Figuring out what extracurricular activities to do or join in school isn’t easy. Everyone knows that extracurriculars look good on a college application; however, you don’t want to spread yourself thin by doing too many at once. In fact, colleges value being able to see commitment and excitement for a few activities that you are passionate about; they want to see passion and commitment to activities that you find meaningful. By joining clubs that reflect…
There are many November activities for families to enjoy in the Boston area this year. Check out our list of November activities and events happening in the Boston area. Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos Family Celebration Saturday 11/1/25 Enjoy three floors of activities for the young and young at heart including crafts, scent stations, traditional decorations, Nahuatl stories, decorating a sugar skull (extra fee), painting demonstrations, folk dances, and more. Halloween Spooktacular –…
The percentage of students with good attendance fell sharply between 2019 and 2023, while the share of chronically absent students more than doubled, offering further evidence of the pandemic’s shattering effect on the nation’s classrooms and chronic absenteeism. A new analysis of data from three states — North Carolina, Texas and Virginia — shows that prior to COVID, 17% of students were chronically absent, meaning they missed at least 10% of the school year. By…
Applying to private schools is a busy and exciting time for a family, but it can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. That’s where this timeline from Boston Parents Paper can help. Not every school follows the same timeline, but many follow similar timetables for admission. The below timeline is designed to help you in the admissions process. Many schools will not need all of the materials presented here; it depends on…
The ISEE and SSAT tests have long been application staples for private school admissions. The test scores help independent school admissions offices evaluate candidates from different schools and regions with a standard metric. COVID-19 changed many things, however, and college and private school admissions are no exception. During the time when the pandemic disrupted in-person testing for both the ISEE and SSAT, at-home testing was introduced, but some schools also decided to go test optional.…
The presence of cell phones in schools has ignited one of the most enduring debates in modern education. Educators, parents, and students often find themselves split between the benefits and the drawbacks of allowing cell phones in the classroom. Should schools ban them entirely, or can they be harnessed as powerful tools for learning? One of the strongest arguments for banning cell phones in schools is the distraction they pose. Research has shown that students…
Selecting a private school for your child is a big decision, and while the admissions team is there to help and provide you with information about enrollment and more, it can be hard to know what to ask. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions of admissions officers from schools around New England to give you an idea of where to start. You’ll also find some advice from Boston Magazine on these questions…
If you spend any amount of time on social media, you have probably seen posts about bullet journals, which have become something of a viral stationary trend. Stripping away all the hype, however, will leave behind an excellent method of planning and organizing for students. Today, I’ll tell you all the tips and tricks for getting organized for school using this approach. First off, what is bullet journaling? Bullet journals are essentially notebooks that accommodate…
New test scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card, show eighth-graders’ science scores have fallen 4 points since 2019 and 12th-graders’ math and reading scores have fallen 3 points in the same time period. The tests were administered between January and March 2024. This is the first Nation’s Report Card score release since the Trump administration began making cuts to the U.S. Education Department. Those cuts,…
There are many October activities for families to enjoy in the Boston area this year. Check out our list of October activities and events happening in the Boston area. Corn Maze at Sherman Farm Wed 9/24/25 through Thur 10/30/25 12 acres of fun getting lost in the corn. Pay one admission price with most activities included: Moo Express, Hayride, Corn Boxes, Playground, Pedal tractors, Jumping Pillow, and Grain Train. Brick-or-Treat: Monster Party at LEGO® Discovery…
