FAQ's About Private School Decision Day

AAAIS has released their common decision day for the 2019/2020 school year as Saturday, March 30th. With less than 3 weeks left to wait, we’ve taken the time to answer the FAQ’s surrounding next steps for your family to make the best informed decision:

• When is the 2019/2020 decision day for private schools?

Congratulations! Your child should receive electronic acceptance notifications on March 30th, 2019. This is affectionately deemed “Decision Day.”

• Then what? How long do I have before I need to give an answer?

This year, responses from parents are due on Thursday, April 11, 2019.

• My child was waitlisted at school X. How do I get off of the waitlist?

AAAIS schools will be the “silence rule” in effect until responses are due from parents on Thursday, April 11, 2019. That said, schools and admissions offices will accept calls and emails from potential students and prospective families. It’s at this point in the game that having a sounding board to talk through the process and advocate you on the best decision can be advantageous.

• My friends and neighbors keep telling me about the “silence rule.” What is this “quiet period?

According to the AAAIS Rules of Good Practice, all AAAIS private schools have agreed to not host families on campus during this time period—from Decision Notification (March 30, 2019) to Decision Response Deadline (April 11, 2019). This is to level the playing field and quite honestly, allows families to spend time in honest conversation about their options.

• Yay! My child has been accepted to more than one school. But, how do we choose?

There’s a quote that argues that “wealth isn’t about having a lot of money—it’s about having options.” So congratulations! You are wealthy, indeed. At this point in the process, you have just a week and a half to decide between school choices for next year. We recommend going through the motions—drive carpool routes, talk to friends, spend time in open conversation with family members, weigh through the pros/cons of each school again, and spend time on school websites. If you feel like you need a sounding board or an extra pair of ears, we’re here. Call us today for a special rate Decision Day consultation where we disentangle fact from fiction and help your family make the most informed decision for your learner.

• How do I found out about projected numbers for spots in next year’s class?

By developing a rapport with admissions counselors, most are forthright about the number of projected openings in a given grade level in a given year (think about it—this is what gives the school the rapport of being “elite” or “exclusive” if they only offer 10 openings for a specific grade level) However, what admissions officers are far more coy about has to do with the number of applicants for those spaces, the “buckets” they’re trying to fill to build that class profile (gender distribution, zip code representation, income bracket delegation, ethnic depiction, etc.). Partnering with an educational consultant who has developed honest relationships with these admissions offices can help families navigate difficult choices.

• What are the benefits of declining the offer(s) and waiting until next year? What are the risks?

By now, you’ve probably done your research and learned about “natural expansion years.” Dictated by the framework of the school (K-5, K-6, K-8, K-12, 6-12, 7-12, etc.), there are more “natural” grades that make more sense for incoming students. Thinking back on your own school experience, in simplest terms, these expansion years can be the transition between lower and middle (6th grade entry point) and middle to high (9th grade entry point). Now, this means that a lot of families will opt to apply for admission during these predetermined “natural” entry points of transition. While this means you’re in good company, it’s also important to recognize that the number of projected applicants fluctuates greatly when comparing a natural entry point (6th) as opposed to a different timeline (say, 4th grade). We recommend taking stock of your plans for next year and your child’s age and grade before weighing your options. Any change of moving or relocating within the next 12-18 months? Will your child be at more “natural” entry point next year? Is the “risk” of going through this entire process again next year worth the “reward” of getting your affairs in order?

• We’re stressed at home! What can we be doing over the next week and a half to alleviate some anxiety?

We get it! The school admissions conversation is one that is top of mind for both parent and student—even if the points of tension vary. For your student, it’s important to keep the dialogue open and honest. Involve your student in the conversations as much as possible (use your best judgment here depending on your child’s age and emotional maturity level). Make a pro/con list or spend time together combing through the school websites. Recognize that while you and your partner may be most concerned about the logistics side (carpool, uniform code, financial aid piece or tuition plan), your sweet learner is preoccupied about an entirely different bucket of worries (Will I make friends? Will I like my teacher? What’s the HW load like? Will I make the team? How will I find my way around a new school?) Talking these concerns over as a family will help alleviate tension your child is feeling as you put some parameters around their concerns and focus on their strengths. We recommend this reading list to guide your conversations and get your started.

• I’m still overwhelmed and have questions. How can WLG help?

Let us climb in the weeds with you. We’re offering a special consultation where we answer your questions, evaluate your family and student goals, and help you weigh your options with wisdom and intention. Choosing a private school education may be the second largest investment you will ever make. Let us come alongside you to help you make this tough decision wisely.