admit NY – Siegelberg says if you apply to schools that are a strong fit for the prospective student, the process becomes much easier.

“If you really are applying to the right schools for your family and for your child, it comes together and the results are positive,” Siegelberg says.

Private schools come in different shapes and sizes, and every school approaches the admissions process differently, says Whitney Shashou, Admit NY’s founder and CEO who oversees the company’s middle and high school divisions.

Families considering private school should start their research early and familiarize themselves with how the admissions process works. Here’s an overview of the steps generally involved.

• Get a sense of what you want.
• Arrange for standardized testing, if required.
• Attend open houses and campus tours.
• Complete the interview.
• Submit your application and standardized test scores.

Get a Sense of What You Want 

Rachel Blankstein, co-founder of Spark Admissions, says schools vary widely in academic rigor, areas of focus and many other qualities.

You may want to consider the cost of tuition and whether the school provides financial aid. You should also think about what matters most to you and your child – whether it’s college placement, diversity, religious affiliation or a particular educational philosophy. Proximity to home also comes into play, especially for younger children.

“Is it that they want the most academically rigorous environment?” Blankstein says. “Is it that they want a more supportive environment? Do they need an environment where there’s the opportunity for your student to get some one-on-one extra support? What differentiates the school from other schools?”

Arrange for Standardized Testing, if Required

There are two main admissions exams for private school entrance. The Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT), for grades 3-11, consists of math problems, vocabulary and analogy questions, reading passages and a writing portion.

The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) has multiple testing levels for students in grades 2-12. Test sections vary by grade level and can include reading, mathematics, verbal, quantitative reasoning and a writing sample.

While Shashou says the SSAT is more commonly used for boarding schools, and the ISEE for day schools, both typically accept either exam. And some Catholic high schools use the High School Placement Test, which includes verbal, quantitative, reading, language arts and math sections.

Registration deadlines and policies differ for each test, so be sure to identify which is right for your child early in the process. This will allow you to start preparing as soon as possible.

Also note that since the COVID-19 pandemic, some private schools have adopted test-optional policies . If you’re applying to a test-optional private school, Blankstein recommends submitting your standardized test score only if it’s at least in line with the 50th percentile of the score range that the school admits.

Attend Open Houses and Campus Tours 

Many private schools hold open houses or campus tours for families, typically throughout the fall. These can help you learn about the school environment and what it has to offer.

“You really do get a sense of what (the school is) highlighting and what they’re trying to convey,” Blankstein says.

Largely as a result of the pandemic, open houses may also be available in remote or virtual format for families as an alternative or before they come to campus.

Complete the Interview

The vast majority of private schools require interviews for learners of all ages – though the process naturally will look different depending on grade level. The interviews are important in allowing schools to understand how your child interacts with others in a tight-knit environment.

“At these schools, they see you all the time; they meet with you often,” says Tim Bradley of Solomon Admissions Consulting, who previously worked in admissions at Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut. “They really want to know what kind of person you are, so the interview is a critical piece of the application process.”

What the interview looks like can vary widely depending on the school and incoming student’s age. Sometimes, multiple applicants may sit down together with current students and maybe an admissions officer or another adult and have a conversation; other schools may hold one-on-one interviews.

Younger students, according to Blankstein, may even partake in play-based interviewing, where they are evaluated on how they interact in a group setting.

When there are young children involved, admissions officers may involve the parents or caregivers as well as the student in the interview process. As you approach the higher grades, “it really starts to funnel into a one-on-one,” Bradley says.

Submit Your Application and Standardized Test Scores

Most private school applications open around August or September the year before your student would enroll and are due in early winter. In addition to basic demographic information, the educational history of the student and standardized test scores, the application may consist of supplemental components such as:

• Responses to student essay prompts.
• Parent essays.
• Graded writing samples.
• Letters of recommendation, typically from English and math teachers.
• An extracurricular profile of the student on what they do outside of class.

Siegelberg says many schools use the application platform Ravenna – which means you can store all your core information in one place – but some schools use other platforms or have their own admissions portal.

Meanwhile, you can submit standardized test scores directly from the SSAT or ISEE websites.

