Ravenna
Ravenna Hub is a centralized application platform that allows families to apply and manage admissions for private and independent preschool through 12th-grade schools. Users can submit materials, register for events, and view decisions for multiple schools in one location.
The Standard Application Online (SAO)
The SAO is a platform managed by The Enrollment Management Association (EMA) that allows students to apply to schools using a single application. It has standardized forms, transcripts, and teacher recommendations, simplifying the application process for families. The SAO is used primarily by boarding schools.
Gateway to Prep Schools
The Gateway to Prep Schools is an online application system that allows students to apply to multiple private boarding and day schools using one standardized platform. It streamlines the application process by enabling applicants to submit common forms, teacher recommendations, and essays, while also offering a tracking checklist for submission status.
Veracross
Veracross is a school management software designed exclusively for private and independent K-12 schools. It provides a single, integrated, 100% web-based database to manage admissions, academics, billing, and tuition, aiming to streamline operations and enhance communication between faculty, parents, and students. You can access your Veracross portal through the applicable school’s admissions inquiry form. Once you have created your user account, log into your school’s admissions portal and complete the online application
Clarity
Clarity is a secure financial aid application platform designed specifically for K-12 private schools to streamline the tuition assistance process for families and administrators. It simplifies applications by directly integrating with the IRS to reduce manual data entry, usually taking less than 30 minutes to complete.
Independent School Extrance Exam (ISEE)
The ISEE is a standardized test accepted by over 1,200 independent schools around the world, for students in Grades 2-12. The ISEE provides admission teams with objective data points that can benefit both schools – by helping them make admission decisions – and families, by ensuring they find the right school fit for their student. There are several testing options including online, paper-based, and at-home administrations. Students can take three tests per year, one in each window and Schoolsearch is a test center. Students can register for a test on the ISEE website.
Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT)
The SSAT is a standardized entrance exam used by private, independent, and boarding schools to evaluate applicants for admission, typically for grades 4–12. The SSAT measures verbal, quantitative (math), and reading skills, alongside a non-scored writing sample. Students have multiple ways throughout the year to take the SSAT. Students can take one FLEX test per academic year and Schoolsearch is a test center. Tests must be arranged directly with Schoolsearch. There is an additional administrative fee.
High School Placement Test (HSPT)
The HSPT is a standardized entrance exam used by many Catholic and private parochial high schools for admission, scholarship selection, and curriculum placement for incoming 9th-grade students. It is typically taken by 8th graders and measures skills in verbal, quantitative, reading, mathematics, and language arts.
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
NAIS is a nonprofit membership association that provides services to schools and associations of schools in the United States and abroad, They have a wonderful school search tool and Financial Aid Estimators as well as articles and information on the latest trends in independent schools.
Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE)
AISNE is an association serving independent schools in New England, USA. It provides educational services such as downloadable materials and support for diversity programs, and represents its members to government, the media, etc. It also accredits elementary schools.
International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS)
ICGS formerly the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS), is a global non-profit association of schools, educators, and advocates dedicated to educating and empowering girls. It acts as a leading voice for single-sex education, providing research, professional development, and networking for over 500 member schools worldwide.
International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC)
IBSC is a non-profit organization of over 300 schools across 20 countries dedicated to the education, development, and research of best teaching practices for boys. IBSC connects educators globally to enhance the learning experience of boys, fostering their growth into men of character and service.
Educational Testing Service (ETS)
ETS is the world’s largest private, non-profit educational testing and assessment organization, founded in 1947. Based in Princeton, NJ, it develops, administers, and scores over 50 million tests annually—including TOEFL, TOEIC, GRE, and Praxis—in more than 180 countries to support teaching, learning, and equity in education.
School & Student Services Financial Aid Resource Center (SSS)
SSS is a comprehensive financial aid management platform for private K-12 schools, helping them assess family ability to pay tuition. It simplifies the application process for families through a single, secure, and fast online system, allowing schools to make equitable, data-driven aid decisions.
Boarding School Review
Boarding School Review is an online platform to help families research boarding schools. It provides data, independent alumni reviews, and admissions guidance for junior boarding schools and college-preparatory schools.The platform offers several tools to help families navigate the school selection process,
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
TABS is the primary organization in North America dedicated to supporting and promoting boarding schools. Founded in 1998, TABS represents over 200 preparatory boarding schools worldwide, providing professional development, industry data, networking opportunities, and advocacy for residential education.
Small Boarding Schools Association (SBSA)
SBSA (Small Boarding Schools Association) supports connects, and promotes small, nurturing boarding schools, typically with enrollments under 200–225 students. It serves as a professional forum for educators to share best practices through an annual spring conference.
Junior Boarding Schools Association (JBSA)
JBSA (Junior Boarding Schools Association) is a network of independent schools in New England and New York providing specialized boarding programs for middle school students, typically in grades 5-9. It serves as a consortium promoting the benefits of 24/7, structured, and nurturing environments for children ages 10-15.
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