The private school admission season is in full swing around San Diego, and many schools have scheduled events for prospective families during January 2010. These events give families the opportunity to learn more about a school’s program, meet administrators, teachers and current parents, and get a feel for the campus and facilities.

Now is the time to RSVP for events coming up in January 2010. Be aware that some area private schools have completed their Open Houses for the current admission season. In addition, some private schools prefer to invite prospective families to visit their campuses for private tours rather than hosting large-scale events.

Below is a list of events from a sampling of private schools in and around San Diego. These dates were taken from the schools’ websites, so please check with the schools to confirm date and time, and to RSVP if appropriate. Also, please realize that this is by no means an exhaustive list of San Diego private schools. If you are interested in a school that you don’t see listed here, call or email the school to find out if you can schedule a private tour or if they have any upcoming events for you to attend.

• 

  The Bishop's School

  The Bishop’s School
  http://www.bishops.com/
  January 15, 2010, 9:00-10:00am
  Admission Information Coffee
  

• Francis Parker School
  http://www.francisparker.org/
  January 7, 2010
  Shadow Day for Sixth through Eighth grade applicants
  January 7, 2010
  Neighborhood coffee in Mission Hills
  January 12, 2010, 3:30-5:30pm
  Middle School Open House, Sixth through Eighth Grade
  January 19, 2010, 3:30-5:30pm
  Upper School Open House, Ninth through Twelfth Grade
  January 26, 2010
  Shadow Day for Ninth through Twelfth grade applicants
  January 27, 2010, 3:15-5:30 pm
  Lower School Open House, JK through Fifth Grade
  January 28, 2010
  Neighborhood coffee in Rancho Santa Fe

• La Jolla Country Day School
  http://www.ljcds.org/
  January 14, 2010, 6:30-8:30pm
  Middle and Upper School Open House, Fifth through Twelfth Grade
  January 19, 2010, 8:15-10:15am
  Lower School Open House, Kindergarten through Fourth Grade

• Pacific Ridge School
  http://www.pacificridge.org/
  January 9, 2010, 2:00pm
  Middle School Open House, Seventh and Eighth Grade
  January 14, 2010, 1:00pm
  Upper School Open House, Ninth through Twelfth Grade
  January 25, 2010
  Applicant Visit Day

• Sanderling Waldorf School
  http://www.sanderlingschool.org/
  January 13, 2010, 3:30pm
  Parent-Education Open House
  January 19, 2010, 9:00am
  Classroom Observation Day

• San Diego Jewish Academy
  January 19, 2010, 7:00-8:30pm
  http:// www.sdja.com/
  Maimonides Upper School Science and Math Exploration, Sixth through Twelfth Grade

• Santa Fe Christian Schools
  http://www.sfcs.net/
  January 13, 2010, 10:00am-12:00pm
  Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade Open House

• Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School
  http://www.hebrewday.org/
  January 7, 2010, 10:15-11:15am
  Kindergarten and First Grade Sneak Peek

• Stella Maris Academy
  http://www.stellamarisacademy.org/
  January 31, 2010, 10:00am-1:00pm
  Kindergarten through Eighth Grade Open House

• Warren-Walker School
  http://www.warren-walker.com/
  January 13, 2010, 4:00-5:30pm
  Point Loma Campus Open House, PK – Fifth Grade
  January 14, 2010, 4:00-5:30pm
  La Mesa Campus Open House, PK – Fifth Grade
  January 21, 2010, 4:00-5:30pm
  Middle School Campus Open House, Sixth through Eighth Grade
  

We work in an environment of academic excellence to help students develop as caring, compassionate, ethical individuals, aware of their responsibilities to local and global society. To accomplish our mission, we seek students who are able and ready to perform in a college preparatory environment, and to take on the leadership roles necessary to build a better society.

A Video Introduction to The Grauer School

A Visit to The Grauer School

I had the good fortune to visit The Grauer School recently. While I had heard of the school, and I know several families with children who attend Grauer, this was my first visit to the campus. Elizabeth Braymen, director of admissions, gave me a tour and shared the vision and philosophy of the school. Her passion for the school extends beyond her role as an administrator since she is also the parent of a Grauer student.

