Tag: middle school

“Kids Need Social Practice”: An Interview with Phyllis Fagell

Posted by: admin on April 24th, 2022

As we near the end of another COVID-impacted school year, I sat down with Phyllis Fagell, school counselor and author of Middle School Matters. I wanted to know what she is seeing in the halls of her school and in her work with parents, students, and teachers, as we all search for ways to recover […]

Private School Admissions Student Essays: What Do I Say?

Posted by: admin on December 7th, 2021

One of the most stressful parts of the private school admissions process is the looming idea of writing an essay, or even multiple essays. In many ways, the essays make this process feel much like the dreaded college admissions process, even though you may be in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade now. I work with […]

Private School Admissions Parent Essays

Posted by: admin on December 2nd, 2021

Sometimes they look a little sheepish when they ask. “Katy, do you have any advice for us about the parent questions?” The private school admissions process is often one that seems to throw unexpected curveballs every step along the way. And right when it feels like you are rounding third base, you notice that the […]

Test-Optional Private School Admissions

Posted by: admin on September 22nd, 2021

One truism that we often see in education is a policy trickle-down effect. Often, something gets enacted at the higher education level, and a few years later, we start to see that policy gain momentum at the secondary school level. The latest version of this pattern is Test-Optional Admissions. The Washington, DC area is disproportionately […]

Cracking the Private School Admissions Code (2021-22 ed.)

Posted by: admin on September 15th, 2021

Watching this mom walk out of my office, less anxious than when she arrived, I thought about our conversation — a frequent one I have with 8th grade parents as the fall application season starts to take shape. All of them have started to recognize that the private school admissions process in the DMV (and […]

Springing from Summer to High School

Posted by: admin on April 14th, 2021

The end of the school year will soon be upon us. You’ll finally be free — at least for a few months — from the challenges you’ve seen in school this year and last. It will be another chance for something new. Hopefully, you already have plans to enjoy the upcoming summer, and ideally, you […]

“They Don’t Do That for You in High School”

Posted by: admin on March 9th, 2021

Eighth-grade teachers love to say, “Your high school teachers aren’t going to do that for you next year!” High school is an important transition, and teachers are trying to help you establish your academic independence. One of the key ways we’ve seen this refrain ring through is in the day-to-day management of your assignments. Chasing […]

High School Admissions Research: 6 Tips for Families (2020 ed.)

Posted by: admin on October 12th, 2020

Eighth-graders are taking on some of their most challenging courses to date, enjoying the last year of middle school, and preparing to launch their high school career. In the midst of all this, parents should make time to help students familiarize themselves with potential high school options through virtual visits, chats with current students, and […]

Cultivating Responsibility Through High School Admissions

Posted by: admin on September 1st, 2020

Many families with rising 8th-grade students are well into the process of looking at potential secondary schools for their children. Although parents naturally want to do everything possible to ensure their student’s successful entry into the right school, it is important during this process to recognize opportunities to shift a sense of responsibility for this […]

SSAT Testing in 2021

Posted by: admin on September 1st, 2020

For students considering the SSAT during the new testing year (August 1, 2021 – July 31, 2022), there are significant changes to available testing opportunities, and families will have several options to consider as they sketch out their child’s individual application plan. Register to Take the SSAT At Home Students may take the test via SSAT-At-Home. […]