Marion Said:

Are these good scores?

We Answered:

Your percentile scores, 92, 91, 81, 81, are good for most private schools, and likely fine for the most rigorous. Remember, they are not like a class test grade, where 81% would not be good, a B-. 81 percentile means you scored in the top 19% of the students they are comparing you too, which tend to be high achieving students. With those ISEE scores, you are applying to the most rigorous private schools, you have a good chance of being considered qualified if your grades are high. In 8th grade you take the upper level test for 9th grade admissions.

Some kids score in the high 90's across the board, but some kids score in the mid 80's, maybe one lower score, and are still accepted to the most rigorous schools. It's more important to have consistent high grades, rather than doing great on one test. Consistent high grades mean you are willing to work, not just study for one test, like the ISEE.

They will want to see that you seem like you fit into the school community, that will be a very important factor. It's not just all about the ISEE scores.

Good luck!

Frances Said:

8th grade homeschooling- do you include quizzes, tests?

We Answered:

You do if you want to include quizzes, tests, etc; and don't if you don't want to include quizzes, tests and the like.

Some people may use tests and quizzes, but the majority of home-educators don't. It all depends on peoples' own educational philosophy and their personal preferences, aims and learning styles. As with any other aspect of homeschooling, you have to do what works best for you irregardless of what others do .

Personally, no; we don't use anything like tests or quizzes because we're unschoolers; we don't use any textbooks or think in terms of 'subjects'. We don't use a 'school-at-home' approach to learning so there's simply no place in our home-education for the likes of tests, grades, marks or quizzes.