Acera students thrive in the wide array of high schools which they attend! While about 50% of Acera students return to the public high school in their town, half of our students apply to independent high schools during their grade 8 or grade 9 school year.
Each fall and spring, we hold a High School Landscape meeting, which is open to all and which is particularly targeted for families of current grade 7 & 8 students. At that meeting, we talk about how the HS applications process works for students applying to independent high schools, and we answer any questions parents have about this topic; each session is a little bit different to tune it to the needs of each group. We also set the stage for a philosophy and approach to next schools which fits with our overall school mission and values. We also seek to dispel common worries or fears about this next stage in schooling and how it relates to college admissions.
Curious about how former Acera students “do” in high school – and want to hear directly from kids who are attending one or more of the independent schools on your list? Join us on November 22 at 6:00 pm for Acera’s annual Alumni Panel event! Here is a link to the 2023 Alumni Panel
The goal of high school placement is to find the right fit for your child rather than to apply to a school based upon its “name” or “brand.” Each student’s unique interests and profile along with logistical considerations of commute determine a strong list of – ideally – 3-5 schools a student will apply to. Do they wish for rich arts programming or have a uniquely deep math capability? Is your child one who is anxious or do they struggle with executive function? Is your child a strong test taker and how much weight does a particular HS put onto SSAT scores? Is additional tutoring practical and sound, or unnecessary?
All are invited to our twice yearly High School Landscape overview and planning meetings, but these are not really essential to attend ahead of grade 7 spring or grade 8 fall.
Essential Info about High School placement:
- We offer a grade 9 bonus year program, open to all Acera students. Grade 9 Bonus year students are part of Ruma & Bob’s Room 2 classroom. Given that all kids, once in grade 6, engage in high school level content, this is appropriate for any student who wishes to stay at Acera.
- Ms. Kei is the point person who assures that Acera appropriately supports each family and assures the Acera follows through on our role within the independent high school application process (which include 3 recommendations for each school from Acera staff)
- In addition to private schools, we also recommend that all families also consider their local high school as a real, viable option on their “list.” High schools often have more options to accommodate accelerated learners, great resources and funding for clubs, facilities and sports, and are often places where Acera kids really shine.
- In the fall of grade 8, we encourage (and recommend) that parents make an appointment with a member of our team to help assure a strong high school list which best fits the students’ profile and interest. Families can choose to meet with whomever they choose, and most often these meetings occur with Kei, Malcolm, and/or Courtney.
- We offer a preparatory interview / coaching session for all students applying to high schools which we are delighted to enact as long as we know ahead of time when students will visit a HS.
- Ruma and/or Bob are happy to work with an 8th or 9th grader applying out to identify a piece of written work to include in a student’s application (in cases where this is expected as part of the application process).
- If a family is applying for extra time when taking the SSAT (not required by all high schools) please let us know so we can support the request appropriately.
- We have active strong relationships with many area high school admissions departments of the schools most often attended by Acera students. These high schools do, very much, like and appreciate our narrative report card approach.
- What is a partial list of high schools former Acera students have attended and/or been admitted to?
Public: Arlington, Belmont, Lexington, Medford, Winchester, Minuteman Vocational Tech
Private: BB&N, Boston University Academy, Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall, Concord Academy, Cambridge School of Weston, Gann AcademyGroton,, Phillips Andover, Philips Exeter, Tremont School,
Periodically, we survey Acera alumni about their experiences in HS and how Acera’s program links to and enables their success in high school. Consistently we hear that the critical thinking and problem solving from Acera serves them well, and they are prepared for increased HW loads in HS based on skills they developed and experiences they had at Acera.
What are other questions you have about high school applications? Reach out to kei@aceraschool.org!
Best,
Courtney