<p>The D (who is Amer-Asian) attended public school K-8 and switched to private school last year to attend high school. My wife & I decided to make the financial sacrifice and send her to private school if she were accepted. Her mother & I didn’t simply attend an Open House, contact Admissions & write a check. D (with our help) completed the Admissions forms, solicited references and letters of recommendation, prepped for and took the ISEE’s, went through the interview process, was a student for a day, attended another day at school to make sure she was making the correct choice, then said yes. As she applied to two schools, as a 13 y/o she experienced both the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” as one school said YES, one said NO. What a great experience and one that will re-occur in 3 years time with the college admissions process.</p>
<p>When D began high school last year, she knew one girl (from camp) at her new school, so she needed to learn how to make new friends as school is 20-25 minutes from our home. This friend making process wasn’t easy but by the Spring she had a new circle of friends from various economic, ethnic & social circles.</p>
<p>D tested into one Honors class as a freshman (Geometry). Class size varied from 15 in Geometry to 8 in Biology (most of the students were in Honors Bio, she was in a regular class). Academically D found she was on par with her peers. Our public school district did a fine job with math, science & languages. Where our school district & D was/is lacking is in writing skills and written communication. D worked very hard last year raising her writing skills. If she continues this year she’ll be on par with her peer group who have attended private school for a much greater length of time.</p>
<p>Last year D had 2+ hours of home work 6 nights/week; she took off on Friday evening to socialize with both her school and friends from home. Test/exam prep is addition to the nightly homework.</p>
<p>This school year, it’s been closer to 3 hrs./night of homework as sophomore year is a bit more challanging. D hasn’t taken off a night yet, but will sometimes just do an hour of schoolwork in the car coming/going from either field hockey practice or a softball game; as D is a two sport athlete. There is enough time to accomplish everything and still get a proper night’s sleep; time management is the key.</p>
<p>To date, the private school decision has been a good and sound one. We hope her progress continues.</p>