While open houses offer an excellent snapshot of a school’s qualities and culture, families should spend additional time on introspection, research and onsite visits to find the right match.
With many good schools in private and public education in the Cleveland area, it’s important for families to “find out what their (the school’s) culture is and what makes them unique,” said Sarah Johnston, director of admission and financial aid at Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights.
“That cultural piece is an important part of the decision,” she said. “Walking the halls, talking to the students, seeing what it’s like to be in a classroom there, watching how students interact with teachers and each other” – are vital in the student’s search. “You want to be excited and motivated by the culture. You want to find a place that meets your academic expectations and more.”
Students should be looking to be surprised and inspired, Johnston said. They should be looking to say, “’I never knew it could be this way.’
“Look at the school as an extension of your family,” Johnston said. “Look for a community that will support the same values. Is this a place that matches the same value structure you have at home?”
Johnston said families should look online to research schools, and they should attend an open house, which is “a great chance to get a ‘snapshot’ view.” Then visit the school for a day.
A school’s admissions office is there to help, she said. “Use them as you go through the process. They’re there 100 percent to open the doors and give you access to the school so you can make an informed decision.”
Johnston cautions families to not be influenced by “stereotypes.” Stay open-minded, she said. “Say ‘I’ll investigate schools from my perspective.’”
“Open houses can give you a chance to step on a campus and get a feel for the community,” said Heather Daly, director of admission and financial assistance at Hawken School. From there, “get a better feel for the academic program, any special programming the school offers and see if it feels like a good school culture for you and your child.
“There are a lot of conversations you need to have as a family,” Daly said. Families need to decide the qualities of a school that are most important, whether it’s academic, programs, transportation or sports. Try to determine how these elements vary from one school to another.
“Each family is different in terms of how they come to that decision,” Daly said.
Eighth-graders looking for a high school should not be concerned that everyone else will know one another, she said. At Hawken, the average freshman class has 110, including 45 who are new.
“We’re fortunate in that we have different campuses for the middle school and high school. Even students who went to the Lyndhurst campus are new to the high school campus. Everyone is new and learning the ropes together. Our students from Lyndhurst are excited to meet new students, and vice versa.”
Offering similar views to Johnston and Daly, Kathryn Purcell, director of admissions and financial aid and assistance at Laurel School in Shaker Heights, believes open houses are “a great way to get initial exposure to the campus, facilities, faculty and programming.”
Laurel’s open houses are “really a community event,” she said. Many student and parent volunteers are present. “You get a real feel for what the community feels like, in addition to learning about programs and the curriculum.
“As you become more interested, it’s important for girls to come to our campus for a visit,” Purcell said. “Tour the school or shadow a student for a day.” While the visiting student is in class, the parent can tour the school and speak to an admissions professional.
The extended visit helps a prospective family understand “what the community feels like,” Purcell said. “Independent schools all feel very different. The visit and shadow day are crucially important.”
Laurel encourages prospective students from fifth grade on up to spend a full day at the school, Purcell said. It’s also helpful for parents to reach out to parents they know at the school, attend a school play or a coffee, and become knowledgeable about the community before making a commitment.
Admissions and financial aid
Admission to an independent school varies by grade level, Johnston said. “We’re not like a college accepting thousands of students,” she said. The process is “competitive but comparative,” depending on how many students apply and how qualified they are.
For students coming into the school at the upper grade levels, Hathaway Brown will review grades, teacher recommendations and test scores, and conduct an interview.
The interview is “a much more personalized process” today, she said. By the time many students apply, there have already been multiple connections with families. “That gives us a much better understanding of the applicant, which is terrific. I would say that’s true for all the independent schools. We want it to be a good match.”
While independent schools charge tuition that “can feel steep,” Johnston said they also offer financial aid.
“People would be surprised what income qualifies for financial aid,” she said.
At Laurel, 35 percent of students receive some type of need-based financial aid, Purcell said. Those receiving financial assistance bump up to 42 percent with the addition of the school’s “Dream Dare Do” merit scholarships.
Northeast Ohio offers a variety of schools from which families can choose, according to Stephanie Goldscher, executive director of the Cleveland Council of Independent Schools. They include Montessori schools, boarding schools, day schools and middle schools, as well as Lawrence School with campuses in Broadview Heights and Sagamore Hills, which serves students with special learning requirements. Visit www.ccis-ohio.org for a complete listing.
Upcoming open houses
Hathaway Brown School, Shaker Heights
1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, grades 5-12
10 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, early childhood and primary school
Laurel School, Shaker Heights and Russell campuses
12:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, all grade levels
Hawken School, Lyndhurst campus
8 to 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, preschool to eighth grade
Other independent schools have open houses scheduled. Visit www.ccis-ohio.org for a complete listing of independent schools.
