Before arriving at UPrep, I lived in Boston and worked at a youth development nonprofit. There I helped students and families apply to and enroll in independent day and boarding schools throughout New England. Campus tours were always an exciting experience for students and sports clinics gave them an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of potential future coaches and teammates.

But what I really loved the most—and what has become a guiding light in my career—is the process of helping families find “the right fit.”

This means helping families identify their priorities and interests and then helping them explore schools equipped to meet their needs. It is so gratifying to see students flourish when they’ve found the strong match for their specific goals. Since I know it can be intimidating to start this process, below I’ve shared some guidance for your independent school journey.

The first step on the road to choosing an independent school is to have a family conversation and discuss your educational priorities. I encourage families to consider the following:

• Academic experience: The enrollment of the school and the average number of students per class will dictate how much attention your child receives from their teachers. If your student does better in a smaller, more collaborative setting, consider looking for schools with small classes and a strong support system. Additionally, think about your student’s academic interests and check that they align with the school’s required and elective courses.
• Extracurricular activities: Most independent schools offer an extensive list of extracurriculars and clubs. These might include athletics, visual arts, performance arts, STEM programs, international exchange programs, outdoor education, and more. As a family, decide which opportunities are most important and prepare a list of additional activities that your student would like to explore.
• Social/Student Life: Returning to the size of the school, consider your student’s social inclinations. Do they do better in large groups? Are they more comfortable in smaller gatherings? Additionally, review the school’s philosophy on diversity and inclusion and consider a community that will make your student and family feel seen and supported.
• Tuition: The financial investment in an independent school education is a critical factor for many families. It’s important to discuss what you can realistically afford to pay per year. Many schools offer financial aid in the form of grants, which means families don’t pay the money back. Look into the availability of financial aid and what expenses it covers. Financial aid is an essential element of UPrep’s mission, and our school awarded 4.93 million dollars in tuition aid for the 2025–2026 school year.
• Daily Commute: Discuss the resources required to get your student to/from school each day and how much time that commute will take up in their daily schedule. Many students have additional responsibilities and interests outside of school. As a family, it’s important to understand how your students’ commute will impact the time they have for other pursuits.

Once you’ve had a family conversation about priorities, you might have a general idea of what you’re looking for but even more questions than when you started. Speaking with school representatives is a great way to gather information. Check out my coworker’s blog to learn about UPrep’s admission events. Additionally, in my role as the director of admission, outreach, and engagement for the UPrep Admission Team, I have the privilege of speaking with families at many community events. Click here to see if I’ll be at an event in your neighborhood this fall. It’s also important to draft your questions list. As a jumping off point, here are the most common queries I receive when I’m hosting an outreach event:

• How big is your school? What is the average class size?
• If my student excels/struggles in a particular subject, how will their academic development be supported?
• What materials are required in your application process?
• What do you look for in a student who applies to your school?
• How would you describe the type of student who is successful in your school?
• Can you explain how your school demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion?
• Tell me about your school counselors. How does my student access counseling support if needed?
• How much is tuition and what is included in that cost? Are there additional costs that are not covered in tuition (e.g. technology fee, meals, athletics registration, dances/social event tickets, class trips)? 
• Do you offer financial aid and what expenses does financial aid cover?

When you’re looking for the right fit, it’s important to know what you’re looking for, visit the schools on your list, and ask direct questions to understand the opportunities available to your student. Even with all this information, the decision may ultimately come down to a gut feeling that you and your student have―trust your instincts! When your student says, “this just feels right,” that is a very important data point.

I am always thrilled when the families I work with find a right fit school for their student. It is our Admission Team’s goal to make sure your family has all the information you need to make a confident enrollment decision.

Learn more about UPrep admissions.