Not all private schools are created equally!  The choices and options can be confusing.  And, like most important decisions, the choice of a school should be the result of careful and thoughtful planning.   That’s why I make the effort in to visit private schools.  My team and I spend 25% or more of our time visiting schools.

By performing visits, I get to know schools and what will be the best fit for our client’s children as well as understanding the real-time missions and admissions policies.  I look beyond the brochures, websites. virtual tours, videos, and the fast-and-furious independent school fair meetups.  A school visit is imperative!  I talk with faculty, students, parents, and yes, even the maintenance crew.  What a school promises and what it delivers may be different.  I get to understand the nuances in each school and get a chance to talk with admissions officers, enrollment officers, headmasters, parents and board members.  We also develop established longstanding relationships with schools.  My team and I visit the top day and boarding schools 4 times annually.

In addition to experiencing the school hardscape, by visiting schools, I discover  the true vibe of the school and the presence of the “Happy Factor”: Are the students (and faculty) happy?  What is the happy vibe or rhythm on the school campus?  Student happiness matters when it comes to learning.

With regard to school facilities: How well is the school maintained?  Are the facilities outdated?  Are the facilities student-friendly?  Do the school’s facilities accommodate your child’s interests?

When I visit a school as a consultant, I ask questions as to the real year-to-date college matriculation numbers, not  just numbers over the last 5 years. After all, you are paying for your child’s high school experience, as well as adequate college preparation to meet their (and your) college admissions goals.  After all of your child’s hard work and your monetary investment, you don’t want your child to just get into safety schools!

Other consultants may depend on telephonic interviews, group speed meetings in central locations, or simply read literature and review websites and repeat it to families.  Alternatively, by my physically visiting schools and actively interacting with school admissions personnel, senior administrators and students, my clients are placed in the most appropriate school for their (and their parents’ happiness.  Our approach will ensure your child’s best possible start for a successful future by placing them in their top-choice schools.

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe is the managing director and lead admissions expert at Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group’s Private School Admissions Advisors.  Dr. Lowe specializes in providing exclusive concierge-type admissions advisory services for U.S. and international students who are interested in applying to top U.S. boarding and day schools.  Dr. Lowe helps U.S. and international students gain admissions into top U.S. private schools even after they have been wait-listed and rejected.  Dr. Lowe and his team of admissions advisors also visit prestigious and elite private schools, where they have the unique opportunity of interacting one-on-one with heads of schools, directors of admissions and senior admissions personnel.   Dr. Lowe provides parents with the knowledge they need to decide where there children should attend and the admissions strategies they need to be admitted into their top-choice school.