High School Placement Program

Read the Blog High School Guidance Counselor, Lisa Busby, provides regular updates for 8th grade parents in blog to help guide them through the high school selection process. Dowloadable Resources Student Application Process The Application Process (Parent perspective) The Application Process (student perspective) High School Counseling: Parent Questionnaire High School Counseling: Student Questionaire SFDS Results 2008 How to Evaluate a High SchoolWorksheet Checklist for High School Applications High School Selection Process Recommended Reading S an Francisco Private & Faith Based Schools San Francisco Public Schools Marin Private & Faith Based Schools Marin Public Schools East Bay Private & Faith Based Schools Peninsula Private & Faith Based Schools California Boarding Schools East Coast Boarding SchoolsDowload the entire High School Notebook

 Introduction

 Important Dates for 2008-09 School Year

  Frequently asked questions
Things to Remember
Bay Area High Schools - Web Links

Introduction

The high school placement program is for 8th graders and their families. The high school guidance counselor works closely with students and their parents to gather information about high schools, assess students' strengths, and make sound choices for continuing their education.

These resources have been carefully written and compiled to help guide parents and students through the exciting process of applying to high school. Please take time to read them before the application process begins.

Parents, your first job is to read and discuss this information with your child. Keep in mind that the beginning of this process is an opportunity to step back from the actual schools and take stock of what qualities your child would benefit from and contribute to in this next stage of his/her academic career. In the late summer and fall, either you or your child will call schools to request applications and schedule school visits. Together, you should attend an open house at every school that interests you. In addition, I encourage your family to attend an athletic, art, science, or musical event at those schools. These occasions are a wonderful opportunity to see students and their work in natural settings. Attendance at the High School Fair in September is strongly suggested as well.  When it is time for you to fill out parent forms on the applications, feel free to applaud your child in appropriate areas; after all, you have the most unique, long-term perspective on your child’s strengths. Overall, please remind your child that every school offers something special and that it is crucial to maintain an open mind to all possibilities.

Students, you have the biggest assignment of all. With your parents, read and discuss these documents, discuss general and specific qualities in a high school that you could benefit from and contribute to, and then decide on schools of interest. Things to follow– including visits, interviews, and writing your personal essay– must be balanced and paced with your academics and extracurriculars throughout the first semester of 8th grade.   

This will be an exciting and challenging year; hopefully, these documents will inform you about what to expect each step along the way. I look forward to working with all of you.  

Lisa Busby
High School Guidance Counselor
San Francisco Day School

Important Dates for 2008-09 School Year

Dates as of 6/23/08

*All TBA dates will be updated when specifics become available to SFDS

Frequently asked questions

	How do I get started?
	What is the role of SFDS in the admission process?
	What do the high schools look for in an application
	How much weight is given to interviews?
	How important are standardized tests (SSATs, ERBs, etc.) and grades?
	What is the role of the school recommendation letters?
	What happens when the results come in March?

How do I get started?
After your first meeting with Ms. Busby, start investigating your high school choices by visiting school websites and talking to people who know certain high schools well. When you request application materials from a school, that school will tell you exactly what to do next. Most schools will require a shadow visit and an interview. All schools have open houses on weekends in September through early January.

What is the role of SFDS in the high school admissions process?
We can advise, facilitate, encourage, and recommend, but decisions rest with the high schools.  We provide experienced and individualized counseling throughout the process, we gather information from every upper school teacher, and we compile all of the information and recommendations for the schools to consider.  We stay in constant contact with the admissions directors and provide up-to-the-minute information to our students.  We go to bat for each student, and we share his/her exhilaration and disappointment when the results are announced.  We do not “get kids into schools.” The students themselves have earned the grades, taken the tests, participated in the activities, and written the applications. We are simply a “guiding light.”

What do the high schools look for in an applicant?
High schools look for students who are the “right fit” for their school. The definition of “fit” is often quite broad and includes many different kinds of students. High schools are looking to construct a class that combines all kinds of people, including athletes, writers, social enthusiasts, those interested in the arts, and those involved in community service, as well as those who come from different backgrounds and different schools. They look for a range of personality types to reflect the world in which we live. Overall, the high schools desire students who value and take charge of their own learning experience.

How much weight is given to interviews?
Interviews can help a student's chance. We conduct some interview preparation workshops to familiarize students with the format and the kinds of questions usually asked. We emphasize that this is a time to speak with confidence about individual interests and talents, a time to “toot your own horn.”  Enthusiasm is a key ingredient to a successful interview.  We work not to rehearse but to demystify the interview component; the best strategy in an interview is to BE YOURSELF.

How important are standardized tests (SSATs, ERBs, etc.) and grades?
Standardized tests are important, but not conclusive, in the process of deliberation.  Some schools place more emphasis on them than others, but it is generally true that achievement (grades) and effort marks are more important than testing.  Standardized tests are usually used as a confirmation of what has been demonstrated in transcripts and recommendations.

What is the role of the school recommendation letters?
Three letters are written on behalf of SFDS students applying to high schools. The first is the high school counselor’s letter, an overall letter of introduction to the student that describes him/her as a student and a citizen of the school. Next, English and math teachers fill out both a checklist about specific skills particular to their disciplines as well as write a letter about each child as a student. All three recommendations emphasize a student’s strengths and skills and personal style, while also pointing out areas for growth that a school might need to take into consideration in admissions. Schools looking for a student who is the "right fit” must count on the middle schools to report honestly where an applicant may be in his/her skills and learning process. 

