We have attempted to answer many of the questions that surface during each admissions process. The list is by no means complete and, given that many families may be new to the independent school admissions process, many other questions may indeed arise. To gain a better insight into our curriculum, philosophy and The Bishop's School community, please refer to our curriculum guide and viewbook. Please let us know if we can share any further information with you.
What type of student is Bishop's looking for and how are they selected?
Bishop's is interested in students who will thrive in a competitive environment and benefit from a demanding college preparatory education. These students should contribute to the diversity of the School community through their academic potential and achievements, creative talents, character, athletic abilities, and general involvement in Bishop's extracurricular activities. Bishop's strives to achieve economic, racial, and cultural diversity and to maintain a co-educational learning environment. The admission procedures and criteria vary according to the ages of the students and grades to which they are applying, but the process is designed to identify students who have intellectual curiosity and ability and/or the potential to meet the demands of a college preparatory program, unique talents and qualities, admirable character, and enthusiasm for contributing to the School community.
In addition to the above characteristics, students applying for admission are considered on the basis of their application for admission; previous academic background; results from the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE); personal interview; recommendations from current English and mathematics teachers; a recommendation completed by the designated school administrator; and a transcript from the school(s) attended during the past two and a half years.
What is your boy/girl ratio?
Each year it varies somewhat by grade, but overall we have 49% boys and 51% girls.
Do you consider more than just quantitative (standardized test results, GPA) factors?
Yes. We do reward academic achievement, but we also realize the limitations we face in dealing with such young students. Thus, we do take some "risks," believing that certain students will blossom at our School and realize their potential. Rest assured that we do spend a lot of time in our deliberations as we try to be as thorough and fair as possible in bringing together a diverse and able student body each year.
[^]How important is the ISEE?
ISEE results are a factor yet not the determining one. We realize that, inherent to any test of this kind, there are certain limitations as any standardized test fails to measure a student's motivation, creativity, research ability, and character. But the ISEE does provide us with a common denominator, given that students apply from such a wide variety of schools and thus have somewhat different educational backgrounds. Test results are most helpful at the extremes, as we are impressed by high scores and perhaps a bit leery of low scores, yet the majority of our applicants fall into the middle to high range.
a) Can the student take the ISEE more than once?
No. ISEE guidelines state that students may only test once within a six-month period, and the exam may not be taken for practice. A student may test only when submitting a formal application to a school. Only under very special circumstances, such as sudden illness, would a request for an additional sitting be considered.
b) Do you recommend test preparation courses?
No, we do not. There has been much debate over the value of test preparation courses. The central question remains whether short-term coaching can improve a student's performance on what is supposed to be a test of a student's aptitude to learn. In terms of format and concepts tested the ISEE is similar to the tests that students take annually at their current elementary or middle schools. Test preparation courses can lead to increased pressure by making the test appear, in the eyes of an already nervous young student, as the one all-important factor.
c) Can students prepare for the ISEE?
Yes. ISEE recommends the book published by the Educational Records Bureau titled, What to Expect on the ISEE. What the book will do is help the student understand the format of the test he or she will be taking, the directions that will be given, the types of test questions on the test, and the answer sheet that will be used. These items are all a student needs to be prepared for the test - the ability to earn high scores comes from working hard in the classroom over the years and extensive reading and writing. The book is available through the ISEE Operations Office. Please go to www.iseetest.org to order this book.
What types of schools do most of your students come from?
Last year we received applications from 65 different public schools and 64 different independent schools. There is no preference given to students from certain schools. What we do consider is how well students have maximized the educational opportunities offered them during their primary and/or middle school years.
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Do siblings have preference?
Yes and no. This is an issue which is extensively discussed by any independent school. We realize that many current and past parents have very positive feelings for Bishop's and wish to have their other children share the same educational experience as their brother(s) or sister(s). But, at the same time, what is right for one child is not necessarily the right choice for another, especially one who may not be as academically inclined or in need of more or less structure, etc. Most important is our estimation of whether the sibling would thrive in this learning environment. Therefore, we urge all siblings to test and interview early on in the process.
During the admissions process, a sibling receives special attention but not special consideration. This may seem like a subtle distinction, yet we feel it is a significant and fair one. In reviewing siblings, another important consideration is how involved the family has been in the life of The Bishop's School. As the School is a true community where parental involvement is welcomed, valued, and encouraged, it is our hope that parents will contribute, to the extent that their time and resources permit.
