Alumni Weekend Campus Tour

Better Together

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:35:48 GMT

Geo board fun

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 21:12:51 GMT

Geo boards occupy time and teach skills

I saw these geo boards when looking for new activities early in the summer and wondered if the children I work with would enjoy them. I challenged each child in a session to copy the pattern I made on my board. WOW! The response was eager and joyful. Children learned about tension, counting pegs, seeing how many pegs made a square or a rectangle and how to change a band to make a triangle or other shapes. I decided to give away an unopened geo board at the end of our playtime and they were happy to take home a new activity. The set comes with six colorful boards and a packet of rubber bands in different colors and sizes. This activity could be good to carry along in the car when you know your child will need to wait somewhere with you. It is handy to pull out of your bag when your child is fidgety and needs a fresh activity. They come in a package of six, each in a different color with a generous supply of colors and sizes of rubber bands.

What is the right amount of screen time?

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 19:37:58 GMT

Screentime As Dessert

I'm often asked about how much screen time a child should be allowed, especially when children are now exposed to screens at school from a very young age. Fortunately, I have just the right tool to put in a parent's hand because my colleague Kimberly Harrison, Ph.D., has just had her awesome book published. Screentime as Dessert: A Parent's Guide to Reclaiming Children from Device Overuse. For many years, Dr. Harrison's Conative Group is one I have referred to often for educational assessment and mental health services. I appreciate her dedication to Houston's parent community for the time she spends making talks on the value of executive functioning skills and other topics related to child development. I have come to know Kimberly as a fun lady with a lot of wisdom, so I'm looking forward to getting into her book and having some wisdom to share with parents.

The Journey School Houston

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 19:35:16 GMT

Therapeutic school has a winning approach

This summer I attended an information session at The Journey School , Houston. They are having another session on Friday, August 30 - probably too late to catch this one, but there will be others this Fall. The sessions are valuable to get to know the unique approach at The Journey School, for special needs and "2e" learners - those gifted children whose social language or poor executive functioning skills cause them to be often overwhelmed in an academic setting that is right for their intellect. Such was the case for a family who came to see me last year. After many disappointing application results, I suggested they try looking at The Journey School. Their child is thriving there, which is just the outcome all parents want. It does not matter what a school looks like or how fancy the classrooms. When a child gets what he/she needs in academic and social-emotional support, the child will look forward to going to school every day and the child will learn. The location on 11th Street just a block from T.C. Jester west of The Heights is central to many families. If your child is a square peg in a round hole, take a look at this kind, innovative school.

A Parent Guide for the Ages

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 20:36:54 GMT

Neuro Whereabouts - a Book for All Parents

Many of you may have heard Chrystal Collier speak on timely topics that plague today's children - anxiety, ADHD, and screen time. The ADDA-SR hosted a seminar for professional in April at The Monarch Institute to hear Dr. Collier speak on topics from her new book. This will be a "parent handbook" for years to come and needs to be in every parent's home. There are tips, charts, strategies, and the latest research for non-professionals to understand, plus it comes with fun, colorful graphics to hold the attention of adults who don't have a lot of time to read. This book is for every parent who wants to stay one step ahead of the competition at every age for their child's attention and safety.

St. Francis Upper School Student Center

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 20:22:16 GMT

Fine Arts and Athletics draws a large 9th grade class for 2028

In case you haven't heard, the Upper School at St. Francis Episcopal School is a roaring success, and is the capstone piece to a St. Francis education that begins on the same campus with the preschool. In between, Kindergarten thru Middle School students continue to learn on the original campus just across Memorial Drive on Piney Point. Out of the ashes of a fire that consumed one of Houston's finest homes, The Couper House was replaced by a contemporary Student Center that is the focal point of the Upper School campus. The students who have joined this new school have had much to do with shaping the culture and programs of the new high school which has attracted creative kids like those who won third place in the Art Car Parade last year, theater students who put on Broadway musicals, and athletes whose teams have already brought home trophies to place in the field house. St. Francis is absolutely a school to consider if you want a preschool through high school, or need a right option for high school.

Planning Ahead

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 19:07:26 GMT

Consulting Services Offer Options

Many parents of middle and high school students come to me with college on their minds. “Where should my child go so he/she can get into the best colleges? That is a complex question. I trained to be a college counselor in a high school at Rice University when I lead the growth of the upper school at All Saints Episcopal School, Tyler in 1993. Although I chose to stay on the administrative path rather than college counseling, I have always paid attention to what colleges look for when choosing applicants for their freshman classes. That is why I felt confident when I began School Solutions ten years later that I knew what the “end product” needed to look like. My grandchildren's St. John’s education prepared them with study skills, independence, and confidence to take on new responsibilities away from home. Being prepared for college begins as far back as middle school with choices not only in academics but also in fine arts and athletics. I work with families as early as 3rd grade to get ready for 5th grade admission to 6th grade and 7th grade to start preparing for high school admission. That gives students time to choose their extra-curricular focus which will be important for high school admissions.