This is also the time to apply for financial aid, if you’d like to. Nearly all private schools provide some scholarship aid to qualified families, Blankstein says, but keep in mind that awards will vary based on a school’s budget and their criteria for aid.

Get Your Final Decisions and Choose the Right Fit

For boarding schools, decisions are usually released March 10, Bradley says. For day schools, decisions are usually released March 3-20, though this varies.

When waiting to hear back from schools, Siegelberg advises parents or caregivers to remember that while not everyone gets into their first-choice school, your child will find the right fit. As a parent, she knows it’s hard not to take rejection personally, but not focusing all your attention on one school will make the process much more bearable.

“This is definitely a process that can feel very competitive when it doesn’t have to be,” Siegelberg says. She advises parents to remember to “really focus on your child,” not the school.

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Application Essentials for the Top 20 U.S. Private High Schools

Applying to private high schools can feel daunting. For many students, it’s the first time they’ve had to complete an application of this sort or take on serious standardized testing.

While the private school application process is definitely involved, it’s nothing that can’t be managed with a proper mindset, timeline, and study plan. We encourage families to start thinking about where they want to apply early and know the important deadlines for those schools.

Students should also begin studying for the SSAT plenty of time before their first official test date and be prepared to take the SSAT more than once. The first step towards independent school success is strong SSAT scores , and you want to put yourself in the best position possible to stand out.

To help with your planning, we’ve compiled a list of important dates, deadlines, and other application essentials for the top 20 private high schools in the U.S.

Here’s what we cover in this post:

The Private School Application in a Nutshell

Every private high school in the U.S. is different, but most applications require students to submit the same general materials, which typically involve the following:

• an academic transcript
• letters of recommendation
• SSAT scores
• an interview
• and/or essay or writing sample

Many competitive high schools have application components in addition to these general requirements, such as interviews, parent/guardian statements, supplementary letters of recommendation, portfolios, graded writing samples, and essay questions.

Some schools might have “optional” or “suggested” requirements, such as the SSAT Character Skills Snapshot.

We encourage families to familiarize themselves with  all  application requirements for each school of choice and to consider submitting optional components if possible. While this doesn’t necessarily guarantee acceptance, these additional components can potentially provide admissions officers with greater insight into your student’s potential.

If you have any questions about the application process for a specific school, feel free to contact the admissions office. Most school representatives are more than happy to provide further insight into SSAT score requirements, candidate statements, transcript submission, etc.

The list below compiles application essentials for the most competitive U.S. private high schools in New England. There are numerous competitive private schools in this region, and their application standards are representative of most schools.

We update these details regularly for your convenience.

Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter, NH)

• SSAT score submission deadline: January 15
• Application deadline: January 15
• Rolling Admissions: No
• Interviews: Yes (required)
• Application Portal: found here
• Additional application requirements: Essay questions, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, personal recommendation (optional), special interest recommendation (optional), SSAT character skills snapshot (optional)

Phillips Academy Andover (Andover, MA)

• SSAT score submission deadline: February 1 (February test scores accepted if all other materials are in prior to February 1)
• Application deadline: February 1
• Rolling Admissions: No, but there is a “second round” admissions process for students applying after February 1. Call the admissions office for more information.
• Additional application requirements: Graded writing sample, short answer and essay questions, parent/guardian statement, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, personal recommendation, special interest recommendation (optional)

The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville, NJ)

• SSAT score submission deadline: February 1
• Interviews: Yes
• Application Portal: Apply with the SSAT Standard Application Online ( more info )
• Additional application requirements: SSAT Standard Application Online forms, supplementary materials for athletics and art (encouraged), SSAT character skills snapshot (strongly recommended)

Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford, CT)

• Interviews: Yes (strongly encouraged)
• Additional application requirements: Essay questions, parent/guardian statement, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, personal recommendation (optional), SSAT character skills snapshot (optional)

Deerfield Academy (Deerfield, MA)

• Rolling Admissions: No, but there is a “late applicant” admissions process for students applying after January 15. Call the admissions office for more information.
• Additional application requirements: Graded writing sample, short answer and essay questions, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, current academic teacher recommendation (from a third teacher of the student’s choice)

