Frequently Asked Questions

The SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) is the most widely used admissions test for independent and boarding schools. It includes Verbal, Quantitative (Math), and Reading Comprehension sections and is scored on a percentile basis. The HSPT (High School Placement Test) is the standard admissions exam for Catholic high schools. It covers Verbal, Quantitative, Reading, Mathematics, and Language sections and produces a composite score. The key difference is which schools require them — most independent schools use the SSAT (or ISEE), while Catholic schools almost exclusively use the HSPT.

The test your child should take depends entirely on the schools they are applying to. If your child is applying to independent schools like Sidwell Friends, Georgetown Day, or Landon, they will likely need the SSAT (some also accept the ISEE). If your child is applying to Catholic schools such as Gonzaga, Georgetown Visitation, or DeMatha, they will need the HSPT. Many families applying to a mix of both school types prepare for and take both exams. Check each school's admissions page for their specific testing requirements.

Most families begin light preparation in the spring or summer before the application year, roughly 4 to 6 months before test dates. This typically means starting in June or July for fall SSAT dates (October through December) and fall HSPT dates (typically November or December). Starting with vocabulary building and reading comprehension over the summer is a low-pressure way to build a foundation. Intensive prep can begin in September or October, giving students time to build familiarity with test formats without feeling rushed.

For the SSAT, scores are reported as percentiles. Highly competitive independent schools typically look for scores in the 70th to 90th percentile range, though some elite schools see averages above the 85th percentile. For the HSPT, scores are reported as a composite with a maximum around 298. Competitive Catholic schools in the DMV often look for composite scores above 260, while the most selective programs may expect scores above 280. Remember that test scores are just one part of the application — schools evaluate the whole student.

Most private school applications in the DMV region open in September or early October for the following school year. Application deadlines for independent schools are generally in January (often January 15), while Catholic school deadlines can range from November through February depending on the school. Some schools offer early decision or early action deadlines in November or December. It is important to check each school's admissions calendar individually, as dates vary and missing a deadline can significantly impact your child's chances.

Early Decision (ED) is a binding commitment — if your child is accepted ED, you are agreeing to enroll and withdraw all other applications. Early Action (EA) allows you to apply early and receive a decision sooner, but it is non-binding, meaning your family is free to consider other offers. Rolling Admissions means the school reviews applications as they are received and makes decisions on an ongoing basis until spots are filled. Not all private schools offer ED or EA; many use a single Regular Decision deadline with notification in March.

Private schools evaluate applicants holistically, looking at academic performance (GPA, course rigor, and grades), standardized test scores (SSAT or HSPT), teacher recommendations, extracurricular involvement, the student essay or personal statement, and the admissions interview. Schools want students who will contribute to their community academically, socially, and through activities. Character, curiosity, and a genuine interest in the school are valued alongside grades. Each school weighs these factors differently, which is why admission odds can vary significantly across schools for the same student.

Admissions interviews are a meaningful part of the process at most private schools. They give the admissions team a chance to see your child beyond their application — their personality, communication skills, and genuine interest in the school. While a strong interview alone won't overcome weak academics, it can be a differentiator between similarly qualified candidates. Some schools conduct evaluative interviews where the conversation directly factors into the admissions decision, while others use conversational interviews primarily to get to know the student. Preparing thoughtful answers and questions shows maturity and genuine interest.

A strong application tells a cohesive story about who your child is. It starts with solid academics — consistent grades and challenging coursework — supported by strong SSAT or HSPT scores. Teacher recommendations should come from instructors who know your child well and can speak to their character, not just their grades. The student essay should be authentic and personal, showcasing your child's voice rather than a parent's. Demonstrated involvement in a few meaningful extracurriculars is more impressive than a long list of superficial activities. Finally, showing genuine interest in the school through visits, interviews, and a well-researched application makes a strong impression on admissions teams.

