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Hey, I just wanted to know what people's opinions were about New England prep schools. What about the "Group of Seven"? Which schools that are part of this group are the best?

By Iggy boy on Sunday, December 29, 2002 - 11:39 am: Edit

Some of the best New England Prep Schools are

St. Paul's
Deerfield
Hotchkiss
Andover
Taft
Exeter
Lawrenceville
Loomis
Choate Rosemary
Hill

However, there are many other good prep schools scattered around the US like (plug) Saint Ignatius in Cleveland, Ohio.

Just my 2 cents

By Travis on Sunday, December 29, 2002 - 04:48 pm: Edit

What about Groton, Pomfret and The Gunnery?

Lawrenceville's in NJ, Hill, PA, not New England.

By Iggy boy on Monday, December 30, 2002 - 12:17 pm: Edit

I just know that those are some of the best boarding schools in the country.

By ihaveopinions on Thursday, January 02, 2003 - 12:03 am: Edit

Groton is THE original New England prep school with no ethnic/economic diversity, and the corny blazers with the school seal.

By COboy on Thursday, January 02, 2003 - 12:09 am: Edit

Personally, I prefer Choate Rosemary Hall. The school is very diverse both enthnically and socioeconomically. They are also very good academically and athletically. In fact, I've heard some people say that the reputation of Choate surpasses that of Andover or Exeter. I have a friend who goes there and he told me that while some school's kids are good only at sports, or only at academics, Choate is a place where kids are both intelligent with passions of their own.

By bump on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 12:35 pm: Edit

bump

By whats with the fuss? on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 04:10 pm: Edit

can anyone explain what the big deal is with these places? just let the kids in New England go there and get yours in a good *local* public/private high school!

By wonderin on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 08:01 pm: Edit

Do you have to be really smart or something to get into these prep schools? And why are they more "special"?

By 4 1 thing on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 08:58 am: Edit

$$$

By 1morereason on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 12:17 pm: Edit

Another reason is that the academic, athletic, and social programs at these schools are far superior than maybe of lacking inner city public schools.

By logic on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 - 12:07 am: Edit

>Choate is nowhere near Andover and Exeter in erms of overall prestige and quality of education.
>Big advantages for prep school students: the small class sizes; dedicated professors; dorm life; huge endowments for new buildings, etc (all the best new tech.). Overall they're excellent if you can afford it.

By Jbirdsmommy (Jbirdsmommy) on Wednesday, January 15, 2003 - 12:59 am: Edit

I am the mother of a young gifted preschooler...where should I plan to send him if I want him to be a world leader in the future....meaning knowing what you all know now what programs did you miss out on and what is a hidden program that you would not miss for the world...also which prep do you think is the best to have on a resume....by the way...he is African American and sure to dominate in the classroom and out....what is your advice...

By Yup on Wednesday, January 15, 2003 - 09:44 pm: Edit

I would say Andover

By Kent2003-4eva on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 03:24 pm: Edit

Kent School Class of 2003!!!

By nyguy on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 07:00 pm: Edit

prep school kids are losers. gifted 4 year old - is that a new term for antisocial. put the kids in regular school. its better that they learn to with a student body than these prep school kids. they will grow up with understanding much of life. your kid will die soon. why are you going to have him spend his life in prep school and such. children are very easy to ruin. whatever happened to the days when parents raised artists?

By logic on Thursday, January 23, 2003 - 02:05 pm: Edit

uh...obviously your bitter or jealous or both...oh well.

By runningdan on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 06:51 pm: Edit

well said nyguy

By trueNYguy on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 11:26 am: Edit

yo,
too bad the nyguy gives us nyers a bum rap, what a churl!! but "logic" needed to summon a little more "pathos as a distance" for an effective rejoinder--the peevish/snob retort equals nyer's crassness. my young one goes to a commuter prep school and plays hockey there, north of th' Bronss (Bronx to outsiders)-- good standards, though not Hotchkiss; daughter went to Bronss Science, not bad for a pub school, 5 Noble prise whinners, now at Wellesley. Too, you has leaved out one school gooder than some othem nuEnglan others (one witch i studdeed at), witch is Horace Mann rite here in th'Bronss!! corporate big time, all th' ivy league agit-prop 'n bushwa u ever wonted. I wen to prep skool too, witch is why i rite more gooder then mos people does. Good luk yousall.
Rgds

By logic on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 10:36 pm: Edit

that was the point of my response

By celebtracker on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 08:56 pm: Edit

Some information is available at www.celebrityprepschools.com

By Addededge on Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 07:57 am: Edit

Bitter, jealous or gullible.

By public school person on Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 06:30 pm: Edit

I don't go to a prep school, but I only know of Andover, Exeter, St. Pauls, Northfield Mount Hermon, and Deerfield. So I would assume that these are the best ones.

By gourmet on Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 08:05 pm: Edit

Let me get this straight--you only know of Andover, etc, so those must be the best prep schools?

Please tell us more about what you know, so that we may be guided to all the best things in life.

I only know of McDonalds and Burger King, so those must be the two finest restaurants in the whole world.

By nyguy on Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 09:27 pm: Edit

ahhh im going to stay with my original arguement.. put your kids into regular school. if your in the city in a bad area, its understandeable to put your kids into prep school, but it begs the question why are you in the city if your can afford the prep school. Public schools teach children to be a member of society. They wil grow up with this society and have to be able to get along well. If they spend their lives at a prep school it only decreases the breadth of their social understanding. If your kid is a math machine and will never need to communicate with people outside of academica... then great send them to a prep school. if you want your children to be able to function in society, send them to public school. there will always be exceptions, but prep schools alter a childs view of the real world. they are great for raising snots, but smart kids will get into top schools regardless of whether they attend prep schools. prep schools are held to higher standards as well. Prep students are expected to score 780+ on all SAT material, while students from more rural areas are not held to standards nearly that strict. This is from the mouth of a Yale admissions counselor. So lets see, the prep school wont help you get into college, will decrease one's scope of the world, and they will require you to study mmuch more-thus missing much of life, and they will cost you lots of money. hmm sounds like a bad idea to me.. its perfectly logical to avoid a prep school, it will only make your life less enjoyable and holds no value for college purposes. what is their to be jealous of???

By Perot on Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 09:36 pm: Edit

Your complaints are all flawed. First, money. Each of those schools gives away 6 or 7 million dollars to insure economical diversity among the students. Something like 20% of students are on full finacial aid, and 50% are on partial. Public schools do teach people a lot about violence and drugs, but wouldn't it be better not to have to learn it first hand? I would much rather not feel like I was in an area full of weapons all the time. Smart kids at public schools are actually much less likely to get into a better college because they often get bored. Then they resort to things like drugs and everything goes wrong. Students in prep-schools are not "required" to get 780's on the SAT but many of them do because of the high caliber of education given there.

By Andover on Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 10:59 pm: Edit

nyguy, the negatives you site about prep schools are false, especially college. Over 32% of Andover grads go to the Ivy League. So just by going to Andover, you have a 1/3 chance to go Ivy. More then 50% go to other highly selective schools (Stanford, Duke, Georgetown, MIT, Oxford). Prep school is a definite advantage for college.

By Perot on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 12:30 am: Edit

Andover, do you go to Andover?

By nyguy on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 04:20 pm: Edit

hmm have you ever considered that andover is full of kids who had they attended nay other school, would have attended an ivy anyway? This whole bored idea is BS as well. thats just something people say when they do not want to admit failure. so i still dont see a prep school as advantageous

By Raet on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 06:04 pm: Edit

To hell with prep schools. They're great, if you want to waste 20,000 a year. That's more than some colleges! I guess my main question whenever I see or hear of someone going to a prep school... WHY? Public education is the best there is, more people should take advantage of it.. the US fixation on "private, high-quality education" •••••••• has taken over. It's a shame.

By Andover on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 06:10 pm: Edit

20,000 a year ? Tuition and room + board at Andover are about 28-29,000

By BarryG on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 07:25 pm: Edit

I have visted many of the schools in new england including deerfield, exeter, andover, and Hill. But, one of the top bywas western reserve academy in Hudson (cleveland suburb)Ohio. It was founded in 1826 and is a prettyc cool place. But I am convinced that the hill school is the best BY FAR! as soon as i steped on the campus it was an unbelieveable feeling. i knew i could spend 4 years of my life there. and that nyguy is totally talkin out of his ass. Kickin it in the dorms with all of the boys, sneaking across the quad to go to a girls room, putting sticks of butter in napkins and rocketing them into they 200 year old ceilings in the dining hall. every one of my fathers friends who went to one of these schools (40 or so) say that it was the greatest 4 years of their lives. I hope to get into hill, and i would urge anyone reading this to check out hill. YES THE KID RECCOMENDS HILL!

By WRA on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 07:28 pm: Edit

Western Reserve Rocks, u from Ohio ?

By barry g on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 07:34 pm: Edit

Ya man, i live in dublin. i go to the wellington school, u?

By WRA on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 08:19 pm: Edit

Pleasant View School For The Arts. I applied to WRA, Andover, Saint Ignatius, Gilmour, Hawken and Walsh Jesuit. I was accepted to Gilmour. I know I will be accepted at WRA. I want to go to Andover (if I get in)

By l on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 08:32 pm: Edit

Raet,

There are many things private schools provide that american public schools don't. For one, security, you don't get knifed in a private school. Plus the american public system sucks compared to other nations public systems...

By nyguy on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 08:55 pm: Edit

heh id rather attend a top public schoo... say scarsdale schools. very competitive and free. this whole security thing is blow out of proportion... there are no knifings in suburban schools

By Private on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 09:07 pm: Edit

Top publics are not free. The tuition is paid in taxes

By barryg on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 10:30 pm: Edit

hey Wra, is st. ignatuius a boarding school, i mean w/ dorms? i applied to gilmour 2 , it was alright but i didnt think there was anything 2 spectacular about it

By Perot on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 10:48 pm: Edit

I visted the top public school where I live, (and I live in a fairly large city). I was there for two hours, and in that time I saw knives drawn twice. The knive thing is not blown out of proportion.

By WRA on Thursday, February 06, 2003 - 05:51 pm: Edit

Nope, St. Ignatius is not borarding. It is on the west side of cleveland in a pretty crappy nighborhood. Yeah, I didn't think Gilmour was fantastic.

By logic on Thursday, February 06, 2003 - 06:52 pm: Edit

they are two very different things...private school, while it doesn't teach you much about defending yourself, does help you make friends with the people who are going to hold high positions in the real world. Great connections.

By COboy on Saturday, February 08, 2003 - 05:19 pm: Edit

OK, I think arguments on both sides to this issue are flawed. First of all, I went to a great PUBLIC middle school where knives were non-existant. Also, we had a very academically rigorous curriculum. Even at the public high school in my school district, there are not many instances where any kind of weapons are unleashed. Also, this public high school is one of the top schools in the state and sends many kids to prestigious schools all over the country. And, yes, it was suburban school, but the point is, public schools can be good too.

On the other hand, after 8th grade at my really good public middle school, I decided to attend a PRIVATE prep school in New England. This was a big culture shock for me, especially since I'm from the West. But my reasons for going to prep school were not necessarily because of the academics. It is about the experiences. Also, people who argue that kids who go to prep school will become socially inept is also wrong. My school has people of all color, religion, sexuality, and socioeconomic backgrounds. How often do you get a chance to learn not just academically, but SOCIALLY, with close friends from all different types of backgrounds? Where else in the world can you do that for high school? Also, if you enjoy learning and discovering new ideas, where else would you want to go except a place where learning and expressing yourself is encouraged?

Basically, I think both public and private prep schools can be good. But if you have the opportunity to, go ahead! Try something only a fraction of the American people get to do. If the academics don't sway your decision, the experience definitely should!

By Perot on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 10:03 pm: Edit

I wasn't saying that public school was bad. I'm just saying that I would rather learn in a safer environment if I have the oppurtunity.

By Hunter1985 (Hunter1985) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 10:16 pm: Edit

Both types of schools were great, and each had their benifits. I will dispense my knowledge as follows:

I attended grade school at a small religious/private school with no more than 14 kids in my grade.

I attended middle school at a huge public school with 600 kids in my grade.

I'm now attending a private high school with about 200 kids in my grade.

Here's what I've learned:

Private: Great education, when I went to my middle school I was above everyone in grades, etc. You meet a few close friends, learn more from your teachers (small classes). Costs money, though. My current HS is awesome-dedicated teachers (most have been there for 15 years while at public schools are lucky to get to 7).

Public: THE REAL WORLD!! Yes, safety can be a concern, but it toughens you up, you've got to learn to take crap from people. I made many friends. The education was still great with great teachers- when I went to my private HS I was, and still am tops in my class. So it really didn't make that much of a difference.

Overall, both are great, and you should sample both worlds, you'll need them both.

If you're smart enough to get into Ivies, you'll do that no matter where you are, public or private.

This is not a make or break decision- you'll end up at the same place.

By Mike Moller on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 07:32 pm: Edit

I am recently attending the Morristown-Beard School in New Jersey. Why send ure child to a boarding school when you can continue a well-diversed prep school education at a school near home. Ones gaurdians are most needed during their teenage years. All im saying is Prep Day Schools are just as good as Prep Boarding Schools

By cosine on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 06:14 pm: Edit

as far as prep day schools go. st anselm's, st alban's, and sidwell are the best in the DC, MD, VA area.

By bump on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 05:10 pm: Edit

bump

By CHOATE on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 08:16 pm: Edit

CHOATE

By mike johnson on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 05:04 pm: Edit

barryg r u talking about belmont hill

By barryg on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 08:23 pm: Edit

no man, im talking about The Hill School in pottstown, PA

By Chet on Sunday, February 23, 2003 - 12:23 am: Edit

The TRUE prep schools are Andover, Choate, Exeter, Groton and Taft. Is Deerfield now considered to be part of this motif?
---
However, I feel supremely confident that the schools with the most intelectually advanced students are St. Anselm's Abbey School (Wash.,D.C.) & Regis High School (NYC).

- Chet, PEA '75

By Mike on Sunday, February 23, 2003 - 07:15 pm: Edit

I think that Belmont Hill is

By andrew on Sunday, February 23, 2003 - 07:16 pm: Edit

deerfield sux

By Andover on Monday, February 24, 2003 - 07:31 pm: Edit

WTF is wrong with deerfield

By Hollahotchkiss (Hollahotchkiss) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 06:38 pm: Edit

Whoa whoa whoa, first off Hotchkiss is definetly a "true" prep school- get
that right in the future. Second, I have attended public school my whole
life, and live in a quite diverse area, so the experience definetly gave me
quite a grip on the "real" world. It wasn't until I ventured into the idea of
prep school that I really became serious academically in high school. I have
always been in the highest of classes because of my outstanding academic
career prior, but a large high school just has too much on their plate to pay
close attention to every student. I basically fell through the cracks my
freshman year, and then really got into the zone my sophomore year, when I
decided to apply for prep school. I saw what kinds of things some of these
kids do and knew I really needed to step things up quite a bit to compete.
Being at a school like Hotchkiss has really opened up my eyes academically.
Now, not just one of my courses is very rigorous- ALL of them are. I have
upwards of four hours of work a night, including highly competetive sports
teams, along with adjusting to dorm life. Prep schools nurture kids like me,
who enjoy people and want to be social but also love academics. In public
school kids often find themselves sinking down to levels of their peers,
usually very low ones. They have no other "role models" their own age to keep
them on their game. At these schools though, despite all the legacies and
merely loaded kids, there are dozens who are constantly pushing themselves in
the classroom, sportsfield or wherever. Being around all of this ambition one
cannot but help pushing themselves as well. Everyone I know who has come from
Hotchkiss and gone onto top Ivy League as well as NESCAC among others,
schools has said college is a breeze compared to our private school
educations. Think what you may about the fact that the boys wear jackets and
the girls wear khaki skirts with lacoste shirts, that's just part of the
experience- but not all of it by any means.

By Amphionkid06 (Amphionkid06) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 08:47 pm: Edit

I am a student at Choate Rosemary Hall. I'd like to write a response to "logic's comment". Are you a student at, or have you attended, a prestigious NE boarding school? In truth, every boarding school in the top 7 has its particular niche, whether it be the arts, history, or even athletics, so the very concept of prestige itself is hard to determine. Anyone who attends a "Prestige Seven" boarding school knows that Choate is one of, if not the most, prestigious boarding schools in the country. Don't believe it? Perhaps you'd want to look at the college matriculations at CRH over the past five years. This is a direct quote from the Choate site at "www.choate.edu": MOST POPULAR CHOICES 1998–2002 include: Brown, 39; Columbia, 29; Cornell, 31; Georgetown, 37; Harvard, 29; Penn, 52; Yale, 42. Thats the number of students, per class, that attended the aforementioned colleges. We also have the most internationally diverse boarding school in New England. And trust me, even disregarding our spectacular Ivy League acceptance record, Choate is an amazing place to live and learn. Never have I lived in a place so warm and inviting, or so incredibly challenging for that matter. I just feel lucky to be one of the less than 200 that makes up my class, and am thankful every day that I am not one of 1000++ that was rejected from CRH. So the next time you decide to make a vague blanket statement about the prestige of a boarding school, I urge you to first examine the facts.

P.S. Wait, what boarding school did JFK, Joe Kennedy, Michael Douglas, Adlai Stevenson, and Andrew Mellon attend? For some reason, I don't think it was Exeter or Andover.

By Amphionkid06 (Amphionkid06) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 08:57 pm: Edit

Just another note: The "Prestige Seven" of NE boarding schools includes, in no particular order: Choate, Exeter, Andover, St. Paul's, Deerfield, Hotchkiss, Lawrenceville (although it is in NJ). By the way Chet, even as a Choatie, with Deerfield as my arch rival, I will admit that it Deerfield one of the most prestigious boarding schools in NE, and is always included in the Top 7. Groton, despite having the highest Ivy League acceptance rate of any boarding school, is never included, and I've never heard Taft mentioned as even a Tier 1 school. If you are looking to attend a boarding school, I strongly reccomend doing so, as it is a life-altering experience which has changed me forever, for the better of course. While its always good to apply to at least a few Prestige 7 schools, there are plenty of other excellent options (Groton, Milton, St. Albans, etc.) Ultimately, its the child's choice where he/she wants to spend four years away from home.

P.S.S. I meant absolutely no disrespect or ill-will to Andover or Exeter students/alumni in my previous comment. They are two incredible schools, with amazing settings, student bodies, and teaching staffs. While I do prefer Choate, both of the schools have incredible facilities as well.

By Critical (Critical) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 10:23 pm: Edit

My sister goes to Taft and absolutely loves it! She is #1 in here class. My dad went to Andover, and I, for a brief time, before becoming ill, attended Groton. All of these schools are different types and cater to different personalities. I would take the time to research each prospective school, rather than asking people who are uninformed as to the meaning of a prep school education.

By Cooltej (Cooltej) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 02:19 pm: Edit

Guys, before I begin, Who are the 2002-2003 Football, Hockey, and soon to be Lacrosse New England Division I Champs???? That's right Deerfield Academy. I am currently a sophomore at Deerfield. Why choose Deerfield over your typical high school. First, you have a better opportunity of going to Ivy Leagues. IF you know about these schools, you know the AMAZING FACILITIES you can obtain. We have about 400 acres for these schools. Thats a whole lot of buildings and field area. And if you check out the senior class matriculation, you would see that all our students attend top colleges. You ask how else does it differ? The whole experience.

You think I'm rambling on and on about my whole praise for my school, but it's true. Everyone's nice and welcoming. It's kind of amazing when you think about it. Coming from New York, its a totally new environment. And from classroom experience, all students take par tin discussions. So its not your normal high school where you have two or thre kids dominating and the others are slackers. Kids are into studying just because thats their natural motive. and the gym, music rooms, fields we have is nicely taken care of and clean. Don't you want your child to take this advantage, well you have to pressure them into studying and getting good scores. And forget about the money beacuse I'm in the smae position. I live in an apartment, but my parenst value education first because in the future they know I'll probably make millions. And the financial aid is great if you ask me. Don't worry about the money, just make sure your child is getting involved in different areas and is excelling in them.

Personally, I recommend applying to Deerfield. Thanks

By Joefriend (Joefriend) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 02:43 pm: Edit

Does anyone know if admission decisions are mailed by express mail? Do the prepschool send rejection letter by express mail too?

By Andoverhopeful (Andoverhopeful) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 03:33 pm: Edit

I want to know as well

By Cooltej (Cooltej) on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 10:53 am: Edit

Yes, they are mailed by mail, whether rejection or acceptance. It's kind of funny. The acceptance letters are in a huge express envelope which will say most likely 'Congradultions', while the rejection letters are in a small envelope.

Good luck to everyone who applied.

By Andoverhopeful (Andoverhopeful) on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 03:27 pm: Edit

I will get mine tomorrow, the stress is kiling me.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 10:22 pm: Edit

I got placed on the waiting list; I am actually the first one on the waiting list, and now I have to wait until April 10 for a reply. I will still most likely get in, due to the fact that everyone who gets accepted does not actually go.

But just like andover the stress is killing me as well.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 04:00 pm: Edit

did n e one get into their schools?

By Andoverhopeful (Andoverhopeful) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 06:07 pm: Edit

I got into Andover !!!!!!

Wahoo!!!!

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 06:41 pm: Edit

did you apply any where else andover

By Andoverhopeful (Andoverhopeful) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 07:12 pm: Edit

Just some local schools in Ohio.

By Perot (Perot) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 09:10 pm: Edit

I got into St. Pauls, rejected from Groton. Still waiting on Andover and Exeter

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 10:04 pm: Edit

Are you on the waitlist at Andover as well as Exeter

By Babiit09 (Babiit09) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 10:04 pm: Edit

hey hey .. i got into choate and hotchkiss ( and some other less prestigous..Loomis Chaffe..etc) yeah, well the decision is going to be so hard!

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 10:06 pm: Edit

im still on the damn waitlist, however I am the next person on the list of 15 pray someone decides in the favor of another scool other than belmont hill

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 10:14 pm: Edit

IF ANYONE KNOWS ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT HOW WAITLISTS WORK, PLEASE POST A MESSAGE OR EMAIL ME.

-I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT

By Grkguy88 (Grkguy88) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 11:24 am: Edit

Hey, i got into TAFT, but i really wanted to go to hotchkiss(yeah i applied to both, suprised?) since my sister goes there. unfortunately i got the WaItInG LiSt, so its pretty nerve wreckin'. hopefully ill get accepted to h-kiss though, or else ill be forced to go to taft, and my sister would never forgive me.

By Dferraro (Dferraro) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 02:37 pm: Edit

Concord academy is acclaimed as one of the best boarding prep schools for best personalities by most admissions officers at ivy leagues. Most of them see places like Andover pumping out crazy indians obsessed with standardized test scores and NOT future leaders of our country. In fact only 2 kids from andover went to stanford last year out of a 400 student class. 100 applied. At

By Andoverhopeful (Andoverhopeful) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 03:21 pm: Edit

Really, thats odd, the according to the Andover College Office, 7 students went to Stanford last year. See http://www.andover.edu/cco/matrics.htm . I would like to see your source, if you have one.

BTW - I was accepted at Andover this year and plan to attend.

