Should I Invest in a Private High School?

Repeat after me, “No school will get my kid into a better college than another.” This statement is an understatement, but it’s hard to truly believe considering some public school shortcomings, and private school’s contrasting opportunities. Colleges asses students relatively, based on their school’s offerings, standards, grade distributions, and resources. It would be prejudicial for colleges to denigrate a student who gets B’s in a rigorous system, as opposed to straight A’s at a school with less-demanding standards. Same goes with activities and involvement. Gone are the days of the perpetuation of class via college admission, and hopefully, due to recent scandals, fleeting are the days of special confessions for the privileged.

Don’t get me wrong; I am a product of an elite college prep high school (boarding school!), which I believe changed my life and opportunities ten-fold. But my circumstances were special, which leads me to my thesis that high school choice should be radically individualized.

No school is “better” than another, and there is no such thing as the best school in town. Pedagogies and institutional philosophies vary greatly. One school might offer the most excellent traditional academic programming in terms of rigorous classes and homework, and tough grading. Another school might outshine others in terms of community, support, experiential education, andcocurricular programming. Perhaps the most important factor for your student is attendance to various learning styles. I’m a firm believer that appropriate fit and happiness beget success. So so you should choose the most appropriate, convenient, affordable, and probably enjoyable school for your kid, and your kid alone.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Consider how much support you can offer your kid. If you are able to drive to activities elsewhere in town, then perhaps a robust arts or athletic program isn’t necessary. If you are willing to pay for standardize test prep, then maybe you can sacrifice traditional academics for progressive. If you have little time beyond your own work schedule and commuting, perhaps a school that offers strong community and advising will help you rest assured your student is being looked out for.

Define your goals. This process will be complex! Before you weigh the factors of cost, location, and offerings, decide as a family what your priorities are among the following: excellent traditional academics, progressive or holistic academics, life-skills/learning development, community standards, character and moral development, quality arts programming, quality athletic programming, robust parent involvement, high-caliber college placement, student and family diversity (ethnic, socioeconomic, cultural), differences in learning support and accommodation.

Then visit. Open Houses and other visit programs are the best. Don’t be afraid to ask for more, though. Every school will be able to accommodate special meetings and visits anytime, during which you’re likely to receive better attention. See me for more ideas and protocols.

Chose as individuals. Your kid is unique. So is your family. It’s soooo easy to be influenced by what your neighbors are doing, but it’s essential to assess your goals based on the list above, and then consider factors of cost, convenience, reputation, and size. There may not be a totally ideal school. But don’t get hung up on finding the perfect synthesis of all your criteria. There won’t likely be a school the reportedly distance from your home, with the ideal academic programming and activities for you. Prioritize.

Investigate sticker price. If you’re considering private schools, it will be daunting to face tuition, especially with college cost on the horizon. My general belief, based on decades of observation, is that investment in education in the earlier years yields returns on that investment down the road. It may or may not be worth it to take out loans or re- budget elsewhere in your life to ensure a quality education and community during your child’s formative years. That stated, it rarely makes sense to struggle, economically, when your student could also thrive in you public school option. In general, the best choice for your family should trump minor differences in tuition. Whatever you do, investigate the real cost of attendance (COA). Is there financial aid available? Are there hidden costs in fees and community expectations? Is there a current family you can ask? What would be your opportunity cost of commuting or buying your kid a car to ultimately drive herself? Again, it may or may not be worth it.

Listen to your kid. She or he may not be able to articulate why one option is more appealing than another, so gently try to determine what is behind their opinion. If it’s only friends and social concerns, we adults know that factor can and will change (“nobless oblige”). If it’s something deeper like community size, programming, or activities, it’s worth further, patient conversation.

Keep in mind that won’t be locked-in. Albeit ideal to remain in one school as long as possible, students are transferring high schools more than ever in the past few decades. Transferring makes no impact on college admission, and this acceptable trend should take some weight off your decision.

SEARCH AND ADMISSION TIPS

Parents and students must visit. I actually recommend dropping everything to take advantage of special visit days and open houses, since they’re so incredibly informative, not to mention an opportunity to meet other curious families. Even if you believe you’re already familiar with a school, these events will be useful for myriad reasons, and might even affect your admissibility.

