Once a family has narrowed

the field of potential schools, the next step is to complete the application.

There is typically a small

registration fee, and several forms will likely be required (varies by

school): a transcript from the current school, including test scores,

report cards, and possibly discipline records; birth certificate and Georgia

certificate of immunization; and written letters of recommendation from

the pastor of the church the family attends, teachers and possibly guidance

counselors at the current school.

Kathy Taussig, the admissions

director at Landmark Christian School, indicated that the pastor recommendations

and family participation in church life are especially important aspects

of Landmark's admission's process. Landmark is interested in knowing

what the student and parents are looking for when they apply. Landmark

Christian offers a generous liberal arts program to meet individual student

needs. Taussig commented that Landmark is specifically interested in Christian

families who want to partner with the school in preparing students to

impact the world for Jesus Christ.

Once the school receives the

completed application, some schools require students to take standardized

entrance tests. Test dates are usually set in February, March and April.

At some schools pre-kindergarten candidates are asked to visit the school

and spend the day so the teacher can know more about the student's

pattern of emotional academic, and social development. Some schools determine

proper grade placement through a checklist of entrance requirements that

parents or guardians of pre-K candidates are asked to complete.

Interviews are granted to applicants

whose qualifications meet the school's admission standards.

After the interview is completed,

the applicant's file is reviewed. At Landmark Christian, the Admissions

Committee meets every week during March, April, and May to consider those

candidates who have completed the full admissions process.

The process itself, because

of the paper flow, can take from four to six weeks. Each applicant is

notified concerning status of acceptance, and some students may end up

on a waiting list.

Once the application is approved

and any financial aid paperwork is completed, an annual enrollment contract

is signed by the financially responsible parties and by the school.

Then, depending on the school's

dress code, it may be off to the uniform store for back-to-school shopping.

That may be tough to think about while shivering in January; but, if you

hope to enroll a student in private school this fall, now is the time

to make those initial calls and check out school Web sites.