Most students are only halfway through the current school year but for those families considering private school for the 2006-2007 school year, now is the time to get started on the enrollment process.

Some private Christian schools in the area are already re-enrolling their current students most are planning open houses from January to March for prospective families. Since most schools have a limited number of available spaces each year it is important to begin the application process as soon as you have your choice of schools narrowed down.

“Begin early,“ suggested Tammy McCurry, admissions director for Landmark Christian School. “Because some classes may already be full it’s important to get your applications in quickly. At Landmark you can either download them from our Web site or we can mail them out.”

Indeed, technology does save prospective families a step, according to Sarah Martin, admissions director for Arlington Christian School. “Contact the schools you’re considering and then visit their website to download any necessary forms,” she said.

Martin also suggested having a folder containing copies of samples of work or areas of interest for prospective students. “The school is trying to get to know the prospective family as well as the prospective family trying to get to know the school.”

The private school application and admissions process can seem overwhelming to parents either considering private school for their kindergartener or for those moving their children from the public school system. An understanding of the basic steps in the process can often help alleviate anxiety.

First, parents should contact the schools that interest them and request an application information packet. Many questions can be answered by a school’s information packet — or for the Web-savvy, the school’s Web site — but you should also schedule a tour of the school with the admissions director.

“Visiting the school is the best way to get a feel for the school and the community of the school,” said Julie Bowdoin, director of admissions for The Heritage School. Most schools hold open houses in January or February for the following fall term but personal tours are usually available anytime.

At an open house, parents can expect one-on-one interaction with teachers, a chance to meet current students and parents and get their perspective. Often there are refreshments, multimedia presentations and even student speakers or performances. Parents will be able to tour the campus, and learn about the school's academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, clubs and other special programs. Plan on it taking about two hours.

The important thing at the open house is to ask lots of questions. Ask about school and teacher accreditation. What percentage of the school’s graduates go on to college? What’s a typical day like for a kindergartner? For a high-schooler? Ask what special courses are offered. Are music, language and art programs offered? Intramural sports? How are discipline issues handled?

Bowdoin suggests that many questions arise from visiting several different schools instead of just the one you’re primarily interested in. “Visiting several schools can help you find different questions that you may not have had at one particular school.”

Some families may not think that they can afford a private school and admittedly, private education cost is a factor in deciding on a school. Go ahead and tell the school your particular situation. Funds are often available from the school to help families in need of tuition assistance. Financial aid is need-based and may be applied for by completing a financial aid application, which may usually be obtained by contacting the school's business office. The application for admissions and application for financial aid are separate processes.

Once a family has narrowed the field of potential schools, the next step is to complete the application. There is typically a small registration fee, and several forms will likely be required (varies by school): a transcript from the current school, including test scores, report cards, and possibly discipline records; birth certificate and Georgia certificate of immunization; and written letters of recommendation from the pastor of the church the family attends, teachers and possibly guidance counselors at the current school.

Once the school receives the completed application, some schools require students to take standardized entrance tests. Test dates are usually set in February, March and April. At some schools pre-Kindergarten candidates are asked to visit the school and spend the day so the teacher can know more about the student's pattern of emotional academic, and social development. Some schools determine proper grade placement through a checklist of entrance requirements that parents or guardians of pre-K candidates are asked to complete.

Interviews are granted to applicants whose qualifications meet the school’s admission standards.

After the interview is completed, the applicant’s file is reviewed. Most schools have admissions committees that meet frequently during March, April, and May to consider those candidates who have completed the full admissions process.

The process itself, because of the paper flow, can take from four to six weeks. Each applicant is notified concerning status of acceptance, and some students may end up on a waiting list.

"We spend a lot of time reviewing and praying over each application," said McCurry. "We look for students who will be able to succeed at Landmark and who are a good match for our school's vision."

Once the application is approved and any financial aid paperwork is completed, an annual enrollment contract is signed by the financially responsible parties and by the school.

All the time and effort required by the admissions process may seem considerable but if you’ve decided that private school is the best option for your child then the benefits of your decision may be just as considerable.



Area private school open houses
(not a complete listing)

Arlington Christian School (K5-12th grade)
770-964-9871, www.arlingtonchristian.org
Sunday, Feb. 12, 3 p.m.
4500 Ridge Rd., Fairburn 30213
Near intersection of Hwy. 92 and Ridge Rd.

Community Christian School (K3-12th grade)
678-432-0191, www.ccs-kids.com
Friday, Feb. 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
2001 W. Jodeco Rd., Stockbridge 30281
Half-mile west of I-75, exit 222

Fayette Christian School (K3 - 12th grade)
770-461-3538, www.fayetteministries.org
Thursday, March 23, 7 p.m.
152 Longview Rd., Fayetteville 30214
Off Hwy. 314 north of Fayette Pavilion

Grace Christian Academy (K4-10th grade)
770-461-0137, www.gracechristian.info
Thursday, Mar. 2, 6-8 p.m.
355 McDonough Rd., Fayetteville 30215

The Heritage School (K3-12th grade)
770-253-9898, www.heritagehawks.org
Please call for individual appt. and tour
2093 Hwy. 29 North, Newnan 30263
I-85 Sharpsburg/McCollum exit

Landmark Christian School (K4-12th grade)
770-306-0647, www.landmarkchristianschool.org
Sunday, Jan. 22, 2 p.m. (Peachtree City campus)
777 Robinson Road, Peachtree City 30269
Sunday, Jan. 29, 2 p.m. (Fairburn campus)
50 E. Broad St., Fairburn 30213
Near intersection of Hwys. 92 and 29

Newnan Classical School (K-9th grade)
770-252-7223, www.newnanclassical.org
Sunday, Feb. 12, 2 p.m.
3052 Hwy. 29 North, Newnan 30263
(Northside Baptist Church)

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High (9th-12th grade)
770-461-2202, www.olmbobcats.org
Please call for an individual appt. and tour
861 Hwy. 279, Fairburn 30213
At intersection of Hwys. 138 and 279

Our Lady of Victory Catholic School (PreK-8th grade)
770-306-9026, www.olvpatriots.org
Saturday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
211 Kirkley Rd., Tyrone

St. Paul Lutheran School (Age 2-8th grade)
770-486-3545, www.stpaulptc.com
Sunday, Feb. 12, 2-4 p.m.
Sunday, Mar. 5, 2-4 p.m.
700 Ardenlee Pkwy., Peachtree City 30269
Off Hwy. 74 North in Ardenlee subdivision

Woodward Academy (K5-12th grade)
404-765-4000 (main campus), 770-765-4480 (Busey campus), www.woodward.edu
Sunday, Feb. 12, 2-5 p.m., main campus (K5 - 12th grade)
Busey feeder campus (preK-6th grade): Please call for individual appt. and tour
Main: 1662 Rugby Ave., College Park 30337
I-85 South, Virginia Ave. West exit
Busey: 8009 Carlton Rd., Riverdale 30296
Near intersection of Old National and Hwy. 314

Trinity Christian School (PreK3–8th grade)
770-251-6770
Call to schedule a personal tour
8817 Hwy. 54 West, Sharpsburg 30277

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