Applying to Independent Schools
When: End of October, November, and December of 8th grade
What to do:
Determine the type of independent/boarding school you are considering. (See exploring schools)
We strongly encourage parents to narrow their choices to about 3 schools before beginning the application process.
Register for Entrance Exams
Many area independent and boarding schools require an admissions exam.
Investigate requirements for the schools you are interested in and register for admissions tests.
Click here for more information on entrance exams. Note that Benchmark School will offer the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE), accepted by many area schools, in mid-November. More information and important deadlines can be found at the link Independent School Entrance Exams.
Apply to Schools
Follow the directions found on each school's website to work through the application process.
Most schools now have an online portal through which all materials are digitally requested/processed.
Requests for records and recommendations from Benchmark School
Requests for records - Send to Faith Cost (faithcost@benchmarkschool.org)
Teacher recommendations - Send to current (8th grade) language arts and math teachers.
Principal/Guidance Counselor recommendations - Send to Eric MacDonald (ericmacdonald@benchmarkschool.org)
Deadlines vary by school. However, here are the most common deadlines:
December 1: Independent Schools (Note that some, such as LaSalle and Saint Joseph's Prep, have earlier deadlines, sometimes as early as the end of the first week in November. Other schools, such as Sanford School, have slightly later deadlines.)
January 31: Boarding Schools
Rolling Admissions: Schools for students with learning differences
School Visits
Students will visit schools to which you are applying.
Contact the school to schedule the visit.
Typically these visits are scheduled in November and December.
To minimize missed school days, please schedule on Benchmark professional development and other scheduled days off, if and when possible.
Parents should narrow down the school choices and choose the 2-3 schools they think would be the best match for the student to explore. We strongly recommend students visit no more than about 3 schools.
Please complete the School Visit Form as soon as you know when your child will be visiting a possible school. This will allow us to better prepare your child for the visit.
Student School Visit Guides
We have two versions of a school visit guide your child may wish to use. The first version is simply a guide to the kinds of things the student may wish to look at when visiting. It can serve as a good discussion guide with your child after the visit. The second is a note sheet the student use to record notes during the visit. Both have the same questions.
2023-2024 Note
We strongly encourage families to consider scheduling school visits and testing on Benchmark professional development days and Conference Days, if possible, in order to minimize loss of academic instructional time.
Benchmark Professional Development/Conference Days:
Monday, October 9
Wednesday, November 8 (If NOT taking the ISEE at Benchmark)
Friday, November 17
Monday, November 27
Friday, January 12
Friday, February 16
Friday, March 2