Luna Recovery Opens Tanglewood Location

Sat, 14 Jan 2023 20:08:54 GMT

Holistic Intensive Outpatient Program for Adolescents

I recently attended a luncheon to celebrate the opening of the newest Luna Recovery facility which is located at 5757 Woodway Drive. Although I do not place students in residential therapeutic programs, I often get calls from families looking for local outpatient treatment programs. I also help students find the right school to attend when they have completed treatment in residential programs. All but a few of those attending were therapists and counselors, many of whom were professional friends I refer families to for counseling. The speakers included a therapist at Luna Recovery, Dr. Crystal Collier, PLLC , author of the hottest new book, The Neuro WhereAbouts Guide, and Dr. Jon Stevens, MD , a psychiatrist with Menningers and in private practice. If you are looking for speakers to talk about current issues with adolescents, these folks are tops in their field and will hold the attention of any audience with adolescents.

New Middle School for Houston

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 17:46:09 GMT

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Academy Opening Fall 2022

A new independent middle school is opening in Southwest Houston this fall, and I am thrilled to share the news with families. The school plans to open with 6th and 7th grades this Fall - 2022. The leadership includes two brilliant, experienced educators : Eric Lerch from Episcopal High School as Head of School and Judy Adams, former River Oaks Baptist Middle School Principal, who serves as Board President. Tune in for a virtual event on March 6th to learn about their vision for a meaningful middle school experience. How will DBA approach curriculum, community and character in a new way for middle school students? I'm excited to find out !

Reflections on the Virus and Childhood

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 00:22:03 GMT

Three Favorite Books About Raising Children:
After all of the hard work of getting our students back into school and establishing a new normal under the cloud of the virus, we find our schools once again in the throes of indecision regarding in-school or virtual school learning. The argument against masks on preschoolers seems doomed to fail, so millions of little children will never know what their first teacher's face looked like, and teachers will not know what emotions were hiding under those smiley-face masks. The largest body of research among psychologists today is said to be on the subject of anxiety . I do not doubt it. I see fewer carefree and happy children these days than in years past. Four and five-year olds seem to have lost the spontaneity of childhood, the ready laughter and childlike wonder. They do not engage readily in play, and they seem to have acquired much less knowledge than their same age peers in prior years. Of course, my observations are not at all scientific, but they do correlate with current literature. So I urge parents to do all they can to stimulate their children by playing games, reading books that promote laughter and finding time to just be silly. There certainly is no time for that in school with social distancing. Three books I read some years ago come to mind: Einstein Never Used Flashcards, The Importance of Being Little and Becoming Brilliant offer parents the latest research on early childhood learning and ways to engage the mind and heart of the young child. Old truths are back in vogue: "The brain learns through play," and, "Learning is a social activity". If children can't play and be social at school, then they need to have this environment as much as possible at home. Look for ways to introduce fun and stay away from flashcards and worksheets. Family games teach strategies and vocabulary and number sense while having fun and building relationships. And these don't require face masks.

Celebrate!

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 22:44:45 GMT

COVID Admission Season is Over!

Congratulations to all school admission directors and staff and to all the parents and students who applied to schools during the 2020-21 admission season! After enduring endless hours attending virtual school tours and admission events
and after all the agonizing decisions that must be made in the process of choosing new students, schools are about to fill all of the seats in their schools and can look forward to a fresh start to a new school year in Fall 2021. Let's not forget to congratulate the IT teams at these schools for the amazing work they did to design new web pages and new tools so families could get to know the schools and discover the unique opportunities each offers. I think the virtual interviews went well for older students. Doing virtual assessments for preschool children was truly a challenge with little bodies jumping up and down in excitement or staring in silence at the computer screen. I'm not sure any of us have worked this hard in years with all of the Zoom meetings, but we made it through. The students I worked with are heading for schools that are truly a right fit for them, so I think the process worked as it always does. But I hope we never have to do this again!

Subtitle

Presbyterian School

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 22:08:00 GMT

Presbyterian School New Elementary Classrooms

Light, space, movement, color, hands-on, discovery. Educators no longer hypothesize about the best ingredients for a child's science education. It all comes together in the new Presbyterian School elementary building science lab. These same elements infuse all aspects of the new wing which officially opened in November 2019.

River Oaks Baptist Lower School Tour

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 22:07:56 GMT

Librarians at ROBS feature the Lone Star Reading List.

On a recent tour of River Oaks Baptist School, I was able to focus on classrooms and support programs for K-4th grade. Much will change at ROBS this fall when the new middle school building will open. The entrance to the school will shift to the new building, and the lower school will add one more classroom per grade as it moves into space vacated by the middle school. ROBS continues to be one of Houston's most popular day schools due to its location, spacious and well-appointed campus, well-balanced curriculum, and long history of strong leadership. The admission efforts have historically sought a diverse student enrollment while balancing the large number of qualified applicants whose parents and grandparents attended the school. ROBS offers a rich academic program, a wide array of athletic teams and a broad fine arts program that will be integrated more vigorously by technology with the opening of the new middle school building. Leadership, friendship, character and service are important values emphasized in this faith-based school where parent involvement plays an important role in the community.

