Eleanor Munson, PhD

Educational Consultant

Blog

Caveat Emptor

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I’ve visited with a couple of Dallas families recently who hired professionals to work with them (or their children), only to realize later that those ‘experts’ lacked the qualifications and expertise they presumedly possessed. This made me wonder, how do you know if someone you hire or even follow on social media, is qualified to offer the assistance/help/advice they’re giving. In this new age of digital media, it’s easy to have a slick, alluring on-line presence. And there are few, if any, checks and balances. Anyone can hang out a shingle and claim to be ‘the best.’ So how are you to know?

As the old saying goes, ‘if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.’ Here are three things to consider.

1. Pay careful attention to qualifications or lack thereof. Most of us (me included) go to the internet to research an issue or concern, a name we’ve heard recommended, etc. It’s easy to be swayed by a great looking website. As you’re vetting, look very carefully at the ‘About Me’ section of the website and check them out on LinkedIn as well. What degrees do they have, and in what subjects? What experience have they had? What professional associations do they belong to, and at what level? Whether you’re looking for a Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Academic Language Therapist, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or Educational Consultant, all of these professions have specific training programs and professional organizations that monitor their profession by recertifying members, requiring continuing education, and training in ethics. If you don’t see any of that listed, it’s a huge red flag.

2. However, some of the most well-respected professionals in Dallas do not have a website and are not on social media. They’ve built a strong reputation through their interaction with clients and in the professional community. As one of these off-line experts told me “if you need me, you’ll find me.” So don’t let a lack of online presence concern you. Instead, rely on my next point.

3. Get validation from professionals you trust. It’s easy to go with the flow. 500 followers on Twitter, 50 likes in a Facebook group with people chiming in ’He’s great – see him’ or ’She’s done this for years and is the best,’ does that make someone an expert? Ask your pediatrician, ask your child’s teacher/principal/counselor, get multiple assurances, and most importantly, trust your gut before you hire someone whose opinions may influence the course of your family’s life.

There are some fabulous professionals out there who can help you, your children, your entire family. I know because some of those experts have helped my family and me. We are forever changed because of them and, I’ll never be able to thank them enough. I want the same for you and your family. So research carefully before you put your trust in someone, listen to the people you know & trust, and rely on your gut feeling to guide you, and you won’t go wrong.

© Eleanor Munson, Ph.D. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Eleanor Munson, Ph.D. is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Eleanor Munson, Ph.D. with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

The Dallas Private School Puzzle

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Here’s an article I recently wrote for Modern Luxury’s Dallas Private School Handbook.

As a parent, one of our greatest responsibilities is our children’s education. In some places this is an easy choice; the local public school system is well-rated, or there are only two or three private schools in the area. In Dallas, with over 200 (yes, 200!) private schools in the city and suburbs, we have a myriad of choices at all levels. As parents begin the private school search, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure about what’s best for your child.

Once you go beyond considerations like location, tuition, co-ed vs. single sex, etc., what other things might you think about to help you make this important decision? How can you anticipate if your child will thrive in a particular school environment?

First, though it’s easy to be swayed by name recognition and think that the most well-known schools must be the best ones for your child, know that there are many, many good schools in our area. When I’m not seeing clients, I’m visiting schools (over a hundred and counting), and almost without exception, I have found something very positive at every school I’ve toured. Not every child would do well at every school, but many would.

For a preschool-aged child, ask yourself if the mission of the school matches your child’s personality and temperament. For instance, a young child who has trouble sustaining attention and can’t work independently may have a difficult time in a Montessori setting, where students work on their own in self-directed activities. However, for a curious, self-motivated child, Montessori can be the perfect fit because they can explore and satisfy their thirst for knowledge.

With an older child, you might consider whether your child is a match for a very competitive private school. If accepted, would they be ready for a rigorous course load and the homework to go with it? Is their ability in sports, arts, etc., exceptional enough to land them a spot on a team or a role in the school musical? Or would your child do better at a smaller, less competitive school? One where they can play on a school team even if they’re not a fantastic athlete or be chosen for the lead role in the school play because it’s something they’ve always wanted to try? At such a school, there are opportunities open for kids at different skill levels, not just for a small range of kids that excel.

Also, don’t limit yourself to considering only PK-12 independent schools. I get it, the process is stressful, and you want to be “one and done,” but kids make huge developmental gains every year that can significantly impact their educational needs. Even if a child is already in a PK-12 school, I recommend that parents assess their choice every year or so. A school that was the perfect fit for your younger child may not be right for middle or high school. Ask yourself if the school meets their needs and provides the experiences that will keep them on the path that you feel is important. Sometimes a change is needed.

