What is the WPPSI-IV?

As part of the admission process, most independent schools require that your child take an aptitude test. 

Here are some details: 

• If your child is younger than six years old they will take the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence for Children - Fourth Edition. You will hear it referred to as the WPPSI-IV (whip-see-four). 

• The older version is called the WISC-IV (whisk-four). This stands for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fourth Edition. 

• No preparation is needed or allowed for this assessment. A qualified examiner works one on one with your child and measures different abilities. 

• The assessment takes about 45 minutes to an hour. 

Why do we require this?
As Admission Directors we hope to get a sense of how your son or daughter solves problems. Your child's development in the areas of verbal reasoning, visual-spatial problem solving, fluid reasoning, memory and visual-motor speed of processing will be measured and compared with the development of same-aged peers. 

Typically a week or so after the assessment you will receive a write up from the examiner. A Verbal Comprehension Index Score, a Fluid Reasoning Score, a General Abilities Index and a Full Scale IQ Score will be provided. 

Here are some tips: 

You will be able to find a list of testers on the school's admission website. You will likely see a variety of testing locations and fees. 

Look carefully at your calendar and try to avoid days that might be particularly hard for your child to focus. i.e. the morning of their birthday party, the Monday after family was in town and your child did not get a lot of rest. 

Please be sure to ask your examiner questions and share any concerns. Ask if there any paperwork you need to prepare before your visit. Your comfort with the tester is extremely important as children can read if you are a bit anxious or nervous. 

If your child sometimes has difficulty separating, discuss this with the tester beforehand. Having a plan in place will help ease your worries. 

The day before the WPPSI-IV: 

Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep.  

The day of the WPPSI-IV: 

If your child is sick the morning of the assessment, reschedule for another day. 

Provide a healthy breakfast or snack before the test to ensure they will be ready to go! 

What do I tell my child? 
Psychologists I work with encourage parents to tell their child they will be working with a grown-up and you will be waiting nearby. Telling a child they will get to play with blocks should help! 

Don't forget:

The WPPSI-IV was designed for little ones. Children have a lot of fun doing the various verbal and non-verbal activities. 

This is one part of the admission process. Understanding how your little one tackles problems can aid in how we teach them. 

All independent schools have a range of scores that predict success in their particular program. We want children to thrive in our environment and this assessment can be useful in determining a child's readiness for a particular program. 

Wishing you a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Katherine 
Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where she attended an independent school from preK-12th grade, Katherine Carbo earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree before returning right back to the independent school world. With experience at four different schools from coast to coast, she writes insights and observations from the front line of independent school admissions.  Mrs. Carbo is the Director of Lower School Admission at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

School Visit / Playday

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! 

You have probably noticed on your admission checklist your child will be invited to visit and spend some time on campus. You might have received an invitation already or you might receive one in the next month or so. 

Here are some tips:

Have an early bedtime
A good night's rest is so important. Even though the visit may fall on the weekend, treat Friday night as you would a night before school. 

Make sure your child has a good breakfast
We all want your little one to be ready to go. A good snack or breakfast before helps a great deal. 

If the instructions do not say to bring a snack, please do not send your child in with one. The visits are brief and we are always mindful of food allergies. 

Have a quick chat with your child before hand
At SSSAS we ask parents tell their child the following: 

 You and other children have been invited to visit a School.  You will work with some teachers and play with children just like you do at school.

Why do we use that wording? If they think it is only a play day they may get confused why their friends aren't there. They also need to be prepared that they will do some fun activities with a teacher. 

At SSSAS prospective students will work one on one, in a small group, and in a large group. Sharing with peers, listening to directions from an adult, and following directions are important parts of their visit. Preparing them for this will help. 

Who will drop off?  
Does your child separate from one parent better than another? If so, consider having them drop off for the visit day/playday. 

Arrive at your designated time
If you have any questions about the arrival time, please ask the Admission office. At SSSAS we stagger our visits to ensure our groups are small which means we have multiple groups in a given visit day. Every minute is valuable and fun. If you come too early your child may run into another group leaving or have to wait for their visit to begin. 

Note what type of clothing your child should wear
We recommend children wear play clothes and comfortable shoes. On our visit they will have an opportunity to run around, transition to different rooms and play. 