St. Francis Episcopal School

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 22:07:53 GMT

St. Francis Episcopal School Updates 2020

St. Francis Episcopal School is adding another Kindergarten classroom which means all K classrooms will get a makeover for the new year. The increased enrollment is due to the popularity of the Early Childhood program that sits on the South Campus of St. Francis, located on S. Piney Point along with the Upper School. The Rice Literacy program adopted by St. Francis several years ago, the amazing faculty, and beautiful classrooms keep enrollment in the EC program at a peak. The Lower School Library is also getting an update with greater space given to technology and an expansion of the maker space classrooms. This summer, the gymnasium floor in the original building will be replaced and some updating of the middle school wing will take place. Meanwhile, St. Francis Episcopal Church is doing major construction on its buildings and the last report was that there would not be a summer school at St. Francis in 2020.
Too bad, since that summer program is always outstanding and helps all of those families with summer activities.

St. Francis Episcopal School

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 22:07:51 GMT

St. Francis Maker Space Grows

On a recent tour of the Lower School at St. Francis, it was clear that technology is expanding beyond this classroom where just two years ago there was a small maker space at one end. Now this room is flowing into the library and new furniture will be arriving - all part of how technology and new ways of teaching and learning are transforming our classrooms.

New Preschool Near the Galleria

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 22:58:42 GMT

Mariner Montessori Opens with Experienced Leadership

Mariner Montessori, Houston's Newest Preschool opened this summer under the leadership of Ms. Georgette Vela and several experienced teachers from Village Montessori which closed last year. My grandchildren began school at Village Montessori on Bissonnet and I sent many happy families there over the years. One of the Village student's parents purchased all of the school materials and furnishings and has opened a beautiful new school at 6018 Fairdale Lane. The exterior remodeling is still in progress, but inside the school is a dream. Each classroom is a beautifully prepared environment for the age group. The day I visited the children were excited about splash day in the expansive 10,000 square foot playground. The Montessori curriculum for infants (6 weeks) to Kindergarten age is enhanced with a STEAM focus - the A is for Art. The great demand for after-school care for children up to age 12 is met by a rich program of activities such a ballet and tae kwon do. The children are focused and happy and surrounded by books, Montessori materials and teachers ready to help them be successful learners. For a tour of the school call 713.783.7490

Making Summer Count

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 15:27:46 GMT

SCHOOL SOLUTIONS can help you select summer activities to enhance your child's admissions options.

Summer offers students a blank canvas for trying all sorts of activities that promise big rewards. Good academic performance is to be expected among private school applicants. What makes students stand out are the talents and skills they have to offer. Outdoor exploration today goes hand-in-hand with STEM courses. Many leadership courses are designed around outdoor skills. SOAR adventure camps teach executive functioning skills. Wolfeboro, the Summer Boarding School in New Hampshire, is one of my favorite academic camps where students can earn academic credit or build a stronger foundation in math, reading and study skills. Many fine boarding schools offer summer camps with or without academic programs mixed in with sports or fine arts courses. For young students, now is the time to sign up for summer camp at any one of Houston's private schools, universities or museums. Places fill up so don't delay!

Visit to Houston Educational Services

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 20:24:50 GMT

Bellaire group provides diagnostic testing and tutoring

To serve the varied needs of my clients, I keep not only an extensive current list of schools, but also lists of service providers - tutors to therapists, pediatricians to psychologists. The owners of The Clinic for Academic Therapy served a generation of students and then sold their practice to one of their valuable tutors, Stephanie Martin-Williams, M.Ed. Stephanie and I visited at her office last week about the range of services and the impressive experience her group offers children as well as adults. Stephanie and three other specialists provide academic support for a wide range of subjects as well as organizational and study skills, and more extensive literacy support for children who struggle with reading. Stephanie can administer basic diagnostic educational testing such as Wechsler IQ tests, the Woodcock-Johnson and assessment of focus and attention. For students who are applying to private schools and colleges, Houston Educational Services also provides test prep for the ISEE, the SAT and ACT. This group is located at 4545 Bissonnet. www.houstoneducationalservices.com

Single-Sex Education Shows Benefits

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT

The Gurian Institute developed from the work of Michael Gurian who has written numerous books on how boys and girls learn in ways that differ from one another. Their recent e-newsletter referred to an article on this topic in Education Week , citing not only gains in test scores, but also those "soft skills" which are hard to measure but make life much better and learning more successful. In Dallas ISD comparisons were made between coed schools and all girls or all boys schools. The measurable gains in reading and math were clearly evident, yet the more impressive "gains" were summed up in the comments by the boys. In comparing their former coed school experiences, the boys reported that students in their current school were calmer and less disruptive, more cooperative and built friendships more easily. The boys said they liked the emphasis on leadership, forging stronger relationships and helping each other become better students and peers. For the all girls school, the benefits were greatest in the freedom girls found to explore math, science and technology. Single-sex schools in Houston include The Regis School of the Sacred Heart, (preschool thru 8th grade) and two high schools for boys - Strake Jesuit Preparatory and St. Thomas High School. We have three high schools for girls - Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, Incarnate Word Academy, and St. Agnes Academy. St. Thomas' Episcopal School offers a coed program in Bridge and Kindergarten, single sex from grades one to eight and coed in high school.

