SEPTEMBER
- Register to take the SSAT and decide on testing location. SSAT testing is offered in October, November, and December.
- Begin preparation for the SSAT. Click here for information on the Summit Educational Group SSAT prep class being taught at CRS.
- 9/17 – Attend the CRS Secondary School Fair: Representatives from 50 independent schools will be in the CRS gym on Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 6:30pm-8:00pm to meet with you and your 8th grader and answer questions about their schools. All 8th graders who are planning to apply to independent secondary schools should plan to attend with one or more parents/caregivers.
- Schedule School Visits: It’s time to start planning out your visits to secondary schools this fall. For schools you are already sure about applying to, call now and schedule your tour/interview.
- Get in touch with your child’s advisor about practicing for interviews. Click here to find some tips for interviews.
OCTOBER
- First visits to secondary schools should begin in early October. When you know the dates, make sure your child’s advisor knows when the visits will be. Here are some dates to try and use to avoid missing class:
- Thurs. 10/3 (CRS is closed for Rosh Hashanah, and if your family does not observe this holiday, if the school is open this day would be good for a visit)
- Mon. 10/14 (CRS is closed for Indigenous Peoples’ Day and some independent schools are open, especially ones with boarding students)
- *Mon. 10/21 (This is 8th Grade Visiting Day – no school for just the 8th grade so that you can visit schools without missing class)
- Fri. Nov. 1 (This is the conference day for middle school Parent-Teacher Conferences, so a half day visit could be scheduled around your conference time.)
- Mon. and Tues. 11/25 and 26 (CRS is closed for professional development and then fall recess (Thanksgiving) and some independent schools may have school on these days)
- When scheduling visits on days other than the above, be mindful of how many days your student is missing and try to space them out as best you can. Also, try not to schedule the visits for the same day of the week so your 8th grader isn’t missing the same classes over and over again.
- Attend Secondary School Open Houses: Every secondary school will be hosting at least one open house this fall. Some may require registration. See links below for more information by school type.
NOVEMBER
- Students take SSAT (if applicable)
Testing sites - Students and families start applications. Click here to find some tips for writing applications and here for guidelines for asking for recommendations.
- Interviews continue
- Parents/caregivers receive form to identify final list of schools to which you are applying (due to Elizabeth Clayton on Friday, December 6th)
DECEMBER
- Parents/caregivers sign and complete form to identify final list of schools to which you are applying (due to Elizabeth Clayton on Friday, December 6th)
- Students take SSAT (if applicable)
- Students and families work on applications
- All forms for transcript releases turned in or emailed to Laura Woodring before winter vacation
- Letters of recommendation will be requested by families on the application systems and written for each 8th grade applicant by Gabe Burnstein, math teacher, and English teacher
- Make requests for additional letters of recommendation
JANUARY
- Families submit all applications (Most schools have a Jan. 15 deadline – some have Jan. 31 or Feb. 1 deadlines – please see each school’s admissions website linked below)
- Parents/caregivers communicate with Elizabeth Clayton about top choice school (if applicable)
FEBRUARY
- Eighth graders focus on being in eighth grade!
MARCH
- Early March – Receiving Decisions Preparation Parent/Caregiver Coffee with Gabe & Elizabeth
- March 10 – Families learn of secondary school decisions, including financial aid decisions
- Consult with your child’s advisor and Elizabeth as you receive news
- Students and families may revisit school(s)
APRIL
- By April 10 – secondary school decision finalized!
