Transition to Seventh Grade |6th Parents

List of 6 items.

• General Sixth Grade Timeline

  September/October
  

  • Attend 7th Grade Transitions Meeting/s and individual parent meetings
  • Create a system to track dates and deadlines (i.e., chart, spreadsheet, calendar)
  • Visit schools
  • Make school application choices; submit Intention info to PMFS
  • Arrange student visits at independent schools
  • If applicable, check with School District of Philadelphia for current year deadlines for Voluntary Transfer Applications
  • Review content and format of the ISEE
  • Sign up for ISEE test at PMFS or elsewhere (begin work on accommodations ASAP with Director of Learning Support Maura)
  • Students, with teacher assistance, select samples of their work for PMFS Student Work Portfolio, to use to spur conversation at student interview

  November
  

  • Submit signed records release forms and signed recommendation forms to PMFS
  • Begin any financial aid applications
  • Take ISEE test

  December
  

  • Submit all applications to independent schools (recommended)
  • PMFS sends Sixth Grade December progress reports to independent schools

  December/January: Students complete student visits and parents complete parent interviews
  
  January: Typical independent school financial aid application deadline (Check for school-specific dates)
  
  January/February:  Arrange 2nd visits to schools for any students or parents who need an extra look
  

  
  January 15 – February 1: Independent schools notify families about admission

  
  March 1: Typical deadline to accept offer of independent-school admission (Check for school-specific dates)

  
  March/April: Parents transferring to Suburban Public Schools enroll students for fall; talk about placement options within the district

  
  “Spring”: School District of Philadelphia Transfer Status letters are mailed to students’ homes

  
  May: Submit Records Transfer Request to PMFS for end-of-year grades and medical information to be forwarded to new school

• Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE)

  Most independent schools require standardized test scores as part of the admission process for application to Seventh Grade. PMFS is pleased to be a test site for the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). PMFS offers a closed session for the test, with only PMFS Sixth Graders permitted to take the test here. PMFS Sixth Graders who intend to take this standardized test will be able to take it in familiar surroundings and with familiar faces as proctors. PMFS offers the test on a Saturday in November yearly. Read on for more information and approaching registration deadlines (Register early for the lowest price; speak with Maura Sutherland, the Director of Learning Support, even earlier if you are applying for testing accommodations).

  Read More

• Forms & Resources

  PMFS 7th Transition Intention Sheet. Return to the Main Office in the fall (by the end of October) so that we can better assist you with getting records to the right place during the application and transition process.
  
  PMFS Request for Transfer of Records. Return to the Main Office in May to give your permission to forward end-of-year records to your child’s new school.

  
  ADVIS Common Recommendation Forms
  

  • ADVIS Grades 1-8 Recommendation Form
  • ADVIS Grades 6-12 Recommendation Form

  The common recommendation form should be accepted by all independent schools who are members of ADVIS (Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools). It must be signed by the parents or guardians and given to the PMFS Main Office, with list of the school(s) to which it should be sent. The office will distribute it to teachers, who will fill it out confidentially. Please note that the 5/6 teacher will fill out recommendations unless parents requests otherwise in writing.

  
  School District of Philadelphia Forms & Information
  The School District of Philadelphia uses an online application system for Philadelphia Special Admission Schools, City Wide, and Neighborhood Schools.  Go to the Transferring to the School District of Philadelphia section of this site for links and details.

  
  Charter Schools in Philadelphia
  To look up a specific charter school and find out its requirements, contact information, and reports, go to www.philasd.org/charterschools/directory
  
  

  Need a form? Don’t see it here?
  Contact the Main Office so that we can update this site to better serve you!

• Applying to Independent Schools

  Narrow your Focus to 3-4 Independent Schools:

  • Remember that, in school choice, it is the MATCH between your child and the school that matters most.
  • Consider the family. Applying to schools is a family endeavor; think about siblings who may follow.
  • Reflect on special features and disciplines of the schools.
  • Trust your gut; there are a plethora of good schools where your child will shine.
  • Be flexible; there is an element of the unexpected in this process. Your impressions of a school may differ from what you expected.

  For Each Independent School Application:

  • Set the date for your child’s visit
  • Prepare for your child’s visit
    • Speak with your child about showing his/her “best” self and how to be on his/her best behavior. (Be yourself, the self you show your great-aunt)
    • Contact the school to find out about special needs for the day of the visit.
    • Inform PMFS in advance of your child’s absence from school, if applicable.
  • Get forms from each school for PMFS; sign and turn all forms in to the PMFS Office for distribution within PMFS:
    • • Records release form
      • Teacher recommendation form(s)
  • Turn in to each school admissions office:
  • • Application form (we recommend by early November)
    • Copy of your child’s PMFS Portfolio
    • Financial aid packet (we recommend by December 1)

• Transferring to the School District of Philadelphia

  The School District of Philadelphia Office of Student Enrollment and Placement accepts online applications in the fall of each school year. Philadelphia resident students go through the School District of Philadelphia Office of Student Enrollment and Placement to apply to three types of schools:

  • Neighborhood Schools.  For students who live within a particular attendance boundary. Renaissance Charter runs some and has space limitations. A few of these schools act as lottery or magnet TOO: students can apply outside attendance boundary. These include Hamilton Elementary Elementary School AIMS Program (Grades 6 to 8). Some neighborhood elementary and middle schools enroll half or more of their students outside their catchment area. Click here to read more about it.
  • City Wide Admission Schools. No attendance boundary; Specialized courses or area of study; selection by lottery.
  • Special Admission Schools. aka Magnet schools, offering “rigorous, enriched curriculum”; admission by selection of Admission Team within individual school.

  N.B. Philadelphia charter schools maintain individual admission requirements and timelines and are therefore considered in separate section, below.

  Read More

• Transferring to Suburban Public Schools

  While each school district has distinct requirements for a student to transfer there, typically, registration  is in the early spring. Contact your local school district to ask about steps, documents, and  deadlines for registration.
  
  Ask about any placement testing your child may need, and any programs your child may be eligible for. If you believe your child should be tested for a gifted program, you have specific rights around this request that schools must adhere to. Do not hesitate to ask the district for details and timelines.
  
  Many schools will allow students to have a Shadow Day or Visit Day in the spring.

  Read More