These three recommendations are usually all that are required or necessary. Unless a high schools asks for an additional letter, you should not submit more than is required.  Consult me if you have a question about extra recommendations.   

What happens when the results come in March?
Sometimes the initial results are not the end of the story. At this point, patience is the most important response.  Maintaining a sense of adult balance and perspective is essential for your eighth grader’s positive outlook.  Every year, despite inevitable bumps along the way, the process turns out well for each student.  Our job as adults is, as always, to continue to support the children as we prepare them for the transition into high school. 

If you have any other questions you feel we should address, please let me know.

Things to Remember

• Applicants have been increasing at about 7-8% per year while high school openings have remained almost static.
• There are 5 components to the high school admissions process: the application, grades, the interview (for most schools), teacher recommendations, and standardized test scores.
• Because of the growing numbers of applicants, all the high schools are investigating changes in the process of student visits and interviews. For example, after dropping the interview component in 2001, Lick now interviews students in pairs. When and if changes occur, I will let you know.
• Child and parent applications are your opportunity to show how unique and special your child is.  Feel free to brag!
• We will work on good interviewing techniques at school, but positive at-home reminders are always welcome. Posture, eye contact, and a confident manner go a long way in making a good impression. 
• School visits are the chance for your child to look at a school and for the school to look at your child as well.  This is the time to show interest in and knowledge of the school. Respectful behavior matters!

Financial Aid
High schools encourage you to apply for admission regardless of your family’s financial situation. All independent and Catholic schools have some type of financial aid. The procedure used to apply for aid varies slightly from school to school. Information on the specific method used by each school is included in its application packet.

Boarding Schools
Boarding schools offer an alternative to local high schools.  I have information in my office about both California and out-of-state boarding schools.   For students who have specialized interests, boarding schools offer additional options. I am happy to talk to you about the type of program available at each boarding school.

San Francisco Public Schools
The San Francisco Unified School District is currently in transition.  At this time, you must fill out an EA (Enrollment Application) to attend any public high school.  Lowell’s application is simply an additional page on the EA form. All information about public school enrollment is subject to change. I will keep you informed with any new information and specific dates as they are released.

I will have EA’s and Lowell applications in my office when they become available.  Applications and proof of residency must be returned in person by a parent or guardian to the Educational Placement Center by the deadline date in January. No late applications are accepted if you are applying to Lowell. SFDS is responsible for providing the seventh grade and first semester eighth grade transcripts to any public school.  On the Lowell application form you will choose a date for your child to take the entrance exam for Lowell.  (Please note: This is NOT the SSAT or the SAT.)  This standardized test is required for admission to Lowell, and the applicant must have some type of photo identification to sit for this test.  Notification of admission to Lowell is usually sent in the first week of March. I will explain Lowell’s new and evolving admission procedure to any interested families when school starts in September.

Please read additional information about particular public schools in resources section

Standardized Tests

SSAT
The SSAT is required by most of the independent high schools in the Bay Area and many in and out of state boarding schools.  It is given at SFDS on a school day in November.  It is possible to take an untimed SSAT if your child has a current identified and documented learning disability. When the student takes the SSAT given at the Day School, all registration is taken care of by us. 

Public Schools
Lowell is the only San Francisco public school that requires a standardized entrance exam. This is not the same as the SSAT or SAT.  If your child misses these test dates at Lowell, it will not be possible to make up the test.  This test and grades are the most important measurement used for admittance to Lowell.  Information about registering for the Lowell test is available on the Lowell application.

Catholic School Entrance Test
The Catholic School Entrance Exam is given twice in January.  Scores are sent on to all Catholic schools to which the applicant has applied.  Convent and Stuart Hall accept either the Catholic School Entrance Exam or the SSAT.

Resources
Many preparation books exist and are available to familiarize students with standardized test formats.  Three are listed in the book resources section. In addition, SSAT tutors and classes are available to students.  If you would like information about these, please give me a call.

Bay Area High Schools

Bay: www.bayschoolsf.org
Bishop O'Dowd: www.bishopodowd.org
Branson: www.branson.org
College Prep: www.college-prep.org
Convent: www.sacredsf.org
Crystal Springs: www.csus.com
Drew: www.drewschool.org
Gateway: www.gwhs.org
Hebrew Academy: www.hebrewacademy.com
International: www.ihs-fais.org
Immaculate Conception: www.icacademy.org
Jewish Community: www.jchsofthebay.org
Lick: www.lwhs.org
Lincoln: www.lincolnhigh.net
Lowell: www.sfusd.edu/LowellHS
Lycee Francais: www.lelycee.org
Marin Academy: www.ma.org
Marin School: www.themarinschool.org
Mercy High School: www.mercyhs.org
Riordan: www.riordanhs.org
Sacred Heart Cathedral: www.shcp.edu
Saint Ignatius: www.siprep.org
School of the Arts (SOTA): www.sfsota.org
Stuart Hall: www.sacredsf.org
University: www.sfuhs.org
Urban: www.urbanschool.org
Waldorf: www.sfwaldorfhighschool.org
Washington: http://sfportal.sfusd.edu/sites/washington_hs/default.aspx
The Association of Boarding Schools: www.schools.com
San Francisco Unified School District: www.sfusd.ed

San Francisco Private & Faith Based Schools
San Francisco Public Schools
Marin Private & Faith Based Schools
Marin Public Schools
East Bay Private & Faith Based Schools
Peninsula Private & Faith Based Schools
California Boarding Schools
East Coast Boarding Schools