Resist the urge to ask an adult how they did when you are reunited
Your child will love a warm hug when you reunite. Various educators will be working with your child. We are looking at different skills and recognize that your child is going to have wonderful strengths and areas where they need a little support. All of the information we gather will be helpful in determining your child's readiness for our program. We all want what is best for your child!

Is your child under the weather? 
If your child is not feeling well the morning of the visit we ask that parents call and let us know that their child is ill. We will reschedule you for another day, no worries!

If a child is not feeling well during their visit we will reunite them immediately with their parent. 

Take a deep breath
We will do all that we can to ensure they feel safe and secure. The teachers working with your child work with little ones each and every day. They will put them right at ease.

Wishing you a wonderful start to this festive season!

Sincerely,
Katherine 
Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where she attended an independent school from preK-12th grade, Katherine Carbo earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree before returning right back to the independent school world. With experience at four different schools from coast to coast, she writes insights and observations from the front line of independent school admissions.  Mrs. Carbo is the Director of Lower School Admission at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Community feel

Part of what makes the admission journey so exciting is learning about different school communities. It is true your child is starting a new school, but your entire family is joining a new community. 

Here are some factors to consider:

The campus 

Are there multiple campuses, one campus or two? Is there movement during their day to different specials classes? 

Our entire school community will gather on Tuesday for our Thanksgiving service. Kindergartners will receive a very special gift from the Seniors on this memorable day. 

Will your child benefit from friendships with children in other grades? Students love to be a mentor and love to be mentored. We have three campuses at SSSAS and if you are looking our way, I would absolutely request to see them.

Faith

In an earlier post, I highlighted some aspects of a faith-based community. If you have any questions about what the faith component would mean for your family, ask the Admission Director for more information. 

The mission statement

The school's mission statement lays out the goals of the institution. Does the mission statement match your family values? 

Size

What are the average class sizes in the lower school? How many classes per grade? What is the student to teacher ratio? 

Diversity of the Student Body

What is the ethnic, racial, religious, cultural and socioeconomic diversity of the school? Read and listen to what multiculturalism means to the school. 

Uniform

What would your child wear to school? Think about if it would help make for an easier morning routine. 

Service Learning
What are the service objectives and learning objectives? Developing a sense of empathy is so critical to your child's future. Read and listen to what service means to the school. 

Before and after care
What time can you drop off and pick up your child? Are there enrichment activities after school as well? 

Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! 

Sincerely,
Katherine 

Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where she attended an independent school from preK-12th grade, Katherine Carbo earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree before returning right back to the independent school world. With experience at four different schools from coast to coast, she writes insights and observations from the front line of independent school admissions.  Mrs. Carbo is the Director of Lower School Admission & Financial Aid at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Kindergarten Readiness

I always love this time of year! Wednesday, November 19 at 7:00 p.m. is our Lower School Curriculum Night for Prospective Parents. I am so looking forward to hearing from a Senior who began her journey at SSSAS in Kindergarten. As you gather information about schools, events like these can be incredibly helpful and enjoyable. 

On Friday, I had the opportunity to speak to parents about Kindergarten Readiness. I wanted to share some links here. I will be sharing more suggestions in the weeks to come. 

• Storytelling with a Felt Board app - Make up some fun stories with this app. Your child will have a blast using their imagination.

• Letter and Number Formation with Handwriting Without Tears app - Your child may actually be using Handwriting Without Tears in Preschool. Our students use this curriculum and love it!

• Favorite Authors: Dr. Seuss, Mo Willems, Shell Silverstein, Mother Goose

• A Favorite Alphabet Book: LMNO Peas, by Keith Baker

• A Favorite Number Book: One Gorilla, A Counting Book, by Anthony Browne

• 2014 Notable Children's Books:  http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Katherine

Staying on top of things!

The application process can be a little overwhelming. Here are some tips as we get closer to the Thanksgiving break. If you haven't already, make a list of schools that interest you and schedule tours of those schools. 

Questions to consider while on tour: 

• How comfortable do I feel in this environment?
• Do the faculty appear passionate and enthusiastic about teaching? 