When Children Lose Control

Fri, 20 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Any headline like this from the weekend's Wall Street Journal, July 7-8, 2018 , will get my attention because self-control and learning go hand-in-hand. Self-control, often called emotional regulation, is one of those "soft skills", an "executive function" that schools look for when considering students for admission.

Teacher recommendation forms ask the current teacher to rate the degree to which a candidate exhibits emotional control in many areas of school life. This article reflects on research about the connection of school success and self-control. "Growing research finds that children who are able to regulate their emotions perform better academically and are more successful socially than those who don't. In adolescence, strong self-regulation skills can help to buffer against impulsiveness and risky behaviors."

A 30-year study at the University of North Carolina by Dr. Susan Calkins suggests that parents are key role models for their children in how to behave. A study of German families found that when parents helped their child reframe a situation with a more positive view, the child was better able to cope with disappointment and adopt this strategy in the future. "Self-regulation offers big payoffs as we age, including better physical and mental health." Children need tools for handling life's challenges. If you wish to learn more about this topic, contact me and I will send you some excellent resources.

The American Child and Bubble Wrap

Thu, 10 May 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Is it possible to be so protective of your child that your child develops anxiety?

A recent article in The Wall Street Journal, “The Over-Protected American Child”
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-overprotected-american-child-1527865038 reported on a probable link between the two. The writer likened the over-protected child to being “wrapped in bubble wrap”. Since bubble wrap has been a constant presence in my life since Hurricane Harvey, I felt a stir of interest in the headline.

When Harvey filled our house with seven feet of Buffalo Bayou ten months ago, friends and family used bubble wrap to protect many of our things for storage during the months we were in a temporary apartment. Every time I opened online purchases replacing items lost in the flood, bubble wrap was the standard packaging. When it was time to pack up for our final move to our new mid-rise apartment, I used up four huge rolls of orange bubble wrap to protect fragile items. After unpacking, I enjoyed seeing all of our beautiful china and decorative items freed at last from the bubble wrap.

The WSJ article implies that America’s healthy children will also become more beautiful when they are freed to become emotionally strong rather than living an over-protected, “bubble-wrapped” existence. Efforts to protect our children have resulted in a generation of children wearing helmets on playgrounds and college students who retreat to safe spaces when they hear a comment with which they disagree.

Educators and psychologists have long known that the rise of anxiety among America’s children is linked to the underdevelopment of two key executive functioning skills - resilience (in the face of disappointment) and emotional regulation (such as impulse control). When children learn to share, lose a game, accept disappointment, wait for what they want, risk new experiences, do their own homework and projects, and to manage their emotions, they develop self-confidence. Without these coping skills, over-protected children will be anxious, indecisive, and concerned that they do not measure up to others. These children will not develop the ability to tolerate being alone, having to find their own entertainment, having to wait to be heard, or think about the feelings of others.

Long before this over-protecting trend took to the extreme, my favorite book on the subject was The Blessing of a Skinned Knee, by Wendy Mogel. Another excellent book by Ellen Galinsky is Mind in the Making, The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs. The most recent book on my shelf on this topic is Grit, by Angela Duckworth. If you find yourself reaching for the bubble wrap, try reaching for one of these books instead.

Executive Functioning - Organization and SAOTG

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Another school-ready Executive Functioning skill that parents can help develop in their child at an early age is Organization. Some children come into my office and take out the cars in my red plastic case and line them up in a long line across the floor. Other children put all of numbered puzzle blocks in particular patterns. These children are already showing a desire to organize their work. They are also most likely to keep a To Do list and use a planner for school assignments in school. By high school, they will be the ones who use a calendar and plan ahead for projects and major tests. At a recent lunch sponsored by Fusion Academy, guest speaker Evan Weinberger presented an overview of the system his company designed to help students learn effective organizational skills. Over the past eight years I've referred Evan's company Staying Ahead of the Game to about 20 families whose students have learned life long skills. SAOTH teaches students how to set goals, how to use a planner and calendar, and how to actually study - as opposed to "doing homework." While SAOTG helps students improve their grades, tutors also work with social skills so students learn how to impress even teachers whose classes they actually dislike.

