Jan Fernquest
Education Consulting
Kindergarten Admissions & School Selection
Personalized guidance for Bay Area families.
Finding the Right School Starts with the Right Questions.
Choosing a kindergarten is one of the first significant educational decisions parents make for their children. With so many schools to consider, different educational philosophies to understand, and unfamiliar admissions requirements to navigate, the process can feel overwhelming.In my experience working with families, I've found that many parents begin this process without knowing quite where to start. They aren't sure how to narrow down their school choices, what they should be looking for, or even what questions they should be asking.
That's okay. That's what I'm here to help with.
My goal is to help you understand what matters most to you and your child, how those priorities relate to the educational options available, and how to make decisions that make sense for your family.
Experience & Background
I spent more than a decade as Director of Admission at an independent K–8 school in Silicon Valley, followed by more than a decade as Director of Communications at the same school.During my years in admissions, I reviewed thousands of kindergarten applications, interviewed thousands of prospective families, and served as a lead coordinator for Bay Area and South Bay independent-school admissions directors.I've also worked as an educational consultant, both independently and with an established educational consulting firm, guiding families through the admissions process. My work has included helping parents evaluate schools in the Bay Area and Seattle, understand their children's strengths and needs, prepare applications, and approach parent interviews with greater confidence.This combination of experience gives me a perspective from both sides of the admissions process. I understand how schools evaluate applicants, and I understand the questions and uncertainties families face along the way.
How I Can Help
Every family comes to this process with different needs. Some are just beginning to explore their options. Others have already selected schools and need guidance with particular aspects of the application process.I can help with:Getting Started: Understanding the independent-school landscape, different educational philosophies, and the admissions process.
Finding the Right Fit: Clarifying your family's educational values, understanding your child's strengths and needs, and identifying schools worth exploring.
Developing a School List: Evaluating options and creating a thoughtful, realistic list of schools.
Understanding Your Child: Informal child assessments, observations, and feedback to help you think about school readiness and fit.
Preparing Applications: Developing authentic, effective responses to parent questionnaires and other application materials.
Preparing for Interviews: Helping parents anticipate questions, articulate their priorities, and feel comfortable presenting their family.
Making the Final Decision: Weighing acceptances and choosing the school that feels right for your child.
A More Flexible Approach to Consulting
Having worked both independently and with an educational consulting firm, I've come to appreciate the value of working directly with families, with the freedom to tailor our work to their individual needs.Not every family needs a comprehensive admissions package. You might need a single conversation to understand your options, a few hours to develop a school list, or more extensive guidance throughout the application process.I prefer to let families decide how much support they need, without requiring them to purchase a predetermined number of consulting hours.
$250 per hour. No minimum commitment.
Meetings are billed at the hourly rate, as is any additional research or preparation that we agree upon in advance. You'll always know what work I'm doing and what it will cost.
A Thoughtful Approach to Admissions
There is no magic formula for gaining admission to a particular school. But there are ways to approach the process thoughtfully, avoid common mistakes, and make the experience far less confusing.I believe that the best school isn't necessarily the most prestigious or the most competitive. It's the school where your child can thrive, where your family feels comfortable, and where the educational philosophy aligns with what you value.My role is not to tell you which school you should choose. It's to help you ask better questions, understand your options, and arrive at decisions you feel confident making.
Let's Talk
Whether you're just beginning to think about kindergarten or are already navigating the admissions process, I'd be happy to learn more about your family and how I might help.You don't need to have all the answers before we begin. We can figure out the right questions together.Contact me to discuss your needs and how we might work together.
Email me at: [email protected]