• Are there professional development opportunities for the faculty?
• Are the students focused and engaged?
• What is the overall philosophy of the school? Is the approach traditional or progressive?
• Keep your eyes peeled for the number of children in the classroom and try to get a feel for their daily schedule.

• Do the students transition to different classrooms (ex. science lab, P.E.) during their day?
• Could you imagine your child working and playing with the students and teachers you see?

• Start to review the requirements for the schools (i.e. application deadlines or registration deadlines, materials to submit, aptitude testing, playday/school visit)

I will be doing a talk about Kindergarten Readiness this Friday at 10:00 a.m. on our Lower School Campus. All parents are welcome. My hope is for parents to gain tips and hints to help with the transition into Kindergarten. Please email me at kcarbo@sssas.org to register. We would love to see you!

Sincerely,

Katherine 

Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where she attended an independent school from preK-12th grade, Katherine Carbo earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree before returning right back to the independent school world. With experience at four different schools from coast to coast, she writes insights and observations from the front line of independent school admissions.  Mrs. Carbo is the Director of Lower School Admission & Financial Aid at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Considering faith-based learning...

As Halloween is behind us and it is All Souls' Day, I would like to share some information about schools with a religious affiliation. In your school search you may come across a few. 

One of the first questions I get is, "Do I have to be Episcopalian to attend your school?" My answer is no, at Episcopal schools we welcome all faiths! In fact last week one of our Hindu families came to campus to visit their daughter's classroom to talk about Diwali, the Festival of Lights. 

Here are some questions to reflect upon as you learn more about religious schools: 

How often will my child attend religion class?

Will my child attend services (mass, chapel, etc.) during the week? This past Wednesday we had a very important JK-12 SSSAS chapel service. 

Can parents get involved? 

How does a faith-based education connect with a commitment to service? 

What holidays will my child celebrate? 

Be sure to check out the school's website to learn more about attending a faith-based school and speak to other parents about their experience. Click here to learn about the Spiritual Life at SSSAS. 

Sincerely,
Katherine 

Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where she attended an independent school from preK-12th grade, Katherine Carbo earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree before returning right back to the independent school world. With experience at four different schools from coast to coast, she writes insights and observations from the front line of independent school admissions.  Mrs. Carbo is the Director of Lower School Admission & Financial Aid at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Play - is it really that important?

A recent opinion in The New York Times addressed the importance of play in prekindergarten. 

As you look ahead into the elementary years, will play be incorporated into your child's learning? 

In an earlier blog post, I shared an article about the role of school recess in a child's school day. Our students have at least thirty minutes per day of recess and they are learning wonderful life skills during that time. They are communicating, creating, compromising, sharing, collaborating, imagining, and growing. Serious learning takes place!

As you gather information about your child's future school community, I would be sure to ask about play and recess. 

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Katherine 

Let's look at some numbers

When researching schools you are likely asking, how many students are in the classrooms? What is the teacher to student ratio? How many "specials" (Science, Art, Music, Foreign Language, P.E., etc.) will they have per week? How many minutes of recess do they have per day? These questions are important and will help illustrate what a typical day would be like for your child. 

Independent schools are incredibly fortunate to be able to schedule several "specials" per week for students. "Specials" teachers are experts in their field and their passion for their subject shines through day after day. Students benefit greatly from the teachers and the frequency of their visits to the classrooms. 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention our visitors this week who also value numbers! The International Singapore Math conference was held in Washington, D.C. On Thursday we hosted delegates from the conference, which included presenters from the conference, math coordinators and teachers from schools around the country, and ministers of education from several countries. They were able to visit our fifth grade classes and see their program being used by our teachers. It was an exhilarating day!

Enjoy this beautiful weather!

Sincerely,
Katherine

Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where she attended an independent school from preK-12th grade, Katherine Carbo earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree before returning right back to the independent school world. With experience at four different schools from coast to coast, she writes insights and observations from the front line of independent school admissions.  Mrs. Carbo is the Director of Lower School Admission at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

The Admission Journey begins!

While our first campus tour was winding down this Wednesday a parent asked me a great question, "What now?" Whether you have a rising Kindergartner or you are a few years away from starting Kindergarten, thinking about a school choice for your child can be overwhelming. Please know you are not going it alone!