Finding the best fit for your child is the most challenging part of the process, in my opinion. I believe that a child must feel emotionally safe and secure to take risks. If they’re in a school environment that’s not right for them, they won’t have the confidence to try new things, grow, and stretch themselves. Yes, they will make it through, but will their life be as enriched as it could have been if they had been in a setting more in tune with their true essence? It is a complicated process and may feel daunting at times, but with open-mindedness, commitment, and consistent evaluation and reevaluation, you should be able to find the best place for your child to spend their grade school years.

Eleanor Munson, Ph.D. is an Educational Consultant in Dallas. A Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association with a specialty in Learning Differences, Dr. Munson is the only such practitioner in Dallas to focus exclusively on private school placement. Find her at www.eleanormunsonphd.com.

© Eleanor Munson, Ph.D. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Eleanor Munson, Ph.D. is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Eleanor Munson, Ph.D. with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

5 Ways to Kickstart Your Dallas Private School Search

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Are you thinking about applying your child to a Dallas private school this fall? If so, you’ve landed at the right place. And, rest assured, it’s very early in the process, so you have plenty of time to come up with a game plan. I’ve put together some tips to help get you started.

  1. Identify your priorities and begin making your list accordingly. Consider what’s most important to you; Single-sex? A uniform? Religious environment? Full-time school nurse? Cast a wide net and think about different types of schools (Montessori, religious, international baccalaureate, cooperative, etc.).
  2. Scour school websites. You’ll be surprised how much important information private schools make available on their website. It’s not uncommon for schools to publish parent/student handbooks, curriculum guides, and course catalogs. Delve in to start narrowing your list of possible schools.
  3. Use my Dallas private school tour schedule to put dates on the calendar for school visits. Schools typically have several events, some for parents only, some for the entire family. Be sure to follow their guidelines and rsvp, if required. I highly recommend you visit each school on your list.  You can quickly rule a school in or out by simply seeing it yourself in person.  Nothing can replace that experience.
  4. Attend the Dallas Private School Preview, September 10th, from 1-3pm at The Hockaday School and stay for the either ‘Navigating the Private School Admissions Process’ or ‘Navigating the Boarding School Admissions Process’ panels afterward, at 3pm. Read more about the preview here.
  5. Read application instructions carefully and make a calendar or spreadsheet of deadlines, testing requirements, etc. If you’re applying to several schools, everything may overlap…or not. It’s critical to get materials in on time, so come up with a system that works for you.

If you need help forming your list or want to discuss private schools and the admissions process, please don’t hesitate to contact me for assistance. Good luck on this journey!

© Eleanor Munson, Ph.D. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Eleanor Munson, Ph.D. is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Eleanor Munson, Ph.D. with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Decision Day 2017

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Tomorrow’s decision day for many Dallas private schools.  Emails will go out in the late afternoon; then schools close their doors for spring break.  I want to extend my very best wishes to everyone for an optimal outcome.

If you need help next week (choosing between schools, dealing with a wait-list situation, or regrouping from bad news),  I’ll be available. Contact me if you need assistance.

Good luck!

© Eleanor Munson, PhD.  Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Eleanor Munson, PhD is strictly prohibited.  Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Eleanor Munson, PhD with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Dallas Private School Admissions, Financial Aid

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For years, Dallas private schools have chosen to extend their financial aid offers in May, many weeks after sending out their admissions notification in March, leaving families of admitted students in limbo, unsure if the offer they receive will be enough to afford the school of their choice.  However, soon this will change.  Many top Dallas private schools have decided to alter this practice and instead will send their financial aid offers along with their acceptance notifications beginning this March.  Students given wait pool status will also learn of their financial aid offer at this time.  As a result, families will be able to immediately consider their options and quickly make the best choice for their family’s situation, thus eliminating the waiting…and nerves that go with it.

Due dates for financial aid applications vary, so be sure to check each school’s calendar.  Some schools ask for this information as early as December, others in mid-February.  Just as there are different due dates, there may be different offers from each school. Endowments among schools vary.  Schools with larger endowments can provide more aid and at earlier grades.  I’m glad to see this change for families and schools, who now can wrap up their admissions season by April, instead of stretching it into June.

© Eleanor Munson, Ph.D. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Eleanor Munson, Ph.D. is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Eleanor Munson, Ph.D. with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.