St. Paul’s School (Concord, NH)

• Additional application requirements: Candidate statement, parent statement, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, personal recommendation, special interest recommendation (optional), supplementary materials for athletes/ballet dancers/musicians (optional)

Groton School (Groton, MA)

• SSAT score submission deadline: January 15 (January test scores will be accepted, but November and December tests are preferred)
• Interviews: Yes (recommended)
• Additional application requirements: Graded writing sample, candidate statement, parent statement, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendation, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, personal recommendation, special interest recommendation (optional)

Noble & Greenough School (Dedham, MA)

• Application Portal: Apply through Ravenna ( more info )
• Additional application requirements: Student statement, extracurricular activities form, parent statement, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, character skills snapshot (required)

The Hotchkiss School (Lakeville, CT)

• Additional application requirements: Graded writing sample, candidate project, parent statement, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, personal recommendation, special interest recommendation (optional)

Middlesex School (Concord, MA)

• SSAT score submission deadline: Tests through February accepted
• Application deadline: January 31
• Additional application requirements: Student essay questions, parent statement, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, personal recommendation (optional), special interest recommendation (optional), SSAT character skills snapshot (strongly encouraged)

The Loomis Chaffee School (Windsor, CT)

• Rolling Admissions: All late applicants will be considered on a rolling basis as space becomes available
• Additional application requirements: Essay questions, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, SSAT character skills snapshot (optional)

Milton Academy (Milton, MA)

• Application Portal: Apply using the Gateway to Prep Schools common application or the SSAT Standard Application Online ( more info )
• Additional application requirements: Short answers and essay questions, parent statement, graded writing sample, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, personal recommendation (optional), special interest recommendation (optional)

St. Andrew’s School (Middletown, DE)

• Application Portal: Common applications not accepted. Apply through the Andrew’s Online Application Portal .
• Additional application requirements: Transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, special interest in athletics or art form (optional)

St. Albans School (Washington, DC)

• Application deadline: January 8
• Additional application requirements: Two personal statements, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation

Concord Academy (Concord, MA)

• Interviews: Yes (suggested)
• Additional application requirements: Personal statement, parent statement, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, visual and performing arts portfolio (if applicable)

Peddie School (Hightstown, NJ)

• Rolling Admissions: Applications received after January 15 will be considered on a rolling basis
• Additional application requirements: Student essays, parent statement, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, personal recommendation, Peddie School supplemental form

Hill School (Pottstown, PA)

• SSAT score submission deadline: January 31
• Rolling Admissions: Applications received after January 31 will be considered on a rolling basis
• Additional application requirements: Short answer and essay questions, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, personal recommendation (optional), graded writing sample (optional)

Taft School (Watertown, CT)

• Additional application requirements: Short answers and essay questions, parent statement, graded writing sample, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, character skills snapshot (recommended)

Blair Academy (Blairstown, NJ)

• Additional application requirements: Student questionnaire, parent statement, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, personal recommendation (optional)

Westminster School (Simsbury, CT)

• Additional application requirements: Graded writing sample, candidate statement, parent statement, transcript report, principal/counselor recommendations, current English teacher recommendation, current Mathematics teacher recommendation, character skills snapshot, personal recommendation (optional)

Applying to Private High Schools: Next Steps

When it comes to applying to private high schools in the U.S., the key to success is preparation! Know what to expect when applying and create a schedule to ensure you have the capacity to submit all components on time.

A strong application also starts with strong SSAT scores and an early, effective study plan. The SSAT covers a wide breadth of material, some of which may feel unfamiliar to students, such as the SSAT Verbal section . The best way to be prepared is to practice as much as possible in order to familiarize yourself with different question types and figure out which strategies work best for which questions.

How can you make sure that you’re getting the best SSAT practice possible?

We strongly recommend signing up for one of our state-of-the-art SSAT programs . Working with professionals who utilize real SSAT materials is the surest way to guarantee excellent results as you study for your private school exams.

