What is included
1-on-1 consultant meetings by appointment: assessment and school list, timeline, materials, profile development, essays, interview coaching, school communication.
Private high school
Middle school is the window for switching to private: school list, SSAT and ISEE Upper planning, GPA and activities, essays, interviews.
Bundle
Three private school applications + ISEE prep, matched to the ISEE level for the applying grade.
School profiles: directory.
Four services from North America Private School Guide
- School list: academic, personality, and interest assessment matched to family needs.
- Full application handling: portals, forms, school contact, data entry.
- Interview coaching: 1-on-1 for parent and child.
- Custom essays: Personal Statements written and polished by senior consultants.
Day and boarding K-12 schools, top 50 boarding and top 100 day schools nationally; start 12 to 24 months before submission.
How to start
Start with a placement assessment. We use it to set the level and class, then confirm the year plan with the family. For schedules, tuition, and bundle offers, request the 2026-27 program guide through the form below.
Want to talk to a counselor now?
Contact a counselorFrequently Asked Questions
When should Irvine families start private high school planning?
Twelve to 24 months before the application is submitted. For a grade 9 application, that means the second half of grade 7 or the start of grade 8, leaving time for the school list, test preparation, and the activity record. Middle school is also the window for building a base for college applications.
What materials does an application require?
Typically school transcripts, entrance test scores, teacher recommendations, student and parent essays, and interviews. The service covers assessment and school list, timeline, materials, profile development, essay polishing, interview coaching, and school communication, with portals, registration, forms, and data entry handled by the consultant.
Should the student take the ISEE or the SSAT?
It depends on the target schools. Most Southern California day schools accept the ISEE, boarding schools generally require the SSAT, and some accept either. Private high school planning includes preparation planning for SSAT and ISEE Upper; settle the school list first, then choose the test.
What is in the bundle?
Three private school applications plus the matching ISEE level for the applying grade. One team handles both the application and the test preparation, so the study schedule and the submission deadlines are planned together rather than colliding late in the season.
How does interview coaching work for Irvine families?
Parent and child are coached separately, 1-on-1 for each, because schools usually speak with them separately and ask different things. Coaching covers how to approach common questions, how to present clearly, and what a particular school tends to look for.
How is the school list built for an Irvine student?
Assessment comes before the list. Our partner, North America Private School Guide, assesses the child academically and by personality and interests, then builds a list around the family's needs, covering day and boarding K-12 schools including the top 50 boarding and top 100 day schools. Profiles are in the directory; families still weighing Irvine Unified School District high schools can read the IUSD guides.