The campus is located just north of the San Diego city limits in Encinitas, not far from the ocean, and encompasses five acres. The buildings provide 20,000 square feet of indoor space and are a combination of newer structures and portable buildings, with an eye toward replacing the portables at some point in the future. The main building contains a great hall where they hold community meetings and events. Anchoring this structure is a beautiful stone fireplace, hailed as the largest stone fireplace in San Diego. In the classrooms, teachers have designed comfortable spaces that are conducive to learning and discussion.

The class sizes vary based upon grade level and subject, but the school is committed to remaining a small school with a maximum capacity of 150 students. One benefit of their small size is that they can take advantage of opportunities that might prove too cumbersome for larger organizations. For example, I met teachers and high-schoolers who had just returned from the World Religions Conference in Australia, a perfect tie-in to their study of world religions.

The breadth of academic, arts and extracurricular offerings at The Grauer School might seem a bit surprising given their small size, but it goes hand-in-hand with their commitment to develop well-rounded students. They design their curriculum to prepare students for college, and as such the curriculum complies with the University of California course requirements for admission into the California State system. In addition, the California State Frameworks are integrated into their courses and the school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Music at The Grauer School

Technology use was apparent all around campus. In addition to computer labs, students may also bring their own laptops to school. There was a mix of Macs and Windows machines, and a range from higher-end laptops to netbooks.

The atmosphere on campus is definitely one of a close-knit community where everyone knows everyone else, from teachers to students to parents. As we toured, Elizabeth had a warm welcome or word of encouragement for everyone we encountered. After completing my tour I met Stuart Grauer, the director and founder of The Grauer School. His commitment to and passion for education is evident everywhere you turn on campus.

Of course many parents are concerned – and rightly so – with the bottom line. How will attending The Grauer School help their child? I will say that I was impressed with the school’s commitment to admit students who are, in fact, a good fit for the environment rather than filling seats with any and all who apply. They truly look for students who will thrive and succeed at the school.

As students near graduation, Grauer works with them and their families to identify college choices that will be good matches and that will value their strengths. The system seems to work because 100% of all 2008 graduates were admitted to colleges of their choice, and the students gained acceptances from 82% of all colleges to which they applied. Apparently the colleges value the education that The Grauer School is providing. The average college scholarship offer made to seniors at The Grauer School this year was an impressive $30,000.

If you are looking for a middle or high school for your child that has an intimate learning atmosphere, emphasizes academics and college prep, and develops individuals who are concerned about their world and their place in it, I encourage you to visit The Grauer School and learn more about what they offer. Their website has a lot of great information including videos that provide a glimpse of what life is like at the school, and they are very active on Facebook and Twitter.

Learn More

Open House
Saturday, February 6, 2010
10:30am to 2:00pm
Tours leaving every 20 minutes

Website
http://www.grauerschool.com/

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Encinitas-CA/The-Grauer-School/103908979661

Twitter
http://twitter.com/GrauerSchool

Contact
The Grauer School
1500 El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 944-6777
(760) 944-6784 fax
info@grauerschool.com

Depending upon the school’s admission protocol, most private schools interview students alone – that is, without their parents present – beginning around sixth grade. Knowing what to expect and the types of questions that might be asked can help put your child more at ease and make for a better experience for all involved.

1. Take a deep breath. Before entering the school for your interview, take a few seconds to stop, take a deep calming breath, and put a smile on your face. These simple actions will help put you at ease. While it’s only natural to have a few nervous butterflies, you don’t want to let your nerves get the better of you.
2. Start off on the right foot. When the scheduled interview time arrives, greet the admission officer by looking her directly in the eye with a smile on your face as you extend your hand for a firm handshake. This friendly yet no-nonsense greeting will help you come across as being mature and confident. And those are definitely two attributes that you want to be associated with your interview!
3. Be prepared for the questions. While you won’t know what the questions are until the actual interview, you can practice answering questions that will probably be similar. For example, you might be asked:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why do you want to attend our school?
• What do you notice about our school that interests you?
• What is your current school like?
• What is your greatest strength? What is your biggest weakness?
• What are your favorite subjects? What are your least favorite subjects?
• What is the most important thing that we should know about you?
• What would you contribute to our school community?

