James - founding group of Kipp King 8th graders...  contacts with private independents, parochial schools, etc.  In that time is when I got familiar with the process.  Talked with Admissions person at St. Mary's.... there is one mentality:

• we can't afford private schools - there is a lot of aid available to families who qualify for FRL, there is money for different groups of students.  This is an option for you. 
• "All of the kids who go to this school are rich... and I am not a rich kid. I will not fit in" - there is wide diversity in many bay area schools
• HS test for Catholic schools is for placement, but not for gatekeeping - admissions directors talk directly with teachers and need to know/understand the curriculum and personality of the schools
• If possible, do shadow programs/open houses, etc.  Many of the virtual ones are happening now.  Testing will happen in January.  Students need to practice taking a timed test.  Scores are shared among the diocesian schools. 
• Summer programs are available to help get students caught up on skills.
• Role of a parent is different in independent schools.  It also means that some parents are entering environments where they feel "out-educated".  Family decision that needs to be made in partnership

Justin - we are starting to do this with 8th graders this week - we have a HS fair on Monday, and then we will make sure all of their applications are submitted.  Then we will be tracking the process for each student.  We have a list of schools we will recommend

Carolyn - the large frame that I would say - you have a great opportunity to say this is practice for what you will do when you apply to college.  Practice what it means to look at options, the moment to reinvent and/or build on your identity, think about it like a time to think about who you are and what you want to be.... not just default the decision.  What are things that get you excited - maker space, music, athletics... what schools offer that?  There are 4 systems you are going to interact with:

• the charter system
• district public school system
• religious school system
• independent system

There is a taxonomy - each system will treat you differently during application process.
You need to know the process for asking to go to a district school that is out of your neighborhood area.  There is a whole level of prep for students who might be choosing to enter an incredibly white space (like some of the independent schools).
If you can form relationships with some of the high schools - you become a feeder and those folks can be advocates for you and partners.... you can stay tethered to your kids.  And then you can guide them to the schools that suit each individual student needs...

Next year - bring the alum back

Dean can run all of this once you get this set up

Creighton - appreciating the push to tailor the options to the individual students.  

Carolyn - act like a powerbroker when you talk to independent schools


Timeline - 1.5 weeks left.  Applications ready by the time they leave for holiday break.  2/5 is drop dead deadline.  Every student has a completed schoolmint application with 5 choices.  Then in Jan we verify that they have done the work.

No action

We will discuss the student survey and ongoing support of 8th grade HS transition at our Jan 13th meeting