STEM at The Regis School

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 00:00:00 GMT

STEM is the big curriculum magnet at schools these days. At The Regis School of the Sacred Heart, STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math - is a perfect focus for a school providing a unique education for boys ages 3-8th grade. The youngest boys learn to write code with legos on the library wall or bots in the elementary maker space. They design mazes with tape on the hallway floor. Older boys in the Mac lab create original designs which they produce on 3-D printers, learning the value of precise measurements. New furniture on wheels spins, goes up and down and across the floor in the math lab where boys work in pairs and groups on math projects and games. Since my last campus visit two ping pong tables have been placed in open hall space, golf and tennis have been added to the athletic options, and the new lights on the playing field have promoted more night games on campus. Eighth grade graduates this year will be headed for some of the following high schools: The Kinkaid School, Strake Jesuit Preparatory, St. John's School and St. Thomas High School.

Why Do Executive Functioning Skills Matter for Admissions

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 00:00:00 GMT

When I was making a presentation to parents at ConocoPhillips recently, I asked for a show of hands of those parents who knew about "Executive Functioning Skills". One hand went up. Definitely, this is a topic that I thought was widely understood by parents but it must be just in my world of private school education. We need to change that because developing executive functioning skills - or EF skills - in children is an essential responsibility for parents today. Many EF skills are most evident when they are missing - like the space where a front tooth used to be. Just as every one can tell when a child has lost a front tooth, everyone can tell when a child has lost self-control in the grocery store, at a birthday party or in the classroom.

Educational research shows that the number one executive functioning skill a child must have in order to learn is Emotional Regulation. This skill begins in the baby's crib and is fostered by loving parents who know that unless their child is hungry, wet or in pain, it is best to let the child cry when she is put down at bedtime. The child learns the power of soothing herself to sleep and not relying on a caregiver to do it for her. Likewise, when a child begins to melt down over a small disappointment, parents need to let the child experience sadness and move on or go to his room until he can calm himself.

One of my favorite books about teaching executive functioning skills to your children is Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs by Ellen Galinsky.

How to Manage a Wait List Decision

Tue, 27 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Admission Decision: "Wait list" "Wait pool" How Should Parents Respond?

After all the months of going through the admission season, it's frustrating when your child ends up on a waiting list at your top school. Hopefully, your child has at least one acceptance at a second choice school, but is there is a chance you child could get off the waiting list? In my experience as an admission director and 14 years as an independent educational consultant, I have seen many students get off the waiting list at their first or second choice schools.

Who gets on the waiting list? Are wait lists ranked?

Some schools wait list all the qualified applicants they cannot take, while other schools keep a small "wait pool". In either case, there is a small, unranked group identified as priority candidates to choose from. Schools often choose a student from the wait pool who closely resembles a student they did not get in order to keep balance and diversity in the class.

How should parents respond to a wait list letter? How long do schools keep a waiting list?

When students are wait listed, the school will request a reply in the form of a return post card, phone call or email to state if the student wishes to remain on the list or not. Parents should notify the school as soon as possible so the school can begin to assess who will remain in their wait pool.

After a week or so, call the admission directors for an update on how the list is looking. Admission directors try to give parents an accurate assessment of their child's chances of getting off the waiting list. Sometimes a "wait list" decision is a "soft no"; sometimes the school really wants a student and tells a parent they think they will go to the waiting list soon. Sometimes a school gets more acceptances than they expected, so that class will be "over-full" and the school will not go to their wait list.

My experience is that some students get off the wait list within two weeks, but others are still waiting on the Common Reply Date. A few days after contracts are due, schools assess their numbers and then contact their wait-listed students. For some students, this is too late because they have already enrolled at another school. As long as the school shows interest in keeping your child on the waiting list, and you would be able to accept a place if offered, you should stay on the list.

Need help getting off the wait list or making the right school choice?

Managing wait lists and deciding on which school to accept is a service provided by School Solutions even for students who did not go through the admission season as our client. If you want proven, effective strategies to make sure you are accepting the right school offer, a Consultation could be the best way to end your admission season with the right school choice.

Houston Private School Admission Myths #3

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON PRIVATE SCHOOL ADMISSION MYTHS

Real Information Parents Can Use by

Carolyn Means, M.Ed., CEP, Houston’s Day School Consultant

Myth #3 : To make sure your child gets accepted to a school, make a big donation.

Parent: “I hear that if we want our daughter in our first choice school, we need to make a big donation. Should we give $10,000 or $50,000?”

Myth #3: The Truth : The truth is that parents should not make donations to schools they apply to. This can put the school in the embarrassing position of returning the donation, accepting it and not accepting your child, or being talked about as the school “where money gets your kid in”. The only exception to this rule is if the parents already have a relationship with the school as alumni or as parents of a current or former student. It would be appropriate for these parents to donate at their typical level to the annual fund, for example. Many Houston schools have an abundant supply of wealthy parents in their applicant pools, and money is not going to influence the admission committee. Schools have learned hard lessons from admitting unqualified students based on the parents’ potential to generously support a capital campaign. Always remember, the focus of the admission process is the student, not the parent’s bank account. There are many ways that a school can discover the potential financial support of an applicant’s parents, so save your donations until your child is enrolled.

