Exploring Schools
When: Spring of 7th grade through early fall of 8th grade
What To Do:
What type of school(s) are your considering?
Public Schools
Work with all levels of students and have a variety of levels of support.
Have a wealth of opportunities for extracurricular activities.
If you live in The School District of Philadelphia and are considering a criteria-based or city-wide high school, you should familiarize yourself with the process and be ready to start the process in mid-September.
The deadline for applying to these schools is usually the last Friday in October.
There are many forms and other materials that need to be gathered and submitted.
Click here to go to the district's Student Enrollment & Placement website for more information.
Independent Schools
We are fortunate to live in an area with a lot of independent schools.
These schools vary in their criteria for the students they enroll.
Some schools provide little to no academic support, while others have done a nice job of both providing formal academic support and working with teachers to help them understand how to work with students, particularly with minor executive function issues.
Boarding Schools
Similar to other independent schools, there are many to choose from, within and beyond the Delaware Valley.
These schools also are similar to independent schools in that they vary in the criteria for the students they enroll and the level of academic support available.
Can be just a financially affordable as other independent schools.
Independent Schools for Students Needing More Learning Support
Again, we are fortunate to have a number of schools in our area that provide higher levels of support to students who still need this.
These schools offer smaller classes and more targeted instruction for students who learn differently.
Where should I begin?
Use the information you have gathered about your child and your family's needs to decide the type of schools you want to explore.
Click here for a comprehensive list of area schools, as well as some boarding schools.
Attend open house events
Remember that these are really sales pitches, but can give you a sense of the school, its offerings, and community.
They can give you as an adult a sense of the school and if you want to explore it further.
We strongly discourage student attendance at open houses when such attendance would require them to miss instructional time at Benchmark.
We suggest attending open house events in late spring, summer, and early fall.
What should I be thinking about as I look at schools?
Below are some questions to consider as you research school options for your child. Click on one of the following links for a comparison note sheet you can use as you research various schools.
Researching Schools (Google Docs Version - Make a copy)
Researching Schools (Microsoft Word Version - Make a copy)
Researching Schools (PDF)
Questions to Consider As You Research Schools
School Information and Location
Does the size of the school meet your child's needs?
What type of school is it? (Consider the levels of academic achievement, amount of support, independence required, religious affiliation, coed vs. single-sex, diversity, finances)
Where is the school located and how will your child get to the new school?
How will the distance to the school affect daily attendance, attendance at
school activities, peer relationships, etc.?
Academic Standards and Support Policies
What is the student-teacher ratio? Are classes the right size to meet your child's needs?
How many students are in an average class?
Does the structure of the school and its classrooms meet the needs of my child? (Some schools allow more freedom or classes are more free-flowing seminar style, whereas others are more structured.)
What kind of learning support is available and how does this match my child's needs? Are staff available and equipped to provide academic support and if so, when and how?
Does the level of academic expectations match what my child needs and is ready to handle? Are classes leveled and what do those levels look like? Where would my child fit and does that make sense for my child?
How often does the student meet with his/her advisor or mentor?
Are counselors or psychologists available, if needed?
How flexible is the school with regard to permitting academic supports such as: computers in the classroom, the use of recorded books, note-taking assists, previewing of texts during the summer, etc.?
What are the requirements for studying a foreign language? Are there exemptions?
Check out this article from Friends' Central School: 8 Private School Interview Questions for Parents to Ask