12 Jul, 2008
The Decision
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Now that you have decided to send your child to a private school, it is time to start thinking about the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) and the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). Independent schools will use one of these two exams to determine your child’s eligibility for their program and you want to make a great impression. After all, many of these schools are highly competitive and only have a limited number of slots to fill.
Preparing your child for the ISEE or SSAT exam is a priceless gift that you can give them. The children they will be competing against have likely spent countless hours prepping for these tests, which will give them a distinct advantage over kids who have not gone through ISEE prep or SSAT prep courses. Let’s face it, at this age kids haven’t been exposed to many standardized tests. Standardized testing has little to do with falling back on your own knowledge, as even smart kids can do poorly on these exams if they haven’t practiced. You have to know the format and be comfortable working against the clock. ISEE prep and SSAT prep courses will help your child excel in these areas.
Most admission committes will advise you to apply to multiple schools, and this is sound advice. Every year families across the country get their hearts broken, because many competitive private schools reject far more students than they accept.
Selecting a student for admisison to an incoming class is truly and art and not a science. Please move away from thinking that your child will be a shoe-in for a particular school because their grades are outstanding, their current teachers love them, and they play violin. Unfortunately, many applicants will fit that profile. And on that canvas that is the incoming class, the committee may be looking to round out the class with other talents. like perhaps an art history buff, or an avid photo journalist with just good grades.
There is a lot that goes into selecting the perfect combination for an incoming class. One constant, however, is that the student must be capable of success at that particular school. The barometer that most private schools use, is the student’s performance on the ISEE or SSAT test. If you are serious about your child attending private school, it would be wise for you to do your homework, and be prepared for the ISEE and SSAT test.
17 Nov, 2008
Woodberry Forest School
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| School: | Woodberry Forest School |
| Address: | US #15, Rt.622 Perimeter Road Woodberry Forest, VA 22989 USA |
| Phone: | (540) 672-6023 |
| E-Mail: | holly_baker@woodberry.org |
| Website: | http://www.woodberry.org |
| Director: | Mr. Joseph G. Coleman, Director of Admission |
| Head: | Dr. Dennis M. Campbell, Head of School |
Woodberry Forest, located on a 1,000-acre campus in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, offers young men a rigorous college-preparatory program in an environment that deeply values personal honor and good integrity. Nearly all faculty live on campus with our 390 students, providing a rich and intense boarding school experience.
| Type: | boys/ boarding |
| Grades: | 9-12 |
| Enrollment: | 390
Obtain the latest application materials by filling out the online Inquiry Form or by calling the Admissions Office at 888-798-9371. You can also open an application online. Submit the Final Application Sheet Part 1 along with $50 registration fee. (For our international applicants the fee is $100.) Come to Woodberry for an interview and campus tour. Admissions officers conduct interviews on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, beginning as early as 8:45 am. We don’t conduct interviews on school holidays or exam periods, so please check the Academic Calendar when making interview plans. We encourage you to visit our campus overnight, too. Overnight visits can be done Sunday through Friday nights, and visits are usually either the night before or evening after the interview. Prospective students are assigned to a current student who serves as his host. Those spending the night before the interview should arrive by 6 PM. On the following day the student attends classes, goes on the campus tour with his parents, and interviews with an admissions officer. Those spending the night on the day of the interview will connect with their hosts after their interview. For more information see the box below. Interested candidates should contact Barbara Darnell at 888-798-9371 to schedule a tour. Take the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). If you intend to enter grade 9 or 10 at Woodberry, you must take the SSAT. It is offered nationally on the following dates:
The test is given at Woodberry Forest on the last two dates above. If a student tests at Woodberry, he may not interview on the test date but may interview on the Friday before. An applicant will be required to register on-line by visiting the SSAT web site. The school code for Woodberry Forest is 8272. An applicant should register for a date as early as possible to allow for an alternative make-up date for inclement weather, illness, or to improve his scores. Candidates for the 11th grade may submit results from the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) in lieu of SSAT results. Walk-in Registration for the SSAT is no longer permitted. Students who are attempting to take the SSAT as standby testers must complete an Online Registration and provide full payment before reporting to the test center. Standby testers must present a copy of their SSAT Standby Ticket on the morning of the test. Standby testing is not guaranteed - standby testers may be admitted to the test based on the sole discretion of the Test Center Supervisor after all non-standby registrants have been accommodated. Standby testers will then be admitted in order of their assigned Standby Queue Number. File the remainder of your application. A completed application consists of the Applicant Essay, Math Teacher Recommendation, English Teacher Recommendation, the completed Transcript Form, and a Personal Recommendation. For more information, contact Barbara Darnell at 540-672-6023 or 888-798-9371. |
17 Nov, 2008
Westminster School
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| School: | Westminster School |
| Address: | 3819 Gallows Road Annandale, VA 22003 USA |
| Phone: | (703) 256-3620 |
| E-Mail: | admissions@westminsterschool.com |
| Website: | http://www.westminsterschool.com |
| Director: | Mrs. Nancy Schuler, Director of Admission |
| Head: | Mr. Ellis Glover, Headmaster |
Westminster School provides a superior elementary education based on a structured, classical curriculum; rigorous academic standards; and an emphasis on personal responsibility, courtesy, and upright conduct. Its well rounded program both nurtures and challenges children’s development in all areas: intellectual, physical, and-with its emphasis on the arts-spiritual. With its classical curriculum, challenging academics, and old-fashioned insistence on genuine effort and good manners, Westminster turns out graduates distinguished by their knowledge, study habits, maturity, and self-confidence.