By Cooltej (Cooltej) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 03:40 pm: Edit

Did anyone get into Deerfield and is planning to come? IF so, I go there, and I'll be looking forward to seeing the new faces.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 07:56 pm: Edit

Did anyone get into Belmont Hill and is planning to come?... well dont cuz im on the waiting list and a few openings would be nice

By Babiit09 (Babiit09) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 09:07 pm: Edit

4 anyone who is wondering... the all the people who are waitlisted are put back into a pool and they reavaluate them and as soon as people start to say they are not going, then the waitlistes canidates are let in.. but unfortunatly most of the time the wait listes people arent notified if they got in until just before or after they have to send their responces to the other schools!... hope that helps at all

By Tuannguyen (Tuannguyen) on Friday, March 14, 2003 - 12:46 am: Edit

Dferraro, can you stop insulting other schools already? No one cares, really, due to your personality. Obviously you contradict yourself every few sentences. You say that concord academy has the best personalities. Are you the exception?

By Crhg (Crhg) on Friday, March 14, 2003 - 09:14 am: Edit

Did anyone get online on the 10th to get results from schools? Thats how I found out about Groton and St. Paul's.

By Starboard05 (Starboard05) on Friday, March 14, 2003 - 10:48 am: Edit

Congrats andoverhopeful, I go to Andover. It's truly an awesome school. I hope you decide to go!

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Friday, March 14, 2003 - 03:09 pm: Edit

to crhg

what do you mean? did they post who they accepted

By Ivy_Man08 (Ivy_Man08) on Friday, March 14, 2003 - 09:14 pm: Edit

St. Anslem's ...not boarding, but better education than almost all of them, if not all.

By Nsa (Nsa) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 04:13 am: Edit

I attend a prep school in lake placid ny. its not one of these big prep schools like deerfield or hotchkiss but its still a good one. All u people are talking about education and what not but really most people go to prep schools for sports. I would just like to know if any of u play sports and if thats why u go to these prep schools. I know i go to prep school for sports cuz if i had my choice i would stay in public school to be with my friends but thats not the case.

By Flkid (Flkid) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 09:38 am: Edit

Whats the big deal with Andover/Exeter? How do they compare with Lawrenceville?
The campus at Lawrenceville definitely looks more impressive..

By Amphionkid06 (Amphionkid06) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 08:12 pm: Edit

This is in response to Flkid's comment. Andover and Exeter are two very prestigious, selective, and rigorous boarding schools in NE. They are part of the aforementioned "Prestige 7." Consequently, Lawrenceville is also part of this group. Lawrenceville is an absolutely superb school, and it is an astute comment you make about the campus; it is one of the most beautiful in the world. In response to Nsa's comnment, most people do not go to a prestigious boarding school for sports. Those who do aree recruited by the school, and everyone who attends a boarding school will be familiar with these "post-graduates" who are over 18. Any school in the Prestige 7 is a really superb choice, and while I am a very strong advocate of Choate Rosemary Hall, all of its competitors are superb schools as well.

By Crhg (Crhg) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 09:14 pm: Edit

to BHS4life

Groton and St. Paul's sent letters that had passwords or user names and passwords. Then, on the tenth, you could go to a section of the website and type them in and it took you to your own special page that said if you had been accepted or not.

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 09:35 pm: Edit

Hi there...I'm waiting to hear from Taft. Has any of you applied to Taft and already received the decision letter?

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 09:47 pm: Edit

Gian Scolere...I didn't personaly, but I know of someone that did.

By Crhg (Crhg) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 10:17 am: Edit

Anyone have an opinion on which is better, Hotchkiss or Groton?

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 12:31 pm: Edit

Hotchkiss is better

By Crhg (Crhg) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 01:25 pm: Edit

How do you know? Do you or are you going to attend Hotchkiss? (I have heard that Groton is better academically)

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 01:39 pm: Edit

well...I do not attend Hotchkiss, I also don't plan to, but I have done a little bit of research on both schools and in my opinion Hotckiss is the better school. Hotchkiss has great facilities as well as great academics. I just it's the better school. Groton does not appeal to me as much.

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 04:39 pm: Edit

I guess I have to wait til next week to hear from Taft. I also applied several other schools and was accepted at Milton, Loomis Chaffee, and two other schools. Are any of you considering any of these schools for next year?

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 04:43 pm: Edit

DID ANY ONE APPLY TO BELMONT HILL

By Jkennedy (Jkennedy) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 05:19 pm: Edit

I have an opinion, I Hotchkiss is not quite up to its namesake. anyone who attends a boarding school in northeast connecticut ( i attend salisbury school, and went to a pre-boarding school Indian Mountain before attending salisbury) knows that Hotchkiss is overrated. No doubt, academically it is a challenge but hotchkiss has become more of a so called 'title' school. it has the title of a very hard prep school, but from what i hear from my friends that attend hotchkiss it is not as hard as it seems. Many kids there are dumb as a rock but pay there way in. If you work hard, you can manage B's, possibly A's pretty easily. Its important to keep an open mind about the prep schools since each one caters a specific style of learning to each individual, so that just because its rated high by say, US news and World report, doesn't mean its the best for you. Either way both of these are two of the top prep schools in the nation without question, but keep in mind other ones that are not as highly recognized.

By Jkennedy (Jkennedy) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 05:23 pm: Edit

i have a question, do public school kids really think that private school kids are 'disconnected socially' from the real world and is there some grudge against us prep school kids?

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 05:39 pm: Edit

they may hold a grudge about prep school kids in general, but kids the kids I know at public schools like a lot of private school kids. It mostly depends on the kid, most public school kids are not going to like a snobby prep school kid which thinks he's better than every one else. Additionally, it all depends on the private school kid's behavior towards the public school kids. I know many public school kids that like many private school kids.

By Babiit09 (Babiit09) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 08:53 pm: Edit

Gianscolere .... i was accepted to Loomis Chaffee also.. great school- seems a litte more laid back than some others...

Also, Hotchkiss is better... i have many friends who go there and for whoever said its easy, its not. it was not be QUITE as extreme as say Choate or Andover but its definatly difficult!

yeah.. anyone else thinking about going to choate next year?

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 10:03 pm: Edit

By the way what did you get on your ssat's

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Monday, March 17, 2003 - 06:50 pm: Edit

What is the median SSAT score of accepted students at Milton...do any of you know? I know that between 1998 and 2002, 67 of their graduates went to Harvard and 42 to Yale. Other selections included Stanford (19), Princeton (16), and Brown (59).

So, who's planning to attend Milton?

By Paprep (Paprep) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 05:33 pm: Edit

Which is a better school Lawrenceville or Hotchkiss.

Also how do Hotchkiss and Hill stack up?

By Crhg (Crhg) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 08:25 pm: Edit

Hotchkiss and Lawrenceville are both part of the "big seven". They are definately two of the top schools in the country so if you are trying to decide between them you can't go wrong. Lawrenceville slipped a bit but has recently (since the late 90s) been successfully trying to improve its academics. Hotchkiss never slipped so it has that advantage. Lawrenceville has the more beautiful campus. I toured/interviewed at both Hotchkiss and L'ville and ultimately decided not to apply at Lawrenceville because of its size and the huge number of day students, even though I would have been a legacy. Hotchkiss is more similar in feel to Deerfield and St. Paul's, while L'ville is more like Choate. Personally I think Hotchkiss is the better school, but that is just my feeling based on a tour and a few rumors. I hope this helps. Good Luck

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 05:04 pm: Edit

hello

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 05:51 pm: Edit

Roxbury Latin is actually the best private school in the country. It's rated number 1 out of all the private high schools anywhere

By Crhg (Crhg) on Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 11:37 pm: Edit

Where did you find the ratings?

By Mjo (Mjo) on Monday, March 24, 2003 - 10:06 am: Edit

Does anybody have an opinion of how The Hill School,PA ranks against schools like Andover,Exeter,Choate, Hun, Peddie, Loomis, Lawrenceville ...?

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 - 05:21 pm: Edit

prove me wrong Crhg, also look at the average sat scores for students at Roxbury Latin. They have the highest average in the world.

By Suziq0110 (Suziq0110) on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 - 10:32 pm: Edit

<deleted by Admin>

By Sphynx (Sphynx) on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 01:44 pm: Edit

Um, right. All we talk about here is how our lives are "validated though an expensive 'name brand' education" **roles eyes**
While I'm sure there are plenty of good public schools, the top 500 can only be located in 500 towns or cities in America. Where do you propose everyone who does not live in one of those towns or cities does? Personally I live in a town with among the VERY WORST public education in America. There are no nearby private schools.
Private preparatory schools are a great opportunity for those who can afford it, and for those who qualify for financial aid. People who attend them do not automatically think they are better than others as you imply. All but two or three of my friends attend public schools.
The real reason the Ivy League acceptance rate at private boarding schools is so high is that they accept only motivated students who want to do well in school. Public schools do not have that option. I have several friends from public schools who are in top Ivy League colleges and several from private schools who are, just as I have some VERY wealthy friends who have been rejected from the Ivy League despite heavy donating on the parents part. Ivy League schools have huge endowments and are not so strapped for cash that they have to accept students just because of their parents.

By Starboard05 (Starboard05) on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 03:24 pm: Edit

I agree with sphynx. Suziq, you don't know what the hell you're talking about.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 03:24 pm: Edit

I would just like to say that Suzig is a close-minded asswhole who doesn't know what the hell she is talking about. Almost everything she said is false, and it is obvious to me that she just feels like complaining about something she has hardly researched at all.

By Proudpapa (Proudpapa) on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 03:46 pm: Edit

Hi Gang! I am a parent of a 13 year old boy who was justed accepted at Andover, Exeter, Deerfield and Hotchkiss. ALL of these schools appealled to him from informal visits and he applied to them allm with NMH as a "safety" school. In the end he has chosen Hotchkiss. I think the beauty of the place, its friendly demeanor and size won him over. I wish all of you happiness and success at whatever schools you chose and attend as well.

As a parent I have previously researched many of the questions that have been raised in this forum. I wanted to assist my son in his search and allow him to chose with all the facts to hand. Here's a few thoughts: first of all, the "hard" numbers such as selectivity, average graduating SAT scores, size of faculty and number with advanced degrees, notable alumni, size of endowment (which effects available financial aid and the school's abilities to provide great amenitites and extracurriculars and hire the best staff), size of student body, size of campus and value of facilities, acceptances to colleges, etc., are ALL available at each school's website and in Peterson's Guide to Secondary Schools (which can also be found online). Many of these issues are important and many may not be. Its a matter of taste and preference.

One thing is certain: all the good prep schools are nowadays egalitarian and have developed diverse student bodies from broad socio-economic backgroungs. Financial aid and general changes in our society have allowed this. A typical "7" school has about 20-25% people of color in its student body and a huge diversity economically and geographically as well. The kids are exposed to wonderful learning and social opportunities that are reflective of the bigger world but are presented in a safe and encouraging way. There is no longer a "snob" factor.

I will NOT try to suggest which school is better, because frankly its like trying to say whether vanilla is tastier than chocolate. This is a personal preference. And indeed, if we debate based on one particular set of criteria, we first have to decide on the validity of those standards in the first place (for instance, you may care about the average SAT obtained by a graduating senior and think its a great measure of the school's quality, while I may think the ratio of students to teachers or the quality of the theater arts is more significant...etc. etc.)

Each school has great qualities. I recommended to my son that he evaluate HIMSELF. Determine what was important to him and then try to find schools that fit. (Its also necessary to be realistic...if you have C's and low SSAT and have been busted seven times for shop lifting, there's a significant chance you may not be accepeted at your dream school..hint, hint!!)

Last year's stats (from Peterson's and the school's own admissions departments) , for those of you who INSIST that these things matter:
The three hardest U.S. Prep Schools to get into: Andover, Deerfield and Hotchkiss- in that order. And the so-called "Yield" (i.e. the number of accepted students who actually decide to attend that school) a three way tie at about 52%- again, Andover, Deerfield and Hotchkiss. This "yield" number is significant because it means the schools are more successful at filling their 9th and 10th grade years with the kids they want the most and who ostensibily will fit together the best. The schools witht he highest endowment per captita (i.e. money per student) are St. Pauls, Hotchkiss and Andover (in that order). Highest SATs of graduating Seniors -Groton, Exeter, Andover (in that order). Student/Teacher ratio: most of the "7" have 5:1 or 6:1, although Choate is 7:1!

Finally, take it from an old guy (mid -40's) this stuff is NOT life or death. You can go to ANY school, private of public and do well, learn, make nice friends and get where you want to be in life. If you are able to go to your "dream" school, its icing on the cake. However its ONLY icing and not to be confused with the "staff of life". Good luck to you all. I have been impressed with the quality of your thoughts and think you all deserve everything you can dream of.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 08:55 pm: Edit

Roxbury Latin actually has the highest average SAT scores. In fact, they are higher than any of the prep,private, or secondary schools.

Additionally, Roxbury Latin is also rated the number one private school, as well as being the HARDEST to get into.

However, Proud Papa may have only being referring to the "7" when stating those facts.

(Roxbury Latin is still considered a private school just like the "7", but for some reason isn't included in the elite "7."

-Just my two cents.

(14 year old male contradicting an old guy)

By Starboard05 (Starboard05) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 12:16 am: Edit

bhs, where exactly are you getting these stats from?

By Crhg (Crhg) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 08:42 am: Edit

replying to bhs from Tuesday

Although I don't really care about proving you wrong (no all boys school will ever accept me), I am curious about where you got the median SAT scores for Roxbury Latin and about what they are.

A few months ago I saw a list of the best private secondary schools in America and R.Latin was first, Brierley was second, and Groton was third. I have no idea who put this out or when it was written so it doesn't mean anything except you may be right about Roxbury Latin.

By Proudpapa (Proudpapa) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 02:38 pm: Edit

Roxbury is certainly a great school. However they do not publish their median SAT scores (Groton and most preps do and as of the latest edition of Peterson's it was 1400) Roxbury's scorese are at this point speculation.

As to selectivity: In the first place, the traditional grade to enter Roxbury is 7th. Hence it is slightly "apples to oranges" to compare Roxbury's acceptance rate with typical prep schools whose normal entry years are 9th and 10th. However, the latest figures from Peterson's show that 324 students applied and 62 were accepted. 52 enrolled. A 19% acceptance rate IS very competitive and a yield of 83% is huge. HOWEVER, this IS an all boy's DAY school and therefore the student's applying are local. Hence there are not a lot of alternatives locally and most accepted students would therefore enroll. By contrast the typical Hotchkiss or Andover applicant comes from virutally the whole of the US and the world. This pool of applicants is therefore much more competitive, diverse and difficult to "stand out" in as an applicant than the 7th grades Boston area boys applying to Roxbury (very bright and terriffic though they may be!) Typical prospective prep students apply to several schools and most choose between several acceptances in most cases. Hence the lower yield.

But this is beside the point....again, the real issue here is which school(s) suits which student. For instance. many parents would only want their child to go to a co-ed school and vice versa. Also its very clear from the affectionate descriptions in this forum from students at Andover, Taft, Choate, Deefield, Hotchkiss, etc. that they EACH love their schools, think theirs is the best and have good reasons to think so. But obviously there is no BEST school. The term "Best" means nothing. What is BEST? Biggest? Most money? Hardest to get into? Prettiest campus (talk about subjective)? Most sports? Best team records? Best College placements? Longest History? Best studio/teacher ratio? Largest course offerings? Highest average AP score results? Highest SAT median scores? Most famous (again SOOO subjective)? Most famous alumni? Newest and best facilities (subjective)? etc. etc. Each of these elements has subjective judgements attched to it, as well as unseen issues.


Even the issue of selectivity is relative. For instance legacy kids (those who had close relatives attend the school they are applying to) have an easier time getting in. Those coming from far away exotic places, like South Dakota and France have an easier time. By contrast, a kid from New York City and its environs has a MUCH harder time getting into Hotchkiss or Andover (because of the HUGE application pool from this area). So the hard numbers are misleading and really irrelevant except for general purposes.

Here's another little trick: even if there WAS a BEST school, let's say Andover, it is not a static dead entity like some sort of diamond or rare gem of greater value than its peers. A school is an organic place, which changes and is in flux all the time. You might attend Andover in the class of 2007 and have the best four years of your life...or you might have a freshman dorm mate who is the kid from hell and ruins your entire year. You might have you heart broken by a really awful girlfriend or boyfriend in your second year and in your third year join the newspaper only to be put upon by a really jerky student editor. And yet, your younger sibling may go to Andover two years behind you and have a wonderful roommate, meet the love of his/her life in sophmore year, and have a great editor at the paper (the crappy one having graduated the previous year) etc. etc. THE SAME SCHOOL IS A DIFFERENT PLACE AT DIFFERENT TIMES TO DIFFERENT STUDENTS.

Unless you are a materialistic, status obsessed, college entry worried fool, you will judge the schools you are interested in or attend on the virtues that matter in the long run: does it fit you? are you or will you be happy there? does it have the things you think you'll be interested in? Etc. etc.....who CARES where George W. Bush went. Who CARES how many kids got into Harvard. You will only be young once, learn, enjoy and be happy.

I have told my son that when he attends Hotchkiss and wherever he may end up in this world, the important thing is to be open minded and fair. Its plain WRONG to think your school or you are better than any place or anyone else. The right way to think about all of this is merely to appreciate what you have, to take the chances given you and try to do something with them. And most of all to give back DOUBLE what life gives you.

Still think Roxbury is the "best" school Bhs? Or would it be better to say, the "best" school for you??? I certainly believe its that!

Words of wisdom from an old guy.

By Starboard05 (Starboard05) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 02:45 pm: Edit

Well-said, proudpapa

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 06:19 pm: Edit

You are absolutely right Proud Papa, I actually don’t even attend or like Roxbury Latin. However, Roxbury Latin does in fact have the highest mean SAT scores. Your views about these schools are basically the same as mine and I strongly agree with most of your opinions.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 06:28 pm: Edit

I got the SAT stat from this website:http://www.bostonmagazine.com/pdf/privateschools2002.pdf

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 06:31 pm: Edit

That was in 2002. However, I don't think things have changed too much since then.

-Tell me if they have.

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 06:48 pm: Edit

How did the "elite 7" schools establish their reputation? Is it the date of founding? notable alumni? selectivity in admissions?

Why doesn't Milton belong to this group despite having many of the same attributes present in "elite 7" schools? Founded in 1798. Graduated some of the Kennedy's, TS Eliot (poet), James Taylor (musician), and many others. 1,380 students applied from all over the country and world with a 21% acceptance rate and 91st median SSAT percentile for accepted students. Exceptional facilities in a great setting (seven miles from Boston). Diverse in terms of racial, religious, socioeconomic, geographic, interests, etc. Between 1998-2002, 67 enrolled at Harvard, 42 Yale, 16 Princeton, 59 Brown, 19 Stanford, 25 Dartmouth, 52 Columbia.

So what is it that made the schools part of the "elite 7"? I am aware that there are many other exclusive schools other than the "elite 7," but I am just curious as to how the member schools were selected. Were the school founders acquaintances or something?

By Jab15 (Jab15) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 08:53 pm: Edit

Any one no anything about Vermont Academy

By Jab15 (Jab15) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 08:55 pm: Edit

Anyone noabout Vermont Academy

By Jab15 (Jab15) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 09:00 pm: Edit

is there anyone here

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Saturday, March 29, 2003 - 10:07 am: Edit

Jab:
I don't really know anything about Vermont Academy, but I did visit their website at www.vermontacademy.org . It seemed like a great school overall. Are you applying there?

By Gmac (Gmac) on Sunday, March 30, 2003 - 12:28 am: Edit

Hi everyody! I was just excepted into Andover and Exeter! I have no idea where to go. Next week I am going for a visit so I can hopefully make up my mind. If anyone has any ideas or comments regarding this I would love to hear what you have to say!!!

By Starboard05 (Starboard05) on Sunday, March 30, 2003 - 01:03 am: Edit

Yeah Andover!

(I mean, who really wants to go to a school with a dress code?)

By Andoverhopeful (Andoverhopeful) on Sunday, March 30, 2003 - 11:51 am: Edit

Starboard, What do you usually wear at Andover ? I know they have no formal dress code, but what do students usually wear ?

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Sunday, March 30, 2003 - 05:25 pm: Edit

What did you all get on you SSAT's

By Andoverhopeful (Andoverhopeful) on Sunday, March 30, 2003 - 07:04 pm: Edit

95th overall, how about you ?

By Starboard05 (Starboard05) on Sunday, March 30, 2003 - 08:26 pm: Edit

andoverhopeful-

Pretty much everything goes. What's cool about Andover is that unlike some schools - Deerfield, for example (no offense to Deerfield students - this was confirmed by an actual friend who goes to Deerfield) preppy isn't the unofficial uniform. Students are not afraid to dress up - one guys dorm has a thing called "Foxcroft Friday" where they for some odd reason, wear suits and ties on Fridays. And yeah, you'll see quite a few polos and khakis, but you'll also see a lot of jeans and t-shirts... and then once in a while you'll get the occasional funky, artsy thrift-shop groupie. Two strange phenomenons in Andover :

1 - You will see a huge amount of Andover gear. I don't think I've ever been through a day without seeing at least someone in the Andover sweatshirt, a a varsity crew jacket, or their dorm's sweatpants or something with "Phillips Academy" on it.

2 - flip-flops are also major. We have kids who flip-flop well into December, and even when it snows. Beats me - I guess it's an Andover thing.

By Starboard05 (Starboard05) on Sunday, March 30, 2003 - 08:49 pm: Edit

a couple final thoughts:

there are several occasions where you will have to dress up. For example, they make a big deal out of the matriculation ceremony so have at the very least a nice outfit for that, and maybe a couple others for the three formal dances which are, in chronological order: the Sadie Hawkins, the Blue and Silver, and the Abbot Ball. Oh yeah, and prom too.

also, if you're from anywhere south of the Mason-Dixon line, or where it's warm, BRING WARM CLOTHING. The first time it snows, it's cool. The fifteenth, it's a hassle. (This year we were hit pretty hard - we had more than two feet at one point) It's annoying when the California kids are freezing their asses off in thin, summerwear and whining about the weather back home- so play it safe with jackets, scarves, boots, the whole nine yards.

By Blushingclover (Blushingclover) on Sunday, March 30, 2003 - 09:35 pm: Edit

Just my two cents regarding prep schools:

Prep schools undeniably provide a far superior education to the vast majority of public schools in this country. However, it provides little diversity socially as you are virtually surrounded by the creme de la creme of society. This certainly isn't the case in the real world, and by attending a public school of reputable worth, a student will be able to be exposed to people from all walks of life from an early age. In the end, what matters most is the amount of effort a student is willing to put in towards his/her education. It won't matter if he/she went to Andover, Exeter or any other prep school if he/she is unwilling to put for the effort and persevere. By the same token, I know of many people from my TTT public high school who have gone on to attend Stanford, Harvard, Columbia and Dartmouth.

