A BIGGER WORLD. A BRIGHTER YOU.
Start with who your child is.
Explore a U.S. school pathway that fits.
Make room for curiosity and individuality.
Every child grows in their own way.
Go further.
Grow into yourself.
THE TIPTOP APPROACH
The right school makes room for their interests
and supports their growth.
Choosing a U.S. school is an important family decision. Before drawing up a school list, we begin with your child: what they enjoy, how they learn and the school life they hope for.
With your child’s needs and your family’s circumstances in mind, we help you make sense of school choices, applications and preparations for arrival, so each decision has a clear purpose.
Start with their storyFIND THEIR STARTING POINT
Start with where your child is today.
Explore what could come next.
A LITTLE MORE INDEPENDENT
Consider curriculum continuity, English communication and developing interests together. Explore the new learning environment while allowing time to prepare for greater independence.
These stages are a starting point for planning. Grade structures, entry grades and admissions requirements vary by school. Check each school’s requirements for the relevant year against your child’s current curriculum.
THOUGHTFUL SUPPORT, EVERY STEP
From your first conversation to preparing for arrival,
the details deserve careful attention.
Explore your child’s academic background, interests and your family’s expectations, then consider school types, curricula and campus environments together.
Use each school’s requirements to organize documents and deadlines, helping your child communicate their own experiences clearly.
Plan for life beyond the classroom, including care arrangements and everyday communication before your child arrives.
These are areas for discussion. The scope and arrangements of any services will be set out in a plan agreed by both parties.
MORE THAN A SCHOOL NAME
The right questions begin with your child’s everyday life.
Clarify my school prioritiesConsider the curriculum, pace of learning, English-language support and who your child can turn to when they need help.
From the arts and sports to scientific exploration, look for opportunities your child will want to pursue over time.
Understand the practical arrangements for boarding or day school, care responsibilities, weekends, school breaks and family–school communication.
ONE STEP AT A TIME
You do not need every answer at once.
Start with the next step.
Tell us about your child, your hopes
and the questions that matter most.
Explore schools and curricula.
Identify the details to check.
Check each school’s documents and deadlines.
Plan assessments and interview preparation.
Confirm school and living arrangements.
Prepare for the new environment.
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
Share where you are in your thinking to create a checklist.
Use it to give your first conversation a clear direction.
No child’s name or contact details required.
Copy or download the checklist to keep.
A FEW GOOD QUESTIONS
Every child’s circumstances are different.
Here are some questions families often ask.
There is no single starting point that suits every child. Consider their study habits, English communication, readiness for daily life in a new setting and their own wishes, alongside your family’s care arrangements. Confirm grade placement and admissions requirements with each school you are considering.
Once you have an intended entry year, check each school’s admissions schedule and work backward to plan school research, visits, tests and documents. Deadlines differ, and some schools offer rolling admissions. A general timeline cannot replace checking each school individually.
Not always. Standardized testing requirements vary by school, entry grade and admissions year. Some schools require scores; others have test-optional policies. English-language testing may also depend on a student’s primary language and previous language of instruction. Check whether a test is required or recommended before making arrangements.
Materials may include an application form, school transcripts, teacher recommendations, student writing and a parent statement, as well as an interview or school assessment. Assessment formats can differ by grade. Confirm the exact checklist and submission process with each school.
Start with your child’s independence, your family’s care arrangements and the school experience they hope for. For boarding, check available entry grades, accommodation, student support, weekends and school breaks. For day school, consider housing, the daily commute and everyday care. Family presence and care arrangements deserve particular attention for elementary-age children.
Bring an overview of your child’s current grade, academic and English-language background, interests, intended entry year and your family’s three main priorities. There is no need to send passports or other sensitive documents for an initial conversation. You can also use the tool above to create a preparation checklist.
Admissions references: NAIS application guide ↗, Exeter admissions requirements ↗, Choate admissions FAQs ↗. These links are provided for reference and do not imply a partnership or endorsement. Requirements are governed by each school’s published information for the relevant year. Checked in October 2026.
LET’S TALK ABOUT THEIR FUTURE
Whether you have a plan or are just beginning to explore,
let’s talk about your child and your hopes for them.
