Catholic High School Admissions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid was good, they already would have found him. I’m not joking.

This. they already ID’d them at camps and leagues. They contact the coach.

This isn’t travel where parents bombard the coaches/TDs and brown nose. They don’t want ANY parent involvement at the HS level. Parents never contact the Coach at that age. Major faux pas.

I disagree! We contacted all the coaches before our visits (were told to), and they made a point to meet us. If they couldn’t, many have camps or play days/leagues where upcoming freshman could play with their jv or varsity team. It creates a nice relationship and lets them not only see your kid play, but let’s your kid see if they like the coach and older teammates. It was a game changer for us. It also shows the school that you are interested/invested and more likely to go there if accepted. The coaches all get to throw a few requests on the table/ to the AD. So yes, email the coach and ask what the team looks like for (kid’s position) over the next four years and see if there is any need. Email the coach this summer to check on camps and follow up in the fall when you visit.

+1

I know for at least a couple of the DoA schools at some point in the application process they ask if you want to speak with one of the coaches. Maybe during tour registration but I feel like the question was asked at a few different points in time. So they provide the opportunity also if you haven't reached out on your own.

My DD loved attending the camps over the summer. So helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it's available online. Search ADW Teacher Recommendation Form. I do not see a space for the Principal but I could have missed it.

Wow!

This may be a surprise to many, but not all the input from the K8 or questions from the high school are captured on a form. Some of it is informal and delivered verbally via the phone or in face-to-face meetings. This sometimes involves a more subjective evaluation of the applicant.

There’s no space on the form for some of the attributes or situations that make one applicant a weaker or higher risk candidate than another.

When I have seen seemingly shoo-in applicants not be admitted, this seems to be the informal communication system at work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's available online. Search ADW Teacher Recommendation Form. I do not see a space for the Principal but I could have missed it.

Here is the form from a couple of years ago. There is a check list for the principal at the bottom of the form. I am surprised there is nothing more expected, however, I am sure the principal still has some significant influence and likely reviews all the forms before they are submitted.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ECVTO04U-B60q8Psce5va4rNVwkHa6Dd/view

Meant to say at bottom of page one. The form is pretty robust and gathers info from all teachers.

I was told this form changed significantly starting with the 2020 school year. And I have not been able to find this form online for either the 2020-2021 school year or the current 2021-2022 school year.

P.S. This form is ridiculous -- the teachers are in no position to give valued "insight" into all of these different aspects of a student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid was good, they already would have found him. I’m not joking.

This. they already ID’d them at camps and leagues. They contact the coach.

This isn’t travel where parents bombard the coaches/TDs and brown nose. They don’t want ANY parent involvement at the HS level. Parents never contact the Coach at that age. Major faux pas.

I disagree! We contacted all the coaches before our visits (were told to), and they made a point to meet us. If they couldn’t, many have camps or play days/leagues where upcoming freshman could play with their jv or varsity team. It creates a nice relationship and lets them not only see your kid play, but let’s your kid see if they like the coach and older teammates. It was a game changer for us. It also shows the school that you are interested/invested and more likely to go there if accepted. The coaches all get to throw a few requests on the table/ to the AD. So yes, email the coach and ask what the team looks like for (kid’s position) over the next four years and see if there is any need. Email the coach this summer to check on camps and follow up in the fall when you visit.

There’s some confusion here between parental questions and input before enrollment and after your DC is a student athlete.

Coaches might be interested talking to the parents and to potential “recruits” before enrollment. But once the kid enrolls, that door closes. Allowing parents to input on rosters, playing time, strategies, etc. is a recipe for disaster for a high school coach.

If parents have been used to being able to “input” at the club or even middle school level, they may be in for a real shock at the high school level, particularly in conferences like the WCAC.

It’s happening at our school and it is a disaster. Worse than travel. That and they are big on “seniority” over actual merit/performance.

[Anonymous]

Our K8 has 75 kids in a grade. There's no way our principal knows much about our child other than what he can lookup and that if he doesn't know her, she's not a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our K8 has 75 kids in a grade. There's no way our principal knows much about our child other than what he can lookup and that if he doesn't know her, she's not a problem.

Your principal doesn't have to know every student in the school but does know ever 8th grader.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's available online. Search ADW Teacher Recommendation Form. I do not see a space for the Principal but I could have missed it.

Here is the form from a couple of years ago. There is a check list for the principal at the bottom of the form. I am surprised there is nothing more expected, however, I am sure the principal still has some significant influence and likely reviews all the forms before they are submitted.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ECVTO04U-B60q8Psce5va4rNVwkHa6Dd/view

Meant to say at bottom of page one. The form is pretty robust and gathers info from all teachers.

