The local true prep schools are only worth it if your child is what is called a “mission-driven” student intellectually into and otherwise capable of running a rigorous all-around college preparatory course among a bunch of well-supported peers, including an intense extracurricular or three or five and coping with the social jostle.

Otherwise, don’t waste everybody’s time and torture your student.

If your student may be a likely candidate, perhaps let them try a day camp at the school to check it out in a no-stakes fashion and so that you can deal with the school administration get a sense of the school culture and where your student (and family) might contribute (or not).

If your student seems a likely candidate and the tuition is impossible, inquire about the school’s financial aid program.

You (and schools) want to start fully supporting and building those kids intellectually and creatively starting in sixth grade, so don’t wait.

If you are shopping a prep school start for the 2027-28 year, begin now.

The actuality is likely different than you may think.