ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´

What is a choir school?

It is a private school serving the choristers of a cathedral, college or large parish church. The choristers can be boys or girls or boys and girls depending on the institution with which the school is affiliated. The United Kingdom enjoys a long history of this genre of private school. As the notes:

"Choir Schools are amazing places where young choristers enjoy learning and playing. Their work takes them into stunningly beautiful buildings on a daily basis. There is no better educational and musical training start for boys and girls aged seven years and up who love to sing."

Residential and day choir schools have seen a steady decline in their numbers since the 1950s for three reasons:

1. Two devastating world wars in Britain drastically altered the social and economic landscape in that country.
2. Changing values in modern society throughout the world have seen parents choose alternative forms of education for their children.
3. Finally, the tremendous cost of educating children in a choir school has forced many sponsoring institutions to close their schools.

Why send your child to a choir school?

I remember a parishioner years ago asking me to support her son's application to Saint Thomas' Choir School. He was an only child and, frankly, she was the quintessential velcro mother. I was pleasantly surprised that they were keen on the residential choir school at Saint Thomas Church in New York City. It was a good solution to

I am assuming that your school is well-known within your local community. But what about beyond that community? Are you visible to families looking for a school like yours? How will they know that your school fits their specific requirements? There are several things schools can do to reach that critical pool of families and prospective students in today’s increasingly digital admissions environment.

In 2026, effective school marketing goes far beyond brochures and print advertisements. Search engine visibility, mobile-friendly design, AI-assisted search tools, and social media engagement now play a central role in how families discover and evaluate schools.

As discussed in Hybrid and Online Learning Options for ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ Students, schools that successfully integrate technology into communication and operations are often better positioned to reach modern families.

The Invisible Stuff

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, still feels mysterious to many school administrators and educators. It is one of those highly technical concepts that often gets delegated entirely to web developers or outside consultants.

The truth is that strong SEO can significantly enhance your school’s visibility and admissions outreach. Weak or outdated SEO practices can bury even an excellent school website beneath competitors in search results.

At minimum, school leaders should understand the fundamentals well enough to supervise website and marketing teams effectively.

Institutions such as and the regularly publish resources about digital visibility and school communications strategies.

Some Background

What is Search Engine

Choosing the right private school for your child is a lengthy process. I want you to achieve the success that you deserve without making these common mistakes other parents have made.

1. Choosing a school that is not a good fit

You know your child better than anybody. Never forget that as you begin the process of choosing a school for your child. As you look at school websites, don't be distracted by those beautiful, professionally-produced presentations. Schools will show you what they want you to see. That's not a bad thing; however, those websites may not necessarily address your specific needs and requirements. Many times, while researching schools, you will receive false positives. It's hard not to be impressed by beautiful photos of a campus and its buildings, particularly if it is an older school with impressive grounds and architecture. But don't let cosmetics take your attention away from what is truly important, namely, the curriculum, the sports programs, and the extracurricular activities. Always ask yourself, "How does School X blend these three important components so my child will benefit from attending this school?"

As Geri Coleman Tucker wisely observes in , "Sure, you want to pick a school that is clean and attractive, with all the newest technology. But remember that looks aren’t everything. Some schools might not have the latest and greatest equipment. But they have engaged and well-trained teachers who can bring

The made many changes which impact charities and not-for-profit organizations such as private schools. Large private schools have expert tax advice at their disposal, as well they should. However, small private schools may not have a fulltime accountant on their staff. The point of this article is to encourage the administrators and trustees of small schools to discuss The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 with tax and legal professionals at their earliest opportunity. These small schools need to understand what impact the new tax code has on their operations.

Here then are five items which I offer as talking points for your discussions.

1. The Impact On Charitable Giving

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – What Nonprofits Need to Know by Sandra Cyr in Philanthropy Journal News offers some insight into how the Tax Act might impact charitable giving. I use the verb "might" advisedly, because it is too soon as of this writing in July 2018 to know what the real impact on charitable giving will be. We will have a better idea about that in the spring of 2019. In the meantime, I suggest that you discuss giving with your board and try to develop a realistic plan. Don't assume that giving will stay the way it has been. Assume that it will change and be prepared for that change.

2. Doubling

. . .read more

There are many reasons why a private, independent, or boarding school could be an excellent option for your child.

• Private schools typically offer thrilling academic challenges, extensive STEM or arts programs, or other remarkable resources.
• Their student-teacher ratios are low.
• Their faculty usually have advanced academic degrees and strong professional reputations.

About 10 percent of students attend private schools nationwide.

• Private school admissions tend to be selective and in many cases competitive.
• To help distinguish applicants who meet admission standards, private schools use standardized testing.
• The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) and Secondary School Admissions Exam (SSAT) are the most commonly used admissions tests for private, independent, and boarding schools.
• The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is often used by Catholic schools for entrance into grade 9.

The ISEE and SSAT are long multiple-choice tests lasting 2-3 hours and potentially covering above-grade-level content.

• For the 4th grader applying to a private middle school, this might be the first time they have undergone two hours of solid testing with only one or two short breaks.
• The best starting point is always to have your student take a full-length diagnostic test.
• It’s important to know where your child is starting from so that you can help them get to where they need to be.

This video offers an overview of the ISEE private school standardized admissions test.

ISEE & SSAT: Similarities and Differences

Which