Save your money

Anonymous wrote:Is it a big jump for students to go to a catholic high school when they’ve been in public for k-8? Trying to determine how much of an adjustment it might be for my DD.

If they come from a strong public, they should be fine. It is not that Catholic school is necessarily harder curriculum wise (public schools often have more advanced math and science classes), there is just more homework, more quizzes and tests, therefore, more studying, so you are required to develop a certain level of discipline and efficient/productive study skills to get all of the work done. But a kid with a good work ethic from any middle school or K-8 should be able to adjust and do well.

Is it a big jump for students to go to a catholic high school when they’ve been in public for k-8? Trying to determine how much of an adjustment it might be for my DD.

Anonymous wrote:Which Catholics are the easiest to get into? Which ones get the most applicants?

Diocesan schools are going to be easier to get into than the Gonzagas or Visitations. That doesn't mean they don't also end up with waitlists. We have a rising freshman at O'Connell and know there is a waitlist this year, so even if it's easier to get into that doesn't mean every kid gets in.

Anonymous wrote:Which Catholics are the easiest to get into? Which ones get the most applicants?

The blonde ones with big ( • ) ( • )

We also bought a workbook with practice tests and that was fine for our kid coming from public. He's a decent test taker though.

Yes definitely

We bought a study guide (with practice tests) on Amazon for like $30 and used that; it seemed to be enough in our case.

Which Catholics are the easiest to get into? Which ones get the most applicants?

national percentile

Anonymous wrote:The questions on the HSPT are easier than SSAT (much easier in math), but the test puts a premium on speed. Whether your kid needs a class might come down to whether you're in the situation of trying to go from a 95% to a 98% and a scholarship. If not, a book or two and self practice might do the trick.

My child got a 96% on the official practice given at an ADW school this spring. We would be very interested in trying to go for scholarships. I’m wondering if the score will naturally increase (like many who take the SAT junior spring simply do better senior fall) or if one of these courses would be needed to push it up that last bit.

And do the schools look at the national percentile or local percentile? All I see on applications is that one of the check boxes is to submit the scores, but not any info on how they are considered.

The questions on the HSPT are easier than SSAT (much easier in math), but the test puts a premium on speed. Whether your kid needs a class might come down to whether you're in the situation of trying to go from a 95% to a 98% and a scholarship. If not, a book or two and self practice might do the trick.

Mr. Dugan does in person and online

Does anyone have any recs on in person (preferable) or online courses?

And FYI, there are some pricier in person classes but you can also find online options that are just as good. You just have to sign up early. Many are held over the summer and registration ends in early summer so try and find those.