Taking the Stress out of High School Placement
Applying to high schools in New York City is a prospect that may strike fear into the hearts of middle school students and their families. Yet, at Manhattan Country School, the guidance and support that our families receive via a dedicated High School Placement Director helps them gain a substantial advantage over the vast majority of 8th graders throughout the city. Over the last five years, 58 percent of our graduates have enrolled in independent day and boarding schools, 41 percent in top-performing public schools (including Specialized and Audition schools), and one percent in Catholic schools. It is also worth noting that because of our long-standing relationships with various day schools and boarding schools, admissions representatives often request that our 8th grade families consider applying.
At Manhattan Country School, our High School Placement Process begins with our High School Intro Night for 7th grade families, during which we introduce them to the array of options. Throughout the spring, families receive personalized guidance around the selection process for each type of school in order to narrow down their potential lists of high schools. Over the summer, families are encouraged to research schools in preparation for individual family meetings in the fall, during which our High School Placement Director and Upper School Director present a list of best-match schools to consider tailored to each student’s interests, needs, and preferences. In addition, our school works in partnership with a prestigious test-prep company in order to offer an optional preparation for the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT), at an additional cost. Families considering the public Specialized High Schools may also opt into SHSAT test prep. For families considering arts-focused schools, such as LaGuardia or Frank Sinatra, we work closely with those students to guide them in their visual arts portfolio preparation. For students applying to independent and Catholic schools, the 7th & 8th grade team collaborates to write personalized recommendation letters in order to give admissions representatives a holistic picture of each applicant. Once all applications are in, our High School Placement Director communicates with Admissions teams throughout the independent schools to advocate for each of our students. Decisions for Catholic schools are released in January, for independent schools in March, and for public schools in March, as well.
At MCS, all students go to high school! Our focus on each family helps to alleviate what may otherwise be a stressful process and helps to match students with best-fit schools. Each family will receive the support that they need in order to navigate high school applications. Over the last five years, our graduates have enrolled in the following schools:
Manhattan Country School
150 West 85th Street, New York, NY 10024 | (212) 348-09523536 New Kingston Mountain Road, Roxbury, NY 12474 | (607) 326-7049
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