By Rl4life (Rl4life) on Tuesday, April 01, 2003 - 10:41 pm: Edit

Dear message boards (most especially my noteworthy hopeful of the Belmont Hill School,)
- First bhs4life, i wish you good luck in your quest to become a Belmont Hillbilly (pardon the rivalrous jest), and can attest to Belmont Hill's quality, considering that i myself almost enrolled in the school. It has top-notch academics, unbeatable anywhere, much due to its single sex continuance. It is a sports powerhouse that sends students to division 1 schools on almost every field. Their faculty is one of the best, and a visit to the school, giving a passing glance to the senior sculptures, will give you an idea of the quality in all areas in the classroom.
However I feel the need to defend my school in one's attempt to disprove the truth of its reputation. I attend THE Roxbury Latin School, and can attest that the reason our school has such a low acceptance rate and such a high yield rate, is not that it only draws Boston. Granted, many of our students live in the Boston area, however, nationally, we have the highest percentage of the student body go to Harvard Princeton and Yale (September 2002 edition of Worth magazine), and have the highest average SAT scores. I will say that our interaction with sister schools (Winsor, Dana hall) is vastly underrated considering it forces a student to separate their social and academic life. I cannot dispel of the rumor that we have an abundance of "nerds", yes we have many smart students, yet we also have very talented athletes, musicians and artists. Specifically we have one of the top 16-year-old ice hockey goalies in the country.
However i do have something to say, defending the ISL as a whole. The ISL does not have the prep school "quality" that everyone speaks of so fondly, in fact most of the schools are day schools. However I do think that people underestimate the harmfulness of going to a boarding school so far from home. There is oftentimes very little supervision. With the size of these schools it is impossible to have a "crime watch", literally. Many of these schools have rug and alcohol problems due to the lack of supervision. Anyways, in the light of my pompous yet needed remarks I bid you all good luck in your secondary school journey.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 03:56 pm: Edit

rl...I hope that you are not trying to defend your school to me. I was actually defending your school if you read anything earlier. And by addressing your post to me I know that you did read it. I also know that you are an extremely smart kid so you know that I have nothing but respect for your school.

Moreover, just out of curiosity, did you ever apply to Belmont Hill? If so, when?

By Bigred04 (Bigred04) on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 04:55 pm: Edit

Hi I'm an Upper at Phillips Exeter. Oh and Upper is Exonian-speak for what would be considered a Junior at most secondary schools. I started here as a Prep (or Freshman) so am a three-year Upper, which is sometimes considered a mark of respect here.

...First of all I'd like to point out that, in fact, Exeter is better than Andover (haha).

Yes my opinion is obviously objective (the Exeter-Andover rivalry is heated, dating nearly 200 years and the oldest of all prep school or college rivalries), but I believe that it is the really spirit of Exeter that sets it apart from equally-distinguished Andover.

At a student population of 1000, about 200 less than Andover, we all still feel for connected to everyone in the community. There is a sense that we are all the future leaders of this country and even world, and we are united in responsibility of service and purpose in our educations. Knowing many people who also toured Andover, I continually hear about the general arrogance and disconnectedness of the community; apparently they could not stop patting themselves on the back. Needless to say these highly qualified students chose Exeter.

Teachers at both institutions are outstanding, and care about students. Low teacher-student ratios at both speak to this. The defining characteristic of an Exeter education has not so much to do with the qualities of professors than student body. This is because every class, whether English or chemistry or even math uses the Harkness method of teaching.

Classes (of about 10-12 students) are centered around a "Harkness table". Students lead class discussions: commenting, asking questions, learning from each other. Peers build off their classmates' observations, delving deep into any subject through discussion. The teacher merely provokes and steers, if necessary, the focus of the class. This is my third year at the school, and I can say that learning through conversation, being actively involved in a subject as well as working with my brilliant classmates has afforded me an unparalleled education.

Outside of class, we are all encouraged to pursue or our passions. For many, as was the case with me, it is more an exploration of all Exeter has to offer. I won't go into all of the different extracurricular options, but the variety and quality of all groups are amazing. Our endowment is the largest of any prep school in the nation (over half a billion), which translates into great facilities and constant improvement of our environment. We certainly grow as whole people; everyone participates in sports at some level. The opportunity to grow as an athlete is amazing... I started out never playing football and this year I played defensive back for varsity against the best teams in New England (we were 5-2-1 but we only had a total of 7 points scored against us all season). Hockey has been among the very best in New England for at least a decade.

When it comes to deciding upon a boarding school, it really depends on how the school feels, and how it matches up with your personal values and goals. Yes, I am in an envronment where everyone I know is applying to at least one Ivy; it is not the fact that one has attended a top boarding school such as Exeter, Andover, Deerfield, St. Pauls, but rather what one makes of the enormous opportunities that these places give to their students.

The bar is remarkably high at Exeter and this compels all to work to their absolute best. This school has made me realize the importance of being active. This goes for learning, to sports, to extracurriculars. We all push ourselves to the limit, and we come out confident that we can achieve anything.

By Andoverhopeful (Andoverhopeful) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 09:15 am: Edit

Andover has only about 65 more students then Exeter

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 11:28 am: Edit

nless you are a materialistic, status obsessed, college entry worried fool, you will judge the schools you are interested in or attend on the virtues that matter in the long run: does it fit you? are you or will you be happy there? does it have the things you think you'll be interested in? Etc. etc.....who CARES where George W. Bush went. Who CARES how many kids got into Harvard. You will only be young once, learn, enjoy and be happy.


I think for many of the students who are reading these boards, the kind of education they work for will have more to do with them, than the school.
I know two kids ( well actually I know more but still..), who at at University of Chicago, one went to private day school, then public high school/community college, and is now a junior at U Chicago. The other first attended Andover than switched to Hotchkiss, lots of differences in their education but once they got to U Chicago who could tell?

By Bigred04 (Bigred04) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 12:39 pm: Edit

Way to go on the research, the point is that Andover FEELS bigger because of the lack of a community with common virtue... the Exeter community stresses the responsibilities of each student to the world around them. It is my opinion that this is not the practice at Andover, though it may be hinted at from time to time.

By Starboard05 (Starboard05) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 02:25 pm: Edit

Bigred, that's definitely not the case - Andover's divided into a five cluster system, which are, in essence, "communities within a larger community." Clusters bring people together, with inter-cluster competitions and munches and such. And, of course, all the students are united in talent, intelligence, and ambition, and all those virtues they list in the Statement of Purpose, (many of which, by the way, Exeter stole from Andover).

I've also heard Exeter students themselves remark on how annoying the Harkness table can be. Although it does focus on a key idea, it's very inconvenient in classes like science where it's almost impossible to share information without lectures or seminars.

You mentioned many students who came to Exeter felt Andover students were generally "arrogant and disconnected." This is obviously subjective, and naturally, there are Andover students who toured Exeter and felt it was pretentious, uptight, and a safety school, which I personally happen to agree with. Regardless, it's a circular argument - you can't base your opinion on only Exeter students.

Also, everything else you stated about Exeter is characteristic of many other prestigious prep schools, including Andover. In your commentary, you implied that Exeter was the only school that encourages students to pursue outside interests, that has excellent sports teams and facilities, that has a low teacher-student ratio. This is true of Andover and many other schools, some which may be superior in certain aspects.

Okay, so you're proud of your school. Fine, just don't go insulting Andover. After all, we could go on about how you guys are in the middle of the New Hampshire nowhere, have a dress code, Saturday classes, and far stricter curfew times, phone rules, and internet access...and didn't your president just recently get impeached for writing a deragatory letter to the newspaper? The point is though, it's an individual decision; don't go misleading people.

Go Big Blue!

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 03:06 pm: Edit

Actually,the location of Andover and Exeter do not diffe that much starboard. They are both basically situated in the same type of environment.

-moreover, you are both in the middle of nowhere, but bizarrely Exeter does have dress code?

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 03:25 pm: Edit

First of all, to clarify bhs4life, i was defending you, yet also defending my school from other people, who's initials are proudpapa. I am also rl4life.
However i do have to say Emeraldkity4 that unless you are blind, everyone, at some point in their life, considers college when deciding on a secondary school. That example you give is quite a fallacy, because obviously not every single student out of private school will grow up to be William Faulkner or attend M.I.T.; however their chance of getting a better education, being involved in a smaller, closer community, and getting into a better college is drastically increased. If the only reason you would choose not to go to a private school is because, you think that you could just as easily get into Yale from public school, than i would say that you are this "college worried fool" of which you speak. Granted much attention is given to college when deciding a private school, however college is not the sole reason, or, arguably, the main reason. Private schools, as i stated, harbor a different community, instill certain values in a child, and provide a better education. These are the reasons to attend a private school. Those who disparage excellence (private school) because theyplace too high a premium on mediocrity (being "normal"), are sadly mistaken.
Forgive the sharp agressive tone of this letter, however those who consider private school students to be eccentric elitists give us a bad name for our hard work.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 03:42 pm: Edit

You still didn't answer my question rl4life

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 04:23 pm: Edit

Private schools do not provide a " better " education, just by virtue of being a private school.
How do you gauge a superior environment?
Opportunities abound at both private and public schools, yet not all private schools necessarily provide a superior education any more than all public schools provide a inferior one.

In my area we have public high schools that have 20-40 students per grade, and we have some that have 400.
The two schools that have by far the highest numbers of National Merit scholars are Gates and Allen's alma mater and an urban inner city public school.

At the public school I am involved with, about 70% go on to a 4 yr college, 10 % go on to art school or other specialized school, 10% go on to a 2 yr college, and 10 % go on to the military or other options.
The private school my daughter attended had only slightly higher ratios of going on to a 4 yr school, considering that the population of her private school found it much easier to afford higher education than the 27% of the very low income students at the public school, I would expect ratios at private schools to be much higher.

By Bigred04 (Bigred04) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 05:02 pm: Edit

George W. Bush

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 05:05 pm: Edit

what about him?

By Starboard05 (Starboard05) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 05:36 pm: Edit

First of all, bhs, yes Exeter has a dress code, and also, Andover happens to be in a much larger town, with far more attractions than a "decades-old movie theater" (http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~jjchoi/exeter-dorm.html) -said by an Exeter alumni, and with a closer proximity to Boston.

Secondly, George W. Bush was a rich white alumni's son. Don't tell me nobody's ever paid their way through Exeter - I KNOW that's not true. Bush Sr. also was a high profile politician, which definitely helped.

Oh, and while we're trading barbs, how about the fact that Soule Hall had public showers and one public phone till the mid-90's? And you've got all these Colonial and Georgian buildings, and then a monstrosity of a new, modernistic-style science building that sticks out sorely.

And, several of the current Peobody residents admitted they got either wait-listed or rejected from Andover. This is just a case of sour grapes.

Take it from someone who got accepted to both schools- don't even start with Andover's negative points - Exeter's list could go on all day.

By Starboard05 (Starboard05) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 05:38 pm: Edit

PS -interestingly enough, bigred, you haven't responded to any of the other previous statements I made about life at Exeter. Guess that confirms they're all true then.

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 11:21 pm: Edit

I just got back from visiting Milton Academy...it was terrific, seemed almost like a utopia. The students are very intellectual and exceptionally talented as well as unusually friendly, and I don't believe there is a dress code (even though the students dress preppy). The buildings are definitely very elegant (from inside and out), and so is the town filled with New England-style mini-mansions, so to speak.
I haven't visited either Exeter or Andover, so I don't know about those two. But Milton is definitely an exemplary school!

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Friday, April 04, 2003 - 09:21 am: Edit

Yes emeraldkitty, by virtue of being a private school, you are almost assured a "better" education. This is a sad truth about America. Sure in public school you can, if pushed hard enough, get a great if not equal education to private schools, yet one difference sets apart private schools and public schools, giving the former an edge in the way of their curriculum. The private schools do not have to worry about any state regulated curriculum or mandates, therefore they do not have to worry about being sued by angry parents. this gives them the ability to instill a moral code on the students. my school has the ability to say in its pamphlet that they expect teachers to abide by the "judeo-christian law". Now I'm not arguing the validity of the statement as much as i am saying that public schools would NEVER be able to say that. Students most of the time recieve a generic education, not specialized to them, and a community that is vastly overwhelming. In the way of the statistics that you give i can assure u that most of the public schools in America could never reach that, if you percieve those numbers as "good" numbers. And i hardly believe that every student in that public school went to college. And do not preach to me about the avalibility of funds, since i myself am on a scholarship at my school. And i would not boast about being the top "urban inner-city public school" considering that in massachusetts has the top inner-city schools, and they have to sweep students every morning for weapons.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Friday, April 04, 2003 - 02:59 pm: Edit

rl did you apply to Belmont Hill this year?

By Exeter78 (Exeter78) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 07:19 pm: Edit

Who says there is a dress code at Exeter? When I visited in February kids were not wearing jacket and tie to class. If there is one it is pretty loose.

By Starboard05 (Starboard05) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 11:32 pm: Edit

the exeter dress code is outlined on the website http://www.exeter.edu/publications/ebook/dresscode.html

By Rl4life (Rl4life) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 12:15 am: Edit

Sorry bhs4life, i applied to Belmont Hill in seventh grade but opted not to go.

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 10:13 pm: Edit

I'm attending the revisitation program at Loomis Chaffee right now...I'm enjoying it a lot actually. The students here are fun but in a witty kind of way. I can't wait until tomorrow, where I'll follow my student host around campus. This is actually the first time I'm visiting the school, and I can tell you it's situated in a great suburb...and the campus is just amazing!

Gian

By Rcambrai (Rcambrai) on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 08:21 pm: Edit

St. Paul has the highest acceptance rate to Harvard, Yale and Princeton 22% and more than 1/2 their students end up at Ivy Schools. I have spent a year researching those schools. My sons was accepted to the only 2 scools he applied, Exeter and St. Paul. He's going to St. paul without a doubt. Never did we thing about applying to Deerfield or Chaote, those schools are not very good. Oh!! by the way we live in Scarsdale. Scarsdale classes range from 20 to 30. St. Paul from 2 to 12. In my opinion, Exeter and St. paul are the only 2 boarding schools worth. Otherwise you better off at a good public school.

By Gmac (Gmac) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 01:33 am: Edit

Hey Rcambrai, I don't think u can say that just because these two schools have the highest Princeton, Harvard, and Yale exceptances that they are the only two good boarding schools! Maybe not everyone wants to go to these rich white schools! Just because you like these schools does not mean everyone else shares your opinion. Stanford, Duke, and MIT are all "top of the line" schools that produce amazing people. ANDOVER RULES

By Rcambrai (Rcambrai) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 03:26 am: Edit

Gmac: I agree with you. But you have to measure performance one way or another. Also, keep in mind that private schools have to compete with students in public HS who are taking college courses ot atending music program that by far surpass any in those private schools. take tennis, for example: you can be ranked and play USTA tournments if you are in a HS. I know kids in scarsdale who are doing research at hospitals in NY or giving concerts at a state level. Private schools have really to be much better. for good students, Scarsdale or Bronxville are better schools than Andover

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 11:42 am: Edit

Excuse me??? I assume we are talking about Phillips Andover here, and Rcambrai there is no way that Scarsdale and Bronxville are better than Andover. It is one of the finest academic institutions in the world. Its reputation precedes it and it lives up to its reputation. Look at their statistics, they get higher amounts of people into ivys, they have higher applicant numbers, and they have lower acceptance rates. they are a top quality school. There is no public school that can even give them a run for their money.

By Rcambrai (Rcambrai) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 01:13 pm: Edit

4life: My reasonning is as follow: if you are a fairly motivated student, you are better off in Scardale than Andover. You can take college courses, do research at hospital or at a lab. You can compete in sports (except crew, maybe) with more competitive teams (outside the HS, of course). You can really enjoy cultural activities in NY. You can spend the summer at Columbia U. (your parents will not miss you...)
Andover and the rest are for kids who don't have access to cultural events or in the case of my son, enjoy an high IQ that no public school can handle. But why would you want to be in a school with 1100 students? This is as large as any Public schools

By Starboard05 (Starboard05) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 02:35 pm: Edit

far better resources, a more supportive environment, guaranteed excellent teaching, brighter peers on the whole, independence, a beautiful campus, more options/accomodations for whatever you may wish to pursue... just to name a few...

By Andoverhopeful (Andoverhopeful) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 05:29 pm: Edit

Rcambrai, your information is incorrect about St. Paul's sending more kids to HYP. I point you to http://www.polytechnic.org/thepawprint/hyplist.htm . As you can see, both Exeter and Andover are higher on this list. I would point you to the actual article on Worth.com, but their site is down for redesign. What Worth did, was take the percentage of students who went to HYP over several years. St. Paul's is great at 15, but not quite as good as Andover, Exeter, Milton or Groton.

Also, judging a school based simply on college acceptance does not guarantee a great experience. I will be attending Andover next year, and I cannot wait.

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 06:37 pm: Edit

Hey Andoverhopeful... Thanks for that link!

By Sphynx (Sphynx) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 06:39 pm: Edit

Rcambrai:

Congratulations to your son. I hope that after he has attended St. Paul's for a bit, he will relay to you that it is, in fact, St. Paul's, NOT St. Paul.

Perhaps he will also teach you basic grammar and spelling, and maybe a thing or two about research.(Like when a major magazine publishes a study contradicting your amateurish findings, they are right, not you.)

By Rcambrai (Rcambrai) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 08:17 pm: Edit

Sphynx: I apologize for my english. Je prefere parler francais quoique pour entendre des abrutis comme toi.... Aunque tambien podria darte lecciones de espanol.... (sorry, no arabic keyboard...)I am fluent in 4 languages and English is not one of them
Also, St. Paul's without school doesn't make much sense grammatically. . I read the article in Worth Magazine, a "major" magazine, and it is not accurate. They have compiled their numbers by looking at college directories. I have put together a research on Exeter Andover and St. Paul or if you prefer "St. Paul's School". Admission to HYP have decreased every year during the last 4 years at Andover and Exeter. On the other hand, St. Paul has increased every year and has reached 22% last year. It is not the average but rather the trend. Finally, you have to admit that Exeter has reduced the number of students over the last few years, I suppose it might have something to do with performance. 500 is the right number of students. Andover is not taking any measures yet....and that' why I like it even less....Finally, there is no evidence that Andover or Exeter send more kids to HYP than Scarsdale. Look, those schools already select the best. If I take the best of Scarsdale against Exeter, I dont see any difference. Keep in mind, that in Scarsdale you have approximately 60 fast track kids in each grades who measure up to any Exeter kids. Of those 60 kids about 15 end up at HYP. Do the math. That's why I said that if you are a motivated kid you will do better at Scarsdale or Bronxville than at Andover

By Sphynx (Sphynx) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 10:15 pm: Edit

Rcambrai:

The admissions officers at St. Paul's seem to think that "St. Paul's" makes sense as that is the way it is written in their catalogue. I believe that the school part is then implied.

You did not earlier state that your research only covered St. Paul's, Andover, and Exeter. Of those, I prefer St. Paul's because it is smaller and so drop dead gorgeous, but I have never even been to Andover or Exeter. Other prep schools that you have not mentioned, and so, I assume, did not research, compare quite favorably to St. Paul's. It is simply inaccurate to say that other prep schools around the same size as or smaller than St. Paul's (Hotchkiss, Deerfield, Groton...)aren't worth [anything]. They provide personal attention as well as amazing extracurriculars and academics. Few public schools, no matter how motivated the student, can provide the attention or experience that these boarding schools can.

By Rcambrai (Rcambrai) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 10:45 pm: Edit

I agree. Groton is a great school but too small, way too small and so is Roxbury, and the others. In my humble opinion, it's between Exeter Andover and St. Paul's. As far as public schools, you can count them with 2 hands.

By Ispeakfreely (Ispeakfreely) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 10:20 am: Edit

Rcambrai,

You have managed to excuse your poor grammar and congrats on the four languages as well - Bravo. However, your reasoning remains flawed. I am impressed with your insistence that your argument is correct though. The worst aspect of your argument is that you have argued to reduce the control group for Bronxville and Scarsdale while "forgetting " to apply the same parameters to prep schools. If you reduced the actual amount of students observed to the top 60 at the prep schools as well, the HYP statistics would go through the roof. You seem to address the point when you say that comparing the best at both schools, they would be the same - but I can't think that you actually mentally realigned the figures and came to that conclusion. Also, you seem to want to argue two positions with conflicting rationale - either it is a statistical study and comparison or it is which school your kid will "do better at". I went to regional Catholic Prep School and am solely researching prep schools for my childrens' future education, so I have no vested interest. However, I see alot of people in this room rationalizing their decisions and the decisions of their children. Their school has to be the best, and sometimes not only the best, but way better... a landslide. St. Paul's (common descriptive in this here USA) was a great choice, but so are many of the other schools, and really the disparities among the top schools are minimal. Additionally, sending your child away at 30K a year seems an odd decision when you have the "best" schools in your own backyard. These guys love their schools and these schools probably are the best for them, that's the point - what's yours?

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 01:25 pm: Edit

i thoroughly concur with ispeakfreely. Recambrai, you are comparing the average to lower students at top prep schools, to the best at public school. if you actually compared the best of both, there would be no comparison. Just as evidence, the top student might be studying one or two college courses while attending scarsdale or bronxville, but at my school (THE Roxbury Latin School), the top student just won the Westing House science competition, $100,000 scholarship. Also, i will not mention that the top %20 of most of these schools go on to ivys, while the others go to fine institutions such as nescac schools or others of the type. As far as sports goes? The best of the sports world is in prep school, look at all the good teams in any sport, they come from prep school. AND, as you stated "why would you want to go to a school that has 1100 students?" They still have smaller classes, and a closer community. Saying that ANY public school can compete with Andover is a complete fallacy.

By Bubbles (Bubbles) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 04:31 pm: Edit

I go to Andover, and i'm sorry to tell ya, but it's all here. I'm not being biased or anything, i've visited other boarding schools and have friends who go there. It really comes down to Andover vs. Exeter, and Andover has the edge. Academically, they're both the same, but Andover's got a better athletics program. Also, Andover is much bigger ( i mean come on, 600 acres) and prettier, and has a much better location than Exeter. Andover is about 10 minutes (walking) away from the nearest town, which has just about everything basic that you'll need. The closest shoppoing center is a 15 minute drive. I just think Andover is a nicer place to do. Exeter made me feel like i was in a mental institution. Besides, it's got a dress code anyway...who wants that?

By Rcambrai (Rcambrai) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 05:04 pm: Edit

I am a product of the Swiss school system by far better than any other schools private or public in the US. Having say that, European Universities can't compare to even the most mediocre US college. I am a strong believer that HS have to teach the basics very well (math, Sciences, English and History). How hard is that?
Having to send your kids to a boarding schools or haing to move to a high tax town to be able to receive that kind of basic teaching is just wrong. To go back to your posting, I concurred that my analysis is flawed and lacks few elements. But I insist and I am still convinced that if you attend a good HS such as Scarsdale, you have more opportunities OUTSIDE the school to complete you curriculum better than if you attend a boarding School. A city like NY has a lot more to offer than Andover. Amd I am not the only one who says that...
http://www.eagletribune.com/news/stories/19990510/FP_001.htm

By Brando (Brando) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 07:33 pm: Edit

Hey my names Brandon im from North Andover MA. I only applied to 2 schools andover and brooks. I ended up getting rejected from Andover *surprise surprise* and wait listed at Brooks. I actually got into Brooks last week and I was so surprised ^this time for real^ because its actually harder than PA. PA has 300 day student applicants and 75 spots, brooks has 220 applicants and only 25 spots. Does anyone know anything or is going to Brooks next year...Does anyone know anything about its prestige. I looked on the list of the prestige 7 schools and Brooks wasnt on there ^surprise^- this time for real :-D

By Sphynx (Sphynx) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 09:30 pm: Edit

Rcambrai:

You must have attached the wrong link. The article only says that attending Andover, Exeter, and St. Paul's no longer assures an Ivy League education and that Ivy League schools may be accepting more students from public schools. It does not say that public schools are better or have more opportunities than boarding schools.

While I'm sure Switzerland has excellent public schools,it is renown for its private boarding schools. My sister and brother went to two of them. The Swiss aparently still think that they need private schools despite their public school system.