| Type: | coed/ day |
| Grades: | K-8 |
| Enrollment: | 268
Westminster School is for girls and boys of average to above average ability who are eager to learn, have a positive attitude and a good work ethic. Families who value self-discipline, responsibility, respect, tolerance for differences, and hard work will be pleased to know that these values are reinforced daily at Westminster School. Our mission statement outlines our beliefs, which are implemented with each and every student throughout each day. We invite you to visit our school to learn more about the “Westminster Way.” Applications to Westminster School are accepted beginning November 1 of the year prior to attendance. Applications are accepted at any time thereafter. Tours of the school are available, by appointment. Westminster School offers a superior academic and enriching program for one of the most competitive tuition rates in the Northern Virginia area. Included in the tuition are all books, supplies, field trips (approximately eight per year for each grade), school pictures, basic P. E. uniform, and participation in the sports program. While Westminster’s tuition is indeed competitive, financing a Westminster education is a significant financial investment; therefore, Westminster School offers financial aid to current and applying families based on need. |
17 Nov, 2008
Ware Academy
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| School: | Ware Academy |
| Address: | 7936 John Clayton Memorial Highway Gloucester, VA 23061 USA |
| Phone: | (804) 693-3825 |
| E-Mail: | jpaulk@wareacademy.org |
| Website: | http://www.wareacademy.org |
| Director: | Mrs. Nicolle Morgan, Director of Admissions |
| Head: | Mr. Thomas Thomas III, Head of School |
| Type: | coed/ day | ||||||
| Grades: | PK-8 | ||||||
| Enrollment: | 180
The admissions process at Ware Academy is designed to acquaint prospective students and their families with the School. Applications are accepted at any time, but families are urged to apply by March 1st for the following school year. The admissions process typically includes the following steps:
They are also asked to spend an hour visiting with other prospective students. For more information please contact Jean Paulk, Associate Director of Admissions at 804-693-3825 or via email at jpaulk@wareacademy.org |
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17 Nov, 2008
Wakefield School
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| School: | Wakefield School |
| Address: | 4439 Old Tavern Road P. O. Box 107 The Plains, VA 20198 USA |
| Phone: | (540) 253-7600 |
| E-Mail: | smcdonough@wakefieldschool.org |
| Website: | http://www.wakefieldschool.org |
| Director: | Mrs. Sarah K. McDonough, Director of Admission & Financial Aid |
| Head: | Mr. Peter Quinn, Headmaster |
We provide a rigorous liberal arts education through a challenging, content-rich curriculum and extra-curricular activities that are delivered by skilled, supportive, and creative teachers, coaches, and advisers. We believe in broad knowledge, the equal importance of character and intellect, the benefits of hard work, and the limitless potential of our students. We foster self-discipline, independence, creativity, and curiosity. We welcome families who will embrace our ambitious vision: to develop capable, ethical, and articulate citizens who will seek the challenge, make a difference, and live an extraordinary life…each in his or her own way.
| Type: | coed/ day |
| Grades: | PK-12 |
| Enrollment: | 500
Wakefield School now has an electronic application to be completed online by applicants, and their parents. You will be able to begin the application, save, edit, and review before making a final submission. It is required that you complete your application for admission online. If this presents an unusual hardship, please contact the admission office for an alternative application form. You will also see links to the necessary request forms for teacher recommendations and transcripts. The teacher recommendations and transcripts should be requested, and submitted directly to Wakefield, from current teachers and schools. The deadline for applications is January 30, 2009. Applications completed after January 30 will be considered on a rolling basis as space permits. Admission decisions will be mailed to applicants on March 6, 2009. Enrollment contracts along with the enrollment deposit are due back to Wakefield School by April 3, 2009 to hold a student’s space. |



