When it comes to the private school admissions process, there is no “magic formula” for the perfect applicant. However, there are many characteristics private schools commonly look for in those candidates applying to Grades 1 to 3, otherwise known as primary applicants. Most of these traits are quite subjective, but nonetheless they are important to consider when you and your family are going through the application process and evaluating your child’s preparedness for a private school.
 

1. Spark

About what is your child really passionate? What makes him or her tick? This spark can be an activity, passion, interest, talent, or quality that unleashes your child’s energy and brings him or her enjoyment. This is not something tangible that admissions personnel can quantify, but it is still extremely important and does not go unnoticed. As parents, help you child discover things he or she is passionate about and allow him or her to demonstrate this passion to others. More specifically, your role is to support your child in that discovery process, rather than directing him or her to do a specific activity. Lastly, and thinking strategically about the admissions process, your child’s spark can and should be used to differentiate him or her from all the other students.

2. Willingness to Learn

Your child does not need to know everything. In fact, this is not expected for primary admissions. At such a young age, there can be gaps in learning, especially if your child has a late birthday. Also, the type of early childhood education in which he or she participates is taken into consideration. Obviously, your child needs to be a basic level of knowledge and skill, but it is not the only thing observed. Does your child show a willingness to learn new things, even if the concept is something unfamiliar to them? Can he or she use previous learning experiences in an attempt to problem solve or does he or she give up easily? Demonstrating a readiness to learn is extremely important, especially with the shift to critical thinking and analysis in education.
 

3. Ability to Listen and Follow Instructions

During private school assessments, admission personnel will observe how well your child listens and follows instructions. This demonstrates how he or she will likely act in a classroom with the teachers and peer students. Does he or she act appropriately and know when and how to listen, or does he or she lack this essential skill? When given instructions, is he or she able to follow accordingly? The ability for your child to be attentive and to follow instructions is crucial to maintaining a good classroom environment and dynamic. Closely associated with this ability is your child’s English language proficiency. If English is not your child’s first language or if English is not the primary household language, he or she may struggle in the classroom. As such, it is important for you to ensure your child has a strong foundation in English.
 

4. Collaborative Nature

Currently, much of primary education is group based. If a child cannot cooperate with others, it becomes very difficult for the teacher, as well as other classmates to work with this child. Does your child work well with others, regardless of the size or composition of a group? If your child is not involved in various group activities, it may be beneficial for him or her. Working with different groups is also very beneficial for social and emotional development, and collaboration links to adaptability.
 

5. Adaptability

There is a lot of structure in primary education, but it is also important that your child be adaptable to different situations and still is able to flourish. A child with no flexibility can be a challenge to teach and the ability to compromise is a very valuable skill for a young child to possess. It is important for parents to demonstrate the idea of compromise from a very young age so that their child is comfortable with change and new situations.
 

About the Authors

Amy Fisher, Paula Howell, and Bryan Ide form the private school admissions strategy team at KEY | Admissions Strategy & Learning Enrichment.

Bryan graduated from St. George’s School and holds a BA from Cornell University and an MA from Columbia University. He has worked in institutional advancement for both St. George’s School and the Sauder School of Business at UBC. While at St. George’s, Bryan served as an admissions and scholarship interviewer. Also, he is the past chair of Cornell’s alumni admissions committee for British Columbia. Email: bryan@keyadmissions.com

Amy went to Havergal College, a private all-girls school in Toronto. After obtaining her Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University, she spent three years as a member of the admissions team of Upper Canada College, considered by many to be Canada’s leading private schools. Email: amy.fisher@keyadmissions.com

Paula, an early childhood expert, received her BEd from James Cook University in Australia and then obtained her Honours Diploma in Early Childhood Education from Sheridan College. She has worked at a number of private schools including Brockton School and Alexander Academy. She has also served as a Junior and Senior Kindergarten assessor for West Point Grey Academy where she is a teacher on call. Email: paula@keyadmissions.com

About KEY | Admissions Strategy & Learning Enrichment

We believe that the first 15 years of a child’s life determine the next 50 years.

With our focus on strategic educational planning and learning enrichment, we lay the foundations for your child’s success in life. We think differently. Through our long-term approach and dynamic educational programs, we prepare students from ages 3 to 18 to succeed in a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive world. With a global perspective, we prepare them to gain admission to and succeed at right-fit private schools and universities. Legacies are built by the accomplishments and success of future generations. It is our firm belief that the right education is the key to success in life. www.keyadmissions.com