By Rcambrai (Rcambrai) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 10:49 am: Edit

Swiss boarding schools are not attended by swiss. They are for expatriates and foreigners.
My point is this: A kid who has been accepted at those top boarding schools is bound to do well in a HS anyway (with some exceptions, of course). Now, why would he want to attend a large boarding schools with day students rather than a smaller institution?
I couldn't find the article written by Exeter students who were complaining about their acceptance to Ivys. I'll find it at some point

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 02:27 pm: Edit

Well, I do not want to go to Belmont Hill. I have recently decided not to attend. Does anyone have any ideas as to what other schools I should apply to. I live about 15 minutes away from Andover, so I might apply there.(next year)

By Andoverhopeful (Andoverhopeful) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 05:11 pm: Edit

Bhs, Why Not ?

By Lucy1 (Lucy1) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 05:34 pm: Edit

Any thoughts on Brunswick in Greenwich, CT?

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Friday, April 11, 2003 - 05:57 pm: Edit

All boys as well as a very strict dress code. That of which I'm sure I won't be able to stand everyday. Andover is also much closer.

By Proudpapa (Proudpapa) on Friday, April 11, 2003 - 11:27 pm: Edit

Hi Again Everybody,

I HAVE to put my thoughts here again: I keep reading this discussion board and am amazed at how bright and thoughtful so many of you kids are. Conversely I occasionally see a few comments that make me despair for humanity (as if BUSH and his cronies aren't giving me enough angst already!!!)

Look gang, the decision about going to a boarding school should certainly NOT be about getting into an Ivy League college or whether that school is famous or other trivialities. We are talking about 4 years (4 very IMPORTANT FORMATIVE YEARS!!!) in a young person's life. As a parent I am sure as hell NOT concerned with superficialities like dress codes, who goes to Yale and which campus is bigger! I was and am concerned that my son is happy, learns, grows to be a good person and makes wonderful friends. Period. Anybody who thinks one school is better for themselves or a loved one for reasons dissimilar to these is either NOT thinking first and foremost about what really matters in life or else has been sucked into some sort of vortex of muck from which they better be swiftly rescued.

ALL these schools are wonderful. They ALL offer great opportunities to those kids lucky enough to be there and lucky enough to take advantage. I graduated from one of these schools myself way back when (won't say which to avoid promulgating the boring cycle of name dropping here....) and it allowed me to forge lifelong friendships, memories and a genuine love of knowledge and beauty. THIS is the legacy I am passing on to my children by allowing them the opportunities my kind parents gave me.

I am NOT suggesting, nor should anyone, that a traditional public school experience is second rate. Far from it. The MAJORITY of our citizens and therefore the MAJORITY of people who have contributed the most to society went to their local schools and will continue to do so. I merely wish to reiterate two themes here: private school offers a different and very rich opportunity for the right kid; and there is no BEST school. Only those which are best suited to an individual student's nature and desires.

So PLEASE stop saying such and such a school is superior...its NOT. A more fruitless and unanswerable arguement has yet to be put forth in a forum such as this.......

All best gang!

By Rcambrai (Rcambrai) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 11:36 am: Edit

Anybody can give me some feedaback on St. Paul? has anybody been accepted there?

By Wealthyivygirl (Wealthyivygirl) on Sunday, April 13, 2003 - 06:50 am: Edit

EVERYONE should check out BOARDINGSCHOOLREVIEW.COM

http://www.boardingschoolreview.com

brand new website. really good.


DEERFIELD ACADEMY IS THE BEST PLACE ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO BIG GREEN!

By Skeewb4287 (Skeewb4287) on Sunday, April 13, 2003 - 06:16 pm: Edit

All of you do not realize how ridiculous you sound. "My rich private boarding school with limitless oppportunities and an X number of placements into HYP is better than your rich private boarding school with abounding oppportunities and an Y number of placements into HYP!!!"

Be happy that you or your child is getting one of the best HS curricula and ECs in the COUNTRY!!! I'm sure that you or your children will all do well in the future.

Remember, the concept of feeder schools is no longer as powerful (however, still existent) as it once was; subsequently, it is the student that gets into HYP, not the name of the school. Also, HYP and other Ivies are not the be-all, end-all in higher education. A school's worth, its value, and likewise, the student's, should not be determined by Ivy acceptance.

Aim high, work hard, and be unique. Just a few thoughts.

By Hitb555 (Hitb555) on Sunday, April 13, 2003 - 07:50 pm: Edit

In response to PROUDPAPA:
You mentioned your son has decided to go to Hotchkiss? Wonderful choice! I attend Hotchkiss and have not in the least regretted the tough decision I faced in 8th grade. Everyone, including the teachers, is happy to be here and it really is a warm place. As far as college...being that it is such an academically strong school it does get competitive when it comes to applying to colleges. However, on the average for the typical 150-student graduating class, about 50-60 percent go to top 50 schools. It is very reassuring to know that one day my superior high school education and study skills will take me places, even if not to the college of my choice. Good luck to your son, and go BEARCATS!!! :D

By Proudpapa (Proudpapa) on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 08:56 am: Edit

Dear Hitb,

Thanks for your supportive and kind posting. Indeed, I think that all the schools discussed here (and many,many others) afford the lucky kids that can attend them tremendous opportunities for fun, learning and preparation for college and hopefully life.

My son's impressions from the visits we've made to Hotchkiss mirror your comments regarding the happiness and warmth of the place. Its fantastically beautiful, the facilities are amazingly gorgeous. The new athletic center is really beyond anything that any school has. The Main Building's architecture is great inasmuch as it ensures that everyone passes everyone else all day long on the way to and from classes and activities- its rather like a indoor "main street" in a typical New England Village.

Perhaps most importantly to my son, the teachers he met while visiting each time, like D.K., Ms. Tames, Mr. Bell, and Headmaster "Skip" Mattoon were so amazingly accomplished while also being so friendly and kind. My son already feels part of the place before he's even entered.

For the record Hit, my son turned down opportunities at Andover, Exeter, Deerfield and NMH to come to Hotchkiss. I think Hotchkiss' smaller size, its beautiful position perched majestically over Lake Wononscopomic (sp?) and the closeness of the community were the factors that influenced him the most.

Once again, such decisions should be ALL about personal choices, visceral attractions and feelings and what seems best to each individual. Its pointless to arque which school is greatest. They all are great. Its just different schools speak to different kids...

And yes, go BUCKY!!!!!! (the Bearcat).

All best,
Proudpapa

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 09:37 am: Edit

Yes proudpapa i would agree with you that college should not be the sole criterion upon which one's private school yeild should be based. However, i do also believe that you are confusing college with ambition. Students wish to get the most of out their education. I bet that if i attended one of the lower rate private schools, i would have a much easier time, coasting through and recieving A's, therefore enhancing my social life because of less time devoted to my studies. Yet my ambitions drive me to a school i love not only because its just a fun place where i can have "The High-School Experience". Because although i love my school dearly, struggling for Bs is not the most satisfying thing in the world.

There ARE better schools, in the way of rigor. Not to acknowledge this is rediculous. Students want to attend these schools to recieve a more thorough education. I urge all students to realize that we are not college obsessed drones, yet ambitious people who realize that there is an inherent value in hard work, something from which we truly get pleasure. Not to say that students at other schools are not ambitious, however do NOT criticize us for looking for the "better" private school, the more rigorous one.

By Proudpapa (Proudpapa) on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 11:05 am: Edit

Dear Rl4life2,

You're begging the question by assuming that a more academically "rigorous" private school affords a "more thorough" education. In fact, even assuming one can even objectively demonstrate that Roxbury or any school is more "rigorous" than the other great prep schools, how does this equate with a "thorough" education? I don't want to seem "ageist" here, but as a man in his late 40's, I want to assure you that the education of a young person is definitely a much larger issue than SATs, GPAs or college admissions suggests. To be sure its essential to learn tradition academic subjects well. However a "thorough" education also means discovering who YOU are, learning social skills, learning "street smarts", learning about love, and perhaps most importantly: learning to be happy. There are many paths in life, many ways- knowing who the Preraphaelites were, or what the latin for "joy" is, does not make you an artist or full of mirth.... I can get my dog to sit or jump fences - he's not educated, he's trained........

I am not arguing that school "A" is exactly the same as school "B" in terms of academic credentials or rigor, or any other factors. I DO however maintain that given different students' desires, tastes, and needs, NO school is a panacea or better. Frankly, I don't personally care about college admissions. Harvard or Local Community College...its all the same to THIS Papa. Therefore if I were 13 again and picking a school to board at (or be a day student at, ala Roxbury), I would be obviously be concerned with different issue than you. I would definitely want girls in my school- how can you have a normal day to day life and learn to treat woman as friends and equals when you live in such a stilted environment? Its arcane and weird to me to willing attend a unisex school! ... I would definitely want to board. Living with your teachers and friends 24/7 is a true education and a wonderful experience- or it was for me. I would definitely want a warm and fun place with kids that I thought were interesting, welcoming and sympathetic. However, I am speaking for myself. Others may ONLY care about HYP acceptance rates, or other factors. However, I am telling you kiddo....you're off on the wrong path if this is all you care about. Hopefully you don't

As to hard work: ANY prep school, including ones not being mentioned here (presumably because they aren't as well known) are very rigorous. Hell, my son's middle school is very rigorous- his homework load is quite large for a 13 year old in MY opinion and compared to what those in my generation experienced. This is a national trend in fact and has been widely reported in the press. I am NOT at all sure this is good. I think he'd be better off with more time to run in the woods, study birdlife, play sports, flirt with girls (and vice versa) and just be a kid taking ALL life has to offer in....

If you REALLY want to know what I consider important in a well educated and well adjusted person, it would be that he or she is secure enough in themselves to face life's challenges with fortitude, good cheer and with tolerance. Frankly, when I hear what sounds like insecurity, in the form of self affirmation by bragging about one's school or one's achievements, I can be pretty assured that the person I am hearing is NOT well educated and adjusted in the important sense I mean.

Its natural to feel proud of one's family, friends, school, country, etc. I DO however think that a bright person should recognize the need for egalitarianism in their outlook. We must ALL strive to be careful to NOT think we know where or what's best....if we don't we grow up to be George W. Bush (and that's NOT a put down to Andover, which I think seems a really wonderful place!

That's my opinion anyway...........

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 06:17 pm: Edit

Proudpapa-
You know what separates the winning country, led by Bush, from the losing countries, led by Putin et al? They are communists who put no value in life on hard work, or put any value whatsoever on deciding what is right or wrong. Egalitarianism is an idea flaunted by those who need to justify their position in life, and justification only comes from the insecure.

Ah, i see you, like most who strive to be "egalitarian," reject the idea of striving for something higher despite discomfort, accepting something because it is "normal". However you seem to think that it is normal, or better to go to a co-ed school? However i retain that i have learned more about sex and physics than i ever could in a co-ed school. why you ask? Because we learn to separate business and pleasure. Girls at night and on weekends, studies in the day.

While one may want his son to become a field-frolicking "artist", fancy word for "i could not make it in the real world," i would much rather prefer to teach my son core values. What, you might ask again, are these core values? Hard work. something which you put so little value on. Sure one can experience life by slacking off and running in the woods, but what is to say that any rigorous school would deny you that?

And one more comment about egalitarianism and that we "must avoid thinking we know what or where is best," is truly a defeatist attitude in life. If people did not do what they thought was best, what would the world be? The U.N., another fancy word for "we refuse to get anything done because St Lucia's opinion is just as important as the United States, and we do not want to offend anyone by trying to do the right thing."
-RL4life
p.s. I'm not interested in HYP either, my goal is to get into West Point, to serve such a decisive president who gets things done by acting on what he knows is right.

By Andoverhopeful (Andoverhopeful) on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 07:24 pm: Edit

Bush is an idiot, even though I will be going to Andover.

By Proudpapa (Proudpapa) on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 09:17 pm: Edit

Dear Readers,

I hope my point has been well made about that its not the school that makes the person, but the person that makes the most of the school. Clearly someone as angry and plain old wrong as our future West Point student, is evidence enough that going to a good school won't make you "educated".....my heart truly breaks to think someone so young is already so cynical, so preposteriously conservative and so angry...DAMN!

By the way Rl4, I hate to burst your bubble, but the majority of the world's nations disapproved of Bush's unilateralism and very few of them are communist countries. Certainly Russia is not. You HAVE taken world history over there at Roxbury haven't you?

Also, I am SURE you know a lot about gender relationships as you claim, however women are not "pleasure" they are people. They are half of humanity and probably shouldn't be relegated to "the night" after "business" is taken care of...

You CERTAINLY sound like a well educated young person to me...you CERTAINLY sound ready for the modern world you'll one day be living in....

As to egalatarianism being the refuge of those with lowly positions in life..to whom and what are you referring? Thomas Jefferson? Lafayette? The principals embodied in the Constitution of the United States? You HAVE taken American History as well I trust?

What a putz......!!

By Proudpapa (Proudpapa) on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 09:27 pm: Edit

Oh yes, one last point to our little boy whose "thorough" education has led him to the conclusion that artists are "field-frolicking" people who can't make it in the "real world" (whatever that is).... Ironically all the prep schools we've been discussing here think the arts are an integral part of being well educated. I am willing to bet anyone who has taken a studio art course or an art history course would agree they are hard work also....

Er...we CAN agree that not everyone has to join the "real world" and kill people in foreign countries for a living....could we agree that some of the lazy losers could paint, sculpt, write music, make movies, become authors and do other "unreal world"things....huh? could they..come on Rl4..just a few? PLEEEEZZZEEE??? I'd hate to have all these good prep schools wasting all that money on the "arts"......

By Skeewb4287 (Skeewb4287) on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 12:01 am: Edit

Nothing like a child thinking they have the wisdom of an adult. Rl4, you learn knowledge in a classroom. You EARN wisdom, like that of ProudPapa, after decades of life. You are truly a presumptuous, arrogant, and narrowminded person, which I can only hope years of experience will correct.

By Starboard05 (Starboard05) on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 09:41 am: Edit

Proudpapa: I'm only sorry your son is going to Hotchkiss... their gain is Andover's loss

By Proudpapa (Proudpapa) on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 11:21 am: Edit

Dear Skeewb and Starboard,

Thanks for the positive comments. By the way Star., from what I saw of the Andover kids on our two visits, I would say Andover has nothing but big pluses already!

Thanks!
PP

By Intlboarder (Intlboarder) on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 12:03 pm: Edit

Can someone give me advice on St. Mark's School (Massachusetts)?

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 04:51 pm: Edit

Proudpapa-
They say that if you are not a liberal by the time your in college you have no heart, and if you are not a conservative by the time you are 40, you have no brain. I can live without a heart.

You question the way i use egalitarian? i shall elaborate. As you previously stated that "we must all recognize the need for egalitarianism in their outlook," and that we need to "avoid thinking we know where/what is the best," this is the attitude of a someone who is passive, unambitious, and refuses to stand for what they believe. Thomas Jeferson said that all men are created equal, not all OPINIONS ARE equal, surely Thomas Jeferson did not think that the English opinion was as valid as his own.
Im sorry that you have never heard the figure of speech "buisness before pleasure" before and that used metephorically it is hard to adapt to girls and studying. All of your claims against me seem to be backed up by personal attacks on me. That is intelligent.
Now to everyone else-
- Why cannot you all be leaders? Skeewb, you seem to blindly follow proudpapa and his "wisdom," while all that you know of this man is his attacks on me? and starboard, you suck up to proudpapa by assuming you know his son. I would love to call this common courtisy, or but i see it as an attempt to win an argument by committee.
And let it be known, unlike the "putz" comment, i have made no personal attacks on anyone else, i do not throw words at people such as "cynical" or "preposteriously conservative," because i use a tool for my debates called intelligence and persuasion.
p.s. im pro-life and pro death penalty.
p.p.s. i would appreciate refrain from attacks on my president that come WITHOUT EVIDENCE.

By Proudpapa (Proudpapa) on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 06:50 pm: Edit

You consider the following (from your previous vitriolic epistle) to be an example of ""intelligence and persuasion" and NOT a personal attack?:

"While one may want his son to become a field-frolicking "artist", fancy word for "i could not make it in the real world," i would much rather prefer to teach my son core values. What, you might ask again, are these core values? Hard work. something which you put so little value on. Sure one can experience life by slacking off and running in the woods,.."

Now can the rest of us be allowed to get back to discussing education, Prep schools and ANYTHING that doesn't involve your debating tools Rl4?.....

(can't believe I am bothering to answer this guy..its just as a Dad I guess I feel some inate desire to help him.....talk about trying to stem the tide with a sponge....WOWSER!!!)

By Rcambrai (Rcambrai) on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 08:56 pm: Edit

proudpapa:

I agree with you....many parents want their kids to be liberal like them. I have had countless arguments with parents who were convinced that since their kids were going to experience drugs and enjoy free sex, at least they ,the parents, were going to control the how and when.
Teenagers are not like their parents whether in the 60's or today. Our generation was overly politized. Not this generation. We all escape our parents and so will this generation will escape us.....

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 10:19 pm: Edit

I actually enjoy READING these debates, so please don't stop. I also agree with Rl4life. I'm not saying he is right, however I do agree with him. I do not have time for "speckage." Additionally proudpapa, please stop making "attacks" on Bush. This war is not being fought just to kill. There is a purpose. The CIA is not going to tell common citizens such as yourself about what they know. The least you can do is pay some homage to the troops dying so you don't have to walk around with a turban on your head. Is that what you want? Most people don't like death and war, but there comes a time to defend what is right; in some cases war is the only way.

By Justlooking (Justlooking) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 01:27 pm: Edit

dear proudpapa
I just want to say one thing:
GET A JOB
it seems like you are being screwed with, by a 16 year old on his free time in school. How much free time do you have? i hate to do this, but its kind necessary considering i actually wanna read about the PREP SCHOOlS.

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 02:16 pm: Edit

Well said bhs4life! By the way, where are you considering going to school?

By Sphynx (Sphynx) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 03:05 pm: Edit

While I agree with what I know about proudpapa's political views, why he would want to comment on the opinions and values of a bunch of teenagers he doesn't know is beyond my comprehension......

Does anyone know any rumors about the schools? Just what people who live near them say, not necessarily factual.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 09:09 pm: Edit

Rl4life:

The truth is, at this point in time I have no idea. I'm thinking about applying as a day student to Andover next year. Andover truly seems like a magnificent school. Andover is only a little over ten minutes from my house as well. Belmont Hill just didn't appeal to me as much.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 11:00 pm: Edit

Andover is a wonderful place to be. Truly no other school tops it(especially Exeter).
Just as exeter has a sense of pride and spirit, so does Andover. I personally chose Andover because I liked the atmosphere and the people were friendly, unlike Exeter, and yes I did get into exeter and I spent a whole week there. Personally, it is up to the student to choose which school is better for THEM.
I am a student who cannot afford the full tuition of Andover, and on the contrary, there are people here who can afford it and some who cannot. Going to a bigger school, the persay Deerfield, which I got into, was more of the right decision for me, and the dress code thing, and formal dinners.

If you can choose a place that is right for you, then you will succed no matter what, if you try hard enough.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 11:29 pm: Edit

Exeter is for people who dont get into Andover, or who get wait listed and cannot take the pressure. The term safety school is definitely meant for Exeter.


ANDOVER RULES

By Upenn06 (Upenn06) on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 09:18 pm: Edit

ANDOVER AND EXETER are for people who DIDNT get into Deerfield!


DEERFIELD ACADEMY RULES. And, since it only admits 90 kids into the freshman class, it's MUCH MUCH MUCH harder to get into than andover and exeter, both of which accept over 200 into the freshman class.

Deerfield is the greatest school on the face of the earth. check it out if you don't believe me:
http://www.deerfield.edu

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 12:00 am: Edit

Deerfield, my friend, is not the best school in the world, not even the state, I dont even think its the best school in Deerfield. I was accepted into Deerfield and went there for a spring visit, so I guess you know which school is better. The standards for entering Deerfield are much lower than that of Andover, and even Exeter. You say Deerfield only admits 90 kids, how many apply? Andover does indeed admit some where in the ballpark of 200 kids, but I know that at least 2500 people apply, and those are only the applications that are complete, who knows how many kids apply for the 200 spots, I bet you one thing, its way more than those who apply to Deerfield as their safety school. Deerfield was one of mine.

By Upenn06 (Upenn06) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 03:39 pm: Edit

hahahahhahahahaa

okay andover...if it makes you feel better to believe that.

but congrats on getting into d.a...too bad you didnt go.

i can offer you one piece of evidence that d.a. is more highly regarded. you'll notice that on your board of trustees at andover is a guy named Richard Cashin (or dick). They're family friends of ours. Their daughter, Frances, applied to d.a. and andover. But in the end, she chose deerfield over andover because her family knew that deerfield was just a better school. and again this is a girl whose father is a prominent alum and an ANDOVER board member.

jeezus though. i think they're both amazing schools.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 01:07 am: Edit

Or maybe she didnt choose Andover because she's not that smart of a girl. Has her family image been taken into account? If she fails out of Andover because of her grades, wouldnt that be a shame? Not to mention a topic of discussion at the board meetings?

Ill leave you to think about that Upenn06

Andover is and always will be second to none.

ha ha ha wink wink - ANDOVER RULES

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 01:29 am: Edit

Better yet, maybe she is just antisocial and wants to go where her friends are, since you are such a good friend. Or, she wants higher grades, and the way to do that is to go to an inferior school, but gossh, I wonder why she chose Deerfield?

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 01:30 am: Edit

Heaven forfend if anyone have an independent thought and not want to go to the same school where their father has close ties.
DId it ever occur to you that some people don't want to be prejudged?
Perhaps she didn't want special treatment because she was a trustees daughter.
Maybe the boys are cuter at Deerfield.
Probably

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 01:33 am: Edit

maybe she doesnt want to be judged, and maybe she is just shallow, either way, she's going to regret her decision

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 01:34 am: Edit

Larger pool at andover darlin

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 01:17 pm: Edit

Ok, yes we all understand that Andover and Exeter and Deerfield are all fantastic schools. But it is of no use arguing about it unless people can point us to hard evidence, rather than stories about some ONE girl out of hundreds of students that get into these schools. Just my thoughts.

By Lakeboy (Lakeboy) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 02:46 pm: Edit

WOW! Some of you guys are really angry, uptight and self important! At the risk of making those of you I am referring to exhibit MORE of those negative qualities, please let me point out a few obvious things:

1) Anecdotal stories are not only valid (since each person’s school experience is the experience that matters most to them) but quite interesting. I have read the decent, thoughtful comments here from current or prospective students from the various boarding schools and compared them to my own thoughts. This is a useful and fun process.

2) The so-called “facts” are, like everything in this ol’ world of ours, subject to interpretation and not the absolutes some would have us believe. Here’s an example: its true Roxbury places more students in HYP than an other private school in the U.S. (marginally). However, this “fact” is skewed because so many of Roxbury’s students are the children of Harvard Alum, or current faculty, staff or administration- this is due to Roxbury’s location and tradition. Obviously, there is a huge “leg up” for legacy kids... Put another way, if you’re a non-legacy kid going to Roxbury the stats for your chances of getting into Harvard must necessarily be adjusted downward. After this downward “fix”, the “facts” are a lot less impressive.

3) Even if we accept the “facts” at face value- SO WHAT? I have friends at Andover, Choate, Deerfield, Loomis and I attend Exeter. These are awesome schools. Roxbury on its best day, with full sunshine lighting up its drab all male corridors is not comparable to the energy, fun, beauty, diversity, and greatness of these boarding schools. Besides, boarding is a totally different experience to being a day student. So where’s the comparison?

4) There are a LOT of ways to judge a school’s greatness: the students , the facilities, location, the teaching and administration, traditions, athletics, extracurricular opportunities, contacts after graduation, college prep and matriculation, the “tone” of the place, and on and on.

