Parents are often nervous about the idea of admission tests for private or independent schools.  To relieve some of this anxiety, it helps to understand which tests are being used (they vary, so parents should check with the school on specifics).

For young children, many schools request the Wechsler Intelligence Scale.  There are different versions of this test which are given depending on the child's age.  For example, the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) is used for children between the ages of two and seven. 

Older students may be requested to take the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) or Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE).  These tests are administered either in a group setting, not affiliated with the school, or by a private consultant.  Catholic high schools and other religious schools often have their own admission tests.

It is important to remember that the test result is only one factor in a child’s school acceptance.  Schools also consider the child’s teacher recommendations, grades, essays and sometimes interviews.

AR

Parents in every state are often given the option to send their child to a public “magnet school” in their area.  The term “magnet school,” encompasses Pre-K through 12th grade programs that offer a specialized curriculum [e.g. Montessori] or a program that is considered to be more academically challenging.

Magnet schools, or programs, can reside within the regular public school or be housed in separate facilities.  Admission may be obtained through special testing, via a lottery or by geographic allocation.

Though not all educators and parents are fans of magnet programs, those who support them do so because these schools offer more specialized teaching and are often more racially and economically diverse.

International assignees with children in U.S. public schools should consider magnet programs to provide more choices for their children’s education.

AR

With all the International Baccalaureate (IB) programs now being offered in U.S. high schools, parents are starting to ask whether IB or Advanced Placement (AP) courses will increase their child’s college admissions chances.

If a child does well in either IB or three or more AP courses, they will generally have the same impact on college admissions - given that all other factors such as grades, activities, and summer programs are equal.  If a student completes the entire IB Diploma Program, it does show to colleges the completion of a more rigorous high school curriculum.

If the child’s school offers both AP and IB courses, a family needs to consider how much flexibility in course choice the student wants and whether the IB offers the courses in which he or she is interested.  Either way, a strong academic performance in either curriculum’s coursework will enable the student with a well rounded profile to compete successfully with other qualified students.

AR

Seattle's first international school was an elementary school which opened in fall 2000 and was named after Seattle's Superintendent of Schools, John Stanford, who envisoned schools which would focus on language, culture and global awareness.  By fall 2006 all children attending this school  (grades K-5) will be participating in a partial immersion course in either Spanish or Japanese. 

Hamilton Middle School was designated the first  Seattle international middle school in 2001.  In 2003, Spanish or Japanese lessons were being offered to all 6th grade students and by fall 2005 immersion classes in these languages began to be offered at Hamilton Middle School.

The expansion of international education in Seattle has now extended to Ingraham High School which offers the International Baccalaureate. 

Seattle also has developed the Bilingual Orientation Center for children who do not speak English.

ST

Most families who will relocate usually do so during the summer months between the end of one school year and the beginning of a new one. Among the many requirements for registering for a new school is the one concerning childhood immunizations. In the US, all schools require that students be immunized according to their local state laws.  Any exceptions are based at the school district's discretion in consideration of a child's specific health condition and possibly family's religious beliefs. 

Although each state has its own requirements, most are in line with the recommendations of the US National Immunization Program, which sets out the basic schedule of immunizations recommended by most doctors.

ST

The annual rush by New York City parents to secure a place for their children in a desired New York City area independent school is about to begin.  Immediately after Labor Day, the applications for spots from preschools to high schools start pouring into the city's private schools. Age appropriate entrance exams are usually required.  A round of interviews by school admissions administrators can follow.  By beginning of the new year, most of the spaces have been assigned and those who started late may find themselves at best on a waiting list.

One of the best available sources of information and assistance on this process is the Parents League of New York whose knowledgeable and skilled volunteer counselors are invaluable in making it through the admissions process. Membership is recommended for having full access to their expertise.

ST

This fall the British International School of New York (BISNY) will open its doors.  Although there are a number of international schools in the greater New York area, somewhat surprisingly, there was not one that offered the British National Curriculum. 

BISNY, founded by Elizabeth Perelstein (President of School Choice International) and Andrea Greystoke (Headmistress of London's Abercorn School), will initially offer grades K through 2nd (4-7 year-olds) and have room for 100 students. The school will combine the British National Curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program as its teaching methodology.

Admission and other information can be found on BISNY's Web site.

RH

For rather obvious reasons international assignees are often interested in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.  Luckily, the United States has the largest concentration of IB programs of any country (598 schools of the nearly 1,600 schools that offer IB worldwide).

Both private and public schools continue to add the IB program to meet the growing needs of the international population.  Though the IB is not necessarily the right or best choice for all international students, the program offers a broad international curriculum which cultivates understanding and respect for other cultures.  Obviously fitting for expat children.

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) offers three programs:

• Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3-12
• Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11-16
• Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 16-19

IBO’s web site provides more details about these programs, as well as a searchable “Schools Directory” which lists all U.S. schools.

RH

Assignees relocating to the United States with school-age children have a number of important decisions to make regarding education.  First on the list: deciding between public or private schools.

As each state offers both very good and, let’s say, not so good public schools, it is hard to speak in general terms about the public vs. private issue.  Even within states (which are divided into School Districts) the quality of public schools varies greatly.  In most School Districts the street address of the house determines which school the children will attend.  For that reason it is strongly recommended to research and select a school first, then a house.

Although typically somewhat more flexible with their enrollment, the same is true for private schools.  When private schools are the education of choice, the options are often plentiful (if not overwhelming).  Differences in types of school (e.g. secular vs. religious), curriculum offered and tuition fees vary and all need to be considered in selecting the right school.

There are approximately 115,000 schools in the U.S. of which some 28,000 are private schools.  Of those 28,000 about 1,500 are independent (secular) schools.

RH