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www.FredParent.NET • • • • 17 • • • • • • • 17 • • 17 Sponsored Material Join us February 19 for the live conversation on Q: How will I know if the indepen- dent school learning environment is right for my child? The best way to get a feel for whether a school is the right fit for your child is to visit in person during a regular school day. All independent schools have admission officers whose job is to wel- come families who are looking at the school, show them around and answer their questions. When you visit, observe how teachers and students interact in classrooms, hallways and the lunchroom while picturing your child among them. If you feel that he or she would thrive in the school, take the next step and apply for admission. During the admis- sion process, the child will visit the school for a day or part of a day, giving everyone the opportunity to determine if it's the right fit. Q: Most independent schools tout college preparation, but how do they prepare students for life beyond college? This is such an important question. Preparing students for collegiate success is not enough; we must also prepare them to be effective professionals and contributing members of their communities. Business leaders and research- ers have indicated in a recent report by NAIS that they are finding fewer and fewer graduates who have the appropriate skill set for today's evolving work- places. As I read through the desired skills and traits, I was pleased to see so many areas that the Fredericksburg Academy curriculum prioritizes. These five learning priorities are emphasized throughout all levels of indepen- dent schools. Through interviews and surveys, our alumni report that they feel that their FA experience contributed greatly to the development of these skills and provided the foundation for success in college and careers. The NAIS report shows that independent schools are outperforming public schools in this area by a significant margin. Q: What about diversity? Are children exposed to enough diversity in independent schools? Diversity takes so many different forms—ethnic, religious, ideo- logical, etc.—and it is imperative for children to be surrounded by a diverse range of peers in order to receive a full educa- tion. People of color represent about 26 percent of indepen- dent school students nationwide, and Fredericksburg Academy's student body has 32 percent students of color. We teach our students to seek out and respect ideas, perspectives and expe- riences that are different from their own. Q: Where can I get more information, advice, and statistics about independent education? A great site is parents.nais.org. This is the parents' section of the National Association of Independent Schools' (NAIS) website. It contains four sections (Learn, Find, Apply and Afford) that offer advice and insight for every step of the exploration, appli- cation and enrollment process. Of course, all of us at FA would love to answer your questions as well—stop by or give us a call! Have a question you'd like to ask about Fredericksburg Academy? Karen will be host- ing our Ask The Expert session on Febuary19! Ask The Expert is a live discussion on our Facebook page between you and a local expert. Join us every Thursday at 8 p.m. facebook.com/FredericksburgParent Karen Moschetto has been proud to call Fredericksburg Academy her second home and the FA community her second family for nearly two decades. Head of School since 2010 and a member of the faculty since 1996, Ms. Moschetto is a visionary leader and tireless advocate for students. She is passion- ate about providing an education that develops students as critical think- ers, confident leaders, collaborators, and honorable citizens. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Purdue University, where she played field hockey. In addition to serving as Head of School, Ms. Moschetto is head coach of the Academy's five-time state-champion Varsity Field Hockey team. Meet the Expert a sk t h e e x p e rt The five skills and traits identi- fied as most important by employers were: The five skills and traits identified as most important by employers were: 1. Oral communication skills 2. Teamwork and collaboration 3. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills 4. Written communication skills 5. A strong work ethic.