LIFE AFTER LEVINE

LIFE AFTER LEVINE

Life After Levine 2021 - 2022

Preparation and Readiness for High School

1. GETTING STARTED

1.1 Life After Levine Forward 1.2 Life After Levine – The Road to High School 1.3 Public School Information 1.4 Keep Your Perspective "Remember" 1.5 Info from the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest/ISAS

2. RESUME

2.1Directions to Access Forms Online 2.2 Resume Deadline Notice 2.3 Resume Preparation Tips 2.4 Sample Resume

2.5 Sample Personal Statement 2.6 Interview Preparation Tips 2.7 Sample of Common Private School Interview Questions

3. ISEE TESTING

3.1 ISEE Testing

4. PRIVATE SCHOOL ON-LINE APPLICATIONS

4.1 Important Private School Information on Ravenna and other on-line application systems 4.2 Ravenna / School Registrar 4.3 Important Ravenna information

5. SCHOOLS / MAGNET PROGRAMs

5.1 Supplemental Jewish Education Choices after Levine Academy 5.2 Alphabetical Listing of Schools 5.3 Supplemental School Information

Dear Parents,

We are excited to embark on the journey towards high school with you and your children via our “Life After Levine” program. “Life After Levine” will help guide the process for entering public and private schools. This will include application and testing procedures for private schools and information on honors/magnet opportunities in the public schools. We are excited to announce that we are continuing to offer a special high school preparation course for our 8th grade to take place over the first trimester. Taught by Mr. Elieff, Ms. Geffen, Nicole Solman Rosenbaum, Suzie Hacker, and Principal Lawlor, students will prepare personal statements, create resumes, learn interview skills and discuss what to expect during the high school years. We believe this is an integral part of our 8th grade curriculum. Many schools will ask for faculty recommendations. These recommendations are an extremely important part of the application process. Private schools usually require letters from English and Math teachers, plus an evaluation form from the Head of School or Principal. Public schools may require recommendations from teachers and staff for special programs and honors classes. Other commentary may be requested of additional school professionals as well. Please note that in the interest of being able to devote the proper amount of time to each student recommendation, all requests will require a minimum turn-around time of three weeks after the applications and resumes have been received by Levine Academy. Parents, be sure to check individual high school application deadlines for prompt delivery of all necessary paperwork. Forms and/or requests may not be given directly to the teachers, nor should the students be the ones to handle the paperwork. All forms should be delivered to Shirley Green at [email protected]. There may also be some schools that send all forms through the Ravenna System or through similar types of online application systems. After all school forms and resumes have been completed and submitted to Levine, please have your child contact Judy Glazer at [email protected] to schedule an interview with Mr. Elieff. Note: All required student and family documents must be shared directly between you and your high schools of choice. All teacher recommendations, school transcripts, resumes, and required school – to – school information will be sent as a complete packet by Levine Academy directly to the schools of your choice.

We look forward to our continued partnership with you all and to a wonderful year ahead.

Sincerely,

Nicole Solman Rosenbaum Director of Admissions

Tom Elieff

Liz Lawlor

Head of School

K - 8 Principal

LIFE AFTER LEVINE The Road to High School

PUBLIC SCHOOL PROCESS

Make sure your child knows that public school is a wonderful option. Call the administrative office of your public high school, after winter break in January, to get a hard copy of the school course schedule. It is also available online at your high school’s website. Also, many schools offer complete course schedule books and registration online. Inquire about the registration process, a visit with the counselor and a tour of the school. Be sure to ask what legal documents and health forms are necessary for registration. You may wish to have some of these forms with you at this meeting. You should include in your discussion:

• Registration packet • Course Schedules • Four-Year Plan • Special Programs (honors, yearbook, etc.)

• Electives • Athletics • Band / Choir • Extra-Curricular Activities

• School Clubs and Organizations • College Counseling Resources • School Tour • School Visitation

Schedule meetings during mid-to-late spring with the Counselor, Assistant-Principal and the Principal for the purpose of establishing a connection between the school and your family. If necessary, parents should deliver teacher recommendation forms and resume to Shirley Green. Remember, there is a three-week turn-a-round time after the applications and resume have been received. Students who are applying to special programs such as International Baccalaureate and other public school magnet programs should schedule an interview time with the Head of School, Mr. Tom Elieff. They must contact Judy Glazer for scheduling. This is an essential part of the process. Note: Many schools have spring and summer programs and practices for rising 9th graders in athletics, band, choir, cheerleading, dance team, etc. There may also be special application procedures for programs such as newspaper and yearbook. Please inquire about this and establish communication with the directors / advisors of these programs.

PRIVATE SCHOOL PROCESS

Complete the entire Public School process.

Contact the Admissions Office of the schools of your choice as soon as possible. A great way to enter their system is by completing an online inquiry.

Discuss and/or request:

• Application packet or online application instructions • Application fee • Dates of Open House/Campus Preview • School visitation and interview • Ravenna System applications / other online application systems, plus any additional documents required by an individual school

Proceed as directed as each school indicates.

