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Enrolling into a private school can be intimidating if you don’t know where to start or what to expect. There are often many schools to choose from, so even narrowing your options down can be difficult. There are a few ways to make this process easier. Understanding a school’s values and goals can help you pick what is best for your child and your family. Additionally, knowing how the application process works and what they are looking for can alleviate stress and better your child’s chance of acceptance. Whether you’re looking to start your child’s education in a private school, or you want your student to transfer to a private high school or private middle school in Tampa, FL, here are some tips to help you get started.

Looking for the right fit

Sometimes, the hardest part about applying to a private school is finding the right fit for your student and your family. Here are some ways to narrow down your options:

Identify which schools match your family’s values. Research potential schools to see what their goals are and to get a better understanding about aspects such as teaching methods, curriculum, and conflict management.

Ask the school what they look for in an applicant. Oftentimes, schools have specific qualities or achievements that they require from students for acceptance. Some of these elements are grades and extracurricular involvement.

Grades. Inquire about how your child’s grades and behavior at previous schools may affect admission. Typically, private schools, specifically high schools, have higher standards for admission than public schools. It is important that your student focuses on excelling in middle school so that they have a better chance of getting accepted into their private high school of choice.

Extracurricular activities and specialty schools. Some private schools may focus on specialties, such as sports or performing arts. If you want to send your student to these types of private schools, the school typically looks for students who have some experience in their area of specialty. Being involved in extracurricular activities prior to admission can help better your chances of admission to specialty schools. Additionally, private schools look for well-rounded students. Being active in the community or extracurriculars can help better a student’s chances of admission into private schools other than specialty schools.

Volunteering and family involvement. Private schools want students and families who contribute to the community. They look for students who are open to trying new activities. They want families who are not only willing but excited to get involved in the student body and surrounding community. Different levels of commitment are possible for different families. Understanding a school’s expectations can help you assess what schools are the best fit for you.

Examine tuition, fees, and financial resources. Financial requirements can be a big determining factor for families deciding on whether a private school is a realistic option for their child. The tuition and fees vary depending on the school, so it is important to know all costs to plan ahead and to look for any financial assistance the school may offer. If your child has been awarded a scholarship, you will need to make sure that the school will accept it as payment. Not all private schools accept scholarships.

We recommend picking three to five schools that fit your values and goals. There is not anything “wrong” about only choosing one school, but it may be a good idea to have other options if your top pick does not work out.

The admissions process

Once you narrow down the schools you are interested in applying, you’ll need to find out how to apply. The admissions process often differs among private schools, even within private middle schools in Tampa, FL. Despite these differences, there are many common elements included in a private school admissions process.

1. Most private schools require an application. This application often includes recommendations from current or previous teachers.
2. The student will most likely have to take an entrance exam.
3. The student and/or family usually has to complete an interview with the admissions board.
4. Some schools have students shadow before they enroll. Shadowing is when a child attends either part of a school day or a whole school day before they are a student at that school. They are often paired with a current student to show them around. This gives the child a glimpse of what it’s like on campus and what is expected.

All of these steps are designed to help the school get to know the student, and the student to get to know the school. If the school determines that the student and their family are a good fit, they will extend an offer of acceptance. If the family accepts the offer, their child will be able to enroll.

When to start the application process

The application timeline also depends on the school. Some private schools have application deadlines. After a certain date, these schools stop taking applications for the upcoming school year.

Other schools have rolling admissions. This means that application and enrollment is not limited to the start of a new school year. However, there are some limitations for high schools. If a student is working on completing credits required for graduation, they may need to finish out the school year or semester before transferring to ensure that those credits transfer over to the private school and still count towards their diploma.

A good rule of thumb is to look into the admissions processes a year ahead of when you wish to enroll. This ensures that you have enough time to apply and organize any requirements, especially if the school has specific application deadlines. Additionally, some schools have very limited capacity, so it may be important to get your application in as early as possible.  

Private high schools in Tampa, FL

Are you looking for a private high school in Tampa, FL? We might be the right fit! Bayshore Christian School is a private school that offers pre-K through high school programs. We have a rolling admissions process and are available to answer any questions you may have about how to get started with your application!