More than 75 schools will have representatives at the annual Secondary School Fair at Renbrook School in West Hartford.

Submitted

Renbrook School will host its annual Secondary School Fair on Monday, Oct. 2 from 6:45-8 p.m. at 2865 Albany Ave., West Hartford.

The fair is free, open to the public, and serves to acquaint families with many of the best independent day and boarding schools in the United States. Over 75 schools will attend, with admission representatives ready to meet prospective students and answer questions about their schools.

While parents are often familiar with parochial and charter schools, they sometimes are unaware of the huge variety of independent schools in the country. Parents who have attended the fair in the past have commented on the strength of the programs the schools offer. “This is like going to college,” one parent noted. “I can really see the benefit of exposing kids to such a wide variety of programs before they start thinking about college.” Parents are also surprised to learn that financial aid is available for families in need. “I just assumed private school was out of reach,” a mother of a Renbrook student said.

Students also love the fair. “There are so many schools, and they’re all a little different,” mentioned an eighth grader who attended last year. “It’s fun to see schools from California and Washington here at Renbrook. It’s cool that they want to meet us.” More than 300 prospective students and parents from the greater Hartford area attended last year’s fair.

Renbrook ninth grade students volunteer at the fair, helping admission representatives park, set up their tables, and find their way around the school’s 80-acre campus. “At most fairs,” one admission officer commented, “you are pointed towards your table, and that’s it. Maybe you get a bottle of water. At Renbrook, the students carry our bags and show up to dinner. It’s a great experience being here.”

No registration is necessary to attend the fair, but because parking is limited, we urge students coming from the same area schools to carpool. The event is not stroller-friendly, so the school asks families to leave the littlest ones at home. Parking is free.