How important is the interview?
The interview is a required part of the application process which allows us an opportunity to get acquainted with the parents and learn more about the applicant, his or her interests and personality. Most importantly, we feel the interview should be fun and informative for both you and us. The parent(s) and student will be interviewed separately by one of the members of our admissions staff. At the conclusion of an interview, an evaluation is written which becomes part of the applicant's file. All completed files are subsequently reviewed by our admissions committee.
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Is it important when a family interviews or with whom?
Not at all. Due to the large number of applicants, our staff is busy interviewing from early-October to early-February. Many parents like to have the entire process completed prior to the winter holidays, while others, due to a whole array of reasons, begin and complete the process a bit later. From our viewpoint we hope to see interviews evenly spread out over this four month period. Neither the timing of the interview nor the staff member with whom a student or family interviews are factors in our admissions decisions.
We as parents hear about how much pressure exists at independent secondary schools like Bishop's. Is this true?
In our view, there is a difference between a stimulating learning environment where pressure does exist and a school being a real "pressure cooker." Our students do work very hard as the curriculum is quite rigorous and challenging. Given that there are many bright and highly motivated students at our School, there does exist a competitive atmosphere. Yet what keeps it from being a highly pressured situation stems from the warm, informal, and friendly nature of the campus, the small class size, and the support each student readily finds available from administrators, faculty members, and fellow students. In addition, to balance the stress that might stem from academics, Bishop's offers many enrichment opportunities. During each School year, over 70 percent of the students participate on at least one sports team and more than 65 percent of the students participate in the performing arts program. Many of the traditional extracurricular activities, such as chorus, yearbook, newspaper, and individual music lessons, have been incorporated into the regular class schedule.
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How much homework do students have?
Most students in the middle school average one-and-a-half hours of homework per night, but this time varies. For example,, if you asked, ten middle school students how much homework they receive, you would most likely get ten different answers, ranging from 45 minutes to two hours. Upper School students average two hours of homework per night. In making homework assignments, faculty members strive for quality, stimulating assignments, which serve as an extension of classroom learning, over lengthy assignments which are little more than mere "busywork." Homework is not assigned over vacations.
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How big are the classes?
The average class size ranges between 15 and 17 students. As a student moves into upper level language classes or gets involved in electives, Honors, or Advanced Placement (AP) classes, class size may decrease slightly.
How would you characterize your faculty?
Qualified, enthusiastic, and caring say it best. Many of them also coach and sponsor activities while remaining available to tutor or counsel any student who comes for help or who they sense is in need of it. Our faculty combines both youth and the wisdom of many years of teaching. Bishop's teachers are recruited from throughout the country.
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Do you provide transportation?
Yes. The school provides bus or van transportation. Buses will pick up students at designated locations from North County to Chula Vista. Most students who don't use the bus service will travel to and from School in carpools. We will aid families in this process by providing names and addresses (organized by zip code) of the students who will be attending Bishop's each year.
Do you offer foreign languages?
Yes. Students in 7th – 12th grade are given a choice of taking Chinese, French, Latin or Spanish and a few students opt to take two languages beginning in the 9th grade. Students in the sixth grade will be introduced to all four languages.
Are after school sports offered in the middle school?
Yes. Boys can participate in baseball, basketball, cross country, flag football, golf, lacrosse, sailing, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and waterpolo. Sports offered to Middle School girls include basketball, cross country, flag football, golf, lacrosse, sailing, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and waterpolo. We stress participation, fun, and the development of skills and self-confidence over high-powered competition. Tryouts are required but no "cuts" are made as students are divided into several teams according to the number of participants.
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Do you have organized school clubs and activities?
Yes. In the Middle School we offer a literary magazine club, French club, math club, science club, Spanish club, student council, community service club, and dance, drama, singing and jazz ensemble clubs. In addition to those previously mentioned, the Upper School offers Academic League, Model United Nations club, science olympiad, and speech club.
Do you have a school uniform?
Yes. All students wear uniforms every day except when they have a free dress day and during spirit week. The uniforms are purchased at Mills Wear, a uniform store located in San Diego and Solana Beach. The Bishop's sweatshirt and sweater, P.E. clothes, and boys' ties are purchased on campus at the bookstore.
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Does Bishop's offer an Arts Program?