NO one is going to tell me Roxbury is “greater” than Exeter (or Andover or Deerfield, etc.) - it ain’t. It would be one thing to rely on the “mere” anecdotal evidence from one or two correspondents in this forum, but there is supporting evidence in virtually every education, cultural and media avenue one looks down. So get real, there’s a reason that Exeter is so hard to get into (along with its Prestige 7 peers and other great boarding schools)- this place rocks!

I tell ya what, this will be a truly screwed up world if the only thing that matters is an SAT score and whether you get into Harvard. I have been at Exeter for almost two years. Likewise for my friends at the other schools I mentioned above. NONE of us have anything but praise and deep affection for our schools. Sure I would like to go to a great college after Exeter, but I also take seriously becoming a responsible citizen and having and living with personal integrity. My SSATs suggest I will be a very, very high performer on the SAT, but if not, I will still have gone to one of the best prep schools in the world and still need to live a life of respect and decency. If a Rl4 doesn’t find our opinions significant and must rely on his so-called “facts” (myopically selected to try to make his spurious point) as the only acceptable validation of a school, I humbly suggest that he’s neglecting 99% of what a good education and good life experience is all about. But I guess there ARE some people happy being in what THEY define as the top 1%!

By Him2 (Him2) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 05:48 pm: Edit

What about a school called Governor Dummer Academy? It is located in the northeast, and it is the oldest boarding school in the country, founded in 1763. Wouldn't this school rank up with the rest of the elite New England prep schools?

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 09:13 pm: Edit

Him2
What is Governor Dummer Academy?

The answer to your question is NOOOOOOOOOOOO. What counts is the school's reputation of excellence majoring in intelligence, then followed by athletics, and then by the backing of the alums.

Age has a lot to do with the prestige, but it is not everything by far.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 09:16 pm: Edit

rl4life2 Andover is the ultimate private school. Day or boarding, we have both. Ther is no other comparison, except maybe for Exeter, and that school has fallen off over the years. You want hard evidence, come and see for yourself.

By Upenn06 (Upenn06) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 09:17 pm: Edit

dummer academy?? hahhahahhaaa i think the name suits it.

go big green!

By Kaylynn122 (Kaylynn122) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 10:05 pm: Edit

Hey,

I am planning on attending Loomis Chaffee this fall. I noticed in the begining of this topic Loomis was mentioned as one the the "Elite seven" yet hardly anyone has mentioned it since then. How does Loomis Chaffee compare to schools like Hotchkiss and Choate? and how do people come up with these rankings?
Also, I was waitlisted by Andover and Exeter. Should I not get my hopes up or is it pretty common to be offered a spot off the waitlist?

By Lakeboy (Lakeboy) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 10:33 pm: Edit

Hi Kaylynn,

I don't think Loomis is one of the so-called "elite or prestige seven"- those are Andover, Choate, Deerfield Exeter, Hotckiss, Lawrenceville and St. Pauls. However, I do have a very close childhood friend who is a sophmore at Loomis and loves it. He describes it as a place with "big school" feel, coupled with a casual and secure sense of self and place. He loves it. From what I hear, I am sure that if you like a school with great facilities and teachers and cool kids, you'll like it.

As to wait lists: All schools accept more students each year than they have room for. This is because not all students will decide to come to a particular school. The reasons vary from chosing another school (say Hotchkiss over Choate) or because the student's family can't afford the school in light of the financial aid offered or perhaps because the student simply decides he or she doesn't want to go away in the end. For whatever reason only about half the students accepted at the top schools (like the prestige 7) actually enroll. At some schools this yield may be as low as 30-40 percent.

The admissions departments at most schools have this down to a pretty good science. They only have a "wait list" in the event that their yield in a given year is below expectations based on previous years. For instance, if the incoming class at Exeter is about 200 kids, Exeter will offer places to about 400 kids, knowing only about half will come in the end. If only 197 kids decide to accept, then they offer slots to 3 kids off the wait list.

The wait lists are not "ranked" and in theory all students on the wait list will be re-reviewed (not a word!) if the wait list becomes necessary to use. I believe Andover and Exeter each put about 25 or so people on their wait lists each year- but I could be wrong....

I can't speak for Andover, but Exeter's admission people are awesome and you should just call them up and ask them what they imagine your chances are at this point. Considering the April 10th deadline has already passed, when most schools require you notify them of your choice to attend or not and send in a deposit accordingly, I would say your chances aren't too good now. At this point you will only get in if someone who has accepted changes their mind or is disabled, etc.

As a practical matter, you also will have had to send in a deposit of something like $1,000 to Loomis. This is non-refundable and will have to be followed up with a partial tuition payment by around August (or sooner if you your parents set up a monthly payment scheme). In addition, you have made a commitment to attend Loomis and to not do so, because of a last minute offer from Andover or Exeter, is really not right. Your word is your word.

I say, go to Loomis, have a great time and work hard. If you don't like it, reapply to some other school for sophmore entry. I bet you end up loving Loomis.

Hope this helps.

By Lakeboy (Lakeboy) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 10:52 pm: Edit

Opps, didn't answer your question fully- you also inquired about comparisons or "rankings". As you can see from reading this discussion bulletin board there is considerable difference of opinion as to what makes one school "better" than another. To be sure there are some obvious factors, however superficial and ultimately stupid they may be: age (which means that a place simply has had longer to become well known or famous) size (which means that there are more alumni to go out and spread the word or become rich and famous- Obviously in any given year, Exeter puts out twice the number of alumni as Hotchkiss or Deerfield- over time there are simply more of our Alum out there making noise), facilities (each school has almost everything you could ever want, some more than others- Choate has the coolest theater I ever saw designed by IM Pei, whereas Hotchkiss has a new athletic center that blew my mind when we competed there this past Fall, Andover has an art museum that is world class and has Frank Stella's (an alum apparently) and a huge Americana collection, Loomis has a great arts center and a really great squash facilty, etc. etc., ) Endowment (money still talks and means juicy stuff for the students to play with like radio stations, photo labs, nice pianos, etc) Number of teachers with advanced degrees, average graduating SATs, admissions to good colleges, location (do you like urban, suburban, rural?) size (200 for Putney school and 1200 for Northfield Mt. Hermon and everything in between), academic reputation (based on notable teachers, academic projects alumni scholorship, innovative curriculum), size of course and extra curric offerings, famous alumni, and on and on.

I don't know what all this means, but the end result is there is a general sense out there about which schools are "prestigious" and which are less so. I think its a crock of crap myself. I am forever hearing how Andover or Exeter is better or how Hotchkiss is better than Deerfield, or how Choate is cooler than St. Paul's or whatever.

There are differences, some are harder to get into than others, and certainly each has a personality and their own physical characteristics...but here's the REAL truth- according to U.S. News and World Report there are about 15,000,000 high school age students in the US less than 0.5% of them go to boarding schools (i.e. 42,500 or so). If you are one of them you are in a very tiny and lucky group. This is the case whether you are at Loomis or elsewhere. You will get to live with friends and teachers and have a hell of an awesome time and learn a lot and grow up.

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 01:14 am: Edit

I just want to put my two cents in about teaching.
My daughter had a fantastic biology teacher who inspired her to major in biology, at Reed College.
This teacher has won National awards in teaching from the science foundation. She is also an award winning poet having won the Pushcart Prize and published an epic poem on the Shackleton expedition that recieved rave reviews.
She went to Central Washington University, a small regional school which doesn't get much press.

My point is that it isn't the school it is what you learn from it. I don't give a hoot what your endowment is, or what kind of car you get at graduation. Those are bells and whistles.
From hearing from egocentric students are who attend the small number of boarding schools in New England it appears that what they mainly got out of their education is that they feel for it to be worth anything, their particular school has to be declared #1.
That is really sad to me.
That even with your privileged upbringing, you are still fixated on a brand name, without knowing much about it, and assuming that because it is a brand name, it is superior to something that is not as well known.

By Lakeboy (Lakeboy) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 07:31 am: Edit

I agree with you Emeraldkity, that is why I previously wrote: "I don't know what all this means, but the end result is there is a general sense out there about which schools are "prestigious" and which are less so. I think its a crock of crap myself,...." and "....(i.e. 42,500 or so). If you are one of them you are in a very tiny and lucky group. This is the case whether you are at Loomis or elsewhere. You will get to live with friends and teachers and have a hell of an awesome time and learn a lot and grow up. "

However, if you ARE going to boarding school, you have to chose which one (assuming they first choose you) and obviously we are all curious which ones will suit us best, have what we want on different levels, and YES, for some people, which is the most famous or is so-called "best".

Conversely, and also as I already noted, only 0.5% of high school age kids in the U.S. go to boarding school, so obviously 99.5% of the students don't. Equally obvious, in light of this statistic, is the fact that almost everyone who does anything in this country (like the great biology teacher your daughter had) DIDN"T go to prep school and succeeded beautifully.

I guess its just culturally usual to compare "my school, to your school" and endlessly debate whether Jordan was better in his heyday than Kobe is now, etc. etc. (he WAS!). I just don't think everyone here is a snob, fixated on brand names or the product of a "priveleged upbringing". About 30% or more of the kids at most of these school are on nearly full financial aid- there is a huge socio-economic background at the "7" and most of the other good schools......

Incidentially, you mentioned the epic poem about Ernest Shackleton that your daughter's teacher wrote. Coincidentially my friend who goes to Hotchkiss went to Antartica a year and a half ago by ship (owned by Forrest Mars, a Hotchkiss alum and member of the Mars candy family) with other Hotchkiss students to retrace Shackleton's steps and do some biology fieldwork. He is a scholarship student. THESE are the kind of wonderful opportunities that can only be had at Hotchkiss and its peers. Many public schools are great, but the best private schools offer chances that truly are unique and beyond compare. I am becoming educated here at Exeter and, I certainly hope, NOT a snob or ungrateful in any way........

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 11:23 am: Edit

I agree that often times private schools offer a great deal beyond what publically funded schools can afford to. Especially with all this "no child left behind" crap when they are violently cutting education budgets, schools are definitely getting mixed messages.

An aside the Shackelton journey is certainly fascinating, besides "What the Ice Gets", my book group read several other books written by members of the party. WOW
I think its great your friend got to go to Antartica what an opportunity, but warmth wise, I think I prefer the Hawaii biology trip that my public school 8th grade will be going on this fall
( we have friends whose kids go to Hotchkiss, the oldest originally went to Andover his father alma mater then transferred- so knowing them I think pretty highly of Hotchkiss)

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 01:19 pm: Edit

I would lke to reply to Emeraldkity4, we are not snobs, especially myself, my parents dont make enough money for me to be considered anywhere near the snob status. I would also like to point out that there is this misconception of boarding school students as being snobs, most of the rich kids at my school are not snobs. Secondly,I really think that none of these statements can be taken to heart, especially the ones involving the integrity of the afore mentioned boarding schools. Each statement made is a testament of the school spirit for that writer.

By Intlboarder (Intlboarder) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 05:15 am: Edit

To: Lakeboy

I always wonder how someone can attain high scores (over 90th percentile) in SSAT/SAT. Can you share your techniques?

By Starboard05 (Starboard05) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 01:33 pm: Edit

andover05, are you entering as a new lower?

By Olive_Oil (Olive_Oil) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 05:47 pm: Edit

To Intlboarder:

To prepare for the SSAT, I did several practice tests. I went over the questions I got wrong, and looked at why I got them wrong. Also, I hadn't covered some of the math concepts yet in school, so I focused on learning those. As for the verbal section, I have always read a lot, so it wasn't too difficult.

Probably the most valuable part for me was just learning basic test-taking strategies (when to guess, when to leave the answer blank, etc.)

In my opinion, the SSAT is very similar to the SAT, but easier. Many of the strategies in the section of this discussion board about SAT prep can be used for the SSAT.

I hope this helps a little, although I'm not sure to what extent prepping can help for this test. Feel free to ask me any other questions. Good luck!!!

(BTW-- My scores: 99th overall, 99th math, 98th reading comp, 97th verbal)

By Towncommon (Towncommon) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 06:15 pm: Edit

I came across this thread yesterday in a search, and have a perspective on all this. My two sons went to a private 1-9 school, and then to Choate; most of their friends went to 'top' prep schools so we know kids' and parents' views on almost all the NE schools.

First, as to ranking:

Here's a list of boarding schools' median SSAT's as pulled off a foreign web site. I don't vouch for the accuracy. This list omits non-boarding schools like Roxbury Latin and Brearley (both of which are also single-sex, and not 9-12)

90 % Milton Academy Milton, Massachusetts
89 % Groton School Groton, Massachusetts
88 % St. Alvans School Washington D.C
88 % Phillips Exeter Academy Exeter, New Hampshire
84 % Phillips Andover Academy Andover, Massachusetts
82 % Saint Andrew's School Middletown,Delaware
82 % Cate School Carpinteria, California
81 % Midland School Los Olivos, California
80 % Hotchkiss School Lakeville, Connecticut
80 % Concord Academy Concord, Massachusetts
80 % Choate Rosemary Hall Wallingford, Connecticut
80 % Deerfield Academy Deerfield, Massachusetts
78 % Taft School Watertown, Connecticut
75 % Loomis Chaffee School Windsor, Connecticut
75 % Thacher School Ojai, California
74 % Middlesex School Concord, Massachusetts
74 % Noble and Greenough School Dedham, Massachusetts
73 % Western Reserve Academy Hudson, Ohio
72 % Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville, New Jersey
72 % Georgetown Preparatory School North Bethesda, Maryland
70 % Santa Catalina School (Girls) Monterey, California
65 % Episcopal High School ,Virginia
63 % Woodberry Forest School Woodberry Forest, Virginia
62 % Promfret School Promfret, Connecticut
61 % Millbrook School Millbrook, New York
60 % Emma Willard School Troy, New York
60 % Annie Wright School Tacoma, Washington
60 % Westtown School Westtown, Pennsylvania
60 % Kent School ,Connecticut
60 % Hun School of Princeton Princeton, New Jersey
60 % Brooks School North Andover, Massachusetts
60 % Lake Forest Academy Lake Forest, Illinois

This says nothing about the quality of the school per se, other than to say something about the composition of the student body -- as with colleges, some schools are inexplicably trendy, geography matters, some schools have a "name brand" etc. -- and it omits some schools that are surely in this range (e.g. St. Paul's, St. Mark's). Perhaps they do not reveal SSAT medians.

Now as to choosing a school:

The list above only describes difficulty in getting in, not quality of the school and match to a student. You need to have some realism about not applying to Milton if you have a B average, a middling SSAT score, and aren't a varsity-candidate athlete, but that's about the only use of the rankings. Some schools are small (300), some are 4 times that size. Small schools usually have an expectation of athletics -- they can't fill their teams unless almost everyone plays an interscholastic sport almost every term. And they will have a more limited range of classes -- my older son chose Choate in part because he wanted to take Italian. But there are obvious benefits in smallness -- I doubt the headmaster at Choate ever knew either of my sons by name (unless it was because they were in trouble a lot...) and that wouldn't happen at a Groton.

Some schools are artsy and 'modern' like Concord Academy, others more traditional, like Deerfield and Middlesex. Some have few commuters, some have a lot. Some take advantage of an urban or near-urban location; some are idyllic and rural. You ought not to choose a prep school on prestige, or how many kids get into HYP (that may be telling you only how many parents went to HYP), but on programs and on the "feel" of the school.

My personal experience is that Choate was a very good choice for my older son. After some rocky times academically (which he brought on himself) he found his stride. He was on a team that won a national academic championship, played JV sports and warmed the bench on a varsity team, lived within a door or two of people ranging from a Saudi prince to the son of a black immigrant janitor from Queens. He's now a freshman at a small college, doing well because he acquired (finally!) reasonably good study habits and an intellectual turn of mind, neither of which he had when he started Choate.

So Choate's great, right? Well, it was a disaster for my second son, who dropped out after a year and a half, clinically depressed, socially isolated, and not taking good care of his medical problems, which require daily attention. In retrospect we shouldn't have sent him, but Choate didn't do him any favors either -- he fell through the cracks and no one really reached out to try to help him. He's in public school now, but though it's one of the best in Massachusetts by test scores and such, there's no comparison to Choate in terms of the quality of the teachers, the size of the classes, the breadth of the offerings, or the diversity of the student body (real intellectual diversity, much harder to find than mere ethnic or economic diversity).

And I could repeat this with many examples from my friends -- child A hated Andover, child B loved St. Paul's, but the child who hated Andover seems to have gotten a better real education than the child who loved St. Paul's, so where does that leave you? I know kids who found Exeter wonderful, and kids who dropped out depressed; I know a kid who dropped out of Groton where he was making A's, and went back to public school, because he couldn't be with his old friends (and now regrets it). And so on...

The old saying is "horses for courses." Some kids don't belong at any boarding school. For any given boarding school X, some kids don't belong there, but do at Y. And of those who do "belong" and go, some won't do well (the wrong roommates, drugs or alcohol or sex, "too much fun," or whatever). But there's a world of opportunity at all the good schools -- they're spending three or four times as much money per student as any public school, and it does make a difference.

I can tell you from experience though that the higher you go along the intellectual ladder, and the farther you go through life, the less anyone gives a damn about what degree you have or where you got it. "Tell me what you know!" said Emerson. High school, and college, are means to an end, not ends in themselves as many parents seem to think. Intellectual curiosity is a fire that, once kindled, keeps itself lit; some kids don't need a prep school, or almost any school, for that.

I've always agreed with Gibbon's observation that "the power of instruction is seldom of much efficacy except in those happy dispositions where it is almost superfluous," but my family has spent a lot of money on private schools because of the "seldom" and "almost" in that aphorism.

In the end, students, your determination to become truly educated, if and when that arrives for you, will be vastly more important than where you have gone to high school or college.

Aristotle said that a boy, like an ox, cannot be happy, because he lacks the capability to perform well-thought-through virtuous actions, and virtuous action constitutes true happiness. That's why we should send children to school, to move towards being able to think soundly, and act well and do well as a result. By no means all my contemporaries at Yale (GWB for one...) or the Harvard undergraduates I later taught were certain to reach that goal, despite their abilities, and some kids who go to Dogpatch High and Roads U. do reach it. And that's life.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 02:40 am: Edit

starboard, I already attend Phillips Academy and it is my second year.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 02:43 am: Edit

And to towncommon, maybe you should check the median ssat scores one more time, just a thought.

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 01:01 pm: Edit

Lakeboy, think before you speak. First off, i did NOT in any way compare my school (Roxbury LATIN) to any of the schools when i made that benign comment. However your facts are mistinterpreted when it comes to the reasons my school gets students into good schools.
First off, you cannot say that the reason we have such good HYP statistics are because we have so many alumni's children. Because being a legacy is not that big of a leg up. If Harvard admitted all of the students that had letters from trustees, and alumni, and former faculty or anyone else from the school (23% of its applicants) they would have to admit almost double the amount of students they admit normally.
Second, how can you say my school on its best day cannot compare to these other boarding schools? Have you ever been to my school?
And why does everyone think that the only statistic that we care about in my school is the median SAT scores? Just because we have the highest? There IS a value to some statistics. However do not assume that i am ONLY obsessed with SATs.

By Dwayne_Hoover (Dwayne_Hoover) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 09:32 pm: Edit

GO GREEN !! CONCORD!!! --my brother is a senior there, i'm in 8th grade, but i'll be attending there next fall. He went to stanford.

By Dwayne_Hoover (Dwayne_Hoover) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 09:32 pm: Edit

GO GREEN !! CONCORD!!! --my brother is a senior there, i'm in 8th grade, but i'll be attending there next fall. He went to stanford.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 01:30 am: Edit

Towncommon, average andover student ssat score is 93, as in they scored in the 93 percentile.

By Pinkflamingo (Pinkflamingo) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 07:33 pm: Edit

Groton has to have been the best school for me. I was accepted to Groton, Andover, Exeter, Deerfield, Middlesex, and Hotchkiss and I felt that Groton was the most warm and welcoming. Although it is smaller than most of those HUGE schools I felt that it offerd the same academic and extracurricular opportunties. I also made a lot of friend that will last for the rest of my life. At Groton you only have about 70 kids in your form (grade) so you get to know 70 kids from all places, races, and backgrounds. Also Groton emphasizes form unity and cooperation; as in third andd second form (9th and 8th grades) you live in a dorm with all your other formates in a long hall with cubicles...which is a weird experience at first but you get to love all the pranks that you can pull against your cube mates in the middle of the night. Also I would have to say that in addition to having the highest SAT scores and one of the highest endowments per capita (190 MM for about 320 kids) Groton has the best traditions that many of these other boarding schools have lost in recent years, i.e. chapel every morning, church on Sundays, sit-down dinners, parlor at the headmaster's house, shaking hands with your dormheads and prefects everynight before going to bed, the Festival of Lights, the festival of Nine lessons annd Carols...etc. So as far as tradition goes Groton has to be the best. Also for that kid who wanted to know about St. Marks I have a friend who goes there and it's a wonderful annd beautiful institution, but all those stone winged lion statues creeped the crap out of me. However St. mark's used to be a lot better back in the day but is kind of fading these days. It's a good school for good kids who aren't neccessarily the brightest in the world.

By Javier (Javier) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 03:04 am: Edit

Hi everyone,

Sorry for this semi-promotional post, but I think this should be highly relevant to people's discussions. Some boarding school friends and I are starting a new site called Boarding School Review:

http://www.boardingschoolreview.com

Two of the things the site does is try to make it easier to compare data between schools, and also for alumni/students of these schools to share their views with the public and prospective students. You'll see that a lot of the issues discussed in this thread are covered either by the student reviews or the school profiles.

The site is still growing (in terms of schools listed and functionality) but it would be great to get anyone's feedback on it. Also, if anyone is a student or alumni (or knows of a student or alumni) from any US boarding school, we're currently offering $7 for people to fill-out a thoughtful review of their school. Thanks everyone.

- Javier

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 07:42 pm: Edit

rl: What were your SSAT scores?

By Thoridan (Thoridan) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 08:38 pm: Edit

Hello everyone. I am hoping someone here has the knowledge (and the time) to help me. I am in the initial stages of searching for an east coast boarding school for my son. I've received information from about 20 individual schools, picked up Peterson's huge tome, and researched the schools using other sources. While I plan to visit many of the schools, I am aware that historically each school has certain specialties, certain reputations gained throughout the years. I'm looking for the skinny on these schools, for what you can't find in books or by a campus tour -- like is 'this' school a bastion of Republicanism, is 'that' school classically liberal, or is 'this' school known as a feeder to certain colleges. To narrow it down, I'm researching Andover, Exeter, Lawrenceville, Groton, Deerfield, Kent, Loomis, St. Paul's, and Choate. Thanks for any help you guys (and ladies) can offer.

By Pinkflamingo (Pinkflamingo) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 09:14 pm: Edit

Dear Thoridan,
Andover: Large, extremely liberal and diverse, awesome academics, awesome facilities, but like going to college four years early with a sink or swim mentality (the student body president commited suicide a couple years ago), however it has quite a reputation and history but it was a joke amongst many more traditional schools that the andover dresscode required you to have purple hair and a nose ring.
Exeter: A LOT like Andover except a little more traditional with an uglier campus and a weird modern seven storey library in the middle of town.
Lawrenceville: Good New Jersey school with a good reputation.
Groton: I'm biased... but a good traditional small school with awesome adademics and extremely bright kids. Beautiful campus with a large religious influence. Fairly diverse group of kids, but tends to be thought of as snobbier and richer than many other schools (hense snotty grotties).
Deerfield: Amazing campus and beautiful location, can be compared to Andover and Exeter but way more conservative.
St. Pauls: Probably the second most reliigious school after Groton, smart group of kids, relatively conservative, I thought it had a crummy campus and location though.
Don't know much about Kent, Loomis, or Choate. Good luck in the search and happy hunting!