Before you actually give your answer, take a second or two to think about what is being asked and what your answer will be. Above all, answer honestly and just be yourself.

4. Come prepared with your own questions. The admission officer might ask if you have any questions about the school. Take some time before the interview to think about some questions and jot a few down on an index card or put them into your smart phone so that you have them handy when the time comes.What kind of questions could you ask? Perhaps you want to know more about homework policies, the athletic programs, or class trips. Maybe you would like to know what current students are doing to make a difference in their community and the world. You might even want to ask where students continue their education after graduation. This is the time to ask the questions that will help you decide if the school is a good fit for you and if you will be happy there.
5. Show off your exemplary manners with a follow-up thank you note. Even when the interview is over you can do one more thing to make yourself stand out from the crowd. As soon as possible, write a handwritten thank you note to the admission officer for taking the time to meet with you and giving you the opportunity to learn more about the school. How many other students will do this? Not many, and maybe even none of them. This polite – and perhaps even old-fashioned – act will definitely help you stand out in a crowd of applicants.

What can parents do to help their child prepare? First and foremost, try not to pressure and make him even more nervous or tense than he might already be. Make sure to arrive at the interview in plenty of time so that your child doesn’t have to worry about being late. Also help your child think about appropriate attire so that he presents himself in the best light possible. While the event does not necessitate renting a tuxedo, this is definitely not the time for a faded t-shirt, board shorts and flip-flops.

There is always the question of whether or not a child should practice for an interview. While we don’t at all advocate rehearsing a child to death, practicing and becoming familiar with what an interview feels like can help put him at ease for the real interview. In addition, most children do not often interact with adults in such a formal setting, so there is something to be said for practicing this conversational style.

Remember that the interview allows the school to find out more about your child, but also allows your child to find out more about the school. Ideally, both your child and the school will come away from the interview process with a better idea of whether or not they are a good fit for each other, and a better idea of how successful and happy your child would be at the school.

Shopping for a private school is much like shopping for shoes. You pick your favorite school based on the website and brochure because it looks so appealing. You have no problem picturing your child on campus, and the admissions director is quick to give you all of the reasons why this school is the best of the bunch. But wouldn’t it be great if you could try on the school before making a commitment?

Many private schools offer shadow days for students just for that reason. Shadow days allow children to try on the schools and see how they fit as they experience  “a day in the life.” A prospective student is usually paired with a current student and, depending upon the age of the child and policies of the school, will attend a half- or full-day of classes and activities.

While a shadow day is meant as a way for your child to learn more about a school, you should also realize that the school will be observing your child to see how well he/she will fit in as a student. This evaluation is somewhat informal, meaning that your child will probably not need to worry about taking a test or being interviewed on a shadow day. However, check with the school’s admission staff to make sure that you and your child understand what the expectations are for the day. Also, most schools will limit the number of shadow students that they will accommodate, so let them know as early in the admissions process as possible if you would like for your child to participate.

If your child is feeling stressed about attending a shadow day, prepare for the day by discussing the things that he will want to notice during his visit. How was he greeted upon arrival at the school? Did he feel welcomed? Was the school ready for the visit? How do the current students feel about the school? Are they happy there? What do they like the most/least? What do the interactions with teachers feel like? Are they approachable and easy to talk to? Finally – is this a place where he feels he can be happy and learn?

* Lesson learned from a client: If you’ve scheduled a shadow day for your child, give the school a call or send them an email the day before to confirm that you are still on the schedule. One client recently showed up at a San Diego private school on the scheduled shadow day only to discover that the school had no record of their information. Because the school was at their limit for shadow students for the day, the prospective family had to reschedule for a later date.

The interview is often the most anxiety-ridden hurdle for families, but it doesn’t need to be. Just as you would never show up for a job interview without doing your homework (so to speak), preparation is key for a successful school interview. Therefore, we’ve compiled our TOP TEN NO-NOs FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL INTERVIEWS to help you prepare. (Just to be clear – these are things that you should NOT do!)

