There is no single perfect school for your child. But there is a right fit, and you can learn how to find it.
On Wednesday, October 14, Top Tier Admissions (TTA) welcomed two seasoned independent school admissions leaders to our webinar, “Inside Secondary School Admissions: Selecting, Applying, & Finding the Right Fit.” Sam Joustra, TTA’s Director of Student and Family Programming, hosted the event, and Kate Caspar, a Senior Private Counselor at Top Tier, moderated the conversation.
Shanique Garcia, Director of Engagement and Partnerships at the Taft School in Watertown, CT, and Audra McFarland, Head of Enrollment Management at The Winsor School in Boston, MA, covered topics from search to selection. They also offered guidance for families considering day schools, boarding schools, or both.
Start With Fit
Whether your family is exploring independent schools at the elementary or secondary level, the path to the right fit looks much the same. Start with how your child learns, and look for a community and culture that will support your child’s development.
From there, you can:
- Explore each school’s signature programs and opportunities
- Talk with current students
- Consider how factors like graduation requirements, geography, and the size of the student body might shape your child’s experience
Explore Authentically, Not Exhaustively
Both speakers stressed the value of healthy exploration for young people. Stay active and involved, but resist the belief that your child must do everything to earn admission. Authentic engagement matters far more than a long list of activities designed to impress.
Admissions Looks at the Whole Child
Admissions committees review applications holistically, which means they consider every part of your child’s application in full and in context. No single piece defines your child, and no single activity makes or breaks an application.
Applying to Independent Schools Is Not Unlike Applying to College
Applying to independent schools has much in common with applying to college. Our speakers encouraged families to:
- Prioritize fit over prestige
- Engage deeply rather than broadly
- Build a balanced list of schools across a range of selectivity
Above all, they cautioned against assuming that only one perfect school exists for your child.
Your Child’s Next Step, Not Their Only Option
If there’s one message to take away, it’s that families have more room to breathe than they might think. Explore with curiosity, trust your child’s genuine interests, and remember that more than one school can be a wonderful fit.
We are grateful to Shanique and Audra for sharing their time and insight, and to everyone who joined us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if an independent school is the right fit for my child?
Start with how your child learns, then look for a community and culture that will support their growth. Explore each school’s signature programs, talk with current students, and think about how graduation requirements, location, and school size might shape your child’s experience.
Does my child need to do lots of activities to be admitted?
No. Admissions leaders recommend staying active and involved without trying to do everything. Genuine engagement in a few meaningful activities matters far more than a long list meant to impress.
What does it mean that admissions committees review applications holistically?
It means they consider every part of your child’s application, in full and in context, instead of focusing on a single grade, score, or activity.
How is applying to independent school similar to applying to college?
In both cases, families should prioritize fit over prestige, encourage deep rather than broad involvement, and build a balanced list of schools across a range of selectivity.
Is there one perfect school for my child?
Rarely. Our speakers cautioned against assuming only one school is right. Many schools can be a great fit, which is why a balanced list matters.
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