A Comprehensive Guide to Private Middle School Admissions

Photo by Max Fischer

Linda Talton is the founder of School First, a private and independent school consultancy specializing in major metropolitan areas in the United States and Europe, including New York City and Atlanta, GA. We sat down with her to ask the most common questions we receive from families to provide empowering, accurate information to those considering changing to private school for middle school.

What age is best for private school?

Beginning private school in the younger years (middle school or earlier) allows students to reap the most benefits. Elementary and middle school are the best times to make the switch into private school because this path gives students the time to adjust to their environment. Families who wait until high school sometimes find that their students struggle to keep up with their peers.

Middle school (entry into 6th or 7th grade) is a popular time for families to make the switch to private school because it’s a natural transition period. Most students will be finishing up at their elementary school and moving on to a different middle school regardless, making it an excellent time to evaluate what their student(s) needs and in which environments they would thrive.

Who is best served by a private school?

It’s not uncommon for families to assume that private schools serve the brightest students best. Of course, gifted and naturally engaged students also thrive at private schools, but the truth is that kids that get naturally excited about learning are likely to do well at most schools. It is kids in the middle to lower end of the education bell curve who tend to see the biggest gains from a move to private school. Independent schools are able to provide a level of customization that public schools rarely can. Smaller class sizes allow teachers to be more dialed in to the individual needs and interests of their students, ensuring that no child falls through the cracks. Thus it is often the students who would “get lost” in a larger, more traditional institution that see the greatest gains in private school.

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How do middle-class families afford private school?

The simple answer: with financial aid. Private schools often use a sliding scale for their financial aid grants, meaning that families who need some assistance are just as likely to get help as those that need most of the cost covered. Independent schools do want all families to be financially invested, but that can be as low as $500 in some cases. The financial investment expected of your family will vary based on income, number of children attending, and other relevant factors.

For families making the switch to private school for the first time, finances are often the primary concern, both from a practical perspective (how will we pay for this?) and a social one (will my child fit in if we’re not wealthy?). Linda assures families that they will find their people, and there is definitely a place for their student(s) in the private school environment. Most private schools give financial support to 25-35% of its families, on average, with some schools offering more support than others. If you feel that your child or children would benefit from a private school setting, do not let finances be what holds you back.

How Much Does Private Middle School Cost?

The cost of private middle school varies widely based on where you live. Nationally, the average is around $12,500. In New York City, the median for grades 6-8 in private school is over $45,000. For five popular private schools in Manhanttan, the average is $64,810/year. In Atlanta, Ivy Tutors’ second hub city, the average cost of private school is around the national average. Among a sampling of the most sought-after schools in Atlanta, the average is $29,830/year.

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What about testing? Do schools have a preference between the ISEE or the SSAT?

Schools do not have a preference between the ISEE and SSAT, so take the one that’s best for your child (we provide a guide here). Some schools are test-optional. Unlike universities, private schools that say they’re test optional truly are test optional. That being said, we do advise having your child take either the ISEE or SSAT, even if your top choice school is test-optional, as having a test score will allow you to cast a wider net and apply to more schools. Plus, if your child does well, it never hurts to include the scores unless a school specifically tells you not to.

What should families new to private school be aware of or prepare for?

When it comes to finding schools and the application process overall, remember to include your kids! One of the joys of applying to schools for middle school, rather than Pre-K and Kindergarten, is that students of this age know so much more about themselves. They have a sense of ownership and are able to be actively involved in the process. Taking into consideration their thoughts and opinions is a key part of finding the right school.

Once admitted, be prepared for your students to have to re-learn how to be in the classroom. Many public institutions need to teach to the test and, in that environment, many students are reticent to raise their hands or participate unless they’re sure of the answer. If they have questions, they may be more likely to speak to the teacher after class. In independent schools, however, academic risk is encouraged and children often have to be “trained” for this environment. They will need to learn to raise their hand if they think they might have the answer, to feel comfortable asking questions in class, and to see the classroom as a community space. Independent schools have a strong peer to peer learning focus, requiring active participation from all students to have the best learning experience. Classroom discussion is paramount. They also want students to take their learning outside of the classroom, and often include field trips and community-focused connections.

For parents, remember that more involvement is typically expected of you than in public schools. Private schools tend to have strong communication pipelines between parents and the school, working to ensure that no student “falls through the cracks”. In middle school there is still the ability for parents to help out with classroom activities and attend field trips (these largely go away in high school).

Your school is likely to become your community. At this age, your student will spend a lot of time on the school campus, involved with after school activities and peers. Private school curriculum has more room to talk about culture, equity, and inclusion. These schools thus have the freedom to build community and diversity and they do so very intentionally. This is one of the reasons why taking into consideration the social and emotional needs of your child and family is critical to making the right choice of private school.

Conclusion

If your family is considering private school for your upcoming middle school student, consider working with Linda and the team at School First to determine the best fit for your family. Ivy Tutors Network can help your student succeed on the ISEE or SSAT leveraging diagnostic and mock testing to improve scores and boost your application. Our skilled professional tutors are also available for any academic support your middle schooler may need.