Annie is a graduate of Harvard University (B.A. in English). Originally from Connecticut, Annie now lives in Los Angeles and continues to mentor children across the country via online tutoring and college counseling. Over the last eight years, Annie has worked with hundreds of students to prepare them for all-things college, including SAT prep, ACT prep, application essays, subject tutoring, and general counseling.

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College Admissions

Have you been asked to provide a "parent brag sheet" for your child's guidance counselor? Have you heard of other parents completing them and are wondering if they're required for college applications? Parent brag sheets are becoming more popular, but many parents don't get much guidance on how to complete them. We created this guide to explain what a parent brag sheet is and what they're used for. We also go over common parent brag sheet example questions and explain how to answer them. 

What Is a Parent Brag Sheet? What Do You Need One For?

A parent brag sheet is a form you may be asked to complete for your child's guidance counselor. Guidance counselors are sometimes asked to supply letters of recommendation for students applying to college. Because it's not unusual for counselors to be assigned dozens, or even hundreds of students, they understandably may not know certain students well enough to write an in-depth letter, especially if they only meet with students twice a year or so.

The parent brag sheet is a way for the student's parent to highlight their child's strengths so the counselor can include an honest, in-depth, and strong recommendation letter with the student's college applications.

When students ask teachers for letters of recommendation , we recommend they write their own brag sheets to give teachers ideas of the skills and personality characteristics they might highlight. A parent brag sheet is the same, except the parent writes it about their child. Some counselors feel that parents can provide a more detailed analysis of their child than the student can provide him/herself. 

It's important to note that you may not be asked to write a parent brag sheet; many parents aren't. Many colleges don't require counselor letters of recommendation, and some high school counselors either ask students to compose their own brag sheets or complete the letter of recommendation without a brag sheet. If you're not asked to write a parent brag sheet for college recommendations, don't worry. It won't negatively impact your student's applications.

What Does a Parent Brag Sheet Include?

Not sure how to write a parent brag sheet for college? The parent brag sheet typically consists of several short-answer questions you'll complete. The number of questions varies, but it's often around five to ten. The questions will ask about different aspects of your child's personality and accomplishments, and you should expect to spend at least 30 minutes on it. 

4 Tips for a Standout Parent Brag Sheet for College

Many times, parents aren't given a lot of direction on how to fill out the parent brag sheet, but we've got you covered! Here are four tips to follow to ensure you're creating the strongest brag sheet for your child.

#1: Give Specific Examples to Support Your Statements

The absolute best way to create a strong parent brag sheet is to back up your assertions with examples. Even if you gush throughout your brag sheet over how smart and hardworking your child is, if you don't have any examples to support those claims, counselors likely won't include them in their letter. They'll only write about things they're confident are true, so they need evidence. So, for every positive attribute you state, give an example to back it up. So, if you state that your daughter is a math whiz, include things like math awards she's won, grades in math classes, scores from the math sections of the SAT/ACT, etc. 

#2: Aim for a Positive, but Honest, Tone

Sometimes parents struggle to know what tone to strike with the parent brag sheet. They either feel like they need to prove their child is the most amazing high school student to ever walk the earth, or they feel compelled to give the "warts and all" story and open up about times their child has been lazy/dishonest/etc. Don't go for either of these extremes. You want to keep things honest and not exaggerate accomplishments, but you also aren't required to mention that time your child snuck out of the house to see a concert on a school night. You can be glowing (it's expected, in fact, for something called a "brag sheet"), but just make sure all your claims are rooted in fact. Again, this is why examples are so helpful.

#3: Talk to Your Child About What to Include

You may be bursting to tell everyone about your son's amazing piano playing, but he may be focusing his application on his strong writing skills because he wants to be a journalist. It's certainly not bad to be an aspiring journalist who also plays the piano beautifully, but colleges are more impressed by a strong spike in one area than being well-rounded in many different areas . This means that applications are stronger when they have a common theme running through them , particularly if it ties into a future career. You want the counselor's letter to be part of that theme, which might affect what you choose to discuss in certain responses. Talk to your child about the main things they'd like you to include so that their counselor's letter of recommendation highlights the skills and attributes that'll give their application the biggest boost.

