Applying to private school? South Guidance can help

If you are considering applying to a private school, please read the following information from South's Guidance Department:

• Pay attention to due dates! Make sure you know each of your school's deadlines and communicate with South staff as needed well in advance! 
• If you are applying to private school, students must fill out this Request Form:

Mandatory Recommendation Request - School Report Questionnaire

• To access application materials/portal, parents/guardians should go to the website of the school they are interested in:
  • Most schools use Ravenna for applications, recommendations, and transcript uploading, so parents need to create an account
    • Make sure that you enter your child's current school (South) and the correct email for their counselor

      • Meghan Thomas -- meghan.thomas@braintreeschools.org; 781.380.0160 x4036
        Grade 5: Last names beginning with A-L
        Grades 6, 7, 8: Last names beginning with A-J

      • Laura Riordan -- lauraa.riordan@braintreeschools.org; 781.380.0160 x4037
        Grade 5: Last names beginning with M-Z
        Grades 6, 7, 8: Last names beginning with K-Z

    • Filter requests to guidance counselors, not the school principal/assistant principal
    • We MUST have the transcript request/release form (from the new school or Ravenna) giving us written permission to send your transcript to the school.
  • Term 1 report cards will be released on 11/14. No private school applications will be started by South Guidance Counselors until the term 1 transcript has been posted. 
• Students must complete the counselor questionnaire and then allow at least (sometimes more at the highest demand times) two weeks for counselors to complete the Ravenna recommendation. Do not wait until the last minute & expect your request to take priority! 
• You will also need a recommendation from your current Math teacher, English teacher, and possibly other staff members, like a coach or advisor. South staff members are happy to fulfill this request, but please realize that it is a request. The student should speak to the teacher or send them a personal email prior to getting a request from the online portal. This gives the teacher an opportunity to talk to the student, which will in turn allows them to write a better recommendation. Please be aware that teachers will need at least 2 weeks to complete recommendation requests. Please do not wait until the last minute to send out your recommendation requests! It is also highly recommended that you acknolwedge anyone who writes a recommendation with a personal thank-you note!
• Every application is treated with care and appropriate urgency. 
  • Reminders, check-ins, and "urgent alerts" to staff members will not speed the process along
  • Last-minute requests take the same amount of time to process as timely requests, which means they may get submitted after deadlines have passed, if not submitted with sufficient prior notice. 

Communicate early & respectfully and you will receive the same in response!

CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION - 8TH GRADE STUDENTS INTERESTED IN APPLYING TO VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS
Blue Hills Regional Technical High School
  - Open House: 11/5, 5:30
  - BHRTHS will visit South and speak to all 8th graders about their program offerings (date TBD)
  - Any student who applies to BHRTHS will have an opportunity to travel in November to be part of the Showcase. You'll see how the shops work, learn about the academics, and hear from current students.
Norfolk Agricultural High School - Open House: 10/5, 1-4pm

Don't hesitate to reach out to your Guidance Counselor with any questions about applying for private school.