By Elgordo (Elgordo) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 05:01 am: Edit

Hi Thoridan,
Here are my impressions of these schools based on our search last year. These are only my opinions.
St. Paul's: Good academically but has lost ground due to headmaster problems in the 1990's and drug problems last year. Smaller size allows for easier access to sports teams.
Andover: Large student population is not helped by "lottery" to choose housing after 9th grade. Over 40 percent of the student body is from Mass. Great choice in curriculum. Boston easily accessible (good and bad).
Groton: Desperate for diversity. Good academics but little curriculum flexibility compared to Andover or Exeter. May be boring for a very bright, curious kid after a couple of years.
Choate: Easy access to NYC for weekends. Very arty. Kids love to criticize Exeter and Andover (probably didn't get in).
Exeter: Excellent math department. Students stay in same dorm for 4 years. Very academic. Exeter kids did not criticize any other school during our visit. Probably 10 percent of the class are "off the charts" in terms of intelligence.
Deerfield: Students are very loyal to school. Conservative and traditional. Has raised academic standards in recent years.
Don't know Loomis, Lawrenceville or Kent.

My advice is to visit the schools and go with what feels right for the student. All are excellent schools and your son would receive an excellent education at any of these schools.
Avoid the HYP trap. Lots of kids from these schools go to HYP. Lots of legacies, and lots of the names on the buildings at these schools are the same names on HYP buildings. So take ivy acceptance percentages with a grain of salt.
Good luck!

By Beanoctco (Beanoctco) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 07:31 am: Edit

I would actually like to counter and add on to Elgordo's opinions.
-Choate: Nice campus with IM Pei designed buildings and Georgian style architecture. This is school does have a strong arts department but they also have a good science curriculum. Choate is known to be a very academic school. Many people compare the academics of Choate to Andover and Exeter. This year's class at Choate had 22 National Merit Semi-finalists and 19 finalists. Deerfield had 6 and I think Hotchkiss had around 9. Choate is also a pretty liberal school and is proud of being diverse.
-Loomis: A boarding school but with a large day student popoulation. Nice campus, from what I hear, but academics reputation not too high. Good athletics. I think.

By Thoridan (Thoridan) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 07:48 am: Edit

Dear Pinkflamingo, Elgordo, and Beanoctco,
Hi, just wanted to thank you for responding so quickly and thoroughly -- this is exactly the type of information I am looking for! As I said, we have plans to visit every school -- I just hope he and I are empathic enough to get an accurate feel for what each school is "about". I know at this point it's like trying to pick between apple pie, chocolate cake, and crispy creme donuts (all are different, yet all are delicious and fattening), but I may as well try to choose the best fit!! Thanks again, and to anyone who may follow.

By Elgordo (Elgordo) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 07:59 am: Edit

Hello all,
I accept the additional info about Choate. Choate is also large enough to have a great number of different courses and variety in the student body.
BTW, I was in Manchester NH airport last winter on business when the kids were coming back to school from Thanksgiving. The St.Paul's students were being met at the airport luggage collection area by a teacher (with a facebook so she could identify the students)and several large boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts. The Exeter kids were on their own.

By Flkid (Flkid) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 03:15 pm: Edit

The Lawrenceville campus is gorgeous (compared to Exeter)- all 700 acres of it. Harkness tables, and state of the art technology (smartboards etc) in classrooms. Folks there were friendly and made special efforts to make you feel welcome.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 01:44 am: Edit

I have said it before, and will say it again, Andover is a wonderful place to be. Yes the school is found to be very liberal, and with regaurds to the lottery statement, ninth graders only have to enter the lottery if they want to move from cluster to cluster, and even then, they are awarded priority after the squatters (people who lived in the cluster the previous year). There is a very strong curriculum which can be overwhelming at times, but is often for the best. Oh, and not everyone who goes here has parents that are billionaires with their own oil companies. There is a very diverse student body, in terms of socioeconomic diverstiy and ethnical backgrounds, overall, excellent school. Oh one more thing, most of the big "7" have ties to ivy league and baby ivy colleges.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 06:08 pm: Edit

Thanks again Andover.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 11:31 pm: Edit

any time bhs4life my pleasure

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 09:51 am: Edit

Well bhs4life, i took the ISEEs because i came in in 7th grade, however i took the SSATs just to see where i stacked up, and my scores were:
99% in Math (both sections)
95% in English
and 85% in Reading Comprehension (my weak link).
I am not a big fan of sharing scores but the SSATs have absolutely no bearing on me now. I think i was lucky and recieved one of the easier tests relative to the others.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 06:14 pm: Edit

Those a very good scores. I was just wondering becuase, I know how smart one has to be in order to gain admission to Roxbury Latin. I also know of many students, that of which were number one in their class who did not get in.

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 12:53 pm: Edit

Thank You bhs4life

By Cushingsucks (Cushingsucks) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 11:58 pm: Edit

I would just like to say that Cushing Academy is a joke. Whoever is reading this, it is the worst school ever.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 09:43 pm: Edit

ooooooh I detect resentment from rejection. Or maybe you went there and got kicked out.

By Cushingsucks (Cushingsucks) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 10:25 pm: Edit

actually, unfortunately i go there. I could have gone to better schools, but for some reason i chose to go to cushing and be one of the 3 smartest kids in my class. I'd also smoke anyone in your school at hockey.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 11:55 pm: Edit

you probrably would, but then again, no one at my school has to live with regret for going to a school that they dont like. Also business and law produce much more income than even the best hockey player, the best hockey player wouldnt even make a tenth of what the best lawyer would make, in a year of course. As for choosing cushing because you wanted to be one of the best in your class, I hate to admit it but people like you are the reason that there are so many stereotypes about prep school kids, and how they are sheltered from reality. That prep school kids only do something because they are good at it, or because they think that they will come out on top, or as my father says, they dont want to work for anything. I sincerely hope that it gets better than that for you, but as for now, I am going to strive for what I want, even if I cant get it. Call me when you need someone to do your taxes.

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 03:01 pm: Edit

Hey, wait a minute, it seems like Cushingsucks HATES his school (hence the name). We should lend him some credit. And i have a hard time believing that you are on varsity hockey at Cushing and #3 in your class, considering (and this is a VERY true stereotype considering i myself am a good hockey player) that no good hockey player is smart! Face it, hockey players are naturally dumb kids! So there has got to be a lie in your statement. But why specifically do you hate Cushing?

By Blane1086 (Blane1086) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 08:23 pm: Edit

Hey I was wondering if it is harder to get into a prestigious boarding school (specifically Andover) if one applies as a senior. I really wish I could have gone earlier, but money issues arose. Also, if both my parents are doctors (household income maybe $230,000) but our family has a lot of other expenses, such as tuition for siblings, and loans, etc..., could I still get some financial aid? Thanks.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 01:24 am: Edit

Naturally it is harder to get in when you apply so late, 80 percent of the admits are freshmen or juniors (our name for freshmen), but if you have really good credentials you could get in as a senior. They look at everything on the financial aid application, so even though your parents make money, they have a lot of expenses, and that will be taken into account. Im on financial aid but my mom makes about 200 grand a year, but we have a lot of expenses. All of the financial aid is need based.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 06:31 pm: Edit

Rl4life...I truly hope you were just being sarcastic with that last remark. I too, am a hockey player; currently I am in the top ten in my class.
-(and this is a VERY true stereotype considering i myself am a good hockey player) that no good hockey player is smart! Face it, hockey players are naturally dumb kids!
-additionally, last year, when I was in the 8th grade the number one student in the whole school played for the jr. Middlesex Islanders. And for anyone that follows hockey, they were ranked number one in the whole world after defeating every team in the Canadian tournament. (top teams from all over the world). He was the captain as well. Now he is currently a freshmen at ANDOVER and playing first line on the varsity.
-rl...Im sure you were just joking but that is for anyone that considers hockey players to be dumb.

By Cushingsucks (Cushingsucks) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 06:59 pm: Edit

I hate Cushing because we have rules that are rediculous in nature. We have a two hour study hall every night from 8-10. We are not allowed to have members of the opposite sex in our rooms, except for once every two weeks on a specific night for two hours. As a result of the dorms being outdated, the rooms are small, have heaters that make a lot of noise in the winter, and blinds that are so worn that they are now useless. Many teachers are right out of college and have yet to figure out how to teach. As for all hockey players being dumb, I have already gotten interest from Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, among others, to play hockey for them. Once again, I will reiterate my original point: the fact that cushing is a joke to those who would like to get a real education.

By Pinkflamingo (Pinkflamingo) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 07:27 pm: Edit

Actually, Cushing isn't too hot, but you guys are pretty good at hockey. However the scariest sounding boarding school has to be Miss Porter's. I've heard so many scary stories about rampant lesbian peer pressure in the dorms from graduates and people who go there now... be glad you're not there cushingsucks...

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 11:31 pm: Edit

OF course i was joking, yes there ARE smart hockey players, but by contrast (and you should know this bhs4life considering you reside in the boston area) that the hockey players in MA are not always the brightest bulbs in the box.
And yes i agree with you cushingsucks about the rooms. I stayed there for the satelite camp, and it was horrendous.

By Tuannguyen (Tuannguyen) on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 12:04 am: Edit

"And for anyone that follows hockey, they were ranked number one in the whole world after defeating every team in the Canadian tournament"

What Canadian hockey league did they beat every team in? It's impossible to beat "every team" in every Canadian tournament.

And there are some smart hockey players... some... But in general, any good player practices 4 hours atleast after school and thus takes time away from studying... Unless you're a genius (the kind that can memorize anything in the shortest amount of time with the smallest amount of effort, while having killer analyzing/reasoning skills to boot), it'll be hard for anyone to keep their marks up while on the hockey team. Although there are a lot of smart Hockey players out there, you can't say they get the same marks as everyone else, since Hockey does take up a lot of time, if you want to be a pro someday that is (marks don't really say how smart you are i guess, but how well you do, so if you're bothered by the word smart, then just replace it with "performing well academically").

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 03:38 pm: Edit

Well said Tuannguyen

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Saturday, May 17, 2003 - 12:05 am: Edit

-Tuanguyen... I didn't say that they played in a Canadian hockey league. That my friend, is why I did not and will not answer your question:"What Canadian hockey league did they beat every team in?".

-Additionally Tuanguyen, please forgive me for my lack of "speckage." I was in a rush therefore I did not specify the exact name of the tournament, that of which I cannot tell you at this juncture.

-Furthermore Tuanguyen,"It's impossible to beat "every team" in every Canadian tournament." read my post just one more time and use the common sense god gave you to understand that I meant every team in which the Islanders PLAYED AGAINST. I also hinted the teams were the top teams around the world (in their age-group of course.)

-Once again for anyone that follows hockey... In fact, this was in the newspaper.

By Dwayne_Hoover (Dwayne_Hoover) on Saturday, May 17, 2003 - 08:20 pm: Edit

Wow you guys are really stuck up--I go to a new england prep school--they're all the same really--what ever one is best for you.

Upenn06--you're a real jerk, Governor Dummer is a fine school, just cool it ok, and learn to tone down your superiority complex.

Thanks

By Uppereastguy (Uppereastguy) on Saturday, May 17, 2003 - 09:59 pm: Edit

Hi! Can anyone please tell me about collegiate? Is it better than a boarding school? Just moved to NY!

By Tuannguyen (Tuannguyen) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 02:20 am: Edit

"And for anyone that follows hockey, they were ranked number one in the whole world after defeating every team in the Canadian tournament"

Um, tournaments include teams from leagues. Like the AAA or the AA or the NCAA. They are all of TOTALLY different skill levels. THAT was what i meant by leagues. Even if you beat the best from the AA, you didn't beat the best teams in Canada. Even if you beat the AAA you didn't beat the best teams in Canada. Some tournaments have qualifications such as "you have to be part of a so and so league team for so and so years before you can enter the tournament". What are you? Stupid? What kind of an "elite" tournament would just let EVERYONE enter without any qualifications? If there was such a tournament, they would need years and years for the tournament to finish as there would be too many teams.

And yeah, a "Canadian" tournament is a VERY vague term. You coming from a so called "elite" school, should know that it is vague. So what is the problem with asking what league? What. Did you feel threatened by my question? Were you in fear that i might have picked at a lie of yours? That there was no tournament or valedictorian who was a hockey player?

And you're telling me to use common sense. OMG, maybe i should have translated "every team in the Canadian tournament" as just some of the teams in the Canadian tournament. I understand that it was probably just one competition, but you clearly said "every team". RIGHT THERE. I don't know you well enough to judge you, and thus you should not judge me. Doesn't your "elite" education teach you this? Do you know how to read? Or did you get your grandma to type that out for you?

And why aren't you attacking any of my REAL points against you? Was i too right for you to reply to in a polite manner, or your mother didn't teach you that as well? You seriously need to learn how to think a little bit more and analyze what comes out of your fricken side of the computer before you press "post". It helps.

Fricken ignorant •••••• trying to blame me for his posting mistakes (even if your mistakes were due to a little exaggeration, it is still your fault and you shouldn't be trying to lay the fault on me. IT was clearly your problem for wording it wrong).

And my points on how a REAL hockey player would have to practice ATLEAST 4 hours a day is RIGHT. World class EVERYTHING train more then 4 hours. And Canada, one of the world's, if not the world's, greatest producer of hockey players, would have a heck of a lot of people practicing 4 hours a day. I know this! No one who plays 4 or more hours of hockey can EASILY be any school's valedicatorian (unless he's the next Einstein, or the school really sucks). If you haven't played hockey before, i want to tell you that it is exhausting, thus effects your concentration on your studies as well as taking time away from them.

By Tuannguyen (Tuannguyen) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 02:26 am: Edit

Uppereastguy,

I would REALLY consider going there. Keep it on your list. From what some family members say, it is a GREAT GREAT GREAT school that offers many educational opportunities.

A few of my cousins went there and love it. But i heard boarding schools are more fun though, since you'll probably create friendships that'll last for a lifetime. But remember, it does bring you away from your family, and you might get homesick.

But that's from what i hear...

By Tuannguyen (Tuannguyen) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 02:34 am: Edit

Hmmm, Bhs4life;

I'm actually going to appologize for what i said. Why? Because i guess it's obvious that you're, at max, 14 years old (although there are a lot of mature 14 year olds out there, don't get me wrong). Why do i say this? You attack someone PERSONALLY when they reply HONESTLY to your post. You could have just answered. I knew fully well what you said, but to NOT get you wrong, i had to post and ask you ACCORDING to what YOU said, not what i THINK you said. In any regular english or social studies class, you should have learned how dangerous it is to "assume" anything about, well, anything. But you seem to not know this, and even encourage it.

So i guess, in this respect, i was in the wrong for even posting, and replying to YOU. I should have known better then to reply to a 14 year old or so over the internet.

But what i said was only in respect to what YOU said, assumptions are bad, and you will surely learn that it is (soon i might add).

So for that, i appologize. But if you find any personal satisfaction in this, everyone here would know why you're not even close to being a worthy poster or anything. Because i was right about you. You're just a fool who thinks we all share one brain, that we all should start twisting the words of another instead of trying to understand them HONESTLY from what THEY said, and not understand them in any other way (especially not by assuming) but in the way they should have been.

*and you should notice facial expression, body language, and tonal expressions are void in postings (unless you're a great writer, these qualities usually don't show in your writing). And thus makes it hard for anyone to see if anything is sarcastic, over-exaggerated, or under-emphasized.

By Tuannguyen (Tuannguyen) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 03:35 am: Edit

Alright, i just took a shower, and re-read what i posted.

I was being a little rough...

But seriously man. "The Canadian Tournament" has a different meaning then "A Canadian Tournament". You used the term "The Canadian Tournament", which makes it seem like your "islanders" played in some huge Canadian tournament which included every team of every junior league in all of Canada (i don't think such a tournament exists in Canada, if you have enough skill you would move on to a certain level... if you're on AA you would move onto AAA etc...).

I think that's what irritated me... Diction (when you've come back from work on one of the two only days you're free from HW, everything pisses you off).

So i am HONESTLY saying sorry for being so... uh... ferocious i guess.

By Uppereastguy (Uppereastguy) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 08:16 am: Edit

Tuannguyen

Thanks for the info. I'm planning to apply to Exeter and Choate also. I agree with the missing my family thing, but I also love to experience a little independence. :-)

By Belmont (Belmont) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 09:08 am: Edit

Anyone going to Berkshire?

By Stanfordhopeful (Stanfordhopeful) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 09:26 am: Edit

Its really funny seeing your private school pricks fight over which school is better.

"NO! My ••••• is bigger than your ••••• and my daddy can beat up your daddy!"

Sad.


Oh and the only schools with genuinely SMART students are Stuyvesant HS, Thomas Jefferson and the like.

By Motherlooking (Motherlooking) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 10:52 am: Edit

does anyone know anything about Norte Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass??

By Dwayne_Hoover (Dwayne_Hoover) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 10:58 am: Edit

Stanfordhopeful, I agree about those public schools, but I would wager my money that a new england prep school is an all around better preparatory experience than TJHS. I go to a prep school, please dont get a bad image from these kids--these are the kids that no one likes at high school.

There are genuinely talented and very intelligent people there, everyonce in a while you get the arrogant, daddy's little brat like upenn06.

By Stanfordhopeful (Stanfordhopeful) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 12:30 pm: Edit

Maybe better than TJHS... but not better than Stuyvesant. They actually have a pretty good Humanities program.

Oh and don't worry, a lot of my friends go to private schools, while some are pricks others are not. Its just that this thread berates me so.

How in their conscious minds can they let this tripe go on for 279 replies? And these are the people that go to IVY Leagues? Pitiful.

By Paprep33 (Paprep33) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 12:59 pm: Edit

How does the Hill School in Pottstown, PA compare to schools like lawrenceville, hotchkiss, choate, etc...

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 07:06 pm: Edit

wow stanfordhopeful... what a paradox, "Its really funny seeing your private school pricks fight over which school is better... . sad." Its quite funny how you then write, "Oh and the only schools with genuinely SMART students are Stuyvesant HS, Thomas Jefferson and the like."

-Now who is the prick...

By Stanfordhopeful (Stanfordhopeful) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 07:11 pm: Edit

Its the truth and you know it.

How many math team champions or INTEL Talent Search semi-finalists do we get from these prep schools?

Thats right.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 07:51 pm: Edit

That's not the point, you still did exactly what you accused everyone else of. You think you know the so called "truth," but come on; that's the same thing as saying, "Andover is better, it's the truth."

-Now how does your what you said today differ from the problem you had with everyone earlier?

-And don't ASSUME I know the truth...that would be bad.

By Stanfordhopeful (Stanfordhopeful) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 08:03 pm: Edit

OK, I admit what I said was a little brash. I apologize if I offended anyone, it was not my intention to do so. But this thread angers me to no end: I am simply unable to comprehend how individuals who pride themselves on their/their school's academic achievements and will be attending presitigious universities can indulge in such a pissing contest. Honestly, have you read this thread? Some of the arguments here are beyond belief!

Oh and I stand by my statement that Stuyvesant and Thomas Jefferson have consistently pushed academic boundaries and have several notable achievements to show for it.

Why is it that I never hear of any achievements from these schools seeing as how the quality of education here is supposedly better?

By Proudpapa (Proudpapa) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 03:53 pm: Edit

Dear Stanfordhopeful et al,

I wrote to this forum quite a while back and suggested that there were many ways to evaluate the quality of a school and its potential impact on a student's life. My own opinion is that its very hard to objectively determine one school's superiority over another if the major criterion is how well that school suits a particular student and his/her needs, talents, desire, etc.

I periodically have visited this thread and noted that many contributors insist on naming their school as the best and someone else's as inferior. In your case Stanfordhopeful, you go so far as to label and entire class of schools (NE preps) as overrated.

I can only say what my own experience was many years ago at a famous NE prep and what I hope my son's will be when he attends Hotchkiss next year. Great and greater! Private schools offer small classes, dedicated teachers, idyllic setting with superb facilities, huge course offerings and extracurricular opportunities and profound, lifelong friendships forged from living and working with teachers and peers around the clock.

Contrary to the view that few high achievers have come from the ranks of the NE preps, quite the opposite is true. VERY few students are lucky enough to go to a first rate boarding school- perhaps a half of a percent of all high school students. Nevertheless, some of the most famous, successful and interesting people have gone to these preps.

The simple fact is that while many great public high schools have gifted students and teachers and great offerings, a prep education is not just about the classroom. Its about shaping the whole person. Read the mission statements of Hotchkiss or Andover or Deerfield for instance and note the emphasis placed on development of the whole person- social, mental, spiritual, athletic. I suggest to you that this type of classically modeled education reaches a deeper part of a young person's being than mere quality classroom time can ever emulate......

Finally, I refer you to the following:

www.wra.net/news/usncover.html

this is an article reprinted from US News and World Reports. It not only speaks to the reputation and quality of the NE preps, but also to the issue of growing the "whole" person.

Also,for laughs, here's a site that mentions a FEW of the many famous prep grads.

www.celebrityprepschools.com

Also many of the schools' own sites mention famous or important alumni and their contributions to society at large.

Finally, I WISH that public education was as good generally as private education. Not withstanding the handful of wonderful public, schools like Stuy and TJ , the majority of our schools are dreadful. Maybe some of you bright high school kids will fix this when you are adults. Edited by admin. No politics, please. College-related comments only.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 08:11 pm: Edit

-proudpapa, I agree with what you wrote about New England Prep Schools. However, why do you always insist on criticizing our President. You just can't help it can you?

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 10:27 pm: Edit

proudpapa is right, I go to andover, and am kind of ashamed of Bush, as an alum of course. This war is about oil and the destruction of Islam as a whole.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 10:29 pm: Edit

One more thing, does anyone know of lists of schools that dont require high school diplomas in order to get in?

By Blane1086 (Blane1086) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 07:11 pm: Edit

To all you boarding school goers out there, I have a question. I am applying to Hotchkiss, Andover, and Deerfield. I know its May 20th, but do you all think that there is any way I can get in (assuming I am qualified)for 2003-2004? Thanks.

By Starboard05 (Starboard05) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 07:56 pm: Edit

andover05, who are you?

By Pinkflamingo (Pinkflamingo) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 08:34 pm: Edit

amen, proud papa... our very own cc voice of reason. hahaha i love the whole anti-Bush tirade thing!

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 11:44 pm: Edit

i am just but a ripple in an immense pond. Who are you Starboard05, and you left your screen name on in the library.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 11:48 pm: Edit

Blane1086 what grade are you trying to apply for, and there is no such thing as a qualified candidate, becuase it really depends if they like you or not. They being the school administration. If your grades are good and you are a pretty well rounded person, then there is a good chance you will be accepted, if they like you of course.

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 04:31 pm: Edit

Oh andover05 i completely disagree with you! I love Bush. This war was great! The price of oil has gone down so much that i do not have to dip into my trust fund as much to pay for my big name private school! AND Bush is right on track with the Muslims, next he should go for the Hindus and Buddhists!


PLEASE, i hope through this satire, all of you realize how rediculous you sound. Do not make political statements without evidence to back it up.

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 04:31 pm: Edit

Oh andover05 i completely disagree with you! I love Bush. This war was great! The price of oil has gone down so much that i do not have to dip into my trust fund as much to pay for my big name private school! AND Bush is right on track with the Muslims, next he should go for the Hindus and Buddhists!