1. Call and schedule your interview two days before the application deadline. Usually a completed application file includes an interview, so make the interview appointment as early as possible to ensure that you are able to complete the requirement well before the deadline, even if something comes up and you need to reschedule.
2. When you call to schedule your interview, demand that the school accommodate your request for a meeting the next day. Admissions season is busy – and even hectic – for admissions offices, and it gets even busier as you get closer to the application deadline. When you call for your appointment, have a couple of possible days and times to offer within the next couple of weeks. Calling with the expectation of booking an appointment for the next day is not only unrealistic but it can also make a bad first impression with the admissions office.
3. Be prepared to stonewall any questions that try to get to know more about your family, or simply give yes or no answers to questions. The school wants to know more about you and your family so that they can determine if you are a good fit for each other. They may ask you, the parents, to describe your child, share your educational goals for your child, and explain why you think the school is a good match.
4. Answer any and all questions directed at your child, especially if she is older than six or seven years old. While the school definitely wants to learn more about your hopes and dreams for your child, they will probably also want to hear from your child. If she is old enough, the school may ask about hopes, dreams, goals and aspirations, previous educational experiences, personal strengths and weaknesses, and why this school is a good fit.
5. Let the admissions officer know that your best friend’s cousin lives next door to someone who is VERY well-connected to the school. A school’s number one goal is to find students who can succeed and contribute as a member of their learning community. Whether a child is or is not a good fit, the connections should not matter. However, if you think that it is important that the school know about your connection, a more subtle approach would be to bring it to their attention through a reference letter from the connected person addressed to the school.
6. Mention that you might be interested in making a significant donation toward their new gymnasium construction project. Schools take their reputations very seriously. The last thing they want is the appearance of impropriety when it comes to their admissions process. And if you try to buy your way in to one school, they will assume that you’ve tried it at others. If you are serious about wanting to make a donation, wait until your child has been accepted. The school will be thrilled to have a new family making such a financial commitment toward the future.
7. Don’t tell the admissions officer that your child has a significant learning disability. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: admissions officers at private schools are looking for students who can succeed at their schools. Many parents don’t share this information, thinking that once the child is accepted the school will take care of things. In reality, though, if a school is not equipped with the specialized staff or facilities that your child needs, they’re probably not going to build a program just for your child. Since you want what’s best for your child, keep looking until you find the right program.
8. Wear your sweaty gym gear to the interview. You raced over directly from your spinning class, and you’re only ten minutes late. This is San Diego, after all. Dressing for success is key to a school interview, no matter the location. While there is no need to pull out the tuxedo or the cocktail dress, this is the time to look smart and pulled together, much as you would for a business interview. Remember, private school admissions is a business and you only get one chance to make that all-important first impression. Let your external appearance enhance the substance of what you and your child bring to the interview. And do we really need to mention that you should arrive on time, no matter what? If something unforeseen does happen that might cause you to be late – like an accident on the 5 freeway – give the school a call and let them know.
9. Answer your cell phone and send texts during your interview. Admissions offices are busy places, yet they have cleared their calendar for the duration of your interview so that they can focus on you and your family. Return the favor and give them your undivided attention. After all, most interviews only last 20-30 minutes. Unless you’re expecting a call from a patient awaiting a transplant, turn the electronic devices off. Wait a minute – why aren’t you at the hospital?
10. Let the admissions officer know that this school is your back-up option in case you don’t get in to your first (or second or third) choice. When you make your short list of schools that you are considering for your child, try to keep an open mind when you go in to the interviews. Listen to what each of the schools has to say. You never know – the school that was originally at the bottom of your list may quickly move up based upon what you learn. The last thing you want to do is hurt your chances of getting in because the school thinks that you aren’t seriously considering them.

If you are seriously considering a private school for your child for the 2010-11 school year, now is the time to start visiting prospective schools. An easy way to check out schools is by attending an Open House. To help you out, I’ve pulled together the list below of Open House dates for November 2009 for a sampling of private schools in the San Diego area. These dates were taken from the schools’ websites, so please check with the schools that you would like to visit to confirm date and time, and to RSVP if appropriate.

