Making the Cut
So you want to get into the Cities’ most exclusive school.
What are your odds?
Breck School in Golden Valley is among the most selective college prep schools in the Twin Cities. Breck admits fewer than 1 in 5 of its applicants for high school. As a result, its high school admission criteria have developed along the lines of those of the elite colleges. “We have many more applicants than we have room for, so we try to look at the talents the kids have and how they can strengthen our programs,” said Mike Weiszel, Director of Admissions.
Breck admits students at all grades beginning in preschool. Class sizes increase in seventh grade (halfway through middle school) and in ninth grade (at the beginning of high school.) Admissions for grades in between are only to fill spots open due to attrition, and usually average fewer than four spots per grade per year. However, for ninth grade there are usually 12 open spots and five or six for 10th and 11th grades. Rarely are students admitted for the first time in 12th grade.
“The first cut [for high school admission] is academic ability,” said Weiszel. “The work level required at the high school is very high, and since we are getting them for the first time here, we don’t have as much time to work with them to develop those skills. We want kids who can make an easier transition from the outside and are used to being in a competitive situation.”
Since Breck gets about five academically qualified applicants for each opening, it often comes down to that “special talent.” “A couple of years ago, we had an applicant who was a football player and a cellist,” said Weiszel. “That was an easy choice.” The admission process includes a test, review of school transcripts, teacher recommendations, and an interview. Weiszel notes that they include parents in the interview “to get a sense of the family dynamic.”
“We do that because 13 or 14 year olds are not polished people,” he said. “But when we ask the child a question and the parent answers, that tells us something. If the parent does all the talking, that’s not good.”
Weiszel’s advice for those who would apply to Breck? “First you have to build a good academic record and be involved in things so you present yourself as a good candidate. There is a lot of peer pressure here to be involved [in extracurricular activities], so we want to see evidence of time-management skills that would lead us to believe you can handle the homework and a sport, for example.” Other suggestions? “Apply early for Kindergarten, because it just gets harder as the years go by.” And if that doesn’t work? “Prayer is the answer.”