Students must schedule an interview time with Head of School, Mr. Tom Elieff. This is an essential part of the process. They must contact Judy Glazer for scheduling. Final resumes must have been completed and turned into Levine Academy along with teacher recommendation forms before an interview may be scheduled. Parents, NOT STUDENTS, must deliver teacher and staff recommendation forms and resume directly to Shirley Green at [email protected]. If your child is applying to a school that uses Ravenna or another web based application process, you must notify Shirley once you have released the online teacher, Principal or Head of School recommendation forms. Please remember, there is a three-week turn-a-round time after the applications and resume have been received. Forms will not be given to the teachers without a completed resume attached.

Mr. Elieff and Mrs. Rosenbaum will be personally visiting with the admission directors at each school to which our students apply.

TRANSCRIPTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, ETC. WILL BE E-MAILED, USPS MAILED OR HAND DELIVERED TO ALL SCHOOLS BY LEVINE ACADEMY.

If there are any questions, please contact Nicole Solman Rosenbaum, Director of Admissions @ 972-248-3032 x 151 or [email protected].

WHILE WE HAVE MADE EVERY EFFORT TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF ALL INFORMATION, PLEASE RECONFIRM ALL REQUIREMENTS AND DUE DATES WITH EACH SCHOOL TO WHICH YOUR CHILD IS APPLYING.

Keep Your Perspective

PLEASE REMEMBER: THE BEST SCHOOL FOR ANY STUDENT IS THE SCHOOL THAT IS THE BEST FIT.

While you are researching the school, you can start to determine whether the school is a place where you will grow into the person you want to be at the end of high school.

Think seriously about the things in your life that help you feel capable, confident and successful in your academic classes.

Consider the kind of friends that you like to surround yourself with who are a positive influence on you.

Imagine the extra-curricular school activities that you truly enjoy which bring you feelings of happiness and a sense of both calm and excitement.

REGISTRATION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The following items are required before you can be enrolled:

1. Proof of Residency – ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED

a. Current Utility Bill – water , gas , electric b. Apartment lease or home mortgage papers c. Must have / guardian’s name on bill / contract d. Address must be within proper school zone 2. Photocopy of Driver’s License of parent / guardian of enrolling student 3. Copy of Birth Certificate of student 4. Social Security Card of student a. Passport or Visa if not U.S. citizen 5. Immunization Records ( i.e. – shot records, signed by a physician ) 6. Name, address, telephone and fax numbers of previously attended school for requesting official student records 7. Copy of student records (transcript) and most recent report card

PLEASE NOTE: The above information is basic for each school district. Please check with the Administration office of your District for additional requirements.

Consider reaching out to your high school counselor. Typically, they are assigned by grade level or first letter of your last name. Think about starting to attend high school sporting events, music and theater productions and other programs that will give you and your child a sense of the school community.

Information from The Independent Schools Association of the Southwest http://www.isasw.org

FAQs for Prospective Parents

What is an Independent School?

Independent schools are "independent" because they have distinct educational missions, are independently governed and incorporated as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and are supported by tuition payments, charitable contributions and endowment revenue rather than by taxes. They share a commitment to achieving excellence and inspiring innovation. As part of the private school community, independent schools include coeducational, single-sex, and special focus institutions, as well as boarding and day schools. Each school meets high accreditation standards and is held accountable by its Board of Trustees. What advantages does an Independent School offer my child? Independent schools offer smaller class size allowing teachers to give each student more time, more challenging work and more individual attention. Independent schools offer greater communication among faculty, students, and parents, and the faculty and administration of such schools are generally more accountable and responsive to their constituent families. How can I find the Independent Schools in my community? The following web sites will launch your exploration. After narrowing your search based on your family’s needs and interests, contact the admissions offices at specific schools.

Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS) can assist with contact information and an instructive overview of the accreditation standards required of member schools.

The Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) website offers links to recognized accrediting agencies and member schools.

The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) website offers a wealth of informative articles and helpful school-specific information.

What is the best advice for parents looking into Independent Schools for their children? Like each child, each school has unique qualities. Parents should not seek the "best school," rather the "best school for our child." The search requires keen insight and honest assessment regarding a child’s strengths, needs, and preferences. All parents want their child to live and learn in an environment of high expectation and effectiveness. The school that meets this measure can be different from child to child. Give your child the gift of searching for this "best" place together.

How do I find the Independent School that best fits the needs of my child? First, parents must define the child’s needs as distinct from their own. It is paramount to keep the child’s needs in mind throughout the process.

Next, examine each school’s mission. Be sure you understand the mission statement, and ask for specifics as to how that mission is implemented.

Look beyond the school’s reputation when making this important decision. Ask about specific programs and where students go after they graduate or leave the school. What scores did students earn on the SAT or other standardized tests? Schools should publish this summary >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62

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