Blog: 8 Tips on How to Apply to Private Schools

Fall is the time to begin the private school search. This can be an overwhelming process for any family.

Here are eight tips on how to begin the process:

1. Attend a high school fair. Ask your school principal if they know of any in the area. Also check www.theprivateschoollady.com, Pasadena Area Schools website and LA Independent Schools Consortium for information on high school nights. Usually these fairs are pretty crowded. You can go armed with a few questions to ask admissions reps. Keep in mind, they get pretty crowded. It is the best time to get brochures and information and your high school search process started.

2. Once you find schools that are in your area or driving reach, create a list. Make sure you have "reach" schools and back up schools.

3. Fill out your applications. If it’s a written application, as opposed to an online one, make sure you write neatly.

4. Attend the Open House events. This is very important. Mark your calendar.

5. Teacher recommendations: It is so easy to think that we do not have to work for a recommendation. This is not true. Teachers work so hard and we can really help them out if we give them ideas about what to write in the recommendation. Check out our youtube video for direction: http://youtu.be/jf52Weio5u0.

6. Be sure to submit all information on time. It’s a good idea to follow up with schools and see if your application is complete (paper applications).

7. Entrance Exams are usually sometime in January or February. Check with the schools that you are applying to about their Entrance exam dates.

8. Interviews and Registration: Usually in March, schools let families know about acceptance. There may also be an interview that precedes acceptance.

This is just a starter. You can also check out our website for more information: www.theprivateschoollady.com. Also visit www.findaprivateschool.org for information on the private high schools of Los Angeles.