In terms of testing, if your prospective school requires an exam like the PSAT, you should prepare your student to some extent. Of course you could invest in a formal test prep program, but at least you should take strides to demystify the test. I suggest having a family discussion to ensure your student doesn’t have anxiety, and if you’re good-to-go, you should definitely do a little cramming with practice questions and studying wrong answers.

When it comes time for outcomes for private schools, do not take it personally if you’re not admitted. I know it stings, but I can’t state this concept enough. Your kid was not assessed and “rejected,” rather, there was simply not enough room for her or his demographic profile. I actually suggest seizing this opportunity to talk to your kid about these dynamics since they’re becoming little adults, after all.

PORTLAND, OREGON OPTIONS, FOR INSTANCE

Public schools — most offer very impressive and robust IB programs or AP courses. Their strengths also rest in large, dynamic, diverse, and exciting populations. If you have a choice, There are also bountiful, services and accommodations for learning differences, including an entire high school dedicated to special needs. I advise against splitting hairs about what classes are offered and especially what college credits might be accrued. You should focus on the community vibe, guidance, cocurricular programming, and general cultural feel of the school.

ACMA — publicly funding with the most advanced curricula in arts and communication.

Catlin Gabel — often viewed as the most elite independent school in the NW. Outstanding writing prep, incredible advising system. and extreme experiential education.

Central Catholic — a more affordable option for a larger, faith-based education with many befits of a private institution. Families have often selected CC over other for their broad academic offerings, deep athletic rosters and opportunities, and social vibe, in general.

Jesuit High School — a dynamic faith-based community with particularly rich programming in athletics and community service. The community at Jesuit is by far the largest and most vibrant of the major prep schools: think filled football bleachers.

Metropolitan Learning Center — a cool, public, alternative school that is an option for self-directed students in the Portland Metro area, enrolling via a lottery process. It’s a small, inclusive school environment that includes cross-age experiences and experiential learning, so you can’t expect football games or super comprehensive curricula, but check it out if you live near NW and your kid is special.

Northwest Academy — it’s a super-small, intimate, and tight-knit community with remarkably devoted faculty and a progressive curriculum that colleges regonize. Like LMC, the sports and activities are limited, but if you can commute to downtown or put your kid on TriMet, it could be cool.

Oregon Episcopal — OES is an outstanding college preparatory education with robust offerings, strong advising, and a surprisingly diverse community.

Pacific Crest — I love this gem. It’s an intensively supportive, small environment offering adaptive education for differences in learning.

Portland Waldorf — I also love the Waldorf pedagogical system. PWS offers a wonderfully holistic approach to educating the whole student and drawing connections across the curriculum.

Riverdale High — this school is a public alternative offering an exceptionally intimate and close-knit community for a public school. Parents and students have reveled in the remarkably small, intimate, and tight-knit community.

St. Mary’s Academy — I know many young women who have thrived at this school, theultimate option for empowering intelligent, confident students, and ensuring limitless opportunities for their participation.

Valley Catholic — IMHO, students who graduation from this school are the most impressive citizens, thinkers, and writers. Out in Beaverton, VC offers a small community, strong academics, and iron-clad character education.

Boarding schools - I went to the Emma Willard School. It changed my life immeasurably, for the better, empowering me, educating me (duh), and providing a foundation of confidence during a key developmental time that I carry through my life There are hundreds of boarding schools in the U.S. alone, and the only cons IMHO is the cost and however you might view the concept of “sending your child away.” I don’t believe missing them is as much of an issue, though, since visits back home become so special, like you’re only left with the positive trappings of the kid-parent relationship.

TAKEAWAYS

It should be clear from my rantings that I’m a fervent believer in individuality when it comes to choosing the best high school fro your student. Convenience is not to be ignored, nor is your students potential social happiness since happy kids tend to be more successfull. Perhaps most significantly, based on my years in selective admission, I can assure you that colleges calibrate students’ transcripts and resumes based on offerings from their schools, proving that there is, indeed, no “best” school in town.