Poised for Bright Futures 

Secondary School Coffee for Grade 7 Parents

Each spring, the Secondary School Placement Team hosts a coffee for parents of rising Grade 8 students to celebrate this remarkable moment in their children’s lives and to outline the steps ahead for students seeking placement in high school, whether that destination is an independent school, a Catholic high school, a boarding school, or a selective public school program.

Director of Secondary School Placement/Associate Head of Middle School Amy Yount ‘77, Associate Head of School/Head of Middle School Dan Spector, Secondary School Placement Coordinator Judy Barr, and Head of School Jalene Spain Thomas comprise the Placement Team.

The Placement Team meets with parents over the summer to discuss secondary schools to which students might consider applying. This meeting results in a preliminary list of schools to guide families.

• Investigation continues based primarily on preliminary list.

  • Review websites; set up accounts (eg Ravenna, etc), make appointments for interviews, arrange dates for school visits 

• The Placement Team hosts a Grade 8 Parent Coffee.

  • Chart a course for the fall

  • Discuss standardized testing (SSAT/ISEE/HSPT) registration—parents’ responsibility

• Students prepare for the SSAT or ISEE as needed. 

• Visit schools!

• Take SSAT or ISEE, if necessary. Parents must register their children online through SSAT/ISEE.

• Take HSPT, if necessary. Parents must register through the Archdiocese of Washington website.

• Complete all school applications by the appropriate deadlines–watch for any earlier deadlines.

• Submit “universal” transcript authorization to St. Patrick’s for all prospective schools.

• Share recommendation forms with appropriate teachers.

• Complete tests/visits at individual schools.

• Meet with a member of the Placement Team if considering declaring a school a “first choice” (a letter of explanation will be sent out in early January).

• St. Patrick’s continues advocacy at schools.

• Decision letters mailed by schools in late February or early March (earlier for Catholic schools).

• Respond to acceptances within the given time period.

  • NOTE: You must decide on one school within that time period, although you may choose, in addition, to seek acceptance off the waitlist at other schools. Under no circumstances may parents reserve a space at more than one school. 

• Make decision as promptly as possible.

  • Members of Placement Team available to consult

  • Email any school at which you do not accept a place, expressing appreciation

• For students on waitlists, work with Placement Team on approach.

Enjoy end-of-year experiences at St. Patrick’s!