• The Gillispie School
  November 3, 2009, 8:30-10:30am
  Early Childhood through Sixth Grade Open House
  7380 Girard Ave., La Jolla, CA 93047
  http://www.gillispie.org/

• Santa Fe Christian Schools
  November 4, 2009, 10:00am-12:00pm
  Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade Open House
  838 Academy Dr., Solana Beach, CA 92075
  http://www.sfcs.net/

• Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School
  November 4, 2009, 12:15-1:15pm
  Kindergarten and First Grade Sneak Peek
  3630 Afton Rd., San Diego, CA 92123
  http://www.hebrewday.org/

• The Bishop’s School
  November 9, 2009, 9:00-10:00am
  Sixth through Twelfth Grade Information Coffee
  7607 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla, CA 92037
  http://www.bishops.com/

• Sanderling Waldorf School
  November 10, 2009, 9:00am
  Parent-Child through Fifth Grade Classroom Observation Day
  1578 S. El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024
  http://www.sanderlingschool.org/

• Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School
  November 10, 2009, 7:30pm
  Preschool and Day School Living Room Chat
  Private home in East County, Del Cerro
  http://www.hebrewday.org/

• San Diego French American School
  November 11, 2009, 9:00am
  Kindergarten through Eighth Grade Open House
  6550 Soledad Mountain Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037
  http://www.sdfrenchschool.org/

• Francis Parker School
  November 11, 2009, 3:15-5:30pm
  Lower School Open House, Jr. Kindergarten through Fifth Grade
  4201 Randolph St., San Diego, CA 92103
  http://www.francisparker.org/

• The Children’s School
  November 12, 2009, 9:00am
  Toddler through Fifth Grade Open House
  2225 Torrey Pines Lane, La Jolla, CA 92037
  http://www.tcslj.org/

• Francis Parker School
  November 12, 2009, 3:30-5:30pm
  Upper School Open House, Ninth through Twelfth Grade
  6501 Linda Vista Rd., San Diego, CA 92111
  http://www.francisparker.org/

• Warren-Walker School
  November 14, 2009, 9:00-10:00am
  Middle School Open House, Sixth through Eighth Grade
  2231 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego, CA 92108
  http://www.warren-walker.com/

• The Bishop’s School
  November 14, 2009, 10:00-1:00pm
  Sixth through Twelfth Grade Open House
  7607 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla, CA 92037
  http://www.bishops.com/

• Pacific Ridge School
  November 14, 2009, 2:00pm
  Middle School Open House, Seventh and Eighth Grade
  6269 El Fuerte St., Carlsbad, CA 92009
  http://www.pacificridge.org/

• Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School
  November 17, 2009, 10:00-11:00am
  Kindergarten and First Grade Sneak Peek
  3630 Afton Rd., San Diego, CA 92123
  http://www.hebrewday.org/

• Francis Parker School
  November 17, 2009, 3:30-5:30pm
  Middle School Open House, Sixth through Eighth Grade
  6501 Linda Vista Rd., San Diego, CA 92111
  http://www.francisparker.org/

• La Jolla Country Day School
  November 17, 2009, 6:30-8:10pm
  Middle and Upper School Open House, Fifth through Twelfth Grade
  9490 Genesee Ave., La Jolla, CA 92037
  http://www.ljcds.org/

• Sanderling Waldorf School
  November 18, 2009, 9:00am
  Kindergarten through Fifth Grade Open House
  1578 S. El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024
  http://www.sanderlingschool.org/

• Warren-Walker School
  November 18, 2009, 4:00-5:30pm
  Prekindergarten through Fifth Grade Open House
  Point Loma Campus, 4605 Point Loma Ave., San Diego, CA 92107
  http://www.warren-walker.com/

• The Rhoades School
  November 21, 2009, 10:00am
  Kindergarten through Eighth Grade Open House
  141 S. Rancho Santa Fe Rd., Encinitas, CA 92024
  http://www.rhoadesschool.com/

• Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School
  November 23, 2009, 7:30pm
  Preschool and Day School Living Room Chat
  Private home in North County, Carmel Valley
  http://www.hebrewday.org/

• Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School
  November 30, 2009, 9:30am
  Preschool Open House
  3630 Afton Rd., San Diego, CA 92123
  http://www.hebrewday.org/

Please realize that this is by no means an exhaustive list of San Diego private schools, and that not all private schools host Open Houses. If you are interested in a school that you don’t see listed here, do an Internet search and visit their website – or give them a call – to find out more about them and their Open House events.