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You thought everything was set. The test scores were excellent. She had glowing teacher recommendations. The visit and the interview went well. But the school didn't accept your child. What do you do now?

A private school does not have to accept your child. Nor does it have to give you any reason why it has refused your child admission. How can this be? Indeed, there must be some federal or state laws that govern the situation. There is no legal recourse because private schools don't take public funding. They pride themselves on their independence. They admit who they choose for whatever reasons they decide are best.

Most of the time, parents find themselves in this frustrating situation because they think they can choose a private school for their child by themselves. Of course, technically, you can do it. You can also write your own will or buy a house without consulting an attorney. But would you? Should you? Do you trust your limited knowledge of private schools? That is why you need to hire a professional educational consultant. A consultant offers you a wealth of experience for a very modest fee. While she can't guarantee that your child will get into a particular private school, a consultant knows private schools. He understands the process and knows who to call and what questions to ask.

So unless your father endowed the school or was its first headmaster, don't take a chance. Seek and pay for the expert advice

Years ago if you wanted to be a private school teacher, you went to college, got a degree in your subject, took a few education courses and began teaching. It's not that easy these days. Most private schools want you to be a trained teacher as well as to have a degree in your subject. But most private schools also want you to be trained to teach the way they want you to teach. After all, the teaching is what a private school is all about. The better the teaching, the better the students learn.

The bottom line is that parents send their children to private school for the most part to receive the very best education their money can buy. As a result, employing well-qualified, credentialed faculty is a top priority. This short video clip is one of several clips explaining how to become a private school teacher.

Duties of a private school teacher

Miss Porter's School's description of are fairly typical.

"Classroom responsibilities involve four or five courses per academic year and faculty members are expected to contribute to the extra-curricular life of the school and share some dormitory and residential school responsibilities. Qualifications for all teaching positions, therefore, include a demonstrated interest in coaching or coordinating extra-curricular activities and a willingness to fulfill evening and weekend duties. Bachelor's degree required for all faculty positions; Master's preferred."

Choosing the right private school can feel overwhelming, especially as educational expectations continue to evolve. For decades, families have turned to trusted educators, often affectionately referred to as 鈥淢r. Chips,鈥� for thoughtful, experience-based guidance on school selection, student development, and long-term success.

While the core principles of good schooling remain consistent, recent shifts in technology, admissions practices, and student well-being have reshaped what parents should prioritize. This updated guide brings those timeless insights into a modern 2026 context.

Who Is 鈥淢r. Chips鈥� and Why His Advice Still Matters

The term 鈥淢r. Chips鈥� originates from the classic portrayal of a dedicated, wise teacher who understands both academics and student development. In today鈥檚 context, it represents seasoned educators, advisors, and administrators who bring years of classroom and leadership experience.

Their advice remains valuable because it focuses on fundamentals that continue to define strong schools:

• Meaningful teacher-student relationships
• Intellectual curiosity and engagement
• Character development and accountability
• A balanced approach to academics and extracurricular life

These qualities are still central to evaluating private schools, even as new trends emerge.

What Has Changed Since the Original Advice

While traditional guidance still applies, several important developments have reshaped private education in the past few years:

Greater Emphasis on Student Well-Being

Post-2023 education trends have placed mental health and emotional support at the forefront. Schools are investing more in counseling services and social-emotional learning programs.

According to the , student support services have expanded significantly across private and public institutions alike.

Integration

. . .read more

Does the term 'military school' conjure up images of a place where you send troubled young men or boys who can't keep their hands off a gun? Well, if it does, you are wrong. America's military prep schools carry on a proud tradition of academic and personal excellence which has withstood the assaults of negative media attention and changing fashions in education. Furthermore, many military schools are now co-ed reflecting the changes in the role of women in our armed forces at the national level.

A military school education embraces structure, teamwork, and a solid focus on self-discipline. And they are not just for men either. Several schools are co-educational. Technology plays a major role in military schools these days, reflecting the enormous changes technology has wrought across the entire defense spectrum in America today.

Military school graduates have gone on to be our nation's leaders. They have paid the price for defending our freedom.

Proudly you gathered, rank on rank, to war

As who had heard God鈥檚 message from afar;
All you had hoped for, all you had, you gave,
To save mankind鈥攜ourselves you scorned to save.

Stanza II from O Valiant Hearts by John S. Ark-wright

• Admiral Farragut Academy
• Army and Navy Academy
• Benedictine High School
• Benedictine Military School
• Camden Military Academy
• Carson Long Military Institute
• Chamberlain-Hunt Military Academy
• Fishburne Military School
• Florida Air Academy
• Fork Union Military Academy

What's private school really like? Find out from people who have been there.

Lorene Cary's Black Ice makes compelling reading. She was one of the first African-Americans to attend an elite private school. It was a different world from the one she grew up in back in Philadelphia.

The classic novel is J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. As fresh today as it was when written back in 1951, Catcher opens on Holden's last day in prep school. Fast forward a few years and Curtis Sittenfeld's Prep sits atop the New York Times Best Seller List. These books are well worth a read. Enjoy!

Academy X by Andrew Trees

ISBN-13: 978-1596911772

From the publisher:

"The Nanny Diaries meets Lucky Jim in this devilish satire of the culture of power and privilege at a New York City private school.

John Spencer, an English teacher at the elite Academy X, is struggling through the final weeks of the spring semester. But keeping his students focused on the genius and wit of Jane Austen is the least of his problems. His crush on the sexy librarian is beginning to warp his judgment. An unexpected promotion leaves him drowning in a sea of academic intrigue. Pushy parents demanding higher grades lurk behind every corner and a favorite pupil suddenly reveals a cunning and sophistication far beyond her years. With each bumbling effort to keep everyone happy (and get his girl!), John digs himself deeper into trouble, until his very