2. Contents
About Henry Lapham
Why Consider Independent Schools?
Independent Schools by Grade Level
Kinds of Schools
What to Consider in a School
What Schools Look for in Students
Overall Admissions Calendar
Financial Aid vs. Full Tuition
3. About Henry Lapham
20+ Years in Independent Schools
School Placement Director, Member of Numerous Admissions Committees, Teacher, Coach, Dorm
Parent, Development Officer
Assisted More Than 60 Students/Families
More than 180 Student Acceptances at Over 50 Independent Schools
Working Relationships with Over 100 Independent School Admissions Offices
Elementary Schools and Secondary Schools
Consultative Approach = Informed Decisions
Each Student’s Needs are Different = Each School Search is Different
It’s All About the Fit/Match Between a School and a Student
4. Why Consider an Independent School?
Challenging Environment – Academic Rigor, AP Courses, High Expectations
Academic Support – Learning Centers, Individual Tutorials, English as a Second Language
Athletic Interests – Hockey, Soccer, Field Hockey, Football, Outdoor Adventure Sports
Artistic Interests – Theater, Music, Visual Arts, Photography
Special Programs – Robotics Program, International Travel Opportunities, Nautical Programs
Holistic Community Approach to Education – One Community for Academics, Athletics, Arts,
Special Programs, Residential Community
Lifelong Relationships with Friends
Student Teacher Relationships – Teacher, Coach, Dorm Parent, Advisor…
5. Independent Schools by Grade Levels
Elementary Day Schools
Pre-K through Grade 9
Many in the Boston Metro
Area, North Shore and South
Shore
Some are very selective, others
accept a wide array of
students
Academics, Athletics, Arts,
Special Programs
Standard Entry Points: Pre-
Kindergarten/Kindergarten,
Grade 4/5 and Grade 7
Often a Gateway to
Secondary Schools
Junior Boarding Schools
Grades 5 through Grade 9
New England and Upstate New
York
Both Day and Boarding Options
Full Residential Community for
Boarding Students
Co-Ed and All Boys
Generally Accept a Wide Array
of Students
Often International Student
Component – Culturally Diverse
Standard Entry Points: Grade 5
and Grade 7
Often a Gateway to Secondary
Schools
Secondary Schools
Grade 9 through Grade 12
Both Day and Boarding
Communities
Full Residential Community for
Boarding Students
Some are very selective, others
accept a wide array of students
Boston Metro Area and New
England
Often an International Student
Component – Culturally Diverse
Standard Entry Points: Grade 9
and Grade 10
Co-Ed, All Boys, All Girls
6. Kinds of Schools
Very Academically Rigorous
Most challenging academic
environment
Acceptance Rate 10%-20%
SSAT Scores – 90%+
No formalized academic
support
Student must be academically
independent
Examples: Exeter, Groton,
Andover…
Academically Rigorous
Very challenging academic
environment
Acceptance Rate 20%-35%
SSAT Scores – 65%-89%
Little or no formalized
academic support
Student must be academically
independent
Examples: Brooks School,
Pomfret School, Suffield
Academy…
Academically Rigorous with
Academic Support Programs
Challenging academic
environment
Acceptance Rate 35%-50%
SSAT Scores – 25%-75%
Formalized academic support
programs (about 30% of
students utilize this service)
Many student are academically
independent
Examples: Proctor Academy,
Vermont Academy, Avon Old
Farms, The Forman School…
7. What to Consider in a School
Academic Programs
Rigorous, Academic Support, Tutorials, English as a Second Language…
Athletic Programs
Soccer, Basketball, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Skiing…
Arts Programs
Drama, Music, Visual Arts...
Acceptance Rates and SSAT Scores
Find a Good Academic Fit that Maximizes Opportunity for Acceptance
School Culture
Educational Philosophy, Collaborative, Competitive, “Outdoor” School…
Special Programs
Robotics, Nautical Programs, Innovation Lab, Ski Programs…
Location
Urban, Suburban, Rural
8. What Schools Look for in Students
Students of Good Character
Integrity, Honest, Kind, Respectful…
Motivated Students
Students who Want to Thrive in a Strong Academic Setting
Students Who Want to be Involved in a School Community
Athletics, Arts, Drama, School Newspaper, Community Service…
Leaders
Dorm Proctors, Team Captains, Student Government, Prefects…
Families who will be Supportive of the School
School Policies, Programs, Parent Events…
9. Admissions Calendar
Spring/Summer/Fall
Initial Consultant Meetings
School Considerations
School Research
Standardized Test Preparation (Summer)
Summer Activities to Enhance Application
“Practice” Standardized Testing
(Spring/Summer)
Fall/Winter
Interview and Tour Preparation
Standardized Testing
Tours and Interviews
Applications and Essays
Recommendations and Transcripts
10. Financial Aid vs. Full Tuition
About 80% of Enrolled Students Pay Full Tuition – 20% Receive Financial Aid
Full Tuition Applicants in a Less Competitive Applicant Pool Compared to Financial Aid Applicants
Schools Generally Looking for Strong Academic Students, Athletes, Artists, Community Members
Most Schools Compensate Faculty/Staff from Tuition
Most Schools Must use Tuition Dollars to Meet this Need – Tuition Driven
Very Few Schools can Rely on a Large Endowment to Compensate Faculty/Staff