Private School Admission Myth #2

Tue, 30 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON PRIVATE SCHOOL ADMISSION MYTHS

Real Information Parents Can Use

Carolyn Means, M.Ed., CEP

Houston’s Day School Consultant

Myth #2: Parents should not be truthful on applications.

Questions on School Applications:

Has your child had educational testing in the past?

Is there anything you would like to tell us that would help us know your child better?

Has your child been diagnosed with a learning disability?

Is your child currently taking medication?

Has your child been asked to leave a previous school?

What other schools did you apply to in the past?

Parent

“Oh, no!! This is an application to the school of our dreams and I have to answer these questions? If they find out the truth, my child will never be accepted.”

I get this reaction often, but my experience with schools has always proven that being truthful is the right choice. Of course, sometimes my client and I discuss a situation and determine that the answer is, “No”. Other times when it is clear that the answer is, “Yes”, I explain why schools need this information and why being truthful will benefit the child.

Myth #2: The Truth The truth is that schools want to partner with parents. Partnerships begin with a truthful application.

When parents are not truthful on applications, they begin a network of fibs that can come back to haunt them. Admission directors are not expecting to find perfect applicants. When they learn that a child has a learning differences or an unfortunate past experience, they want to know what support the student is getting and if it is sufficient for the student’s success.

If you have concerns about how to answer these types of questions, come see me for a SCHOOL SOLUTIONS Consultation to talk about how being truthful can benefit your chances of admission to a school. Often I can help parents with application responses by talking through the issue and helping them understand how the school might view it in a positive light.

Private School Admission Myth #1

Tue, 30 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON PRIVATE SCHOOL ADMISSION MYTHS

Real Information Parents Can Use

Carolyn Means, M.Ed., CEP, Houston’s Day School Consultant

Myth #1 : Top Houston private schools select students with the highest grades and test scores.

Parent: “Our son Jack just earned a perfect ISEE score of four 9’s! His OLSAT score was 140!! He has dedicated his school years to becoming a perfect student. Test prep and tutors have taken up all his time, but with his high honor roll grades Jack should get into all the best high schools. What more could the schools want?”

Myth #1: The Truth : The truth is that low test scores may keep a student out of a school, but it takes more than high test scores to get a student in. Without a doubt, admission committees will take notice of ISEE scores of 8 and 9 stanines. However, schools know high test scores are not predictive of success in school. High test scores could be the result of test prep, but not an inquisitive, creative mind. That is why teacher recommendations, class visits, and interviews are highly valuable parts of the admission process.

When choosing candidates for a new 9th grade, schools today want to make a diverse class of students who will add richness to the educational and social experience of their peers during their years together as a class. Schools look for students with a variety of academic strengths, athletes for every sport, actors and stage crew, musicians, artists and dancers, filmmakers and journalists. Applicants with much to offer outside the classroom may not have top entrance scores and grades, but they may be curious and gifted and role models for leadership.

If you want to know more about entrance tests and the range of test scores that Houston private schools typically like to see, make an appointment for a SCHOOL SOLUTIONS Consultation. We can discuss test prep resources and a reasonable approach to helping your student become sufficiently prepared for the next admission season. If you want some ideas for helping your child develop the talents and strengths schools are looking for, that is also a good topic for a Consultation with SCHOOL SOLUTIONS Consultant, Carolyn Means.

Repeating a Grade or The Gift of Time

Fri, 08 Sep 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Why does Harvard University's acceptance letter ask student's to take a gap year before entering college? It turns out they know that "redshirting" has some big benefits. Most Houston families are familiar with "redshirting", a practice used to give athletes time to mature and extend eligibility. When kindergarten became the "new first grade" academically, some children were developmentally ready to master the tougher curriculum, but the younger children in the class often struggled. Eventually, we saw fewer children turning 5 in the summer being ready for kindergarten. When I have a conversation with parents about whether to consider giving their summer birthday child the "gift of time", I refer to "S-P-I-C-E". Thanks to former Houston school principal Shayne Horan for this handy acronym, we know that a child needs to be strong in these developmental areas: Social, Physical, Intellectual, Cognitive, and Emotional. When a child is one of the youngest in the class, and social and emotional development lag behind, classmates may not be kind. Cognitive delays can cause anxiety. If you want to talk about when your child should start school, this is a perfect conversation for a Consultation. Complete a Contact form and you will hear from SCHOOL SOLUTIONS the next business day.

How to Prepare for the ISEE

Wed, 06 Sep 2017 00:00:00 GMT

It's nearly ISEE time. Will your student be ready? Houston private school applicants to grades 5-12 must take a rigorous entrance test covering vocabulary, reading and math. The Education Record Bureau publishes the Independent School Entrance Exam, better known as the ISEE - sounds like "icy". Here is the web address for ISEE information and registration: https://www.erblearn.org/parents/isee-registration .

