With smaller class sizes, more opportunities for one-on-one learning, and distinctive learning philosophy, there’s plenty of reasons why a private school may be better suited to your student’s needs than the local public school. Unlike public schools, however, private schools always require an application. Between school tours, interviews, and entrance examinations, it’s no wonder that the admissions process can quickly become taxing on your family. Fortunately, there is a way to make this process a bit easier for you and your student.
In this article, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about how the application process works, what the admissions committees will be expecting, and how you can position your child as a successful applicant. This will help you keep a clear and focused mind as you conduct research on the right school for your family and eventually submit your application. For a private high school in Clearwater, FL, that has been providing exceptional education to K-12 students since 1975, choose Lakeside Christian School.
Related: 3 Benefits of Touring Private Schools Before Enrollment
The private school admissions process varies greatly from one school to another; however, the interview is one critical requirement that is truly universal. Any private school you wish to apply to will always require you to meet with the principal, admissions officer, or another member of the administration in a one-on-one or small group setting. For Lakeside Christian School, whom you’ll be required to meet with varies depending on the age of your child. For parents with students from grades 6 to 12, you’ll be required to meet with the school administration and express your child’s desire to be at LCS and abide by the LCS rules of behavior and conduct.
The role of this interview in the admissions process is to offer the admissions committee and members of the administration conducting the interview a window into your child’s personality — their passions, extracurricular interests, academic strengths, and skills. Perhaps your child is on the soccer team or maybe they’ve completed an outstanding project at their school’s science fair. Any example you have of your child skills, interests, or strengths is going to be a great aspect to bring up during the interview.
This is also an opportunity for you and your child to get to know the admissions committee, faculty, and members of the administration. How do they talk about the students and teachers at their school? What does the curriculum look and feel like? This will help you get a better understanding of whether or not your child will be a great fit for the environment.
Related: Can Public School Students Adapt to a Clearwater, FL, Christian School?
If you’ve been doing your private school research, you’ve likely heard of a number of entrance examinations, including the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE), Secondary School Admissions Exam (SSAT), and the High School Placement Test (HSPT). A Christian high school in Clearwater, FL, may use a school-specific entrance exam or admissions test as well. The most important thing to remember about these examinations, no matter which one your child ends up having to take, is that these tests are designed for the correct placement of your child by grade or course level.
Successful performance on these types of tests is strictly tied to your student’s academic foundation in school rather than an intensive test prep course or weeks of private tutoring. The reading comprehension portion of such an exam, for example, is designed to assess the student’s reading fluency and comprehension skills, which are developed over years of education. The only way you can and should prepare for your child to excel in this examination is to have them take a full-length practice test as early as possible. This will give your student an idea of how they would score if taking the test today and provide a roadmap that pinpoints their strengths and weaknesses.
Related: Is A Private Education Really Out Of Reach?
Finally, it’s important to recognize that the support of the student’s parents will always play a role in their child’s candidacy at a private school. Moreover, the admissions committee wants to know that you’re applying for the right reasons, share their educational philosophy, and are on the same team when it comes to your child’s education. Many private schools may choose to interview the parents as well as the student to ascertain the degree to which the parent is going to be involved with the child’s education and be supportive in terms of enforcing the school’s expectations.
Overall, a private high school in Clearwater, FL, like Lakeside Christian School, are not seeking a perfect model of the ideal student. Instead, they’re seeking real students with a wealth of interests, passions, and perspectives who can enrich the school’s learning community.
If you would like to learn more about Lakeside Christian School, a Christian high school in Clearwater, FL, please give us a call at (727) 239-7808 or schedule a tour of our campus.