Stop Waiting Until September to Start Your School Search

Every summer, I get a version of the same call: "We've been meaning to reach out. We’re wondering if we should start thinking about schools now?" It's July. Applications open in August. And yes—we should absolutely start! But here's what I want more families to hear: the best time to have that conversation was spring. The second best time is right now.

I say this not to create panic—panic is not productive—but because the summer months are genuinely one of the most valuable and underutilized windows in the entire school search process. While most families are in "let's enjoy the break" mode, the families who do their groundwork now will feel an entirely different kind of calm come October and November.

Let me tell you what's actually possible this summer, and why it matters more than you might think.

School visits are a different experience in the summer. I know it can feel counterintuitive—shouldn't you see a school when it's actually in session? And yes, absolutely! Fall visits to campus for tours and interviews are mandatory in my book. And yes, fall open houses have their place. But summer tours offer something genuinely different: personalized access. You get longer conversations with admissions officers, a more leisurely walk around campus, often with a local day student, and the chance to ask the questions you'd never get to in a packed open house or group tour. I've had some of the most candid, sincere conversations with admissions directors over the summer months. Conversations that shaped my recommendations for families in ways that no brochure or website ever could.

Your student has time to reflect. When school is in session, students are stretched thin with assignments, activities and social pressures. Summer gives them breathing room to think genuinely about what they're looking for. What kind of community feels right? Do they thrive with a lot of structure or do they need more independence? What are they hoping will be different at a new school? These aren't questions you can answer in a rushed car ride between homework and dinner. They deserve space.

"The families who arrive in September with a clear picture of what they're looking for aren't lucky. They started earlier."

Evaluations take time. If your child is in the process of completing or receiving a neuropsychological evaluation—or if one has been recommended and you've been putting it off—summer is the moment. Evaluations inform everything: the type of school environment that will serve your child best, the supports they'll need, and in many cases, how transparently to approach the conversation with admissions. Waiting until October to get this in motion creates real timeline pressure that no one needs.

The list-building process is thoughtful, not instant. Families sometimes imagine that a school list comes together quickly—a few Googled names, some word-of-mouth recommendations, and you're set. But the lists I build with families take into account a child's learning profile, their social and emotional needs, their aspirations, a family's priorities around geography and community, and the specific culture of each school. That kind of thoughtfulness cannot be rushed. Starting now means we build it right.

If you've been thinking about reaching out to an educational consultant—about private school admissions, a school change, or simply figuring out what the right next step is for your child—I'd love to talk. A summer strategy session isn't a commitment to anything. It's just a conversation. And often, it's the one that changes everything.

The new school year will be here before you know it. Let's make sure you're ready for it!

Did you enjoy this article? Join the conversation over on LinkedIn.