School Admissions Prep
Applying to an independent, private, or preparatory primary or secondary school involves more than one interview. Depending on the school and your child's age, the process may include a student interview, written responses or a writing sample, a play-based visit or group activity, and a parent interview. West End Speech helps children and teens build the communication skills behind each part, with practice shaped around the schools you are applying to.
Admission decisions rest with each school. Our goal is to help your child feel prepared and show who they are.
Student interviews
School interviews give children and teens a chance to share who they are, what they enjoy, and how they approach learning. We help students practice:
- talking about interests, strengths, and experiences with concrete examples
- answering open-ended or unexpected questions
- taking turns and staying engaged in a conversation with an adult
- asking for clarification when a question is unclear
- speaking with confidence while still sounding like themselves
Young children and kindergarten entry
For younger children, schools often observe a small group activity or a play-based visit rather than holding a formal interview. We practice the everyday skills those visits draw on, such as following instructions, joining in with other children, talking about a picture or a story, and answering simple questions from a new adult.
Written applications
Many schools ask students to answer questionnaire items, write a short response, or complete a writing sample. We help students:
- understand what a prompt is asking
- brainstorm and choose their best ideas
- organize a response with a clear beginning, middle, and end
- revise their own writing for clarity
The writing stays in your child's own words. We coach the process, not the answers.
English and French language skills
For children who are new to Canada or learning English as an additional language, we can build the vocabulary, listening, conversation, and pronunciation skills that help them take part in interviews and school visits with more confidence.
As a bilingual clinic, we can also help children prepare for interviews and written responses in French, for example when applying to a French immersion, francophone, or bilingual school.
Language, reading, and writing foundations
As speech-language pathologists, we can look beyond interview practice when a child's language, reading, or writing skills are part of the picture. If those skills need longer-term support, we may recommend language therapy or literacy support alongside admissions prep.
Parent interviews
If a school also interviews parents or caregivers, we can help you practice describing your child's strengths, needs, and goals clearly.
What to expect
We start by learning about your child, the schools you are considering, and what each application involves. Then we plan practice around the parts that matter most for your child, give specific feedback, and suggest short activities to use at home between sessions.
School admissions prep is available through home visits in communities we serve and online across British Columbia. Preparing for a job interview yourself? See job interview prep.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages do you work with?
We focus on primary and secondary school admissions, from kindergarten entry through students applying to high school. Practice is always matched to your child's age and what the school's process involves.
Do you offer entrance exam prep, like the SSAT or ISEE?
No. We are speech-language pathologists, not a test-prep centre. We focus on the communication, language, and writing skills that help your child take part in interviews, school visits, and written applications.
Can you help with French-language applications?
Yes. Most of our admissions work is in English, and as a bilingual clinic we can also help children prepare for interviews and written responses in French, for example when applying to a French immersion, francophone, or bilingual school.
Will my child sound rehearsed?
We work to avoid that. Schools want to meet your child, not a script. Instead of memorized answers, we build the skills that help children talk about themselves naturally: listening to the question, taking a moment to think, and answering with real examples from their life.
Do you write application responses for my child?
No. We help your child plan, organize, and revise their own ideas so the written work stays in their voice. Admissions teams often compare written responses with how a child speaks in the interview, so the student's own words matter.
When should we start?
Many Vancouver independent schools take applications in the fall and hold interviews and assessments through the winter. Starting a few months before interviews gives time to build skills gradually. We can also help with shorter preparation if an interview is coming up soon.
Is this covered by extended health benefits?
If your child's sessions focus on speech, language, or literacy goals, they may be covered by extended health benefits. Coverage varies by plan, so check with your provider.
Tell us your child's age, the schools you are applying to, and when interviews or assessments are scheduled. We will help you choose the practice that fits.
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