Helping students apply to and choose the right high school is an important part of the Grace School educational experience.
High school placement for graduating eighth graders is led by our middle school leadership and our eighth grade team. Beginning in the spring of seventh grade, families work with the team to develop a list of prospective high schools that will be the right fit for their child by considering three aspects: the academic program, the school culture, and each student’s unique needs and desires.
Grace School offers an ISEE preparation course scheduled into the regular school day and conducts mock interviews, preparing students to put their best foot forward when they meet with admissions officers.
A Look at the Process
Here are the steps of the process for Grace School
Spring of seventh grade year
Grace School hosts a High School Information Night. Families meet with the school counselor and the middle school leadership team to be introduced to the expectations and timeline associated with a successful eighth grade year. During this event the opportunity to sign up for ISEE Test Prep Online Sessions is introduced to families.
Late Summer/Early Fall
Students are introduced to their teaching team. High School preferences are discussed and goals for the year regarding the upper secondary process are established.
Early Fall
Students are administered an informal ISEE Prep Test during the school day. Data is gathered and used by educators to assess needs and formulate individual plans for improvement. ISEE Prep classes take place during the school day.
Fall
The middle school leadership team maintains strong relations and communicates regularly with high schools to collaborate on-site tours of those campuses most requested by students. High school admission teams are invited to visit with students and special presentation days are facilitated at Grace School during the school day.
Fall
Each eighth grade student meets individually with a middle school teacher or administrator to learn and practice interviewing skills in preparation for student visits to high schools. Students receive individualized feedback to help them better prepare for upcoming interviews with high school admission teams.
Fall/Winter
Students independently visit high schools for shadow days and interviews.
Late Fall
Students apply to the high schools of their choosing.
Winter
The middle school principal and lead eighth grade teachers personally complete individual recommendations for each student applying for admission to a high school. All student transcripts, recommendations, and reports are prepared in the middle school office and transferred to all high schools to which the student has applied.
Spring
Acceptance notifications arrive to students via email from each high school.
A Look at the Process
Here are the steps of the process for Grace School
Spring prior to eighth grade
Grace School hosts a High School Information Night. Families meet with the school counselor and the middle school leadership team to be introduced to the expectations and timeline associated with a successful eighth grade year. During this event the opportunity to sign up for ISEE Test Prep Online Sessions is introduced to families.
Late Summer/Early Fall
Students are introduced to their teaching team. High School preferences are discussed and goals for the year regarding the upper secondary process are established.
Early Fall
Students are administered an informal ISEE Prep Test during the school day. Data is gathered and used by educators to assess needs and formulate individual plans for improvement. ISEE Prep classes take place during the school day.
Fall
The middle school leadership team maintains strong relations and communicates regularly with high schools to collaborate on-site tours of those campuses most requested by students. High school admission teams are invited to visit with students and special presentation days are facilitated at Grace School during the school day.
Fall
Each eighth grade student meets individually with a middle school teacher or administrator to learn and practice interviewing skills in preparation for student visits to high schools. Students receive individualized feedback to help them better prepare for upcoming interviews with high school admission teams.
Fall/Winter
Students independently visit high schools for shadow days and interviews.
Late Fall
Students apply to the high schools of their choosing.
Winter
The middle school principal and lead eighth grade teachers personally complete individual recommendations for each student applying for admission to a high school. All student transcripts, recommendations, and reports are prepared in the middle school office and transferred to all high schools to which the student has applied.
Spring
Acceptance notifications arrive to students via email from each high school.