I was told this form changed significantly starting with the 2020 school year. And I have not been able to find this form online for either the 2020-2021 school year or the current 2021-2022 school year.

P.S. This form is ridiculous -- the teachers are in no position to give valued "insight" into all of these different aspects of a student.

Got this from the VISI website. It looks to be slightly revised, but not much different. https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1630000267/visiorg/e2bfzeifn730lnoaidi3/TeacherRecForm2021-editable11.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's available online. Search ADW Teacher Recommendation Form. I do not see a space for the Principal but I could have missed it.

Here is the form from a couple of years ago. There is a check list for the principal at the bottom of the form. I am surprised there is nothing more expected, however, I am sure the principal still has some significant influence and likely reviews all the forms before they are submitted.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ECVTO04U-B60q8Psce5va4rNVwkHa6Dd/view

Meant to say at bottom of page one. The form is pretty robust and gathers info from all teachers.

I was told this form changed significantly starting with the 2020 school year. And I have not been able to find this form online for either the 2020-2021 school year or the current 2021-2022 school year.

P.S. This form is ridiculous -- the teachers are in no position to give valued "insight" into all of these different aspects of a student.

Got this from the VISI website. It looks to be slightly revised, but not much different. https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1630000267/visiorg/e2bfzeifn730lnoaidi3/TeacherRecForm2021-editable11.pdf

There you have it in the “I wish to provide additional information” area of the form.

This is the vehicle by which the K8 can provide additional information that the high school might want to consider in evaluating the candidate. This is how the grammar schools and high schools maintain a relationship of trust between them.

Some times this is going to be positive, sometimes negative and sometimes mixed. They might say that this candidate is better than they look on paper. Or they might suggest there are some problems the school might want to be aware of.

[Anonymous]

From my experience as a DoA k-8 parent and middle school teacher, unless your kid has a criminal record, chances he/she will get into BI, PVI, DJO or JP are like 99%. We have sent many students with behavior issues and low grades, especially to PVI. Now with higher numbers of applicants, spots might be a little tighter. Just my two cents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid was good, they already would have found him. I’m not joking.

This. they already ID’d them at camps and leagues. They contact the coach.

This isn’t travel where parents bombard the coaches/TDs and brown nose. They don’t want ANY parent involvement at the HS level. Parents never contact the Coach at that age. Major faux pas.

I disagree! We contacted all the coaches before our visits (were told to), and they made a point to meet us. If they couldn’t, many have camps or play days/leagues where upcoming freshman could play with their jv or varsity team. It creates a nice relationship and lets them not only see your kid play, but let’s your kid see if they like the coach and older teammates. It was a game changer for us. It also shows the school that you are interested/invested and more likely to go there if accepted. The coaches all get to throw a few requests on the table/ to the AD. So yes, email the coach and ask what the team looks like for (kid’s position) over the next four years and see if there is any need. Email the coach this summer to check on camps and follow up in the fall when you visit.

There’s some confusion here between parental questions and input before enrollment and after your DC is a student athlete.

Coaches might be interested talking to the parents and to potential “recruits” before enrollment. But once the kid enrolls, that door closes. Allowing parents to input on rosters, playing time, strategies, etc. is a recipe for disaster for a high school coach.

If parents have been used to being able to “input” at the club or even middle school level, they may be in for a real shock at the high school level, particularly in conferences like the WCAC.

It’s happening at our school and it is a disaster. Worse than travel. That and they are big on “seniority” over actual merit/performance.

What I liked about the basketball program at our HS was the Coach told all of the players at the camp that he doesn't give a crap how many trophies they won, what travel team they play for, who your dad was, etc., etc., that he looks at the PLAYER IN FRONT OF HIM. Everyone is looked at objectively over the tryout period. And, from what I've seen of the team--kids that were cut come back and be starts in upper year and walks the talk.

Unfortunately, soccer is a sport that is always about 'prestige' and lobbying and schmoozing. I have found this to be true even at the high school level and it's sickening. Just because it's your senior year shouldn't mean sh*t if there are kids younger that are currently better than you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's available online. Search ADW Teacher Recommendation Form. I do not see a space for the Principal but I could have missed it.

Here is the form from a couple of years ago. There is a check list for the principal at the bottom of the form. I am surprised there is nothing more expected, however, I am sure the principal still has some significant influence and likely reviews all the forms before they are submitted.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ECVTO04U-B60q8Psce5va4rNVwkHa6Dd/view

Meant to say at bottom of page one. The form is pretty robust and gathers info from all teachers.