Private school financial aid is typically need-based, meaning it is awarded based on a family's demonstrated financial need. Families submit a financial aid application (usually through SSS or FACTS) along with tax returns and other financial documents. The school's financial aid committee reviews this information and determines an award amount. Aid can range from a few thousand dollars to full tuition, depending on the family's circumstances and the school's resources. Many top independent schools in the DMV have substantial endowments that allow them to meet 100% of demonstrated need for admitted families.

The SSS (School and Student Service) form is the most widely used financial aid application for independent schools. It is administered by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and is similar in concept to the FAFSA used for college financial aid. The SSS form collects detailed financial information about your household and generates a report that schools use to determine your family's expected contribution. Most independent schools in the DMV — including Sidwell Friends, Georgetown Day, Maret, and Landon — require the SSS form. Catholic schools more commonly use the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment form instead.

Yes, many private schools offer merit-based scholarships in addition to need-based financial aid. Merit scholarships are typically awarded for academic excellence, athletic talent, artistic ability, or leadership qualities. Catholic schools in the DMV are especially likely to offer merit scholarships tied to HSPT scores or academic achievement. Independent schools more commonly focus on need-based aid, though some do offer named scholarships with merit components. It is worth researching each school's specific scholarship offerings, as they vary significantly — our Scholarships page can help you identify opportunities.

While "negotiate" may not be the right word, families can absolutely have a conversation with the financial aid office if an award does not adequately reflect their financial situation. If your circumstances have changed since you submitted your application (job loss, medical expenses, etc.), you should contact the school and provide updated documentation. If you have received a more generous offer from a comparable school, it is reasonable to share that information and ask if the school can revisit your award. Financial aid offices want to enroll families and are often willing to take a second look when presented with new or compelling information.

Day schools are schools where students attend during the day and return home each evening, similar to a traditional school schedule. Boarding schools provide on-campus housing where students live during the school year, typically coming home for holidays and breaks. Some schools offer both options — for example, Episcopal High School in Alexandria is a fully boarding school, while schools like St. Andrew's in Delaware offer both boarding and day enrollment. Boarding schools often provide a more immersive experience with evening study halls, weekend activities, and a tight-knit residential community. Day schools allow students to maintain their home life and local friendships while still accessing a rigorous private school education.

No. Most religiously affiliated private schools in the DMV welcome students of all faiths (or no faith). Schools like Georgetown Visitation (Catholic), Sidwell Friends (Quaker), and Episcopal High School (Episcopal) enroll students from diverse religious backgrounds. While these schools may include chapel services, religious studies courses, or faith-based community values in their programming, they generally do not require students or families to practice the school's affiliated religion. That said, the degree of religious integration varies — some schools weave faith deeply into daily life, while others treat it as a cultural tradition. Visiting the school and asking about religious expectations during your tour is the best way to understand the fit.

A balanced school list should include a range of schools where your child has varying admission odds — some where your child is a strong candidate, some where they are competitive, and a few aspirational options. We recommend building a list of 6 to 10 schools. Start by considering your family's priorities: location, school size, coed vs. single-gender, religious affiliation, day vs. boarding, and special programs. Then use your child's academic profile and our admission odds estimates to ensure the list includes schools across the competitiveness spectrum. Visiting each school on your list is essential — campus culture, teaching style, and student energy can only be evaluated in person.

Our admission odds estimates are built on verified, publicly available school data including published acceptance rates, enrollment statistics, academic profiles, and historical admissions patterns. When you upload your child's transcript, our AI analyzes their GPA, course rigor, and grade trends and compares that profile against each school's known admissions criteria. The resulting odds are an informed estimate, not a guarantee — admissions decisions involve many factors that cannot be quantified, such as interview performance, recommendations, and the composition of the applicant pool in any given year. We update our data regularly to reflect the most current information available.

Yes. Privacy is foundational to how we built DMV Private Prep. When you upload a transcript or report card, the file is processed in real time and immediately discarded — it is never stored on our servers, never written to a database, and never used to train AI models. Your account information (name and email) is stored securely with encrypted authentication. We do not sell, share, or provide your data to any third parties. You can read our full Privacy Policy for complete details on how we handle your family's information.