Maddie

The Independent School Student Looking For a Change

Maddie and her parents came to us when she was in 7th grade. She had been in a competitive independent school since kindergarten and had done very well, both academically and socially. By middle school, however, Maddie had decided that she wanted a change; she was particularly interested in boarding schools, and the opportunity they provided to experience new places and people and to have greater independence.

Maddie came to us for an Advisory for a boarding school and ultimately requested a Referral Service. After spending extensive time with Maddie and her parents, we identified several boarding schools that would be a good match and worked with her through the admission and selection process. Maddie  was selected at several schools, and happily accepted her top choice.

Justin

The Student With Learning Difficulties Looking For a Supportive School

Justin came to us from Pennsylvania as a 14 year old 8th grader. He had been in a traditional prep school since pre-kindergarten. Recently, he had begun to feel more and more overwhelmed, and had trouble keeping up with his school work, despite his effort. He had been working with tutors extensively, and had been receiving a great deal of assistance from his parents as well. Even with all of this, he was floundering. His parents understandably felt that he needed to be in a different school, and were anxious to find a place where he could succeed scholastically and feel pride in himself.

Justin and his parents came to us for an Advisory Service and then chose to move to a Referral Service. We were able to assess his cognitive abilities and academic and social needs, and through this identify schools that would be an appropriate fit. We concluded that Justin should be at a school that offered extensive learning support and would encourage him in his efforts, rather than overwhelm him. He ended up at a boarding school that does just that, where he has been happy and successful for several years now.

Stuart

The Mid-Year Move

Stuart and his family made an unexpected move to the Washington area from the Western United States in the middle of his 6^th grade year.  He had been an exceptionally strong student in an excellent independent school for many years, and he and his family were quite anxious at the prospect of getting into a similarly rigorous school in the DC area in January.

Stuart’s family chose to do an immediate placement Referral Service.  We were able to determine which local schools would offer the rigor that Stuart thrived on, and worked with the family and the admissions office to secure a mid-year placement for him.  Stuart has been excelling at the school ever since.

Catherine

The Kindergarten Placement

Catherine’s family came to us the fall before she was to start kindergarten.  They were unfamiliar with the world of independent schools and needed information and guidance. They came initially for a Consultation, in which we discussed what they were looking for and what independent schools could offer. After determining that they did, indeed, want to pursue an independent school placement for Catherine, they returned for an Advisory.

We met with Catherine, taking the time to get to know her, and administered the test necessary for admission. After a lengthy meeting with both parents, we recommended several schools. Each school was subsequently informed of the referral and Catherine’s parents continued the admission process on their own. They visited each of the schools and applied to those they wanted to pursue. After receiving several offers of admission, they came back for a consultation to help them in their final selection.

Mr. and Mrs. Wright

Parents of a 16 Month Old

The Wrights came for a Consultation in order to begin planning for their child’s education. They wanted to know about the timing of the admission process, what to look for in a school, public and independent school options and how best to prepare their child for Kindergarten. They were encouraged to write down any specific questions that came to mind before the appointment and were given a wide range of general information. The Wrights plan to return in 3 years for admission testing and an Advisory.

Jacob

The Summer Birthday

Jacob’s parents brought him for an Advisory when he was 3 ½. He had a July birthday, and they wanted help in determining whether he should begin kindergarten the following fall, when he was 4, or the year after that. We assessed Jacob’s cognitive and social development and met with the parents at length. Through this process, we were able to agree upon an educational plan that included grade placement and timing for the admission process.