PLEASE, i hope through this satire, all of you realize how rediculous you sound. Do not make political statements without evidence to back it up.

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 04:36 pm: Edit

Oh and one more thing-
Andover05, it is people like you who give private school students a bad name. Just because "I {you} go to Andover" you feel the right to be "ashamed of Bush" and assume you know the reasons for everything.

By Nutmegisle (Nutmegisle) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 08:13 pm: Edit

RI4life2,
It is racist pigs like you that make this world so (think of word that begins with f)up. "AND Bush is right on track with the Muslims, next he should go for the Hindus and Buddhists!" what are you and how do you think that you would contribute to society in any way with a christian white supreemist attitude like that? And the war was great, huh? more then a hundred U.S soldiers, not to mention soldiers from other countries and how many innocent iraqi citizens were killed and, well, thats ok, because now the greedy American consumer does not have to pay as much for oil!(nat. average 7 cents per gallon of gas. WOW! that makes such a big diffence, espeacially sense gas is now only about $1.50!)There is some evedence to back it up. Stop being a self centered spoiled brat and think of others before your self. Now to say somthing actually relevent to this topic of conversation. Andover05, you have really changed my opinion of prep schools. i thought they were just assembly lines for churning out conservitive republicans. (not that there is anything wrong with republicans, im just a democrat). Thank you of proving that steriotype that i once believed wrong.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 09:06 pm: Edit

NUT!! I ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS "SATIRE"

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 09:07 pm: Edit

OH YA, AND I AGREE WITH RL4LIFE

By Nutmegisle (Nutmegisle) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 09:15 pm: Edit

oops i missed that part! sorry when i see stuff like that it really pisses me off! But people should have enough common sense to not make fun of that stuff, even in prooving a point. its justy wrong and degrading to many

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 09:17 pm: Edit

TO CLARIFY NUT, RL JUST BASICALLY TRIED TO SHOW, THROUGH HIS "SARCASTIC" REMARKS, JUST HOW FOOLISH YOU ANTI-BUSH PEOPLE SOUND. YOU ALL TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH BUSH DOES THIS WRONG AND THAT WRONG, HOWEVER LIKE RL, I WANT TO SEE SOME EVIDENCE ACCOMPONIED BY YOUR FOOLISH REMARKS. RL WAS JUST MAKING AN ATTEMPT TO SHOW PEOPLE LIKE YOU HOW FOOLISH YOU SOUND. MOST PEOPLE LIKE YOU SEEM TO JUST WANT SOMETHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT, MOST OF YOU WILL USE ANY EXCUSE TO DEVIATE YOURSELVeS from society's "status quo."

-that is just my opinion...

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 01:12 am: Edit

Actually, you are right, the price of oil has gone down. But why? Because Bush is exploiting the iraqis by an intrusion of their land and using their oil to help americans, helping us is good, but not at the expense of other people. Why else would bush go after Iraq, oh lets see, they have weapons of mass destruction, so do we, and so does North Korea, are we at war with North Korea? Reason number 2,The US knew that there were going to be attacks on the US they chose not to do anything, and now their alterior motives are beinning to show. The plane that hit the pentagon is a good example, the pentagon is a no fly zone ALL THE TIME. They have people who are paid to make sure that no planes come near it. And suddenly after the 100's people who were on duty no one bothered to look out the window and see a big*** 747 flying straight towards them. You would think that the most powerful country in the world would be able to protect itself against something so small as a mosquito bite. The last point, why would the US let this happen, because they needed a reason to go after the muslims. Think about it, the GLOBAL war on terrorism, how many other ethnic/religous groups have you heard of being targeted by this war? Im just sorry that Rl believes everything that he sees on tv, without a doubt in his mind.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 01:15 am: Edit

One more thing, I am ashamed to call bush an alum, to say that I went to the same school as a guy who thinks that mexican is a language. I am not assuming that I know all of the reasons, but the ones that I listed are definitely 2.

By Nutmegisle (Nutmegisle) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 01:47 pm: Edit

Andover05, we need to chat. I think we would get along very nicely

By Pa05 (Pa05) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 04:51 pm: Edit

Hey Andover05. Im in your class at PA and I am not ashamed that I go to the same school as Bush. In fact, I am proud of it. Furthermore, yes the Pentagon has always been a no fly zone, and I am sure that many people saw the "giant **** 747" bearing down upon them. However, even though they did see it, what were they going to do? Shoot down a civilian aircraft? Hmmm, I think not. Why dont you give a solution to this countries numerous problems than complain about what is being done. Sitting back and doing nothing will not help. Bush has a plan and hes executing it, although it may be flawed in certain ways. Funny, the democrats have become the conservatives...

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 07:32 pm: Edit

Wow you people do not understand the concept of satire. First of all I DO NOT think that Bush started this war for oil. But even if he started it for oil, there is nothing wrong with it. In the immortal words of Winston Churchill: "Countries do not have allies, they have interests." If France and Russia are willing to let millions of people suffer and die under the rule of Saddam Hussien and let him continue to fund terrorists (his financial links to Hamas, the leading Palestinian anti-semitic terrorist group) for thier oil interests, then I say that liberating the millions of Iraqis who could not speak out against Saddam for fear for the lives is not TOO horrible. And as for the "killing of innocent Iraqis"? Amnesty International projected that the sanctions that we had on Iraq were killing 6000 people a month, because Saddam would pocket the money. The ALSO said that in all of the Gulf War (which had many more civilian casualties) only 30,000 Iraqis were killed, and only 1/6 of those were civilians. So in essence, we are actually SAVING lives by toppling Saddam (that is if you chose not to look at what else he does). I'm not even going to mention how Saddam has killed over 1.5 million Iraqis. That is comparable to Hitler's numbers.
And you don't think we are going to attack North Korea? After they openly declared a few weeks ago "We have nuclear arms and what can you do about it?"
Oh yeah, YOU were fed up that we have not found weapons of mass destruction? Understandable. However you are not satisfied that we have found massive amounts of terrorist equipment (a.k.a. stockpiles of bomb vests and emptied chemical warheads)?
And about your inflammatory remarks about how we are only targeting Muslims? Well I would not necessarily say Muslims, but the Middle East, considering in their eyes WE ARE THE INFIDELS THAT NEED TO HAVE AN IRON FIST BROUGHT DOWN UPON THEM. We couldn't care less about their religion, but somehow, since we are targeting a people who have amassed themselves acording to religion, its religious persecution. It is a sad truth that although an uncivilized way, racial profiling may be the only defense we have.


Well it seems that once again i have digressed into a political debate.

By Nutmegisle (Nutmegisle) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 08:14 pm: Edit

Hey RI4life2, read some Zinn. Delcarations of Independance. the chapter on war. i think you will be surprised. thats truth too. Please watch more than foxnews.

Evedence of what bush is doing wrong:
proposed tax cut would give 60% of the money to the wealthiest 1% of the country (aka, the people who dont need it)Hmmmm... i think there is somthing wrong with that
The war did nothing to "restart" the economy, it made it worse
We also did not manage to kill Saddam or Osama
The so called "democracy" being set up in Iraq is a bunch of bull, we are appointing the officals, what type of a democracy
Our Amendment rights of free speach and privacy, rights that the founders of our country granted us and believed was our GOD GIVEN RIGHT have been violated
He went against what most of the UN wanted, and added stress on relationships on many many countries that make american life possible through trade, ect.
He wants to drill for oil in the Alaskan enviroment, the only real "natrual" enviroment left in the united states, for oil that would last at the most ten years.
He butchers the english language
His "no child left behind" thing only takes money away from affluent schools and gives that money, which is not enough to create any real difference, to poorer schools, while increasing the number of standardized test, making more and more teachers teach "the test" and not the things that would be applicable in real life situations.
He allowed compamies to pour more greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, adding to the greenhouse effect, which does not help at all to repair the ozone layer and increases you chance of skin cancer
He has cut education and inreased the military budget unreasonably, not like it doesnt soak up 1/2 of the budget anyway (1/2 added for dramatic effect, i know its less but not by much)

If u need me to go on just ask

In my opinion, Bush Jr. is just another hoover. guy who appears to do good but really just fs the country up even more

If these schools are only letting you look at one point of view i retract my previous comment on prep schools.

Wow that was off topic, please prep school people, proove me wrong.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 11:18 pm: Edit

Yes the deomcrats have become the conservatives, isnt that a problem? And yes, one of the protocols is to shoot down the aircraft, no matter what kind it is. I would have been for the war, had it not been solely based upon oil and Islam. Even here, the government has been trying to get rid of Islam, take farrakhan(dont know how to spell it) for example, there have been so many plots to get the people that were listening to him to turn against him, why because farrakhan is not afraid to speak his mind, even if it is not in accordance with the government. As for sitting back and doing nothing, at this present moment, what can I do except sign petitions, I am only sixteen. And if you wouldnt sacrifice 1 for ten, and there is no other way, then I hope you dont even plan to run for any kind of office, because 11 dead causes a lot more pain than just 1. Yes Bush does have a plan, but have you ever thought that maybe he needs to think it through again? Instead of just throwing it out there because he is the president. This is not the only reason that I happen to be ashamed of Bush. Look over some of the things that happened while he was the Governor of Texas, you might not care, but I think that you should.Especially with the motto that this school teaches Pa05, goodness without knowledge is weak and feeble, knowledge without goodness is dangerous. When you find out some of the things that happened while he was Governor, determine for yourslef which quality he was missing, I guarantee you he was missing one.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 11:31 pm: Edit

To rl4life, maybe we should have an iron fist brought down upon us, in no way should we have interfered with their style of life and their business with Israel. Just because we are the strongest kid in the playpen doesnt mean that we should be a bully. And as for the iron fist, did not the slaves want an iron fist for the whitemenin America, yes this is past, but what other countries were on our soil telling us that slavery was wrong. There were none. We had to figure it out for ourselves, who are we to take that right away from them, and dont even think about giving me that we are the better nation bull because obviosly we are not. Im simply stating that we should allow other countries the same rights we award ourselves. To nutmegisle, I agree that outside sources must be taken into account with the edited versions that we see on fox and abc.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 11:45 pm: Edit

Rl4life in the words of peter singer, " the greater interest should be taken into account first" meaning that whatever brings the most happiness should be done. I dont know about you, but if one of my family members were one of the so called "6000" Iraqis whose lives were ended because of trivial pursuits, then I would be very angry. In order to make this clearer, only agree with something when you can stand in front of and behind the gun.

By Pa05 (Pa05) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 04:59 pm: Edit

To Andover05: I will respond to all that you written later, I dont have time now. But I would like to comment that as usual you are just critisizing Bush and his administration without saying what your plan would be. Thats weak. Please, I dont want to hear more about how "bad" and "evil" Bush is, and I also dont want to hear about what qualities you believe he is missing. However, what I would like to hear from you is what solution you have to the problem(s) we are now facing. Bush has provided a solution, with minimal casualties, which makes the world a safer place and reduces inflation. If we all smoke pot and whine, nothing will happen.

PS: you are so pasionate about hating bush that you are blinding yourself with the glare.

By Blane1086 (Blane1086) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 08:17 pm: Edit

Hey does Deerfield have a dress code? I just applied there, I hope there is room at the end of the summer. Can't wait to start learning Chinese!

By Blane1086 (Blane1086) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 09:14 pm: Edit

Just wondering, but has anyone ever heard of Asheville School in Asheville, NC? I go there now.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 01:32 am: Edit

Pa, there could have been a little more effort on the united states' part to successfully negotiate even if they should have gone that far. I am surprised that you continue to ignore my main point which is that THE US SHOULD HAVE NEVER GOTTEN INVOLVED, surely you obviously see this as my point.

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 05:48 am: Edit

First To my Nutmegisle
1) Howard Zinn is notoriously Anti-American, just a tad biased. That is my first well-poisoning disclaimer.
2)The tax cut, with progressive taxes, you have the wealthy people paying 60% of the taxes anyway. AND you fail to realize that Regan's similair tax cuts were criticized because it was cutting the upper tax bracket and that only the rich were recieving money, however it seems that all boats have risen as a result of that (a.k.a. ripple effect in the "golden economy" of Clinton)
3)Kudos to you liberals for using "Bush's failure on terrorist action," great campaign ploy, thats really going to work. Do you honestly believe that since we are appointing officials that this war was wrong, even though and i quote from myself "We have liberated millions of people?" Do you just want to criticize Bush? You tell me to watch more than fox news, well i have something for YOU: WATCH ANYTHING FOR YOUR NEWS. You couldn't see the iraqi joy when saddam was toppled? Oh wait, you still have failed to adress his slaughter of 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE!
3) You argue that Bush is killing the school
system's with his "no child plan"? The bulk of money that goes into public school systems, comes from porperity taxes of the surrounding area! And if you live in an area where the properity value is low (a.k.a. a ghetto) then why is federal taxe a bad thing? I live in an affluent public school area, we put so much useless money into our school systems.


As for Andover05:
1) Stand up up for what is right. Do you honestly believe that it was ok to let Saddam keep iraq under a robspierre/hitler-esque rule? this seems like more democrat rhetoric used because of some personal vendetta against republicans, rather than an interest in what actually happens.


Quit listening to all the rhetoric and do some thinking for yourself, i agree with pao5, if you are not so fond of a solutions, do not just criticize the ones that are working.

p.s. please excuse the domination of this message board for political argument.

By Dwayne_Hoover (Dwayne_Hoover) on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 01:04 pm: Edit

Stanford hopeful,
While TJS and Stuvyesant are great math/science schools, but TJS more win lots of science and math awards..the humanities, languages, and offerings are just so much superior at these prep schools..the experience on the whole is better--not to mention these are boarding shcools as well.

However, i have found some prep schools who do well in math/science competitions,

For the Physics Bowl, Concord Academy finished first in the 2nd year advnaced division for the New ENgland Region...TJS and Stuyvesant did not even place 1st, but stuvesant placed 2nd in their region.

For the Physics Olympiad in the past two years, Tjs has sent a lot, stuvesant didn't send any, but Choate, Andover, Exeter, Roxybury Latin, and Concord Academy sent about four each.
just my two cents, by the way many more of thes eprep school kids win writing competitions and art competitions,
oh yeah I forgot, the ART OPPORTUNITIES and drama and visual what have you, are FARRRRRR superior than public schools, including tjs and stuyvesant.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 03:05 am: Edit

To Rl4life you are again missing one of the main points. Do not believe everything that you hear, how positively sure are you that Saddam did all of those things that the media has him portrayed as doing. Could it not be that they are covering for the government, as they have done before, sometimes you have to think outside of the black box. Maybe it is easier for me to see because I have some actual experience with the government telling the people of the united states somethings that are not true in order for them to believe a certain fact, or think of a person a certain way, but in any case research something before you can give a direct and final answer on it. I just think that it would be beneficial to everyone if they didnt just accept the information that they are told.

By Synkronized23 (Synkronized23) on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 07:37 am: Edit

hey guys, i am heading to Exeter in September. anyone who is going as well? or is in the school now? leave me a note please. thanks!

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 01:39 pm: Edit

Ahh wait im sorry Andover05, MY MISTAKE! my news sources are covering for the government, it is all one big conspiracy! I forget how the wall street journal is one big propaganda paper! Oh no wait, that was your news source CNN who was withholding incrimeating evidence about saddam to sway the people to a liberal position. So now, not only have you lost the argument, but your current argument is that we cannot beleive anything we hear. So why can you even have a position? Maybe your "research" is a reverse government ploy from the jimmy carter era to sway you? Sure we should not accept the spin put on facts by the media, but we do have to accept the numbers (except jayson blair's numbers). I doubt that a mass slaughter by chemical weapons could be made up without a hint of protest.

By Stanfordhopeful (Stanfordhopeful) on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 05:30 pm: Edit

Dwayne_Hoover:

"For the Physics Bowl, Concord Academy finished first in the 2nd year advnaced division for the New ENgland Region...TJS and Stuyvesant did not even place 1st, but stuvesant placed 2nd in their region."

Thats because Stuy kids never prepare/hear about the PHYSICS Bowl until a week before the actual event. I am quite sure that there will be a turnaround in the numbers next year seeing as how they are actually starting a class to prepare for these Physics competitions. Honestly, no-one had even heard of the damn thing when they announced it this year.

How about them Math contest huh..?


"For the Physics Olympiad in the past two years, Tjs has sent a lot, stuvesant didn't send any, but Choate, Andover, Exeter, Roxybury Latin, and Concord Academy sent about four each.
just my two cents, by the way many more of thes eprep school kids win writing competitions and art competitions,"

Physics Olympiad: See above.

Oh and Stuyvesant students win quite a few Writing/Art Competitions, unless those trophy cases are filled with fake awards.

"oh yeah I forgot, the ART OPPORTUNITIES and drama and visual what have you, are FARRRRRR superior than public schools, including tjs and stuyvesant."

I beg to differ. Drama is HUGE in Stuyvesant. I mean HUGE. The annual inter-class competition for achievement in Drama is certainly a sight to behold. Having read that outlandish statement, I don't think you know what you are talking about.

By Bhs4life (Bhs4life) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 12:21 am: Edit

HAHA...just though I would let you guys know that someone has just threatened to shoot up my town's public school this Thursday. It's funny too because this public school is actually well-known for being a pretty good school.

By Synkronized23 (Synkronized23) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 01:00 am: Edit

anyone going to exeter this year or in exeter now, email me at synkronized23@hotmail.com
thanks.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 01:34 am: Edit

Rl4life, arguing with you has become tedious, Im going to let you keep thinking that everything that the media portrays is true, and that the government has no pull in the grand scheme of things. As has been stated before, the government does not let the people know everything, how do they do this, they control the media. You continue to live in your so called paradise, I was obviously better educated than those who believe everything they see on t.v.

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 10:03 am: Edit

Oh I'm so glad Andover05 that you have bestowed this devine knowledge upon me about how this country is one giant conspiracy. And i love how your rebuttal is that my facts are just a smoke screen designed to keep us in line. But your right about the t.v. thing! I'm still waiting for my ginsu knives that can cut through a foot thick of steel! Oh and didn't you see the alien that just landed in texas?

By Brown2006 (Brown2006) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 02:20 pm: Edit

Deerfield Academy does, indeed, have a dress code: "class dress" is what it's called and as a Deerfield alum (class of 2002 baby), I have to say that class dress, along with other traditional components like sit-down dinners, academy events, teas at the Manse, etc. are the things that make Deerfield what I think is the greatest place on earth to go to boarding school. It was the best three years of my life.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 11:46 pm: Edit

Get off of your horse and actually help cultivate the soil Rl4life.

By Sirmoreau (Sirmoreau) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 12:06 am: Edit

Andover get your head out your ass - and into the real world. Sure, you shouldn't believe everything you see on t.v., but quite frankly the government doesn't have too much to cover up. Besides the wall street journal is a much better source of information, then persay the New York Times. Can I make the assumption you attend Andover?

"I was obviously better educated than those who believe everything they see on t.v. "

There isn't a fine line between education and street smarts. You obviously have not been taught street smarts, therefore, your so-called better "education" does not help you decipher between the fake and the real. There is no large conspiracy, regardless of what you think, life is not some magical movie. Sure, the government tries to cover up information all the time - just like the pentagon papers (before it was publically released) but in all seriousness who cares? All I know is I don't like your superiority complex, based on your education. My "public" school sends about 80 kids to private schools all over the nation, and the rest go to public schools, such as Berkeley, UCLA, and the rest of the UC's/state colleges. So basically you can get wherever you desire to go through decent public schooling. You on the otherhand have been prevaliged - in the sense - you've recieved a quality education, yet I feel as though you missed out on life. The girls, the parties, the clubs, having fun on the weekends/weeknights without a worry. Instead you most likely had your head crammed in a big your entire life, so don't come typing on my posts that your mr. superior. Thanks for reading Mr. Andover, also go bring your lame jokes somewhere else old chap.

By Quincy (Quincy) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 05:02 pm: Edit

how does saint pauls compare with lawrenceville?

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 05:02 pm: Edit

First of all sirmoreau, you do not get taught street smarts, you acquire them on your own. The quote you took from me is strangling my words, if you had been reading all of the posts, and not just jumping in whenever you please, you could have probrably learned that I only have gone to andover for two years, not nearly enough to learn the ways of the street. Since andover does not teach something that can not be taught, obviously I acquired my street smarts from somewhere other than andover. I have the better education because I have book and street smarts. While it seems that people like yourself and people like rl4life only contain book smarts. If you had been reading, you would also see that some of my opinions come from real life experience, tossing out your theory of just seeing the fake. Im not saying that life is one large movie, I am simply saying that there are some things that the government dont want us to know because they feel that certain information will produce a certain burden, but of course such a highly educated person such as yourself would know that. I do not have a superiority complex, I just feel that I have an upper hand when it comes to other preppies and kids who lack the same well roundedness as I do, as I have stated before, I came from a public school. Since I have a brother currently enrolled in public school, and have gone myself, I am the one who can compare them, If you havent gone to both your mouth should be closed. We are not at the school year round, and all of our breaks are longer than that of the public schools. A boarding school will not keep anyone who is not antisocial from any realities that public school kids have, save the stabbings and homicides. In fact, since the girls see us the most, we're more lucky to get into action. I have said no jokes, only simple examples to better explain myself to the non-priveleged as you yourself claim to be, obvoiusly I was wrong in my attempts because certain people think that I am kidding with them. Nevertheless, next time read before you type, and then read again and do not contribute to topics of which you know absolutely nothing about.

By Sirmoreau (Sirmoreau) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 09:00 pm: Edit

I just don't you like you, b/c, you seem pretty far left winged -its quite obvious to me. Why would a liberal be going to a private school anyways? Based on what you've said in prior posts - I bet you believe our government killed MLK, JFK, Gandhi and many others. It's a load of horseshit, furthermore our government has very little control over the media. Unless you'd like to back that up with some facts, I will simply just rest my case.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 09:33 pm: Edit

You are still putting a huge stereotype to a boarding private school, good job. I go to this boarding school because it is the #1 school in the country for secondary education. Seeing as you did not fully read my last post, dont open your mouth if you dont know anything about the subject.I truly feel sorry for you if you think the government has told you all they know on the murders of MLK, JFK, Gandhi and many others. What is even worse is that you think the government has no control over the media. Just because we seem to be a free democracy doesnt mean we are.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 09:36 pm: Edit

Ps. It is not my priority in life to kiss ass in order to make friends. I could care less who likes me and who doesnt, espcially if you dont like me because of my opinions.

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 09:58 pm: Edit

Quincy: Based on research, I think St. Paul's is better with its programs, but Lawrenceville has a nicer campus. It's really about where you feel more comfortable in with the quality of academic programs in mind. Are you applying for next year? What other schools are your considering? Be sure to include Milton Academy in MA in your search. www.milton.edu . lol Best of luck!

By Leon (Leon) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 10:08 pm: Edit

Well quincy, i personally believe that Lawrenceville is better because i go there, and becase i know someone that goes to St. Pauls at my school (or will be attending there next year), and well......she isn't the brightest person, but you can argue either way i guess. I would also give the edge to Lawrenceville because i heard that they have an awesome house system. Best of luck Quincy applying for your boarding schools next year!

By Pa05 (Pa05) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 10:11 pm: Edit

Ok, both sides are irretrievably flawed.

