By Sarah Kline, Associate Director of Admission
Congratulations! You have now entered the high school search phase of your life. Choosing the school you will attend for high school is a big deal, and becoming familiar with all of your options will help you make the best decision for your future. The key to any good school search is research, and below are some suggestions on how to get started.
What’s important to you?
The first step in finding the best high school for you is to determine the key attributes you need and want in a school. Do you thrive in a large or small school setting? What programs are important to you: sports, drama, arts, robotics, Model U.N.? What kind of peers do you want and what kind of culture supports that? Do you want to go to school near your house, or do you seek a more independent option such as boarding school? If a day school, think about the diversity of the student body you are looking for. What kinds of clubs and activities support who you are as a person—can you start your own club? If you take note of what is important to you at the beginning and reexamine it as you go, you’ll find it much easier to determine which school is a good fit.
Where to look
The internet is a great place to start your school search. If you are already familiar with a few schools, visiting a school-specific website is the most direct link to learning about that school. If your list is empty, no problem—the internet has it all. A few helpful websites include:
- Western Boarding Schools Association
- Boarding School Review
- Private School Review
- The Association of Boarding Schools
- National Coalition of Girls Schools
Use their search tools to narrow your list. Keep in mind that sites that rank schools have varied methods of ranking. Do your own research, evaluate the schools for pros and cons, and then take the next step to connecting with the school.
Word of mouth
If you have friends who attend an independent school, or who graduated from an independent school, ask them for their recommendation. You can also ask your school counselor or high school placement counselor for help learning about schools that might be a good fit for you. Many of our students have learned about Santa Catalina School from a neighbor, friend, alumna, teacher, or sibling.
Learn from the experts!
In the school search process, we consider students who are already attending the school the experts. Once you have a list of schools you are considering, look at the website for student perspectives, watch student videos, look at the school’s social media accounts, and take part in any admission events. We also highly recommend you take a campus tour, either virtually or in person. The students are the best at explaining campus culture, educational experience, student life, and more.
Request information early
The earlier you request information, the more likely you are to have time to get familiar with all of your options. If you are in eighth grade, early fall is the best time to request information from schools. (If you are in seventh grade, you can also get an early start.) The reason to share your information is so you receive more information about the schools (we send a full color viewbook with our curriculum guide), get invited to events (virtual events this year), and learn about each school’s application process.
Talk to the Admission Office
No need to be shy! Every school has a team of admission professionals who know the inside scoop on the school. They can help walk you through the application process, share highlights about the school, and answer any amount of questions you have. Feel free to reach out.
Need extra help?
If you need additional help finding the right school, you might benefit from working with an educational consultant. A good place to look for a consultant is on the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) website. IECA consultants have firsthand knowledge and experience with schools, and can help you narrow down your list to the best fit options.
And finally, give it a try
Many independent schools like Santa Catalina School have summer camp programs. This will give you the opportunity to “try it out” during a summer camp experience and see if you feel comfortable on campus, and if you like the culture and community. Plus, it’s a great way to make friends in advance of jumping into high school.
We wish you the best in your search!