Beaver Country Day School Chestnut Hill, MA
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Belmont Hill School Belmont, MA (boys only)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Boston University Academy Boston, MA
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Brimmer & May Newton, MA
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Buckingham Browne & Nichols Upper School Cambridge, MA
Application deadline: January 10th
Upcoming Admissions Events
The Cambridge School of Weston Weston, MA (boarding option)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Chapel Hill Chauncy Hall Waltham, MA (boarding option)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Commonwealth School Boston, MA
Application deadline: January 16th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Concord Academy Concord, MA (boarding option)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Dana Hall School Wellesley, MA (girls only)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Dexter Southfield Brookline, MA
Application deadline: January 17th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Meridian Academy Jamaica Plain, MA
Application deadline: January 15th (accelerated); February 1st (regular)
Upcoming Admissions Events
Milton Academy Milton, MA (boarding option)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Montrose School Medfield, MA (girls only)
Application deadline: February 1st
Upcoming Admissions Events
Moses Brown School Providence, RI
Application deadline: February 1st
Upcoming Admissions Events
Nobles & Greenough School Dedham, MA
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Newman School Boston, MA
Application deadline: January 31st
Upcoming Admissions Events
Roxbury Latin West Roxbury, MA (boys only)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
St. Andrew’s Barrington, RI
Application deadline: February 1st
Upcoming Admissions Events
Thayer Academy Braintree, MA
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
The Rivers School Weston, MA
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Walnut Hill School for the Arts Natick, MA (boarding option)
Application deadline: rolling basis
Upcoming Admissions Events
The Wheeler School Providence, RI
Application deadline: February 1st
Upcoming Admissions Events
Catholic Schools
Boston College High School Boston, MA (all boys)
Application deadline: January 16th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Catholic Memorial High School West Roxbury, MA (all boys)
Application deadline: January 16th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Newton Country Day School Newton, MA (girls only)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
St. Sebastian School Needham, MA (all boys)
Application deadline: February 1st
Upcoming Admissions Events
Xaverian Brothers (all boys) Westwood, MA
Application deadline: January 16th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Episcopal Schools
St. George’s School Middletown, RI (boarding)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
St. Mark’s School Southboro, MA
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Jewish Schools
Gann Academy Waltham, MA
Application deadline: January 16th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Brooks School North Andover, MA
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Dublin School Dublin, NH (day option)
Application deadline: January
Upcoming Admissions Events
Emma Willard School Troy, NY (girls only; day option)
Application deadline: February 1st
Upcoming Admissions Events
Ethel Walker Simsbury, CT (girls only; day option)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Governor’s Academy Byfield, MA (day option)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Groton School Groton, MA
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Holderness School Holderness, NH
Application deadline: February 1st
Upcoming Admissions Events
Lawerence Academy Groton, MA
Application deadline: January 15, 2023
Upcoming Admissions Events
Loomis Chaffee (day option) Windsor, CT
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Middlesex School Concord, MA
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Miss Hall’s School, Pittsfield, MA (girls only)
Application deadline: rolling
Upcoming Admissions Events
Miss Porter’s School Farmington, CT (girls only)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
New Hampton New Hampton, NH (day option)
Application deadline: February 1st
Upcoming Admissions Events
Northfield Mount Hermon Gill, MA (day option)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
The Putney School Putney, VT
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Proctor Academy Andover, NH (day option)
Application deadline: February 1st
Upcoming Admissions Events
Tabor Academy Marion, MA (day option)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
The White Mountain School Bethlehem, NH (day option)
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Upcoming Admissions Events
The Williston Northampton School Easthampton, MA (day option)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Westover School Middlebury, CT (girls only; day option)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Wilbraham & Monson Wilbraham, MA (day option)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Worcester Academy Worcester, MA (day option)
Application deadline: January 15th
Upcoming Admissions Events
Dover-Sherborn High School Dover, MA
New Student Registration Information
Medfield High School Medfield, MA
New Student Registration Information
Natick High School Natick, MA
New Student Registration Information
Needham High School Needham, MA
New Student Registration Information
Newton North High School Newton, MA
New Student Registration Information
Newton South High School Newton, MA
New Student Registration Information
Wellesley High School Wellesley, MA
New Student Registration Information
High School Placement Conversation Starter
STUDENT’S NAME:
1. List at least 12 words that describe you:
2. Write about two wonderful things that have happened in your life so far.
3. What are some things you enjoy and/or you feel you are pretty good at that are not specifically related to school? (Example: taking care of my little brother, reading science fiction, mountain biking, singing, painting, etc.)
4. What are some things you hope to do in your high school?
5. What do you really like about school and why? (Example: math, playing on the soccer team, art electives, theater, time with your friends, etc.)
6. Frequently our school friends and teachers don’t know the “full picture” of who we are. What are the things (please share as many as you like) that someone here at CRS might not know about you that you consider very important parts of who you are? (For example, an interest you have or a characteristic of your personality that people here at school might not see… “People think I am really shy but in fact….” or “People think I am all about sports but…”)
7A. What sorts of things are you recognized for? Think of what your parents, teachers, or friends say is notable about you? (Things that sound like, “She’s always on time”, “He’s so organized”, “She’s a very loyal friend”, “He’s such a good actor”, etc.) Feel free to boast! Don’t be bashful!
7B. Have you ever received any formal recognition – an award, a top or close to top place finish in a competition? If so, feel free to note them here. (“I received a coach’s award in lacrosse”, “I received an honorable mention in an essay contest”, “I was one of three campers selected to organize a camp-wide talent show at my summer camp”, “I was chosen by my Sunday school teacher to speak at my church/synagogue/temple”, etc.)
8. Please add any additional thoughts you have that will help me understand you better.
Click here to access the Tips for Secondary School Interviews document.
Click here to access the Tips for Writing Applications document.
Click here to access the Guidelines for Secondary School Recommendation Requests document.
Click here to access the Secondary School Applications Form.