Students can take the pretest in the free, downloadable publication, "What to Expect on the ISEE", find a free online pretest, or use a testing company. Students who want to compete for the best schools must prepare for the ISEE. If you think you need help having a successful admission season, fill out the form on our Contact page and we will get in touch with you by the next business day.

Maker Spaces Capture Students

Tue, 07 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Dysgraphia and Working Memory

Tue, 07 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Dr. Cheryl Chase from Cleveland, OH, presented an excellent program on dysgraphia – “an impairment of written expression” – at the Houston Branch of the International Dyslexia Association Conference on March 4. Research is showing that the connection between the amount of working memory one has available and the familiarity of graphic material impacts writing. Typically, a person with illegible handwriting has fine-motor difficulty, an inability to re-visualize letters, and an inability to remember the motor patterns of letter forms. It is common to find dysgraphia present with dyslexia. Working Memory is becoming a major topic of conversation in education. Some psychologists believe that the amount of working memory a student can hold in his/her brain’s “counter space” is a more important factor than IQ when determining the student’s potential to be successful.

“The Cusp of Confidence”

Tue, 07 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMT

I love it when I hear a new phrase that captures just what I want to say. Jerome Schultz, Ph.D., Harvard Medical School, spoke to the HBIDA Conference on March 4 about not Dyslexia, as one would imagine, but Stress. Most of us know about “toxic stress”, that long-term, destructive stress that can damage our immune system, and “tolerable stress” which is short-term and we get over it or adapt to it. Good stress is the kind we feel in a situation where the challenge “hits the sweet spot”, or the “ cusp of confidence ”. I think of a “right” school as one that puts students on the “ cusp of confidence ” – a rigor and pace that asks for a reach without causing anxiety. We want to put our students at a point where they balance stress with competence, confidence and control.

ADHD and the Developing Brain

Tue, 07 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Author and ADHD expert Chris Dendy spoke at the ADDA-SR Conference hosted by Briarwood School February 25th, about research that shows the slower development of the brain in children and young adults with ADHD. On the whole, there is a lag of 2.5 to 3 years, or 30%, in the executive functioning region of the brain of a student with ADHD and a student without. This explains a lot about why a ten-year- old might act like a 7-year-old or a sixteen-year-old may act like a thirteen-year-old. Impulsivity, lack of emotional inhibition, and poor organization are among EF Skills that make the ADHD kiddo look less mature than his peers. Research was done by Barkley and Shaw.

ISEE Scores Are Coming In

Fri, 27 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Tears. Shock. Joy. Sighs of relief. What is the reaction at your house? The Independent School Entrance Exam scores are coming in. With these scores, hopes can rise or fall depending on whether the scores are in range of what the target schools generally want to see in applicants. The ISEE is one of the toughest tests a student will take. I tell my students to think of sharks in an Olympic-size pool – only the strongest and fastest are in the pool and they are all fighting to the finish line. Students don’t believe me until they take the “Practice Test”. Then reality sets in and they are ready to devote every weekend until January to test prep. Adding another layer of anxiety, new guidelines allow students to take the test more than once and choose the score set they want to submit to schools. I often say that ISEE scores will not get a student “in”, but they can keep a student “out”. Students who read good literature for pleasure and those who can quickly and accurately compute have a huge advantage over students who don’t like reading and have weak math skills. As an educational consultant, I do a lot to help my families manage all aspects of the ISEE.

Why Social Skills are Important

Wed, 07 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Whether a child is at recess, in a classroom group, or at a birthday party, poor social skills can lead to bullying, sadness, isolation, and under performance at school. The increasing demand for soft skills such as communication and cooperation at school puts children with poor social skills at risk. The child who can’t read facial cues that say, “back off”, who doesn’t “get the joke”, or who doesn’t realize his behavior is obnoxious may find himself not wanted on a team at recess, in a group for classroom work, or at a lunch table with classmates. Wendy Dawson recently spoke at a Fusion Academy event about Social Motion Skills which she founded to teach her son and others like him how to have success in all the things we do and say when we interact with our peers. Beginning with young children, Social Motion Skills, a non-profit organization, serves all ages including a large young adult group. Is your kiddo ready to drive? Social Motion has a Driver’s Ed program, as well. www.socialmotionskills.org

Why Students with Learning Disabilities Need the Right School

Mon, 05 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Here are some statistics from www.understood.org regarding the reasons why parents of students with learning disabilities are anxious:

45% of parents say their child has been bullied

37% feel their chid’s school does not effectively test for LD

96% believe that with the proper teaching, students can make up for their learning disability

66% of all students diagnosed with LD are boys

19% of high school students with LD drop out before graduation

If you have concerns that your son or daughter is not being well served in school, now is the time to come see me for a consultation while the admission season is just beginning.

When Should a Child Quit an Activity?

