For sure, there are  barriers that students and families of color face in accessing and applying to an independent school are complicated. It's clear that the largest perceived barrier with independent schools for families of color is the lack of helpful and sufficient information. When asked, however, why they were choosing to place their child in an independent school, there were many reasons selected with the following two main themes emerging:

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1. The name of the school is of less concern than the ability to find an appropriate “match” that meets the needs of their individual students.

2. Families still need much more help finding the best match, even as information and technology have made schools more visible. 

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Parents shared how independent schools seemed better equipped and more knowledgeable about education, leading to a more positive experience for children. In the same conversations,  parents repeatedly acknowledged how challenging it is to select the type of school that is best for their children. Using language from a recent study from the National Association of Independent Schools on why families choose independent schools, C38 families overwhelmingly cited their interests in an independent school as primarily about identifying a school that would “support the social and emotional development—not just test scores and academic curriculum—so they will be well-rounded and productive in society.” (Torres, 2019)

Some of the families cited smaller class sizes and more individualized attention for students. Other families emphasized the opportunities for more challenging coursework, more exposure to the arts, access to different languages, and most importantly, a great emphasis placed on core values and service to the community.

Indeed, while all of the parents wanted quality academic and social supports geared to their child’s unique needs, the parents of C38 are overwhelmingly more interested in finding a school community that will support the whole child for the benefit of the students and society, regardless of the school name.

To get support in finding an appropriate school home for their child or children, families shared all of the various ways they have attempted to find a school home. Throughout the conversations with parents of C38, they informed us that they reached out to other families on social media and in-person to find out about their actual lived experiences at a particular school: about the school culture, parent involvement, type of learning environment, quality of education, and racialized experiences.

During our time with individual families, they shared that they gathered information through friends and neighbors, and sometimes from educators at their current school who had strong opinions about the best match as a student prepares to transition to a new school.

​​Parents we spoke with said they were diligent about doing their research online but did not know what information they could trust, which is why they relied so heavily on word-of-mouth information and why they ultimately decided to work with the Alliance. They trusted the Alliance to know the educational philosophies, programs, opportunities, and teaching practices the schools claimed to offer would match reality if their children were to enroll. With over 36 years  of experience, relationships, and expertise, parents repeatedly highlighted how much more they trusted information from the Alliance about the practices and philosophies of independent schools than glossy brochures and website marketing materials. 

In the end, all families applying for independent schools must find the school that provides the best match, assess whether schools and educators are providing the right supports, and once enrolled, constantly advocate for their children. For the families of cohort 38, the final school choice will depend on the social needs of their child and their child’s learning style. But, equally, if not more important, who the school would help the child become.