#4: Keep It Concise

Counselors are reading dozens, often hundreds, of these brag sheets, so don't hand them a novel. Making your answers clear and concise is the best way to ensure the counselor reads all the information and gets your main points. A few sentences is enough to answer most questions, and none of your answers should be much more than a paragraph.

High School Parent Brag Sheet Example Questions

Different counselors will create different brag sheet forms, but all will ask about the student's accomplishments, academic habits, and personal strengths. Below are 12 common questions included in high school parent brag sheet examples, as well as an explanation of what the counselor is looking for and what you should include in each of your responses.

#1: What has been your student's greatest accomplishment in high school?

• This can be related to academics, such as an A in a math class they struggled with or winning a prestigious academic competition, but it doesn't need to. For example, if your child began high school struggling with time management but has made great strides, that's also a great example.

#2: Which three adjectives best describe your student?

• For this question, you're often asked to state the adjective, then explain why you chose it. Include specific examples whenever possible to explain your reasoning. For example, if you chose the adjective "mature" you could give an example of your child offering to take on additional chores when you had to stay late for work, for taking care of younger siblings, for helping friends solve disagreements, etc.

#3: Are there any circumstances that have affected your student's education or personal experiences?

• Colleges really do try to be as fair as possible during the admissions process, so if something happened beyond your child's control that negatively impacted them, they want to know about it so they can take it into account. Potential examples can include parents divorcing, a serious illness, the death of someone close to the student, etc. To answer this question, state the event, the impact it had on the student (such as a dip in grades or prolonged absence from school), and (if applicable) progress they've made since then, such as grades going back up. If this question isn't applicable to your student (and it won't be for most), feel free to write N/A and move on.

#4: What makes your student unique?

• This doesn't need to be something earth-shattering; the question is more asking for a special attribute of your child. It could be that you've never had to tell them to do their homework, that they are incredibly creative, that they've known since they were four-years-old that they wanted to be an astronaut, etc. Give the trait, then add a few sentences of explanation to why it is important to your child's character.

#5: What activities does your student enjoy?

• This question is to help the counselor learn about your child's extracurricular activities, especially ones outside of school they might not know about. List the three or so activities your child cares most about. For each, include how long they've been involved and some highlights of their involvement (such as awards won, a favorite memory, etc.) so the counselor gets a full picture of your child's interests and commitment.

#6: What activity or topic is your student most passionate about?

• Colleges are fascinated by applicants' passions, and students with a strong passion often have a better chance at getting into their dream school . Does your child love taking photos? Reading about ancient history? Designing websites? Learning about chemistry? Being part of the school soccer team? Be sure to give some examples of how they've committed to their passion, such as taking classes, joining clubs, learning on their own, etc.

#7: What do you believe is your student's greatest strength? 

• There are a lot of options here, so choose the one(s) you think describes your student best. You might mention creativity, optimism, problem-solving, perseverance, organization, discipline, ability to get along with everyone, etc. You could also discuss more concrete skills like exceptional math or writing abilities, athletic talent, etc. Whatever you choose, be sure to include at least one example to back up your assertion.

#8: What's an example where your student demonstrated leadership?

• This can be at school, during an extracurricular, or at home. Be sure to explain how your child took charge and what the positive outcome was. For example, "Jenna loved being part of her school's Outdoors Club because it allowed her to get more familiar with nature and be around peers with similar interests. However, she wanted more opportunities for group trips, so she took it upon herself to contact 8 outdoor experience tour operators and arrange discounted rates for the group. As a result, she became the club's first community liaison. Since then the club has doubled in size, and they organize an outing at least once a month."

#9: What are your student's career aspirations?

• Knowing your child's potential career goals can make it easier for the counselor to create a theme for their letter of rec. For example, if your child wants to become a psychiatrist, the counselor might use the letter to highlight the student's STEM skills and willingness to help other students with homework and group projects. This doesn't need to be a detailed answer; a brief overview of your child's career goals is enough. If they don't have a career path locked down yet, that's perfectly fine. In that case, you'd mention general subject interests they have, like history or math.

#10: How has your student matured since beginning high school?

