Philadelphia Medicine Spring 2020 - 23

p h i l a m e d s o c .o rg

erblearn.org/services/isee-overview) and for high school students it
is the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT https://ssat.org/).
Individual testing can be done at the testing agencies below:
* Center for Psychological Services, Ardmore (610) 642-4873;
Paoli (610) 647-6406
* Main Line Educational Services, Rosemont (610) 525-8127
Other standard application requirements include recommendations
from the current school, transcript, day visit to the potential new school,
and a writing sample.
While the admissions process is designed to allow the admissions
officers to have a complete understanding of each candidate, in my
experience the process also provides the parents and the applicant a
very accurate sense of the school. In the process of applying, never
lose sight of the fact that you are evaluating the school just as much
as it is evaluating your child.
One way of evaluating the outcome (college enrollments) for each
independent school is to check the school's website, and click though
to the "College Counseling" page and search for the "College Profile."
A college profile is sent to each college to which any school's students
apply, and provides essential information about rigor (list of AP courses
and AP exams scores, SAT/ACT median scores for the last graduating
class, summary of colleges attended by recent graduates) and the overall
academic program. Comparing one school's profile with that of another
will give you a very clear idea of which school has a stronger placement

record, higher median SATs, etc.--- if that matters to you.
As an education consultant, I seek the best fit in a new school for
each student I work with, and encourage parents not to get caught up
in a perceived "best school." The best school for a student is the one
that meets his needs, guides development optimally while building
skills and self-confidence along the way. Be honest with yourself about
who your child is!
I have seen many students, including our children, bloom in the right
independent school. Smaller class sizes encourage speaking up, asking
questions, extra help and allow teachers to truly know their students.
Faculty members are often mentors. Most independent schools develop
their students' facility in both writing and speaking. The emphasis on
values seems so important, especially now. The academic atmosphere
creates an environment where most students buy in to doing their very
best. The smaller scale of these schools allows for access to sports teams,
drama and music activities, and other extracurricular activities where
often a classroom teacher will be coaching or directing as mentors
and role models. *
Sarah is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College with a master's degree in
education from Harvard University. As the principal of Informed Educational
Solutions, she works with students from throughout the United States and
the world. Her husband, Carter, is the former director of admissions at The
Hill School, Pottstown, Pa. Their children are graduates of Lawrenceville
School, New Jersey, Princeton and Johns Hopkins.

DEEP DIVE INTO

LEARNING
Westtown puts action at the center of each student's
experience. We empower students to dig deep, think
big, and make an impact. One option for our Upper
School students to embrace this type of learning is
through our Deep Dive Certificate Program.
The Westtown Deep Dive Program promotes an
interdisciplinary lens through which students design
and experience their education. Deep Dive Certificates
are offered in these areas: Social Entrepreneurship;
Sustainability Leadership; Global Leadership; Diversity,
Inclusion, and Social Justice; and Data-Driven Change.

This year our students are leading biomedical projects
into the study of traumatic brain injuries, Alzheimer's
disease, vaping, and the heritable effects of trauma. This
work can not only lead to change but, most importantly,
helps students define their passions and purpose.

|

975 Westtown Road

Pre-K-12

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West Chester

Quaker

Pennsylvania 19382

Independent

Day School with Boarding Options in Grades 9-12
West Chester, Pennsylvania

Spring 2020 : Philadelphia Medicine 23
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Philadelphia Medicine Spring 2020

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