High School Placement

CDCPS offers an array of educational, informational and support services to prepare our students and their families for the transition to high school. We work to ensure that they have the opportunity to consider both private and public school options as they make important decisions about where they will attend high school.

We offer activities and information designed to help guide students through the process: academic tutoring, secondary school information, school tours, assistance in completion of school applications, and financial aid information and assistance.

Each fall, the school holds a secondary school fair where parents and Upper School students can speak with admissions representatives and guidance counselors from a variety of private and public, comprehensive and vocational-technical high schools. In the 7th and 8th grades, students take Secondary School Achievement Test (SSAT), which is required by independent schools. There are also school-organized site visits to ensure that all 7th graders have the opportunity to visit at least 2 high schools.

All grade 8 students receive extensive written materials, guides and resources related to a variety of high schools and their admission requirements. Parents have the opportunity to be paired with an alumni parent mentor to assist them in the high school application process. Community Day’s Director of Placement maintains contact with the high schools to support the application process and secure needs-based financial assistance and other supports for our students. Beyond the financial aid resources available through the private high schools themselves, families are encouraged to apply for other scholarship programs, such as those available through local service clubs. Additionally, Community Day has a well-established relationship with a local benefactor who helps bridge gaps in financial aid that make it possible for Community Day graduates to meet the cost of private school tuition.

During the summer months there are a variety of programs available to students as they transition into grades 7 and 8 at Community Day, and to provide a bridge between Community Day and high school. These programs have included those implemented at Community Day (such as Service Learning), camps with residential opportunities (Brentwood in NH), College for Kids (at Northern Essex Community College), Prep @ Pingree, and summer programs at Phillips Academy Andover and the Brooks School.