<p>My impression is boarding schools request the SSAT, while day schools use the ISEE. Some schools will accept either, but one should ask. The SSAT gives results as percentile ranks, the ISEE gives results as stanines. Oh, and I think you can only take the ISEE once every six months. The SSAT does not have that restriction.</p>
<p>I quite understand not wanting to commit a child’s time to more standardized testing. One factor you should consider is, how far from home are you comfortable sending your child? The further she is willing to go, the more “geographic diversity” she will bring to a campus. On the other hand, you may not be comfortable sending your daughter into a setting with different standards for young female behavior. </p>
<p>Are there local public options which might be affordable and a good match for your daughter? I found the website online for the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Math and Science in Kentucky. [The</a> Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky](<a href=“http://www.wku.edu/academy/]The”>The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science | Western Kentucky University) Students are juniors and seniors in high school, thus your daughter could only apply in 3 years.</p>