NYC: A Sea of Schools

Enrolling your child in a private school in New York City is no easy feat. There are over 900 privately run schools in the city, some of which are among the most competitive independent schools in the nation. From researching the schools to registering for standardized tests to submitting applications, the process can be overwhelming. I’m no expert, but something tells me that the key to staying above water is staying informed.

The first step is narrowing your search. Learn as much as you can about the schools you are considering, and decide which ones could be a good match for your family. Talk to friends, do research online, attend workshops, visit and request information from schools—do what you need to do in order to finalize the list of schools to which your child will be applying.

Next, register your child for any standardized tests he/she will need to take, and remember it is never too early to start SAT test prep. Most middle and high schools require the ISEE (check the school's website or admission material). The sooner your child starts preparing for this test, the better. But don’t get bogged down trying to figure out what score is needed to get admitted here or there as this information is often hard to come by.

At some point, you’ll find yourself neck deep in test prep, applications, interviews, shadow days, and a number of other things on your admissions checklist. As you muddle through, remember to keep one eye on the present and one eye on the looming deadlines. Most applications, including essays, test scores, recommendations, and transcripts are due in January or February. For some, this is the hardest part; for others, it’s the uncertainty that surfaces right after.

Will my child get accepted? Waitlisted? Rejected? The truth is, once the application is out of your hands, so is the school’s decision. My advice: focus on the part you can control. There are a ton of available resources to make this otherwise taxing application process manageable—and hopefully, worthwhile!

Here are a few good place to start:

The National Association of Independent Schools

The Independent School Admission Association of Greater New York

The Parents League of New York