A Parent’s Guide to Writing Private School Admissions Statements: Answering Common Questions
by Mary Miele
As you navigate the private school admissions process, one crucial component you’ll encounter is the parent writing, often called a parent statement or series of questions that parents complete during the private school application process from nursery school through high school or boarding school. This section allows you to share important insights about your child and family with admissions committees. Here are answers to some of the most common questions families ask when preparing their parent statements.
1. What is the purpose of parent writing on a private school admissions application?
The parent statement allows you to introduce your child to the admissions committee in a way that complements their application. It’s your chance to explain your child’s strengths, areas for growth, personality, interests, and experiences. Additionally, it allows you to showcase your family’s values and how they align with the school’s mission. How do you support your child’s development? How do you parent, communicate, and participate in your community? Finally, you can share why you believe this particular school is the right fit for both your child and your family.
2. How should you write a parent statement or response?
Your parent statement should be authentic and written in your voice. Focus on answering the specific question posed by the school, using concrete examples that give the admissions committee a clear picture of your child. For example, instead of simply saying, “My child is curious,” offer a brief story to illustrate that trait. You might write, “When we visited the zoo, my child was fascinated by how animals adapt to different seasons. This curiosity led us to read and explore how various species survive extreme weather conditions.” If the school has an academic focus, elevate your writing accordingly, but always ensure the content aligns with how your child’s current school and teachers describe them.
3. Can I use AI to generate these parent statements?
While AI can be a helpful tool for organizing your thoughts and creating an outline, your parent statement is best written in your voice and style. Admissions committees are looking for an authentic introduction to your child and family, so the writing should reflect your personal insights and style. AI can assist with structure, but the heart of the content should come from you. Your writing is a permanent representation of your thinking about your child, your family and the prospective school.
4. What does a consultant at Evolved Education Company provide to help parents with their writing?
At Evolved Education, we offer comprehensive support to help parents craft thoughtful, compelling parent statements. Our services include guiding parents to understand their child’s unique strengths and areas for growth, identifying best-fit schools, and refining the messaging in the parent statement. We also assist with revising and editing, ensuring that the final product is a clear, polished reflection of your child and family. Click here to access one of our most popular teaching documents, the Anatomy of a Parent Statement.
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Writing a parent statement or response is an opportunity to advocate for your child and express why a particular school is a great match for your family. By taking the time to thoughtfully craft your responses, you’ll create a meaningful narrative that supports your child’s candidacy.
To learn more about how Evolved Education Company can support you and your family during this process, please complete our intake form and we’ll schedule an exploratory call with you to find a way to meet your needs.