Visiting a school is your first step, but learning more about that community takes time. See if these schools have other events where you can get back on campus. Are there fall festivals, speaker events for parents (author visits, curriculum nights)? 

Events will not only give you insight into the school, they will show you what's around the corner as a member of the community. 

Our Association of Parent and Teachers (APT), will host MaryAnn McKibben Dana, author of Sabbath in the Suburbs: A Family's Experiment with Holy Time, on Tuesday, October 14 at our Middle School. Click here for more details. 

Our APT will also highlight summer professional development programs and adventures (from the Arctic to California!) from seven members of our faculty on Tuesday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m. "An Evening with the Teachers" will be held in our Upper School Dining Hall.  

Wishing you all a wonderful long weekend!

Sincerely,

Katherine 

Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where she attended an independent school from preK-12th grade, Katherine Carbo earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree before returning right back to the independent school world. With experience at four different schools from coast to coast, she writes insights and observations from the front line of independent school admissions.  Mrs. Carbo is the Director of Lower School Admission at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Building Independence

I thought it might be helpful to share a few other hints that our Kindergarten team offered to our new Kindergarten parents over the summer. 

Working on these, even during their year, will help your child feel more comfortable and confident. 

Ideas for building independence

· Practice zipping jackets

· Begin practicing tying shoes

· Practice scissor-cutting skills

· Practice letter and number recognition

In the fine words of my Kindergarten team, "The kindergarten year is one filled with wonder, learning, and joy...the seeds of lifelong learning are ready to be planted!"

Sincerely,

Katherine

Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where she attended an independent school from preK-12th grade, Katherine Carbo earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree before returning right back to the independent school world. With experience at four different schools from coast to coast, she writes insights and observations from the front line of independent school admissions.  Mrs. Carbo is the Director of Lower School Admission at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Let's get ready!

If your child is starting Kindergarten this year you might have mixed emotions of excitement and nervousness. 

Here is a great article that will help you and your rising Kindergartner prepare for their school year. It offers wonderful suggestions that will help ease your child's transition into their new setting. 

8 ways to get your kid ready for kindergarten (it's not what you think)

Happy July 4!

Sincerely,

Katherine 

Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where she attended an independent school from preK-12th grade, Katherine Carbo earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree before returning right back to the independent school world. With experience at four different schools from coast to coast, she writes insights and observations from the front line of independent school admissions.  Mrs. Carbo is the Director of Lower School Admission at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Spring has Sprung!

A great deal has happened since my last post!

The snow stopped (finally!) and the admission office mailed out our admission decisions. We are so looking forward to welcoming our new families to campus this fall! 

Spring time on a JK-12 campus is always filled with joyful events. A few events occurred just last week, during Earth Week. 

SSSAS hosted 250 middle school students from 14 schools at the sixth annual Students for Sustainability S4S conference. This conference is unique because it is the only conference truly designed for students! Click here for a short video. 

Everywhere you look on our three campuses, students, teachers, staff, and parents work to raise awareness and take positive measures to be sustainable in all areas of school life. 

Why do we do this? 

Environmental stewardship is deeply connected to our values and traditions as an Episcopal Church school and we want our Saints to contribute to a healthier planet for future generations. 

The forecast looks wonderful for this weekend - I encourage you all to get out there and plant something new! 

Sincerely,
Katherine


Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where she attended an independent school from preK-12th grade, Katherine Carbo earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree before returning right back to the independent school world. With experience at four different schools from coast to coast, she writes insights and observations from the front line of independent school admissions.  Mrs. Carbo is the Director of Lower School Admission at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Recess and Field Trips

SSSAS Lower School's Lloyd House

Two recent articles in The Washington Post addressed the importance of recess and field trips for students. As you get closer to deciding where your child will go to Kindergarten next year, be sure you keep the following in mind. 

• How much recess will your child have? When speaking with parents looking to make the switch from another elementary school to St. Stephen's & St. Agnes I am saddened by how little their children are outside playing, climbing, running, compromising, and communicating with their peers. The Washington Post's article addressed a recent statement issued by The American Academy of Pediatrics. The American Academy of Pediatrics' policy statement makes it quite clear how important the playground is for children. Thank goodness our students are outside daily for at least thirty minutes!