Yes. In the sixth grade students will be introduced to all the arts classes offered in the middle school. In the seventh grade students rotate through a program that includes a unit on values as well as units on the arts such as ceramics, two-dimensional art, music, drama, and dance. Eighth grade students take one semester of art and may select from courses including mixed media, photography, musical theater, drama, vocal and instrumental ensemble, and dance.
Upper School classes are varied and include daily class instruction as well as the opportunity to participate in drama after school. Dance classes (modern, jazz and tap) are offered at the beginning through advanced levels and students may choose to receive physical education credit or art credit. The Performing Dance Group is an audition-only ensemble that meets as a class. Musical offerings include TBS Chorus, The Knights Chorus, The Bishop's Singers (an audition-only ensemble), intermediate and chamber ensemble, and a jazz theory class. Extracurricular private music lessons are offered. Students interested in drama choose from a variety of courses including acting and technical theater. An audition-only advanced acting class is offered. Extracurricular plays are produced throughout the year, with auditions open to all students. Each year, the Upper School drama, dance, and music departments produce either a Shakespeare play or musical. The visual arts program has classes in ceramics, computer graphics, drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, stained glass, technical drawing, studio art, and video production.
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How is technology incorporated into a Bishop's student's education?
The Computer Science Department has two goals: 1) to introduce students to networked and computer technologies and to familiarize them with how these resources can be used in learning environments now and in the future; and 2) to improve and develop students' problem solving skills through elective courses involving programming which are designed to teach students the methodology of structured problem solving. Students are introduced to technologies available on campus and a variety of applications.
What opportunities are available for parental involvement?
The Bishop's School is a true community with parents being integral and active members of the "Bishop's Family." Three formal parent organizations exist: the Parents' Association, the Performing Arts Circle, and the Roundtable Club. All three groups are active in sponsoring and hosting many School events which give parents opportunities for involvement.
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What is the Middle School philosophy?
Bishop's Middle School provides a transition period between elementary and upper school. These years are viewed as a special time to address individual needs and to help students develop through exposure to a varied curriculum. The philosophy and goals of the Middle School are to develop the whole child by providing an education that recognizes the unique needs of the early adolescent. The emphasis is on building study and thinking skills, taking responsibility for one’s own education, and developing self-confidence and a sense of moral responsibility. In addition, many opportunities are available for the middle school student through the variety of arts and athletic extracurricular activities.
Do students take final exams?
Students are gradually introduced to the concept of final exams. In the 7th and 8th grade they take 1½ hour final exams. Each exam only counts a maximum of 15% in determining a student's final grade. Teachers use the classes held the week prior to exams to review course material. In the 9th grade, students have two hour final exams in May which count towards 20% of their final grade. Final exams for 10th through 12th grade are 25% of the student's final grade and are two hours long.
Do you have a gifted program?
Not as such. Middle school students are not tracked, except for math and foreign language. Down the line in the Upper School (Grades 9-12), students may qualify to take Honors or Advanced Placement (AP) classes in mathematics, science, history, foreign language, computer science, and English. Presently, 22 AP courses are offered.
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What types of support systems does the School provide for new students and families?
Each new student will have a support system in place to insure a smooth transition throughout his or her first year at Bishop's. We begin with the Parent Ambassador Program where each new family is assigned to a current Bishop’s family. Sometime during the summer, the Ambassador will host an informal gathering or picnic to help families meet each other and to begin the transition process. In late August all new students and their parents are invited to attend a very thorough new student orientation and dinner. In September a Retreat Program serves to introduce all new students to the School and help in making the students' transitions easier. These retreats help to develop class unity and allow our new students to more quickly feel a part of their class by spending quality time with fellow classmates and faculty advisors.
When School begins, each student at Bishop's is assigned a faculty advisor with whom they will meet every day. The advisory system is designed to be supportive in the academic, behavioral, and social arenas. Faculty advisors work with approximately 12 students, acting as academic counselors reviewing grades and planning schedules for each academic year. The advisor may guide students as they grapple with relationship and peer pressure issues. They may also refer students to appropriate resources who can assist them with problems they encounter.
Student support is also available from the Peer Support group, chaplain, nurse, head of middle school, and the dean of students who coordinates School assemblies on topics of adolescent concern such as drugs, alcohol, sexuality issues, tolerance, friendship, and social skills.
Parents and students who have further questions or need more information should contact the Admissions Office. Either Josie Alvarez, Director of Admissions, 858.459.4021 x255 or Joy Davis, Associate Director of Admissions, 858.459.4021 x244 or admissions@bishops.com.