The Next Chapter: Inside Green Vale’s Secondary School Placement Process
At The Green Vale School, the secondary school placement process starts early—and it starts with a partnership. That partnership is between families, students, and a dedicated team of professionals who work together to support a thoughtful process—one that embraces each student’s strengths, goals, and potential, and ends with a placement that ensures they continue to thrive.
Known as “Exmissions,” Green Vale’s secondary school placement process is a hallmark of the Upper School experience. And for good reason: nearly 90% of students are accepted into their first-choice schools in what is one of the most competitive independent school markets in the country.
“It’s not just about where they’ll get in,” said Head of School Dr. Jesse Dougherty, who guides parents through the landscape of boarding and day school options. “It’s about finding a place where their Green Vale experience can continue to grow. Our job is to understand who they are—and to make sure those schools understand it, too.”The Exmissions Team
The Exmissions team is led by three key individuals, each offering a unique lens and support role. Head of Upper School Cathy Iannotta prepares students directly—building their confidence, supporting their academic readiness, and helping them step into the role of self-advocate. Dr. Dougherty helps parents strategize with a mix of long-term relationships and admissions savvy (he previously served as a reader at several top schools). Meanwhile, Director of Exmissions Theo Dellicicchi bridges both sides—spending time with students and families to guide everything from interviews to application logistics.
“By the end of the process, students are standing taller,” said Iannotta. “They’re presenting themselves with conviction and pride—not because we’ve polished them, but because they’ve earned it.”Dellicicchi agreed: “It’s really rewarding work. I get to know each student closely, help them shine, and support families through every step. We work as a team—and we celebrate the victories together.”The larger support team also includes the teachers who write recommendation letters in core academic and extracurricular areas—who know each child deeply and can authentically advocate for them.
How It Unfolds
In the spring or in early fall, Green Vale’s 7th Grade parents sit down with Dr. Dougherty to start a conversation that will shape the next chapter of their child’s education. There are no rankings on the table. No rush. Just a couple of questions: "Who is your child?" and "What kind of school feels right for them?”
From there, a list of recommended schools is created based on factors such as size, location, academic offerings, athletic programs, leadership opportunities, and overall school culture. In the winter, 7th Graders begin SSAT prep—offered in-house by Green Vale—while families also attend informal open houses and start scheduling school visits.
Throughout this time, Dellicicchi begins working closely with students, getting to know them informally over lunch and in small groups to better understand their strengths, interests, personalities. This early foundation ensures that by the start of 8th Grade, students feel known, supported, and ready to take on the more focused work of the placement process.
In the fall of 8th Grade, Dellicicchi begins working more closely with students on the practical elements of the process, including mock interviews and school-specific preparation. Green Vale also partners with an outside communications consultant to help students refine their interview skills, body language, and overall interpersonal skills and public speaking abilities. In addition, students practice interviews with key administrators, receiving thoughtful, individualized feedback. These layers of preparation ensure that when admissions directors visit Green Vale in the fall, students are confident and ready to engage. And when it’s time for their formal interviews—a key part of many schools’ application processes—they’re prepared to make a strong impression.
The strength of the School’s long standing relationships with top-tier secondary schools throughout the country gives students a meaningful edge. That face-to-face connection matters.
“These relationships aren’t transactional,” said Dr. Dougherty. “They’re built on years of mutual trust. Admissions teams know what to expect from a Green Vale student: intellect, character, and confidence.”Regular visits from Admissions Directors to Green Vale—as well as visits to the schools where our graduates matriculate—help sustain and strengthen these trusted connections.
Once families have finalized their lists of schools by early December, the application phase begins in earnest. Dellicicchi supports families by offering guidance on using the various online application systems and by ensuring that all the required supporting documents are reviewed and submitted by deadline. Supporting documents typically include transcripts, teacher recommendations and a school report. Some schools may also seek additional materials, such as extra recommendations and graded writing samples.
Each set of recommendations undergoes a thorough internal review to ensure the supporting documents genuinely reflect the student's story. This process includes a final approval by Dr. Dougherty before submission.
As decisions approach in February and March, Dr. Dougherty is on the phone daily with admissions teams—drawing on years of experience to advocate for Green Vale students in ways that go beyond the written application.
Early Decision from local independent schools may arrive as soon as December 15. Regular Decision and parochial school acceptances typically follow in mid-January, while boarding school decisions are announced by March 9. Once families receive their outcomes, the Exmissions team is available to support them through the final decision-making process. Local schools often host revisit days, and boarding schools offer “Accepted Students” Days—valuable opportunities to return to campus with a fresh perspective that can help families make their final decision.
What Sets Green Vale Apart
What truly sets Green Vale’s secondary school placement process apart is the personalized involvement of the Exmissions team, along with the broader GVS community—administrators, teachers, and outside consultants—who truly know each student and are rooting for them every step of the way. This strong, unified support ensures that every student is placed at the best school for them, not just academically, but personally as well.
The strength of the Exmissions process is perhaps best captured through the voices of those it has served. For Green Vale families, this process represents the full arc of a child’s experience, and preparation for success—the growth, learning, and support they have received over the years.
A parent of a recent graduate noted:
“As first-time participants in the secondary school process, we found the personalized attention we received to be incredibly helpful and reassuring. Dr. Dougherty’s steady guidance was especially valuable as we navigated the complexities of the boarding school process. While our son’s acceptances are a credit to his effort, the advocacy work invested by teachers, the Exmissions team, and Dr. Dougherty played an integral role in helping each school understand the person our son is. This support made a meaningful difference, and we are deeply grateful.” In a competitive admissions climate, Green Vale students are succeeding, and the School’s focus is steadfast—helping them develop their strengths, think deeply, and approach every opportunity with confidence. And that’s evident in everything they do.
