What is a College Prep High School Like for Your Child?
If you are the parent of a high-school-aged student, you may be wondering, “What is a college prep high school and could a college prep school be right for my child?” Find the answers to your questions.
When parents in Houston consider the best educational path for their high-school-age child, the term “college prep” often comes up in research and conversation. But what is a college prep high school, and what exactly does a college prep high school offer?
Let’s explore the ins and outs of a college preparatory educational approach, review how this academic approach differs from other types of educational options, and see how college prep schools like St. Agnes are designed to help students thrive.
What Is a College Prep High School?
A college prep school – or college preparatory school – is an academic institution specifically designed to prepare students for their future higher education endeavors. These schools focus on delivering an academically challenging curriculum while fostering critical thinking, time management, and study skills that will help students succeed in college and beyond.
Unlike public schools or charter schools, college prep programs often emphasize a holistic approach to learning that prepares students for college across multiple facets of their lives.
These private schools provide insular, supportive environments where students can expand their horizons academically, socially, and emotionally while working towards their future goals.
College prep high schools also provide students with comprehensive college admissions support to maximize their chances of being admitted to and attending their targeted institutions of higher learning.
What Does a College Prep High School Offer?
College prep high schools aim to go above and beyond when it comes to equipping their students for future success. Here are just a few things you can expect when enrolling your student in a private college prep high school.
1. Rigorous Academics
At the core of any college prep high school is its challenging academic program. College prep schools like St. Agnes typically offer college prep classes designed to prepare students for college-level coursework while simulating the rigor of a college education.
Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses are valuable resources for students looking to dive deeper into their studies. In many cases, students can earn college credit by completing advanced college courses and performing well on their final exams.
2. Extensive College Counseling
One of the standout features of college prep schools is robust college counseling support. At St. Agnes Academy, our College Counseling team offers hands-on college prep activities and guidance for students navigating the college application and financial aid processes.
During their time at St. Agnes, students can take advantage of individualized support for college admissions tasks like:
- Researching and pinpointing target colleges and universities.
- Planning for standardized entrance exams like the ACT and SAT.
- Crafting compelling college applications.
- Exploring and applying for financial aid options.
This tailored support ensures students and their families have all the information, tools, and resources they need to navigate the college admissions process and subsequent transition out of high school.
3. Extracurricular Opportunities
In addition to providing advanced academic offerings, college prep high schools emphasize the well-rounded development of their students. At St. Agnes, students are encouraged to participate in various extracurricular activities such as clubs, sports, and volunteer/service programs.
Extracurricular opportunities help students develop more diverse skill sets while providing them with opportunities to socialize and collaborate with like-minded peers. As colleges increasingly seek to admit students with well-documented diverse interests and experiences, a robust extracurricular roster is a must-have for college-minded high schoolers.
How Does a College Prep High School Differ from Other Schools?
Let’s dive further into the nuanced differences between various types of high school options you may be considering for your child.
Private Schools vs. College Prep
While many private schools are college prep schools, not all private schools focus on getting your child ready for college in the same way. Some private schools boast small class sizes and modest student-teacher ratios but otherwise take a more standard approach to education.
In other cases, private schools are intended to prepare students not necessarily for college but for specific career areas like the arts or STEM fields. College prep high schools offer all of the standard draws of traditional private schools with an added emphasis on college readiness across all facets of a student’s life.
Charter Schools vs. College Prep
Many charter schools offer innovative teaching methods and flexibility in their approach to education, but they may not always provide the specialized resources found in a college preparatory school.
Because college prep schools are privately funded, they may be able to offer more consistent college credit opportunities, advanced placement classes, college counseling services, and extracurricular programs.
Boarding School vs. College Prep
Some college preparatory schools are also boarding schools, where students live on campus. St. Agnes was actually originally founded as a boarding school but has functioned as a private day school since the mid-1950s.
While there are certain benefits to the boarding school format, St. Agnes is pleased to provide top-quality college preparatory educational experiences to students throughout the Houston area without requiring them to live on campus.
Discover the St. Agnes Approach to College Preparation
At St. Agnes Academy, our all-girls college prep school specializes in helping young women from all walks of life excel academically, personally, and professionally. The primary goal of a college prep school like St. Agnes is to prepare students for the challenges of higher education while fostering their personal development at every turn.
In addition to our advanced academic offerings and robust extracurricular programming, we are proud to provide students with ongoing access to various support services to help them more seamlessly navigate the high school experience.
Our college counseling team has a collective 80 years of college advising experience and works tirelessly to provide students with the tailored support they need to maximize their college admissions odds.
Additionally, our Wellness Center provides students with a wide range of wellness programming aimed at supporting their holistic well-being during what can often be an emotionally taxing developmental period.
By encouraging students to hone important life skills and develop healthy self-care strategies, our staff equips pupils for long-term academic and personal satisfaction well beyond receiving their high school diploma.
Talk to Us Today About Your Daughter’s Educational Future
We understand you may want to know more beyond what is a college prep high school.
If you’re interested in learning more about our specific approach or want to learn more about what sets St. Agnes apart from other high schools in the Houston area, reach out today to speak to a member of our admissions team. We would be glad to speak with you.
