Middle School Application Basics
Most middle schools advise parents to start their research no later than September of 5th grade. The process should start with collecting information, scheduling tours and noting due dates.
Private middle schools Application deadlines are often in February, although they may be earlier. Many schools require items which you must start planning for in the fall:
- Teacher recommendations (start early - for your teacher’s sake)
- SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test, similar concept to the SAT, see www.ssat.org)
- Parent & student interviews
- Shadow day: the 5th grader “shadows” a 6th grader as an opportunity for the applicant to evaluate the school and vice versa
- Application fee
- Proficiency tests if the child is seeking advanced placement in language or other subjects
Public middle schools Depending on where you live and where the school is located, public middle schools may require transfer paperwork and/or special permission to attend. Answers to questions about admissions and transfer policies can differ, so be persistent.
Admission to language immersion programs generally requires language proficiency tests which may include an interview with the 6th grade teacher and writing samples.
Families interested in Portland Public Schools should contact their Enrollment & Transfer Center (503-916-3205 or enrollment-office@pps.k12.or.us) and the principal of the choice school. Portland Public Schools has allowed transfers from other districts. Some schools have open houses and some schools permit shadow days. (Note: Portland Public Schools has many high schools with advanced language options.)
Beaverton Public Schools may have advanced language middle school options which can be listed in future revisions of this document. Beaverton families who are interested in transferring to another Beaverton school should contact the principal of their choice school. As of Spring 2008, Beaverton Public Schools is not allowing transfers from other districts.