I was told this form changed significantly starting with the 2020 school year. And I have not been able to find this form online for either the 2020-2021 school year or the current 2021-2022 school year.

P.S. This form is ridiculous -- the teachers are in no position to give valued "insight" into all of these different aspects of a student.

Got this from the VISI website. It looks to be slightly revised, but not much different. https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1630000267/visiorg/e2bfzeifn730lnoaidi3/TeacherRecForm2021-editable11.pdf

Thank you very much for posting the updated form. I am so sorry I sent my kids to Catholic elementary school. Such a disappointment at every level! I cheated my kids out of an education.

[Anonymous]

OP your school should provide details on what schools previous graduates are attending and the acceptance rates. The principal and Admissions staff at your school should be very intimately involved in helping your child apply to the most appropriate schools--this is the case at our school. Our head of admissions has been in the business for many years and she knows the admissions folks at all of the HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's available online. Search ADW Teacher Recommendation Form. I do not see a space for the Principal but I could have missed it.

Here is the form from a couple of years ago. There is a check list for the principal at the bottom of the form. I am surprised there is nothing more expected, however, I am sure the principal still has some significant influence and likely reviews all the forms before they are submitted.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ECVTO04U-B60q8Psce5va4rNVwkHa6Dd/view

Meant to say at bottom of page one. The form is pretty robust and gathers info from all teachers.

I was told this form changed significantly starting with the 2020 school year. And I have not been able to find this form online for either the 2020-2021 school year or the current 2021-2022 school year.

P.S. This form is ridiculous -- the teachers are in no position to give valued "insight" into all of these different aspects of a student.

Got this from the VISI website. It looks to be slightly revised, but not much different. https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1630000267/visiorg/e2bfzeifn730lnoaidi3/TeacherRecForm2021-editable11.pdf

Thank you very much for posting the updated form. I am so sorry I sent my kids to Catholic elementary school. Such a disappointment at every level! I cheated my kids out of an education.

Are you considering Catholic HSs? If so, why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's available online. Search ADW Teacher Recommendation Form. I do not see a space for the Principal but I could have missed it.

Here is the form from a couple of years ago. There is a check list for the principal at the bottom of the form. I am surprised there is nothing more expected, however, I am sure the principal still has some significant influence and likely reviews all the forms before they are submitted.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ECVTO04U-B60q8Psce5va4rNVwkHa6Dd/view

Meant to say at bottom of page one. The form is pretty robust and gathers info from all teachers.

I was told this form changed significantly starting with the 2020 school year. And I have not been able to find this form online for either the 2020-2021 school year or the current 2021-2022 school year.

P.S. This form is ridiculous -- the teachers are in no position to give valued "insight" into all of these different aspects of a student.

Got this from the VISI website. It looks to be slightly revised, but not much different. https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1630000267/visiorg/e2bfzeifn730lnoaidi3/TeacherRecForm2021-editable11.pdf

Thank you very much for posting the updated form. I am so sorry I sent my kids to Catholic elementary school. Such a disappointment at every level! I cheated my kids out of an education.

I am not sure what your disappointment is about but if your child is applying to a Catholic High School from public school they use the same teacher recommendation form. Seems like that may not me the route for your kids. Plenty of options out there, isn't that wonderful?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's available online. Search ADW Teacher Recommendation Form. I do not see a space for the Principal but I could have missed it.

Here is the form from a couple of years ago. There is a check list for the principal at the bottom of the form. I am surprised there is nothing more expected, however, I am sure the principal still has some significant influence and likely reviews all the forms before they are submitted.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ECVTO04U-B60q8Psce5va4rNVwkHa6Dd/view

Meant to say at bottom of page one. The form is pretty robust and gathers info from all teachers.

I was told this form changed significantly starting with the 2020 school year. And I have not been able to find this form online for either the 2020-2021 school year or the current 2021-2022 school year.

P.S. This form is ridiculous -- the teachers are in no position to give valued "insight" into all of these different aspects of a student.

Got this from the VISI website. It looks to be slightly revised, but not much different. https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1630000267/visiorg/e2bfzeifn730lnoaidi3/TeacherRecForm2021-editable11.pdf

Thank you very much for posting the updated form. I am so sorry I sent my kids to Catholic elementary school. Such a disappointment at every level! I cheated my kids out of an education.

I am not sure what your disappointment is about but if your child is applying to a Catholic High School from public school they use the same teacher recommendation form. Seems like that may not me the route for your kids. Plenty of options out there, isn't that wonderful?

??

PP said their kids went to Catholic school, not public.