Secondary School Placement

Derby carefully guides families through the secondary school process. We ensure parents and students find the right fit for secondary school, whether it is an independent day or boarding school, parochial, or charter school, or local high school. 

Beginning in Grade 7, parents meet individually with the Head of School and Secondary School Placement Director to develop a comprehensive profile of a student’s strengths, interests, and goals for secondary school.

A personalized list of secondary schools is developed for each student, with an emphasis on matching the student’s strengths, and parents’ interests and values, with the appropriate schools.

Weekly classes for Grade 8 students prepare them for successfully navigating the secondary school process, from completing applications and essays to interviewing and receiving decision letters from schools.

In order to make their secondary interviews a success, students receive individualized coaching with “mock interviews,” along with follow-up emails from the Placement Director to discuss their strengths. Families can also expect regular communication with weekly emails regarding upcoming deadlines, success strategies for school visits, and tips for completing the application process.

The Head of School and Secondary School Placement Director visit area schools each year to meet the administration and get a better sense of their community, so they can help determine the best fit for your child.
 

We have an outstanding placement record—one that includes the most competitive secondary schools in the country, and consistent placement of our graduates in the most rigorous honors and advanced courses available at the local high schools. 

We’ve sent our graduates to some of the most prestigious universities and colleges including Harvard University, Cornell University, MIT, Georgetown University, Williams College, Amherst College, and Bowdoin College.

Class of 2023 Matriculation

• Boston College High School

• Thacher School (CA)

• Dexter Southfield School

• Phillips Academy Exeter

• Phillips Academy Andover

• Buxton School

• Thayer Academy

• Milton Academy

• St. Sebastian's School

• Tabor Academy

• Cohasset High School

• Hingham High School

• Roxbury Latin School

• Middlesex School

• Brooks School

• Notre Dame Academy

• Charlotte Latin School (NC)

• Woodlawn School (NC)