Public School Procedures
	While public schools do not engage in a selective admissions process, we do recommend that students and parents try to understand as much as they can about their home school district before you officially enroll your child. We ask that you meet with us at any time to learn about your intentions and to help plan for a smooth transition. The High School Guidance Office will serve as the primary source for information. We recommend the following steps: Contact your local guidance office to request a description of courses and any other materials that describe programs (athletics, clubs, activities, etc.). Ask the Guidance Office if they would permit a tour of the school and if your child might be permitted to visit a class or two. In some cases, they will ask that you identify a current student in the school system that could serve as a “tourguide”. (If there are several students considering the same public high school, we will ask that they consider a group tour.) Find out when they recommend that you register your child for the following September. Ask when students new to the school system will be eligible to select courses. If you are considering honors placement, ask whether they rely solely on teacher recommendation and transcript evidence of proficiency, or whether they will administer their own placement exams. If the public schools require RA to submit recommendations, you will need to meet with Mr. Perry, the Head of the Upper School, and the relevant teachers to determine whether we are all in agreement that the placement is in the student’s best interests. Generally this takes place during the spring trimester. Once again, we highly recommend meeting with us at any time to explore all options.

	Local Public Schools
	School Name Telephone Number Joel Barlow High School (Redding) (203) 938-2508 ext 2519 John Jay High School (Cross River) (914) 763-7203 New Canaan High School (203) 594-4661 Ridgefield Public High School (203) 438-3785 ext 1019 Staples High School (Westport) (203) 341-1225 ext 1434 Weston High School (203) 291-1660 Wilton High School (203) 762-0381 ext 6292   For a printable version of this document, please click here.