Katherine Carbo

Katherine Carbo
Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where she attended an independent school from preK-12th grade, Katherine Carbo earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree before returning right back to the independent school world. With experience at four different schools from coast to coast, she writes insights and observations from the front line of independent school admissions. Mrs. Carbo is the Director of Lower School Admission & Financial Aid at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia. She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Recent Posts

'Tis the Season for Admission Playdates!

Posted by Katherine Carbo on Nov 30, 2018 3:52:34 PM

I want to start by saying our Saturday School Visit may just be the best day of my year. Something magical happens the day your children visit our school.

As a parent you might be opening the email invitation with apprehension. You could be thinking: will they separate without crying, will they participate, will they listen?!!!

This is what we are thinking on the other end:

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Topics: School search, become ready, Kindergarten, PreK, Looking at private schools, junior kindergarten, jk

Tips on questions to ask when searching for a school

Posted by Katherine Carbo on Oct 28, 2018 2:51:00 PM

We are so fortunate to have many wonderful primary public, independent and parochial school options in the Northern Virginia / Washington D.C. / Maryland area. This blessing does not come without challenges. You are left to wonder...

What is the right match for my child?
What would it be like for my child to attend an independent school? 
When is the right time to apply?
Should we wait until Middle School or Upper School? 

Here are some tips on questions to ask when searching for a school?  

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Topics: School search, Kindergarten, Looking at private schools, choosing a school, junior kindergarten

Kindergarten Readiness Tips

Posted by Katherine Carbo on Oct 23, 2018 2:01:18 PM

As parents, it seems we are always preparing for what’s coming up next. We have a hospital bag ready before the baby comes, we rig the house for when our babies start to crawl, we have a diaper bag ready for a wardrobe malfunction, and we have enough snacks in our cars to feed an army. You name it - we prepare for it.

Fast forward a few years and your child is four years old. A question is looming - How do we prepare them for Kindergarten? I am going to approach this in two steps.

  1. What should you do if you have a child with a summer or early fall birthday? Do you send them to Kindergarten? How do you know if they are ready for this next step?
  2. They are going to Kindergarten. How do I help prepare my child when the time comes?
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Topics: become ready, Kindergarten, PreK, junior kindergarten, jk

What is the WPPSI-IV test for JK and Kindergarten children?

Posted by Katherine Carbo on Oct 19, 2017 11:23:08 AM

As part of the admission process, most independent schools require that your child take an aptitude test. 

Here are some details: 

  • If your child is younger than six years old and entering either Junior Kindergarten (JK) or Kindergarten they will take the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence for Children - Fourth Edition. You will hear it referred to as the WPPSI-IV (whip-see-four). 
  • The older version is called the WISC-IV (whisk-four). This stands for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fourth Edition. 
  • No preparation is needed or allowed for this assessment. A qualified examiner works one on one with your child and measures different abilities. 
  • The assessment takes about 45 minutes to an hour. 
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Topics: School search, Kindergarten, Looking at private schools, junior kindergarten, jk

Become Ready!

Practical Advice for Parents of School-Aged Children

Through this blog we intend to share the ways in which our students become ready. We will highlight our faculty, experts in their fields; we will dive into topics such as the joyfulness of learning, the balance of school and home, college readiness, and service. We hope to offer sound advice and guidance, while also sharing what it really means to be a member of our Saints community.

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