Happy New School Year!

The 2015-2016 school year has begun! It is so wonderful to see our families back on campus!

If you are starting the admission process this fall you probably have a great deal of questions. Here are a few frequently asked questions - hopefully they will help as we start the journey together!

What can parents expect during the admissions process?

At SSSAS, we look at the admission process as an exciting time for families to get to express their hopes and dreams for their child. We get to partner with them and guide them through the process. Our job is to introduce families to our community - and when we do this they have a better sense if this is an environment that fits with their family. I love admissions because of the personal connections I get to make with families. I particularly love being the Director of Lower School Admissions because I know the foundation years are so crucial for children - the growth during these years is extraordinary.

When do I get started? 

Start early - The admission season starts one year prior to when you want to begin. So if you’re looking to enroll in fall of 2016, you’ll start visiting schools and applying this fall. The application deadline for most schools in our area is late December or January.

How do I learn more about options for my child?

You can search for local independent schools by visiting our regional organization: The Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington. You can also visit our national organization: The National Association of Independent Schools. Both websites provide information about independent schools in general and you can search for schools in your area.

I have researched some schools online and would like to get more information and schedule a tour. How do I go about doing this?

You can request more information by calling or emailing the school's admission office directly and/or you can submit an online inquiry form. As we navigate this admission season together I will share some questions to consider as you start to visit schools.

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.

Happy Earth Day!

I am struck with such a sense of appreciation for the Saints community and how we are working to reduce our carbon footprint. Our lower school chapel service inspired us all to make small changes to our daily lives to help the environment. Two fourth grade students made just such a change by creating a new morning commute plan to bike to school. I also read a blog entry written by a current 8th grader who was inspired by our Saints For Sustainability conference. It is being featured on the National Association of Independent Schools website. I am proud to be a Saint! 

This week at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes we have three events that will help reduce our carbon emissions.

Yesterday was "Green Your Commute Day". Carpooling, walking, or riding a bike made a difference. 

For three weeks SSSAS will compete against other schools to conserve our energy. Last I checked our schools have saved 64,138 kilowatts. 

Finally, in an effort to reduce the amount of waste leaving our three campuses - our Association of Parent and Teachers is hosting an Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday. 

We have reduced our carbon emissions by 29% since 2006. Leading our path is our Director of Environmental Stewardship, Brian Kane. Mr. Kane believes, "through knowledge, action, and compassion, we are working to make sustainable choices and empower our students to foster change for a more sustainable Earth." Click here to learn more about our daily Sustainability efforts. 

As you transition to your new school community I hope you and your child will embrace the many sustainable activities coming your way!


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 Alumni Perspective

In your school search I am sure you have been hearing opinions about different programs. Perhaps you have heard from current parents, friends, neighbors, your own parents, and your child's preschool teacher. A voice equally as important is that of a graduate of the school. 

As an alumna of an independent school in Michigan I am always happy to share my thoughts on what my preK- 12th grade journey meant to me. Being a "lifer" meant my school community knew me from when I was a four year old, who was a little teary on that first day, to when they handed me a diploma on my graduation day. (I had some tears on that day too!) What a gift to have a caring community support me along my way. 

One of our Saints alumnus wrote a letter recently about his experience. I wanted to share some of his words. 

There is little doubt that the person I am today was profoundly shaped by the life-long and life-changing value of my Saints education...I marvel at how one decision - the choice of school - became the intellectual and moral compass for my future: my passion for learning, my friendships, my career choice, my values, and my outlook on life. My family's decision to join a community that pursued goodness as well as knowledge, ensured I would be equipped to effectuate positive change in my community and add value to my relationships. 

Have a great 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.

Summer!

We have had some snow recently and some pretty chilly temperatures. I am originally from Michigan where snow was just a part of your daily life. We had help in Michigan with lots of salt trucks, multiple city snow plows and our trusty family snow blower (still going strong after 45 years).  

Even though it's cold outside, let's think about those long, warm summer days. What could be better than looking ahead to June? There are so many wonderful opportunities for your child to have an active, fun, and enriching summer. Making new friends, meeting counselors/teachers, and learning new skills will help them immensely as they transition into Kindergarten.

Click here to learn about SummerTimes at SSSAS!

Stay warm!

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.

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.