• The Washington Post columnist, Jay Matthews, addressed field trips in this January 30, 2014 article. Think back to when you were a child. Do you remember the bus ride, the boxed lunches, and the excitement of getting off campus? I sure do. Matthews cited an experiment that found students who went to an Art museum in Arkansas, "showed higher levels of critical thinking, historical empathy, tolerance and interest in art museums than similar students who didn't". Be sure to ask if and how often your child will be off campus. You may even be able to go along! 

Stay warm out there and Happy Valentine's Day!

Sincerely,

Katherine 


Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where she attended an independent school from preK-12th grade, Katherine Carbo earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree before returning right back to the independent school world. With experience at four different schools from coast to coast, she writes insights and observations from the front line of independent school admissions.  Mrs. Carbo is the Director of Lower School Admission at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Is it Summer yet?

After this last snow storm and bitter cold temperatures, I can't help but think about summer!!!

SSSAS has a Summer Program called SummerTimes and we just opened our enrollment for the 2014 Camp Season! They have traditional day camps (starting at age 3!), specialty camps, summer studies, and sports camps. 

Whether or not your child attends an independent school this fall, enrolling your child in a summer program can be an incredibly rewarding and fun experience for them. Your child will follow a schedule (this will prove helpful in the fall), make new friends, and participate in new adventures. 

A few tips:
Enroll your child in a week of camp and see how it goes. You can always add a few more weeks if it is going well. 

Traditional Day Camp is wonderful, especially at the school your child will attend in the fall. What a great opportunity to get comfortable with their new setting! At SSSAS, many of our camps are staffed by current teachers and alums. 

Consider a specialty camp or summer studies program! Trust me, they have a lot of fun. One of the rising 1st/2nd grade camps writes about "The History of Ice Cream," along with, of course, a taste-test to see what ice cream tastes the best. 

When children are exposed to new environments they become better at acclimating to new experiences - something they will all have to do this fall. Sometimes this can be hard for little ones, as they are so used to their routine. As they become more familiar with adjusting to a new adventure, they will have smoother transitions down the road. 

Stay warm out there! 

Sincerely,
Katherine 


Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where she attended an independent school from preK-12th grade, Katherine Carbo earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree before returning right back to the independent school world. With experience at four different schools from coast to coast, she writes insights and observations from the front line of independent school admissions.  Mrs. Carbo is the Director of Lower School Admission at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Happy New Year! What happens now?

Happy New Year! 

If you have not toured yet, but think you might want to apply for the 2014 school year please call the school's admission office. Some schools have open houses and some will schedule you for an individual tour through the middle/end of this month. 

Check the school's application deadline! If you have any questions about whether you can still submit an application, be sure to call the school. 

If you have not submitted your teacher recommendation form or release of records (transcript release form) to your child's current school, please do so. (hint: Giving your teacher a return envelope with a stamp on it could help get it in the mail!) 

If you have not scheduled your child's WPPSI-IV testing, please do so. Our testers are still testing! 

If you are applying for financial aid be sure to keep up with the deadlines. If you have not received financial aid information (from the schools you are applying to) be sure to contact them this week. The FA process is a parallel process with the admission process. 

If your child has not attended their school visit and it has not been scheduled, feel free to call the school. Very likely the school is just about to send out their next set of invitations. (hint: See the School Visit blog entry for more details!) 

I know that is a lot, please know we are grateful you are on this admission journey with us! You might be wondering why do we have to finish everything up in January? 

My first admission committee meeting is in January. I can only present files once they are complete. Our school will notify families if something is missing, typically around the third week in January. We do this to make sure parents have a chance to track down that final rec or transcript.

I cannot speak for the other independent schools, but our admission committee is made up of teachers and administrators. I feel very fortunate to work with a team of educators who are looking out for your child's best interest. 

Stay warm out there!

Sincerely,
Katherine 

Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where she attended an independent school from preK-12th grade, Katherine Carbo earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree before returning right back to the independent school world. With experience at four different schools from coast to coast, she writes insights and observations from the front line of independent school admissions.  Mrs. Carbo is the Director of Lower School Admission at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.