• Colleges love seeing personal growth, and they understand that many high school students are quite different people as seniors than they were as freshmen. Has your child gotten better with time management? Become more resilient to setbacks? Begun to ask teachers for help when they don't understand something? This is also a great opportunity to discuss weaker parts of your child's application (such as lower grades or a lack of extracurriculars freshman year) and give examples of how far they've come since then.

#11: How does your student react to setbacks?

• Everyone is going to face setbacks throughout their life, and colleges want to admit students they're confident can roll with the punches. For this question, you'll want to give one or more examples of your child overcoming a setback (such as not making a sports team, getting a low grade on a test or in a class, having plans cancelled because of COVID-19, etc.). Describe how they made the best of things and the skills they use to bounce back from low points.

#12: Is there any additional information you'd like to share about your student?

• Most parents won't have anything to add here, but it's a final chance to mention anything you didn't include in your other answers. If there's something about your child you think is important for the school counselor to know when writing their letter of recommendation, mention it here.

Summary: Parent Brag Sheet for College Recommendations

When their child begins their senior year of high school, many parents are asked to complete a parent brag sheet for college recommendations. This brag sheet is used by the student's guidance counselor to write a letter of recommendation or counselor recommendation form some colleges require. Expect to answer about 5-10 questions; high school parent brag sheet example questions are discussed just above this section of the article. When completing your parent brag sheet, remember to always include examples, strike a positive but honest tone, discuss with your child what to include, and keep your answers to roughly a paragraph.

What's Next?

College admissions get more and more competitive every year, so you want to present yourself with the best application you can. Read about how to build a versatile college application here.

For more on the ins and outs of applying to college, check out this full step by step guide! It goes over everything from choosing your high school classes to brainstorming personal ideas.

Did you know that a couple schools ask for recommendations from peers , and some students send them along as supplements? Read the complete guide to peer recommendations here .

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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University of Utah students join pro-Palestine rallies, create encampment on campus

The students set up roughly 20 tents and rallied for hours monday outside the school’s administration building..

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) A protester carries a Palestinian flag during the pro-Palestine rally at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 29, 2024.

University of Utah students joined nationwide pro-Palestinian rallies Monday as they set up tents and tarps on the lawn in front of the school’s administration building. Around the perimeter of the encampment, campus police officers paced and carried zip ties.

The students vowed to stay until the leadership of Utah’s flagship university agreed to divest its $1.47 billion endowment from any ties to Israeli companies and weapons manufacturers benefitting from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

“Disclose, divest. We will not stop. We will not rest,” they shouted, echoing the same chant heard at Columbia University and Yale , in California and Texas and Wisconsin . Hundreds of students across the country have been arrested for camping in solidarity with Palestinians. Schools have also suspended those participating.

As of 7 p.m. — three hours into their rally — no Utah students had been cited. But a school spokesperson noted a Salt Lake City ordinance that bans camping . Officers also walked around, talking with each other about taking down tents before midnight.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, about the First Amendment not protecting “violence, threats to public safety, property damage, camping or disruptions to our learning institutions. We will protect protestors and arrest those who violate the law.”

The Utah Department of Public Safety also issued a statement repeating that and said any criminal activity during a protest would be “swiftly addressed.” The insignias for University of Utah police and Salt Lake City police were included on the message.

We fully support everyone’s civil right to express themselves through freedom of speech. Yet, we do not tolerate the acts of any criminal activity, including but not limited to: property damage, unlawful assembly or camping, threats, or violent acts. pic.twitter.com/Lrgs4yzajf — Utah Public Safety (@UtahDPS) April 30, 2024

U. police Capt. Jason Hinojosa added in his own comment: “As heated as the rhetoric has been about the war between Israel and Hamas, we are here, first and foremost, to preserve public safety, and then to make sure people are able to express their opinions.”

At least 800 students at the university, along with some faculty, attended an initial rally on the steps of the Park Building. Inside is U. President Taylor Randall’s office. The students called on him to come out and negotiate. They wrote “Free Palestine” in chalk, in the hope that Randall would see it from his window.

“Our demands are firm and unwavering,” said U. student Alondra. The Salt Lake Tribune agreed not to include her last name as she fears repercussions from the school for speaking out.

