What is an Independent School?
Independent schools are private preschool, elementary and secondary schools which usually are directed by a board of trustees. Being free of outside control and funding, they are able to set their own standards and mission, and to serve particular families and children.
Some work with the academically or artistically gifted, others with average to above-average children, others with learning-disabled or those with unsatisfactory previous school experiences. Some offer boarding as well as day programs.
All focus on the needs of the individual child, within a range of curricula from traditional to progressive. One of the schools in our Group may be the right choice for your family.
What Can an Independent School Offer?
In independent schools your child will be known and known well by a variety of adults.
Independent schools focus on strong academic programs and character development in a secure, attentive environment. Their teachers are outstanding; many have earned advanced degrees. Independent schools are generally smaller than other schools, allowing them to offer individual attention, a sense of community, and the chance for each student to excel. They place special emphasis on extracurricular programs, including visual and performing arts, athletics, student guidance, leadership programs, and community service.
Among independent schools, families can find everything from a classical curriculum including the study of Latin and Greek to innovative methods of team teaching, collaborative learning, and technology-based education. Today's independent schools seek a diverse student body, and most offer financial aid to enable families of all income levels to attend.
How and When Do We Apply?
Families apply to a school after receiving materials from its office of admission and visiting the campus. The application process may require testing, observation of younger children, transcripts and written statements from older children, letters of recommendation, and in the case of those seeking financial aid, a completed statement of need. The most important step in the process is to learn about the child, so that the right match can be made.
Most schools begin accepting applications for the next school year in the fall, and ask that families complete the application process by mid-January; candidates are notified in early March. Other schools may have later application opportunities, but in all cases, early application is advisable, particularly for those seeking financial aid.
We've seen articles that rank independent schools. Will these help us find the right school?
No. In fact, rankings misrepresent schools and mislead families. The best school for any given child is the one that can best meet the needs of that particular child. The task of choosing a school is to match a child's abilities, needs and interests with a school's mission, values, and resources. Rankings and "best at" designations take this complicated, highly individualized, task and make it seem as easy as running your thumb down a chart.
How do we get started finding the right school for the student in our family?
Go to the Independent School Fair where you can meet and talk with representatives from most of the independent schools in the Central Coast area. Go to School Open Houses. Open Houses and Visiting Days, sometimes called Shadow Days are opportunities for families and students to visit schools without having to make an appointment.
This is an edited version of an article by the Association of Independent Schools of New England. |
Blogs
|
RSS
movie review : Waiting for Superman
Dear Independent Schools and Preschools,
*full page spot color ad in Growing Up
SantaCruzParent is sponsoring this event with donations of time and substantial in-kind promotion because we believe that choice in education elevates the quality of all educational opportunities and are passionate about helping families access information. If you are still considering participation, please visit 
If you would like to become more visible to the connected generation of parents, you may want to visit our 
Have you posted ALL your Open Houses!? Begin at our homepage and click on 
