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Creating Your Preliminary School List
When creating a school list for your child, it's crucial to distinguish between what's truly the best fit and what's deemed the most prestigious. The difference lies in a realistic assessment of your child's strengths, areas for growth, temperament, and passions. Take the time to personally tour schools that align with your child's unique learning profile.
Avoid the temptation to compete with friends and neighbors over who gets into the "hottest school." Bragging rights should be about your child's accomplishments, not the school's name. Set your child up for success by seeing them for who they are and doing your research.
With a positive mindset and a clear understanding of your child's needs, you are ready to create a thoughtful list for school applications!
Where to begin?
SELF-EVALUATION
Step back and think critically about what’s important to you and what your child needs to reach their full potential. Consider your child’s learning style and the environment and community that can best support it.
Important questions to consider:
- Do your child’s grades and test scores align with the school’s academic profile?
- Will the school challenge and support your child in the way they need?
- What qualities does your child possess that helps them thrive?
- How does your child best process and learn information?
- Does the school support your child’s skills, goals, and interests?
- How does your child and family align with the school’s community?
IN-PERSON VIEWINGS
There is no substitute for visiting open houses or school tours. Visiting is a great opportunity to get a real look at a school’s campus, community, and academics – and see whether or not you can imagine your child there as a student.
DON'T MISS THE DETAILS
- Look carefully at hand-outs from tours and open houses
- Carefully review the school applications. Questions and essay prompts can give you an idea of what aspects are most important to the school.
Above all, keep in mind there is a great school for every child – including yours. If you’re anxious, your child will be, too. When you try to take the emotion out of the situation and instead view your search as one of enlightenment, everyone will benefit.
Good luck – and if the journey seems to daunting to you, remember we are here for you at Smart City Kids in a variety of ways. Advisory. Essay Writing. Test Prep. And tutoring
Our Founder
As a parent, Roxana applied to nursery, independent, special education, public, boarding, and finally, college for her two children. With a deep understanding that the process of applying to schools is a daunting, frustrating, and an emotional endeavor, Roxana founded SCK in 2001 with the goal of streamlining the process for other families. Since its inception, SCK has expanded its services to include advising for students entering nursery school through college, special education, educational enrichment and corporate/institutional advising practices.
Roxana Reid, founder of Smart City Kids, Inc. (SCK), is a social worker, educational advisor, lawyer, and parent. Roxana has extensive experience with admissions, having served as a Trustee at Friends Seminary where she chaired the Admissions/Financial Aid Committee. She has managed the Kindergarten placement process for several highly regarded early childhood programs including the JCC of Manhattan, The Jewish Community Project (JCP), York Avenue Preschool and the Church of the Epiphany Nursery School.