She added: “The university owes it to us as a public institution.”

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Protesters gather during the pro-Palestine rally at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 29, 2024.

The University of Utah and its campus police did submit reports in December to prosecutors for criminal charges to be filed against eight students. The school said those students disrupted an event critical of the transgender community being held by a conservative club on campus, forcing officers to shut it down. But the students have contended that the charges were retribution for a previous Palestine rally earlier in the fall; the U. has said that’s not the case.

It was the same student group — Mecha , which is largely led by and for students of color — responsible for those two earlier protests that planned what they called the “emergency” rally and encampment Monday. Some of the students facing misdemeanor charges spoke at the event.

After the speeches, a few students rushed onto the grass with tents, and they popped up the poles. Students circled around, linking arms and chanting.

They held hands and posters. They played hacky sack on the lawn. Inside their circle, they had first-aid kits, granola bars and megaphones. Backpacks were scattered on the surrounding sidewalks, next to signs that said, “Bombs made in Utah are killing kids in Gaza” and “Cut ties to Israel.”

Students waved small and large Palestinian flags as they chanted: “Gaza, Gaza you will rise. Students are by your side.”

Since the Israel-Hamas war started in October — when the militant group Hamas attacked — more than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed and 1,200 Israelis.

The students specifically called on the U. to divest from Lockheed Martin, which has a Utah location, and 47G; both are aerospace and defense companies. The U. also has a research partnership with 47G that was announced in 2023 and which it pays memberships due to be a part of.

The school did not immediately issue a statement Monday about divesting from Israel and weapons companies. A spokesperson referred to a previous 2021 divestment report prepared by faculty that examined what it would take for the school to eliminate holdings in oil and gas companies — which the U. has set goals for.

The students said the university should not only divest from “participating in a genocide” with the Israel-Hamas war — but it should also disclose all of its financial connections with its endowment.

“I’m sorry we have to stand here today to beg our university to divest from an apartheid state,” one student said who declined to give her name.

“Our university is extremely implicated,” added Christopher Loera-Peña, a fourth-year student.

Additionally, the students asked for amnesty for all protesters participating in the event — anticipating later arrests — and for campus police to be permanently disbanded. They passed around papers listing what rights students have and advising them to stay quiet if detained.

More tents were pitched as the hours passed in what they called the “Solidarity Camp.” Some students left after the initial rally. Hundreds remained in the encampment. They wheeled wagons in with food and water, sleeping bags and pillows.

(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) People form an encampment during a demonstration in support of Palestine during a rally at the University of Utah, Monday, April 29, 2024.

They sang, too, and prayed. “This is the people’s university now,” they said. Most wore scarves and masks covering their faces.

Passing cars and a few campus buses honked. There were signs nearby for the U.’s upcoming graduation ceremony.

The rally and encampment is unprecedented for Utah in recent years, which hasn’t seen large student gatherings; many students here live at home and commute to school, which tends to dampen mass protests. And the state is largely conservative.

But the U. has in past decades seen large rallies on campus — with calls to divest from Apartheid in South Africa in the 1980s and against the war in Vietnam in the 1960s. Both of those also came as students at colleges nationwide were speaking out.

“Do not let go of this moment,” said student Julio Irungaray at the rally Monday. “Make it bigger. … You are part of something massive. You are on the right side of history.”

The students said they felt a responsibility to stand up and speak out at their university because the universities that once stood in Palestine are now in rubble.

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• Türkiye
• Arts & Life

High school student earns full scholarship to Yale with unique essay

• April 30 2024 05:59:14

Nuran Çakmakçı - İZMİR

A Turkish high school student with a passion for astrophysics has secured a prestigious full scholarship to Yale University worth $100,000 per year by highlighting his love for science through his mother’s pancake recipe in his application.

Can Erol, a student at İzmir American College, impressed Yale’s admission committee with a clever essay inspired by his favorite childhood snack.

In his application essay, he eloquently expressed his values and life’s philosophy through memories of pancake-making and lessons learned in life.

“While writing my essay, I tried to convey my values that are important to me in life through pancakes,” he stated.

