High School Placement

When students start at the GreenMount School, they might not be thinking about life after GMS, but we are! The arc of our K-8th grade model prepares students to apply to high school and to shine through the process. GreenMount ends in 8th grade, and the high school process is critical to the overall success of each student. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds, abilities, and interests; through their time at GMS we support them as they grow into compassionate and confident young students and community members. One of the strongest measures of success is to see how our students are thriving in high school and beyond.

The Process

7th Grade

Family High School Worksheet

This brainstorming tool is compiled from years of experience helping students choose the high school that’s right for them. The intention is to help families start thinking about what their child wants in a high school experience.

Spring High School Fair event

Area high schools come to GreenMount and set up booths with information about their various programs. School representatives are on hand to answer questions.

Open Office Hours in May
The afternoon of the May All-Family Meeting, staff are available to answer any questions about the high school application process.

Practice i-Ready test

We devote an entire day in the Spring of 7th grade to a full practice run of the adaptive, online i-Ready exam. Full scores and details are shared with parents.

Summer before 8th Grade

Free access to IXL

All GreenMount students in 4th-8th grades are given a free IXL account to be used for skill strengthening and review.

Fall of 8th Grade

Individual conferences

Staff meet with each family to review their student’s high school plan.

High School Alumni Panel event

GreenMount alumni volunteer their time and return to campus to share their high school experiences. The invaluable information shared during this event goes well beyond what any admissions website contains.

Essay preparation

During the first trimester, 8th grade students at GreenMount learn about personal narrative essays. This strengthens students’ skills and prepares them for sharing their own story as they get ready to submit essays to area high schools.

Practice Interviews

Students sit one-on-one with our Director of Student Support in a practice interview scenario in order to prepare for the interviews requested by some high schools as part of their application process.

i-Ready assessment

8th grade students take the i-Ready exam during the school day, on campus– just like they practiced in the Spring of 7th grade. Full scores and details are shared with parents.

Our Commitment to Families

GreenMount students are accepted into a range of outstanding high schools, both public and private, independent and parochial. Some previous graduates of GreenMount have also won scholarships to attend these schools:

• Baltimore Polytechnic Institute
• Baltimore School for the Arts
• Bard High School Early College
• Boys’ Latin
• City College High School
• The Friends School
• Loyola Blakefield
• Mercy High School
• Mount de Sales Academy
• Mount Saint Joseph’s
• The Park School
• Roland Park Country School
• St. Paul’s Schools (both boys and girls)
• St. Timothy’s

Just as every GMS student is unique, so too is their high school search. We work closely with each student and their family to reach an understanding about which types of high schools will be best suited for each individual’s personality, learning style, unique talents, current interests, and future aspirations. Then, we support each student to find the right-fit high school.

“My student was more than prepared for the rigor of an International Baccalaureate public high school thanks to the skills she gained at Greenmount. Study skills, note-taking, critical thinking skills, time management, and oratory skills were all gained from Greenmount, and we couldn’t be any more grateful. Many thanks to all the dedicated efforts of the entire team. I think one thing that stands out about Greenmount is that it prepares kids to either stay in an independent setting or switch to a public setting for high school. The approach is real, and it generates resilient kids.”

 

- GreenMount alumni parent