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[quote=pbraverman][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The Catholic High Schools definitely talk mainly to ensure each parochial student gets at least one acceptance. Although I can't prove this it seems to me that also talk about FA so one school doesn't outbid the others especially for athletes. [/quote]

I've talked to representatives at two K-8 schools that we are applying to and it's clear that they help the H.S.'s sort this out.  One flat out told me she has had conversations with HS letting them know which kids are only interested in one school and which would be happy at a couple of schools. Another school clearly "directs" students to an appropriate "first choice" where they are likely to get in based on their academic records.[/quote]

I may have misinterpreted the original note. I thought the question was, "Do different high schools talk to each other about their ninth-grade applicants?" That's the question I was answering yesterday; it's the question on which the appearance or reality of collusion is a potential problem.

The question you seem to be raising is, "Do the middle school heads (or other out-placement directors) at K-8 schools talk to the admission officers at the high schools where the eighth graders are applying?" The answer to that is an unqualified yes. I was the MS head at a K-8 and every year I met with or spoke to almost every admission office where our students applied. I saw my job vis-a-vis other schools as presenting our students in their best light. I believe I developed a reputation over many years as an honest and enthusiastic advocate — I loved our kids and wanted them to get in everywhere, but I wouldn't misrepresent anybody.

With families, I see my job, in part, as one of delivering honest information based on a lot of experience. I'd never say to a family, "You can't apply to that school," but I do tell them honestly whether I think it's a long shot based on my experience. I've found that people can handle disappointing news if it's presented straight and non-judgmentally, and I worked hard to develop ways to do that. Obviously I did (and still do) many other things in the process, but I always tried to start from the most honest place I could. If I misrepresent a student one year, who's going to believe me the next year? With very few exceptions (and I've tried to learn from those), I've received positive feedback from the families and admission officers with whom I've interacted.

I hope that's helpful.
Peter

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Disclaimer: The anonymity here makes me uncomfortable; it's easy to be uninformed, personal, or simply mean-spirited if people don't identify themselves. For that reason, I have an account so you know whose words you're reading. I have more than 20 years' experience as a teacher and administrator in independent schools, and I hope I can be helpful to some folks. If you don't like something I've said, you're in good company — there's a long line of past students ahead of you. :) If you want to chat further, please feel free to contact me offline: peter <at> arcpd <dot> com[/quote]

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