“Based on a memory from my childhood, I tried to describe what I realized while making pancakes; the lessons I learned in life and the recipe of a meaningful life for me.”

His unique approach earned him an early acceptance to Yale, coupled with a full scholarship offer.

Planning to pursue a double major in physics and computer science, or applied mathematics and computer science at the university, Erol credits his interest in physics since ninth grade for shaping his academic path.

His passion for science led him to participate in numerous research projects. Notably, Erol’s involvement in a prestigious program at MIT last summer further solidified his dedication to astrophysics.

Despite his academic achievements, Erol remains humble and grounded, emphasizing the importance of friendships, the joy of learning and the exploration of new ideas in shaping his future aspirations.

“I'm going to try to map out a path that suits my nature, which is fueled by the friendships I've made with the people I've been around, the joy of the learning process, exploring and thinking,” he explained.

“But that path probably won't be completely clear until my senior year.”

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Sample Private School Parent Statement for Younger Children

We’ve helped hundreds of families navigate the admissions process, and we know that parent statements can be one of the most confusing parts of the journey. How can you possibly sum up your child in a few paragraphs? 

Parent statements can be even more of a challenge for younger children. With fewer academic and extracurricular milestones to include in an essay, parents have to spend more time describing their family life and their child’s unique spirit, which can be tricky to capture in words. 

 We’ve found that one of the most helpful ways for parents to conceptualize their own parent statement is to read a sample essay. Here’s a sample parent statement for younger children that does a great job of summing up the child’s personality, and the entire family’s approach to learning and development. 

*Note that this is a fictional parent statement describing a fictional student. 

Sample Parent Statement for Nursery or Elementary Applicants

Prompt: what would you like us to know about your child .

Ever since she was a baby, Christina has been quiet and contemplative. She is constantly observing any and everything about the world around her, forming her own theories about the way things work and constantly surprising us with the depth of what she notices. We can’t wait to witness how the school environment satiates Christina’s immense curiosity. 

Christina has always been intently focused on taking in information about the world around her. Even as an infant in the crib, Christina’s eyes would follow us everywhere as we moved around her room. Her brow would furrow if we did something new, like rearranging the furniture, and we could see her gears turning as her worldview continued to expand. Now as a toddler, Christina is no different. She has a remarkable ability to keep herself entertained, sitting quietly and watching the world move around her. Later on, at the most random of moments, she’ll bring up something specific that she observed (“Why didn’t Aunt Kate have the same drink as everyone else?” when she was pregnant and wasn’t drinking a beer with the rest of the adults), and we’ll realize how deeply she thinks about the world around her. 

It’s no surprise that for a mind like Christina’s, books are incredible. Reading with one or both of her parents has been Christina’s favorite activity since she was a baby; we make time at least once per day to read for 30 minutes. Christina rapidly processes new pictures, characters, and storylines. She quietly follows along as we read through a story, eyes scanning each page, then usually has several questions at the end of the story: why did a character do this, what will happen next, etc. We’re frequently surprised by the depth of her inquiries, and it’s not uncommon for storytime to spark deep conversations about family, purpose, death, and more. 

Christina’s quiet, thoughtful temperament is incredibly endearing. However, we worry sometimes that she isn’t quite as extroverted as some other young children; Christina prefers to fully evaluate a situation with new people (children or adults) before deciding how to take part. We think that a supportive kindergarten environment will help Christina grow into more of a social butterfly; new friendships and new experiences will help her find a balance between her inquisitive nature and a desire to connect and have fun with other kids.

As parents, we do everything we can to nurture Christina’s passion for exploring and understanding the world. We strive to speak to Christina like she’s an adult, answering her questions as best we can and treating her like a fully present member of the family. We do our best to provide Christina with opportunities to grow and learn more; a short science camp this summer opened Christina up to a whole new world of interesting phenomena, and introduced her to other children who like asking questions. We know that Christina will be an avid student once she begins attending school full-time; we’re sure that her teachers will enjoy the intensely deep questions that come out of nowhere, and appreciate Christina’s dedication to finding and understanding the answer. 

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