Mon, 05 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT

What family doesn’t have discarded tutus, tap shoes, baseball gloves, cleats, swim team bags or violins in a closet? These are the leftovers of exposing children to activities that can enrich their young years. It starts with an investment in time and paraphernalia, and then comes the day they want to quit. The Wall Street Journal (August 25, 2016) carried an article by Nina Sovich with some helpful points for parents who worry that allowing children to quit an activity will have lasting, negative repercussions. Sovich says, “there are benefits to letting go, and they are best learned in childhood” when the stakes are low. Quitting allows a child to learn to make decisions. Sovich suggests children should spend at least six months at an activity or a season at a sport to decide if they like it. Parents need to be careful when choosing a child’s activities because their child may not have the natural talent for it. If children are exposed to many activities, they will usually find one they are passionate about by their teens. Remember my rule for activities: one after school per semester because the brain needs rest to learn all the content our schools are pushing.

Finding the Best Public Schools Around Houston

Fri, 27 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT

The Houston Chronicle story about former Texas Comptroller Susan Combs enticed me to go to her new website, Texas Smart Schools . This website actually connects to Children at Risk , my top resource for the most objective ranking of Texas public schools. Texas Smart Schools goes one step further by bringing the ranking information close to home. When I opened up the website, I got a listing of the top schools in my neighborhood. Check it out.

Duchesne Academy Tour

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMT

This morning I toured Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart where their motto is “Girls in Formation”. Founded in 1960, on spacious grounds of a former residence in Memorial, Duchesne serves over 700 girls from preschool 3 through high school. The tour began with a welcome from Head of School Patricia Swenson and brief remarks by Middle School Head Tony Houle and Upper School Head Donald Cramp. Director of Admission Beth Anchondo spoke about the benefit of tours and the admission process. A unique aspect of the division heads and admission director is they all have daughters attending Duchesne. Part of the recent campus expansion included new classrooms for the high school to support enhanced math and science programs with fully furnished labs. Aside from the obvious quality of curriculum in the hands of talented teachers, the engagement of the girls in their work, and the spirit of friendship expressed on posters in the halls and decorated lockers, an “extra” on the tour was meeting Mrs. Leib, the librarian. She is not only highly regarded among her peers, but also someone who could entice the most reluctant reader to become a lover of books. Beth Anchondo explained that Duchesne is not having a Lower School Open House this year because parents of young girls seem to prefer a tour so they can peek into rooms and ask more questions. Duchesne has many tour dates posted online and an open house for middle and upper school in October.

The Awty International School

Thu, 30 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT

In the two years since I visited The Awty International School , the campus has undergone changes. The school has built a high wall to block off the south view and noise along !-10 and made updates to its play grounds. Awty has purchased property across N. Post Oak and will move the Primary School to that location when the lease runs out for the current tenants. A highlight of my tour was the art classroom where I saw work from very talented students.

Tour of The Regis School with Admission Director

Mon, 27 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT

I had a fabulous tour of The Regis School with Admission Director Beth Schneider. The recently-added multipurpose building with a double gym, cafeteria, and more classrooms has given the school much needed space, in particular for a large library. Regis is an all boys school from PS3-Grade 8. Maximum class size is 16 in the upper grades. New Headmaster Dennis Phillips is the third head of school at Regis. Well-known for their character, Regis boys stand up when visitors enter the room and welcome them with a ready smile in the hallways.

The Kinkaid School

Sat, 25 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT

The Kinkaid School hosted a luncheon for “Richmond Guard” classes between 1955 and 1965, those of us who attended Kinkaid on the former campus on Richmond in the Montrose neighborhood. Headmaster Andy Martire, who is only the fifth head of school in Kinkaid’s history, made brief comments about the addition of the middle school classrooms, new cafeteria, and parking garage.

HIECA

Wed, 15 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Judy Muir, Katrin (Muir) Lau, and I presented the program for our HIECA (Houston Independent Educational Consultants Association) whose members must also be members of IECA or HECA. All current members of our local group are college counselors except for me. Our program was on the development of the brain and executive functioning skills. I talked about how EF skills show up in entrance tests and group visits for children and working memory at all ages. Judy Muir talked about the science of neurons and all she has learned from her Harvard graduate studies on the brain and learning. She gave all guests a copy of her award-winning book, Live Wires.

Off-site athletic fields

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Off-site athletic fields are a necessary choice for many Houston private schools which grew out of early childhood education programs at churches. In the past 20 years, the demand for field sports for girls rivals that for boys. St. Francis Episcopal Day School has added fields at their S. Piney Point campus which will also house their Primary School. First Baptist Academy opened its satelite Athletic Complex a few years ago two miles north of the school’s campus. Presbyterian School’s Outdoor Education Center is an easy 15-minute school bus ride south on Hwy. 288 from the School campus. The 14-acre OEC has extensive playing fields, environmental science study areas, an outdoor chapel and playgrounds.