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How to Search for Schools (Updated for 2025)

Selecting the right private school is one of the most important decisions a family can make. In this revised 2025 edition of our guide, we walk you through a structured process to identify, evaluate and select a private school—incorporating the latest tuition data, enrollment trends, program updates and expert perspectives.

1. Set your priorities: academics, values, and logistics

Start by clarifying what matters most to your family—and students. Are you seeking rigorous academics, a STEM-strong program, small class sizes, a religious orientation, or robust arts/athletics? Do you need after-school care, transportation or boarding options? Your definition of “fit” will shape your school search.

For example, one parent tells us: “We wanted a school where our daughter would experience not just strong math and science, but a community that aligned with our values.” That combination helped them narrow from dozens of options to three finalists.

As you set priorities ask:

• What grade levels does the school serve (K-12, middle + high, boarding)?

• Is the school co-educational, single-gender, day or boarding?

• What student-teacher ratios and class sizes can you anticipate?

• What support services (learning differences, ADD/ADHD, ESL) are offered?

• What is the cultural ethos and parent-community involvement like?

2. Use robust search tools wisely

Tools such as the search engine on �������� School Review (PSR) allow you to filter by location, grade level, school focus, learning-difference support and more. �������� School Review
Another authoritative search is the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) �������� School Search tool—offering institutional data nationwide.

Step-by-step approach:

1. Enter your city or ZIP/postcode and select a radius (e.g., 10 miles) to begin.

2. Choose grade level(s) relevant to your child (for example Grades 9-12).

3. Filter by gender if relevant (co-ed, all-girls, all-boys).

4. Apply additional criteria: day vs boarding, school focus (Montessori, Waldorf, STEM), support for learning differences.

5. Generate an initial list of perhaps 10–20 schools. From there, you can prioritize 5–7 to research further.

Expert tip: As you narrow, examine each school’s website and profile for recent updates, accreditation status, faculty bios, and program highlights. Out-of-date websites raise caution.

3. Review enrollment trends and demographics

Understanding macro-trends gives context to what you’re seeing at the school-level. As of fall 2021, about 4.7 million K-12 students in the U.S. attended private schools—roughly 9 percent of all K-12 students.

Demographically, private school populations tend to have higher parent educational attainment and lower poverty rates compared to public schools.Ask each school: “What is your student-body composition, retention rate, and year-to-year enrollment change?”

4. Understand current tuition costs and financial aid

Tuition is a major variable—and the landscape in 2025 is more nuanced than ever.

According to PSR’s 2025-26 data, the national average tuition for private schools is approximately $14,999 per year. Elementary level averages about $14,018, while high school averages about $17,954.
Other sources put median day school tuition at around $16,000 per year for first grade, rising to $19,000 for high school.
Boarding schools remain significantly more expensive—day plus room/board can reach $60,000–$70,000 annually for top institutions.

Questions to ask schools:

• What is the full annual cost (tuition + fees + optional extras)?

• What proportion of families receive financial aid and what is the average award?

• Are there scholarships or sliding-scale tuition models?

• What are payment plans or sibling discounts?

2025 tip: With inflation still impacting staffing and facilities, expect tuition increases of 3–5 percent per year at many schools. Factor longevity into your planning.

5. Compare academics, programs and outcomes

A robust private school search looks beyond cost and explores academic offerings, co-curricular choices and post-graduation results.

Academic review:

• What advanced courses are offered (AP, IB, dual-enrollment)?

• What percentage of graduates go on to college or other post-secondary pathways?

• How diverse is the curriculum (STEM, humanities, arts, world languages)?

Programs & enrichment:

• Does the school offer experiential learning, service-learning, global travel or leadership programs?

• What athletics, arts, robotics, debate or entrepreneurship opportunities exist?

• Are there learning-difference support, gifted programs or student wellness services?

Real-world insight: One independent school noted that after launching a new “Innovation Studio” in 2024, they saw a 35 percent rise in student participation in robotics and coding, which became a strong recruitment message for STEM-minded families.

Readiness and outcomes:

• If available, review the school’s recent standardized testing results and college matriculation list.

• Speak with current families about how well students are prepared for life after the school.

6. Visit, interview and assess culture

No search is complete without an on-site visit (or virtual tour, if remote) to sense the school culture, community atmosphere and alignment with your child.

During your visit, observe:

• Student-teacher interaction: Are students engaged and respectful?

• Facilities: Are classrooms, labs, libraries and athletics spaces well-maintained?

• Diversity and inclusion: Do you see a mix of backgrounds and an intentional effort toward belonging?

• Parent-community interaction: Are parents active in school life? How does the school engage families?

Prepare specific questions for admissions or leadership:

• “How do you support students’ social-emotional growth?”

• “How has your curriculum evolved in recent years to meet 21st-century skills?”

• “What’s your retention rate of students year-to-year and what factors influence it?”

• “How do you keep tuition increases manageable and transparent?”

Example scenario: A family visited three schools over two weekends. At the second visit, the headmaster invited them to a student-led tour where a senior explained the “house-system” used for mentoring. That transparency helped seal their decision.

7. Build your decision-making framework and timeline

With your research and visits complete, structure your decision-making process.

Create a comparison grid

Include columns such as: tuition & aid, curriculum strength, class size, culture fit, distance/transport, and student outcomes. Assign weights to each factor according to your priorities.

Align timelines

• Most private school applications open in late summer or early fall for the following academic year.

• Some boarding schools or specialized programs may require earlier application (January or February).

• Keep track of deadlines for applications, entrance exams / interviews, financial-aid forms and decision notifications.

Review contracts and obligations

Read the enrollment contract or commitment agreement carefully. Note deposit deadlines, refund policies, and expectations of families (volunteer hours, fees, travel abroad, etc.).

Make a plan B

Even when you favour one school, maintain alternatives in case of wait-lists or unexpected changes. In today’s landscape, many families experience shifting availability.

8. Stay vigilant about change and trends

The private-school sector is evolving—parents benefit from staying current with trends.

• School choice programs continue to expand, with many states offering vouchers or tax-credit scholarships.

• Some schools report enrollment stagnation or decline, especially in regions facing demographic shifts or economic pressure.