If you need help finding the best high school for your son or daughter, you may want to hire an educational consultant. A consultant generally begins by meeting with the student and parents and examining the child’s academic record. Consultants then provide a list of schools to consider. They encourage students and families to attend open houses, meet with admissions officers, talk to current students, and spend time on campus. Consultants say it’s usually a good idea to apply to four to eight schools, and they’ll help families with applications. Most consultants don’t fill out forms or edit essays, but some will suggest changes, conduct mock interviews, and administer practice tests. Most charge $175 to $500 an hour or a flat fee of $1,250 to $4,500 for the process.
EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS
Academic Access
Chevy Chase; 301-718-7790
Baldwin Educational Consulting
DC; 202-363-0513
Clare Anderson Consulting
Chevy Chase;202-538-0520; clare_anderson@verizon.net
Dunbar Educational Consultants
DC; 202-342-1979
Frances Turner Educational Consulting
Rockville; 301-299-2012
Independent School Options
Alexandria; 703-671-8316
Know Your Options
Fairfax; 703-268-5886
Marks Education
Bethesda; 301-907-7604
Metropolitan Educational Consulting Group
DC; 202-537-0091
The School Counseling Group
DC; 202-333-3530
School Finders
Rockville; 301-230-9010
Tedeschi Educational Consulting
Chevy Chase; 301-951-0131
Top Test Prep
DC; 800-501-7737
This article appears in the October 2011 issue of The Washingtonian.