Andover05, I sense that you view yourself in a superior position to the rest of humanity not enrolled at PA as we both are. We are not the 1070 top high school students in the world. We are in an upper echelon, but thats it. Sorry to destroy your fantasy. Your observations are tainted with a sadly blind sense of ascendency. Also, I cannot believe in your extended "street smarts" after reviewing your extended arguments. You just sound paranoid. I also express sincere doubts of your lengthy experience with government scams as you so previously stated. Please, calm down and reread what you write. There is another side to the debate, and you ARE NOT ALWAYS CORRECT! The government is not out to get us!
--Stop watching the matrix--

As for Mr. Sirmoreau, your arguments are offensively personal, and I know that you see private boarding schools through the publics stereotypes. Im afraid Andover is left winged to a point of obsession, and much unlike the republican stronghold of Bush you proclaim it to be. I dont get much respect as one of the few republicans. However, your argument has many other sound principles.

ps: Andover05, Im still looking for your solutions to our problems in Iraq, and please dont tell me again that we shouldnt have gone into the war. I know that is what you believe, but it is not in the past. i.e. over

By Pa05 (Pa05) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 10:14 pm: Edit

oh yeah and Andover05, please give me some facts in your next argument. All you have to write is hearsay at best.

By Quincy (Quincy) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 10:17 pm: Edit

i was wondering because my friend thinks lawrenceville is better while i think st pauls is better. I want some thoughts from everyone esle.
Thanx
Q

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 10:46 pm: Edit

Andover05, this is getting fun don't you think???
First off- i would like to point out that you claim not to have a superiority complex. ok. But then you proceed to make grand assumptions about us.
Now... ON WITH THE CONTENT!
Andover05, you like to vaguely "prove" your political points by flat out lies. I adore the fact that you try to easily "prove" your point that i don't know anything because the evidence i use is one big conspiracy. And that OBVIOUSLY this is the case because it proves your evidenceless arguments. Did you stop to think about how much trouble the media causes capital hill? Do you think they PLANNED watergate? Besides the fact that that argument is so weak its laughable, you say that the reason that is true is because our country's name is not quite fitting.

HOWEVER, I disagree with Sirmereau in the point of public shcools/private schools. People make grand generalizations that you pick up these so called "street smarts" in public school and only public school. This is simply not the case. Street smarts are acquired through experience. That experience is not school. Public school is not the real world, it is still a very sheltered environment, with structured classes and lunchtime. Public school offers no more in the way of "street smarts" than private school does. It is how you spend your time outside of school that counts.
Second point: people always generalize that you have no childhood in private schools. This too is simply not the case. You can have both a childhood in private school. Private school accomplishes its mission in this regard. It teaches students how to manage their time, work and play. Not just play. Maybe delayed gratification is a valuable lesson to be taught.

Last point: You want me to cultivate the soil? How beautifully Howard Zinn you sound. Vague "symbolic" statement which you have failed to define. Perfect way to cap off an argument based on the theory that all of my evidence is false. So let me get this straight, first, you offer no evidence to ANY statement you make (especially the one about Andover being the best), then you proclaim from your devine "street smarts" that MY evidence is false, then proceed to insult me. How Zinnesque.

P.S. Andover05, answer for this is a calling out, i will not drop this point

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 02:20 am: Edit

To Pa05, I was not saying that we are the best and brightest 1079 high school students in the U.S. I chose Andover because it is the best high school in the U.S. It will be the best education that I can get on this side of the hemisphere, and I recognize that there are more highly intelligent people who do not attend phillips academy. Rl4life, I apologize for not elaborating on the Farakhan thing, the government and the media have been portraying him as a senseless rebel who tries to convince everyone that the government is wrong at every action they commit. I know this to be a fact because I have spoken with people who believe everything the government and media say, without ever having met Farrakhan in person. This is just one of the examples of which I speak, I do not know everything, but I do know that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Neither am I saying that the government is 100% false, Im only saying that they choose to leave out certain evidence when they are braodcasting to the nation. Some of which is then uncovered to the nation after the topic has long since vanished. Yes, the government does have a form of control over the media. I dont think that the government is one big conspiracy, just that they lie by omission. Fact1: The U.S. knew back in the 90's that Iraq supposedly had womd.say they didnt, I dare you. Why do they go after Iraq now? They are using the terrorist attacks on the Trade centers as an agent to help get the U.S. population wanting war. Fact 2: after the attacks 78% of the U.S. wanted war on terrorism. The U.S. started on the war. A few months later, Bin Laden is in Iraq, supposedly. Fact 3: Now, the U.S.has its attention on Iraq. Fact 4: Iraq is just one of a lot of nations supposedly containing womd. Why arent we disabling our weapons? Russia? China? Korea? China even has most of their bombs pointed towards us in case we 'decide' to attack. Fact 5: The U.S. currently cares more about the oil than the Iraqi citizens. 100's of soldiers guard the oil containers, how many are guarding the citizens? Fact 6: Where is bin Laden? Fact 7: The war on terrorism has led to the destruction of towns and villages of muslim people, and to the quest for oil.

By Daveb (Daveb) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 07:21 am: Edit

People, PLEASE take your political discussions to an appropriate forum elsewhere on the Web. This is a COLLEGE ADMISSIONS forum. Let's leave Iraq and politicians out of these discussions. Thanks for your cooperation.

By Pa05 (Pa05) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 10:04 am: Edit

"IF THE IRAQI'S wanted to be free from Hussein, then they could have done it." I utterly disagree. You have completely ignored my previous arguments! He was a capable ruler and he would not give his people the opportunity to overthrow him. They could not group together and form an army; he would have found out about it and ravished the population just as he was so fond of doing.

Also, starving the Iraqi people WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN HELPFUL! It’s just atrocious. If the people of the country were famished, they would be more miserable, yes, but this was not prompt any action or any huge revelation within them. If the US had not stepped in, the Iraq people would never have been faced with the choice of Saddam’s life or their own. They would never have come upon this revelation themselves. They would have seen it as either living a miserable life with little food, or being killed by Saddam’s goons. Your right, they would have picked the depressing life. They needed us, and countless Iraqis are happy to admit it.

Brainwashing in the US and Iraq is completely different. I hope you recognize that. Yes, the media portrays many situations incorrectly, sometimes by mistake and sometimes purposefully. However, this is smaller than 1/100 of the misrepresentation that the Iraqis were fed by their propaganda machine of a government. They were taught to hate all Americans. WE are told to hate Saddam, but to like and pity the people of Iraq. And many out their in the US don’t hate Saddam; numerous citizens are on his side. Nearly every person in Iraq hated the US as of pre March. I hope you realize that we are not nearly as misinformed as the Iraqis.

Is Bin Laden dead? Is Saddam dead? Perhaps, most likely not. WHAT POWER DO THEY STILL HOLD??? Some, but an insignificant amount compared to what they used to instill. This was our goal.

For a decade the UN has tried to make Iraq cooperate with its rule etc... This DID NOT WORK. We have given Saddam too many opportunities; he had his chance to reform. He continued with his slaughter. The conditions today in Iraq are far superior to two months ago. And this war occurred with minimum casualties.

The US does not wish to stay in absolute control of Iraq for a long period of time. We are picking a leader, and then leaving. Obviously, we shall still hold positions in the country, but our objective is to make them an independent entity. Not, as you say, a colony of the US.

I agree that we are interested in their oil, but as you yourself said, we have other places to get oil, so we are not desperate. And, the fact that we protect their oil means that we have protected their countries future well-being. Saddam was strangling the counties resources as well as their independence.

The US's interest in Iraqi oil will strengthen the countries economy and further protect the country against others who wish to control it. The oil will give the country stability as will the new leader.

The European countries that disagree with us will never concur with our solution because their politicians disagreed with the war before it began, and it would be MURDER to their political careers if they changed viewpoints now after all they have said. So no matter how successful the regime change is, we will never have their support.

There was only way for Saddam’s pillage to end; by taking his power. We succeeded.

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 09:43 pm: Edit

ok, does anyone know if anyone from their prep school went to one of the academies (i.e. West Pont, Navy, Air Force)?

By Pa05 (Pa05) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 12:18 am: Edit

I jsut looked back at my post, didnt realize it was after administrator asked us to stop. sorry about that

-Pa05

By Agentx004 (Agentx004) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 02:54 pm: Edit

just move to new york and go to dalton or stuyvesant

By Amphionkid06 (Amphionkid06) on Sunday, June 01, 2003 - 06:16 pm: Edit

In response to Rl4Life2's most recent post, yes, one of my prefects from this year will be attending the Naval Academy this coming fall. He is a brilliant student, all A's in honors classes, varsity lacrosse and football, and he is a saxophone player in the band. He was admitted to UPenn as well, and he is certainly a representation of the finest Choate has to offer.

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Monday, June 02, 2003 - 04:20 pm: Edit

How difficult is it to get an A in Choate, Andover, Exeter, Milton, Deerfield, St. Paul's, Taft, Loomis, Hotchkiss, Lawrenceville, Hill?

By Dwayne_Hoover (Dwayne_Hoover) on Monday, June 02, 2003 - 11:16 pm: Edit

No school is the "best high school in the us", it is the one best for you--thats entirely subjective,

I go to concord academy, and arguably, i could say my shcool is better than yours, for one, we beat you in physics bowl EVERY YEAR along with every other prep school (we are #1 in new england division), we publish more papers in prestigious journals, we have a better arts program, but I don't really care you see? I'm not gonna say its better, cuz i really don't know, i chose it over andover(i got into andover) but i didnt like it at andover cuz it wasnt the right place for me--i found it too competitive, and the kids just didnt seem that interesting. You may say I missed out, I don't think so, i'm receiving a VERY SIMILAR EDUCATION, all the prepschools have VERY SIMILAR educations, so don't fret about the differences.

I'm going to get into a great college just for me, so what do i care if i went to the "best high school" in someone eyes. I went to a high school better than 99% of high schools in the world, so frankly, if my school isn't as great as andover in your eyes, i could care less, i'm still going to stanford ^^ :-).

By Dwayne_Hoover (Dwayne_Hoover) on Monday, June 02, 2003 - 11:17 pm: Edit

Although, i would say Taft and Hill are not even close to andover in terms of excellence--not very great academics there--those are only considered in the same ring of the prep schools becuz they play all of us in sports--merely an athletic relationship.

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 12:44 am: Edit

Do you know of "The Nine Schools"?... they have a website http://www.talented.org . This is different from the "Ten Schools Admissions Organization."

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 12:47 am: Edit

Dwayne_Hoover...I agree with you on the fact that Concord Academy is great. I researched it thoroughly and considered it when I was applying to prep schools... I think it's one of the hidden treasures among prep schools. I probably won't even get in in the first place. lol.

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 12:52 am: Edit

Dwayne_Hoover:

By the way, I also have my hopes on Stanford!

I can't wait to head to Milton Academy in the fall... I think this school is a perfect match for me, and that's why I'm choosing to go there. It's also just 8 miles away from Boston and Cambridge which allows for fun weekend excursions.

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 10:35 pm: Edit

DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE PHYSICS BOWL. RL has THE WESTINGHOUSE (name?) SCIENCE COMPETITION WINNER WITH HIS REVOLUTIONARY THEORY ON POSET GAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its a non sequitor but it works.

By Doofus (Doofus) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 11:43 pm: Edit

Welton Academy is the best preparatory school in the UNITED STATES!

By Dwayne_Hoover (Dwayne_Hoover) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 11:57 pm: Edit

Gianscolere, thanks a lot man, Concord gets a lot of crap from people, but they just dont understand it...it makes me really happy that you think that way :-)

Milton's a great school, u'll receive a very prestigious education...i mean there are only like 20-30 good prep schools..and they're all so similar--just doesnt make sense to say who is better because when u look at the big picture they are all SO FAR AHEAD from regular schools.

I mean, i liked milton, but concord was a better fit for me--so i chose concord--I don't think i'm missing out on anything, so when snob from Deerfield tells me that i'm receiving an inferior education, i'm just that much happier i chose Concord over deerfield or andover!

heh good luck at milton, u'll have a great time !

By Exonian04 (Exonian04) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 08:30 am: Edit

don't knock andover because of some deerfield kid. deerfield students are known for being ••••••••.

By Dwayne_Hoover (Dwayne_Hoover) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 11:55 am: Edit

a lot of my family members go/went to andover and i went to revisit day--i didnt like it very much at all.

By Andover05 (Andover05) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 12:19 am: Edit

just curiosus, but who goes to andover that you know hoover.

By Dwayne_Hoover (Dwayne_Hoover) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 02:34 pm: Edit

well i'd rather not give you names over the internet but here are their initials,

Currently at andover,

one CF '03 and one LF '06 (brother and sister, my cousins)

Went to andover,

my sister CF '98
my other cousin PC. '95
The f's are allt eh same, but the c's are different.

By Rjp1987 (Rjp1987) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 10:07 am: Edit

I think this is an excellent forum. Grew up in CT right next to Choate and always wanted to attend a prep school. Unfortunately or fortunately I went to a public high school and then onto a West Point and Yale for grad school. MY OPINION only: I think the 2 most important things are that your school is known and how well you do in that school & SAT. Read an article about a young lady from Hunter complaining that she could not get into Harvard and had a 94 avg etc. I think the Bell Curve applies as to college acceptance given geographic diversity etc.

I agree with some points that perhaps in the prep school you have more time per student etc. Public school has a more diverse student body in that you can soar with the eagles or fill in the other tail of that bell curve.

The only thing I worry about for prep schools is they always had a perceived weaker sports program and we heard more about drug issues at Choate and Cheshire Academy than public schools in the area.

appreciate any opinions as mine are DATED. now live outside of DC.

I really love the tradition of the prep schools and not a big fan of public school teachers from my day.

Great forum. I read and appreciated everyones inputs!!!!!

By Dwayne_Hoover (Dwayne_Hoover) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 10:28 am: Edit

" I think the 2 most important things are that your school is known and how well you do in that school & SAT."

I staunchly disagree, i think the most importnat thing is if the school is right for you, and if it helps you develop as a person to prepare you for college. High school is a growing experience--college is where it reputation starts to matter.

By Rjp1987 (Rjp1987) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 01:24 pm: Edit

Dwayne, I think development is important too. But if that school(public or private) is not on the RADAR SCREEN of the colleges with the REPUTATION, you may never get to a college with a good reputation. WHAT IS YOUR GOAL? IS COLLEGE REPUTATION IMPORTANT? I caveat my statement above as you can go to a very good well known school and be bottom of the pack there and not gain acceptance. You have to "balance" where you are a big fish so to speak in a pond that is at least on the map. How's that?? There are alot of applicants these days and many college and grad schools have formulas with cut off scores such as the SAT and GPA. Once you pass that cut, they open your folder and say hello Dwayne where are you from? My opinion only. The cutoff process is in grad school. My high school had alot of Yale professor kids at that time so it was "known." As per public school acceptance I think there is somewhat of a regional effect as to top school selection. top prep schools seem to be nationally known obviously because it is a much smaller population. any other views out there????

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 06:17 pm: Edit

I completely agree RJP. Yes high-school is a primarily for a "growing experience," if that is your only goal. You have to take in account what your goal is. If you wish to go to a prestigious big name college, then you might have to make a trade off between the reputation of your school and any other criteria you have. This is not to say that the school with the best reputation will give the worst growing experience (quite the opposite i believe is true) but that you might need to examine the schools reputation in regards to your college goals. As you can see with my wordiness RJP i could not have said it better.

By Rcambrai (Rcambrai) on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 03:36 pm: Edit

Anybody knows 2003 college matriculation for Exeter and St. Paul's? I found Andover's on their website

By Dwayne_Hoover (Dwayne_Hoover) on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 10:46 pm: Edit

I think its a factor true, but i was more saying, that of the prep schools, they have VERY VERY similar reputations among college admission officers. I like my prep school cuz its below average in SIZE, so u have less competition in bulks, like at andover, u have 100 kids all applying to harvard,stanford--and they dont want to accept them all you know?

My sister(went to andover), said the worst time of andover is when kids get back their decisions, lots of crying, fighting, and envy --so she says.

By Rjp1987 (Rjp1987) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 06:18 pm: Edit

Dwayne what you said just bolsters what I was getting at by the big fish in a small pond goal. Lots of ivy applicants at your sister's school and they can't take everyone. Colleges do look at geographic diversity in the student body. i have been to both private and public schools during high school but not a boarding school. I think development us the same although a private school selects its student body whereas a public obviously cannot(exept some nyc programs)

By Jmateoj (Jmateoj) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 01:12 am: Edit

I am going to Choate this fall. I believe going to Prep School-Boarding School has a lot of advantages. I got into Lawrenceville and other schools, and decided to go to Choate cause they had more athletics options and the school was in New England. I decided to end with my families legacy to Lawrenceville because it had a lot of day students. People who go to Choate message me or tell me their opinions on the school academically, college wise, campus, socialley, etc. Also which school of the group of seven has the biggest problem with drugs?

By Jmateoj (Jmateoj) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 02:04 am: Edit

Rcambrai (Rcambrai) email them or tell them to give u a link. I personally dont like St. Pauls I would recommedn the big 3's ANDOVER, EXETER, CHOATE. REMEMBER prep school is not only about college look for a well-rounded education this 3 schools have the biggest curriculums and are the ones that offer more classes. GO CHOATIES! if you go to choate or will go message me.

By Jmateoj (Jmateoj) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 02:09 am: Edit

I went to Interview to: Andover, Exeter, St.Pauls, Lawrenceville, Deerfield, Pomfret, Choate, Tabor, Hill, Taft, and Loomis. I would not recommend Hill at all the zone is not very nice is very industrial and the campus cannot be compared with the ones of the other school mentioned here. Tabor is not good academically, and Pomfret is a very good but small school. Definently Apply to the BIG THREE'S AnExCho.... I did a big research on schools not only on college matriculation message me if you need help. Prep school is a wise decision if you really want to sell to schools as a WELL ROUNDED KID and if you take advantage of what the good schools offer you.

By Leon (Leon) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 10:15 am: Edit

uh......actually Lawrenceville has more courses than exeter and andover and has more sports than choate........so i'm not really sure where you get that the "big 3" have the most couses and the most athletics.....

By Thescore (Thescore) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 03:54 pm: Edit

To truly evaluate the education that a school offers, look at where the poor kids went.

Be careful of New England Prep Schools. Some of the kids that go to Andover, Exeter, etc would be going to great colleges regardless of where they went to high school. Remember that many of these kids have double legacy status in the Ivy League, meaning their chance of acceptance is doubled and in some cases almost tripled(U Penn).

You'd be suprised that students do go to SUNY and state colleges from many of these elite institutions.

Good Example: Horace Mann in NYC. It ranks in the middle of the top 10 schools for acceptances to Harvard, Yale, Princeton; over 40% of the kids are on financial aid and not from promising socio-enonomic families.

By Amphionkid06 (Amphionkid06) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 10:39 pm: Edit

Jmat, congratulations on gaining acceptance to Choate Rosemary Hall. I think you'll find that there is no boarding school which offers a comparable experience. I feel truly blessed to attend the school, and I'm sure you will have a wonderful time. You obviously had a wide variety of choices in terms of prep schools, and you made the right choice picking Choate as your new home.

By Boardr (Boardr) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 01:11 am: Edit

I GO TO BERKSHIRE!!!
it is a pretty cool school. i like the fact that it is small enough that every person feels like they are part of the communtiy. Most of the teams are okay, but none are amazing except for girls hockey. Accademicly there are better but there are also worse

By Asknot11 (Asknot11) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 11:39 pm: Edit

I have seen a lot of posts commentating how much better these private schools are than the deplorable public schools. Their are many fine public schools to attend. Just look up New Trier High School in Winettka, Illinois. I dare you to say that this is not a good high school.

By Pricklypear203 (Pricklypear203) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 11:38 am: Edit

I'm sure some public schools are just as good as private schools. However, there are some things that public schools cannot offer to students. Prep schools have a wide range of activities, sports, and academic courses. These schools also have campuses. Friendships are even more enforced as these students live in dormitories. I'm just saying that there are reasons why people go to these pretigious schools. Prep schools are not only for rich kids who have nothing better to do with their money. It's all worth it.

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 12:38 pm: Edit

Asknot11: I know about New Trier because I'm from Illinois, and I think it's ranked the 3rd best statewide (to Northside Prep and Whitney Young Magnet). However, its racial and socioeconomic diversity is limited, and it's campus is not as expansive (I don't think it has an art gallery and facilities like that). And it's not boarding, so students' friendships are limited. It's one of the best public schools in the nation though.

By Asknot11 (Asknot11) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 07:11 pm: Edit

Gianscolere: New Trier is the best statewide. You can't count schools like Northside and Young because they have standarized tests to get into their respective schools.
Pricklypear: You comment that private schools have more to offer academically and athletically. New Trier offers EVERY AP course, and many courses beyond the AP level. New Trier offers almost every sport. Badminton, field hockey, archery you name it!

By Pricklypear203 (Pricklypear203) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 08:03 pm: Edit

Asknot11: I'm not undermining the public school education system. I was merely pointing out that there are a lot of positive aspects of prep. boarding schools. Being able to live in a dormitory during your high school life is priceless. Friendships become inevitably tighter and more meaningful as people live together within a closely-knit community.
I seemed to be that some people were bashing prep schools, making derogatory comments towards the nature of these prestigious schools.
Again, I'm not undermining your public school, but I think it's fair to say that a quite a number of public and private schools lack a rigorous ciricullum (did I spell that right?)For example, an AP English course at one school may be commensurate to a regular English course at another.
Courses offered by prep schools are of the highest level and intensity in the nation along with a numerous, distinguished public and private schools.
Every aspect of my prep school can match up to yours. However, my school offers the unique opportunity to live a boarding school life, enhancing my independence and social life.

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 01:10 am: Edit

Asknot: Sorry, I know it shouldn't be based one one ranking alone, but according to Chicago Sun-Times Newspaper, Northside is indeed number one statewide in publics, parochial, and private. Among neighborhood/community schools, New Trier is number one. It's not like I'm against the school because my aunt works there.

By Rl4life2 (Rl4life2) on Thursday, July 03, 2003 - 04:47 pm: Edit

So what is the consensus of a prep school compared to a private school?

By O71394658 (O71394658) on Friday, July 04, 2003 - 12:08 am: Edit

Man, I've never even heard of any of these prep-schools. Well, let me just say something. I've had three encounters with prep-school students:

One kid was a moron. Stupid. His dad, however, owns half the town. So, during middle school, he slacks off. He got into a (so I hear) good prep school. This is definitely not his own doing. I would say that the size of his father's wallet had a significant affect.

Another kid, exactly the same scenario. He goes to a local prep-school. I don't know how he does. Again, not intelligent in the least bit.

Third was a female. Honestly, if I've EVER wanted to punch someone in the face, it was this person. The quintessence of arrogance and rich-girl syndrome. AGAIN, not intelligent at all. All she did was talk about how much money her father had and what she was going to spend his money on. You could hear the word money escape from her lips approximately once every 3 seconds. She looked down on anyone and everyone who didn't go to a prep-school.

But anyway, that's the experience I've gotten. Three rich, spoiled, stupid people. Off to prep-schools. I suppose the fulfilled the stereotypical role. But anyway, this thread has been very informative...and has helped dispell some of these stereotypes...

By Dwayne_Hoover (Dwayne_Hoover) on Saturday, July 05, 2003 - 03:23 pm: Edit

There are no spoiled rich kids at my school, i guess a lot of hte kids are rich( cuz like 25% have financial aiD) but none of them act spoiled.

Which prep schools in particular? Cuz a lot of the 2nd/3rd tier prep schools have lots of spoiled rich kids that aren't so smart but hte 1st tier prep schools don't have many of those people, Deerfield does, but thats the only exception in my opinion.