Other schools similar to Putney and NMH?

PurpleFever · 10-17-2012, 01:20 PM

Hi,
I'm quite new to the game here and unfamiliar w/ most boarding schools. We are looking to send my daughter next year for 11th grade.

I've read much on the Putney and NMH sites and really like what they seem to be about, plus we have friends who have gone to Putney and it sounds like a good fit. So those would be her first choices. However, I don't know what other schools to look into that are similar. I checked out Boarding School review and it doesn't seem like you can search according to philosophy/something like "liberal" or "progressive" nor by what they emphasize.

My daughter needs something heavy in the arts, first and foremost (performing, visual, textile, etc). And we would need to be able to receive quite a lot of financial aid. She also needs a place that understands her dyslexia - high intelligence but needing accommodations like more time/help with reading.

School size, sports, and location are not really important, although she would probably prefer something relatively less urban. She is not religious but I think she could appreciate a Quaker tradition. She does plan to go on to university.

thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Momof7thgrader · 10-17-2012, 02:24 PM

I sent you a PM.

PurpleFever · 10-17-2012, 02:31 PM

Momof7thgrader: Yes, got it, thanks a lot for that info., it's very helpful! (I can't PM you back b/c I don't have enough posts yet....) I'll look up the other schools you mentioned right away.

alooknac · 10-18-2012, 11:09 AM

I and others would be interested in what schools you mentioned in your PM. Could you post them publicly?

hola3 · 10-18-2012, 01:50 PM

Thinking outside the box (and New England). Colorado Rocky Mountain School would be worth a look online. It is very progressive and you can't beat the setting, it might have the most stunning views of any boarding school. Their glassblowing, silversmithing and blacksmithing programs are unique and produce exceptional work.
Colorado Rocky Mountain School

PurpleFever · 10-18-2012, 02:26 PM

Sure alooknac

Proctor
Westtown
Georgeschool

PurpleFever · 10-18-2012, 02:34 PM

Thanks for these replies.
I've realized another couple things that are important are
- high percentage of boarders (who don't go home in droves on the weekend). As my daughter will only be returning home for major holidays, I'd like for her not to be lonely on the weekends and have plenty of friends who stay on campus.
- an average or higher percentage of students of color and international students.

Any other suggestions?

alooknac · 10-18-2012, 04:02 PM

I'm not sure where they stand on leaning differences, but take a look at Concord Academy.

Don't be thrown off by the high percentage of day students. Like you, I wanted a high percentage of boarders because like you, we live very far away. I felt OK about Concord because kids can have a local host family if they wish, they will be in the dorms with all the international students, and boarders often go home with day students, who live all over the greater Boston area, not just the town of Concord. There is public transportation from Boston to Concord.

They have pages and pages of art courses.

PurpleFever · 10-18-2012, 04:32 PM

alooknac, SO glad you said that, because I had looked at Concord and that's exactly what threw me. I'll look again. A local host family sounds quite nice.

dodgersmom · 10-19-2012, 10:18 AM

Take a look at this wonderful old thread started by a parent looking for an artsier, more progressive school.

If your daughter is especially gifted in the arts, you might also want to take a look at the arts schools: Walnut Hill, Interlochen, Idyllwild.

And I'd suggest looking at Holderness also, just because it's . . . different. In a good way.

And Tabor, which is hardly ever mentioned in this forum, has an amazing performing arts program. They put on the best musical theatre production I've seen at any school - and students were heavily involved in ALL phases of the production. Not sure about visual arts, but it might be worth investigating.

And, of course, if you're looking at Quaker schools, I'd second the suggestion to look at George School and Westtown, in Pennsylvania. Both excellent schools with strong and diverse arts programs.

PurpleFever · 10-19-2012, 12:49 PM

That's funny. I was JUST looking at that thread.

Thanks for the other suggestions - I'll look into those.

I was just looking at the Mercersburg sight - it looks rather traditional to me. Thoughts anyone?

PurpleFever · 10-19-2012, 08:33 PM

Dodgersmom...
Thanks for the PM. I can't reply back b/c I don't have 15 posts yet.
Yes, as I mentioned in my initial post, we will definitely need financial aid.
Feel free to PM me again, just know that I can't reply directly.
thanks

girlgeekmom · 10-22-2012, 02:29 PM

Consider Millbrook, which has strong arts (esp. performing), its own zoo, and, from what I understand (from friends who have visited) an excellent vibe, and good academic suppoer. Might be more traditional than what you're seeking.

If small size is not a turnoff, there's Buxton in Williamstown MA. Progressive, sustainable, artsy, but under 100 students. Might be worth a look.

On the other end of the spectrum, there's St. Andrews in DE. A formal classroom dress code, but a socially progressive, well-endowed, strong-in-the-arts school that seems to have good support for learning differences. From what I gather, the community has a lot of heart. And of course, great financial aid. Decent diversity. And it's 100% boarding.

NewEnglandPrep1 · 10-30-2012, 07:39 PM

NMH is a great school. I am a current student, if you would like to talk about it or have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!
~NE_Prep1

WillemS · 11-06-2012, 07:41 PM

I am in LOVE with NMH (currently a freshman). If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I would say that arts-wise St. George's School in RI and Loomis Chaffee in CT impressed me, along with Lawrenceville in NJ, but they all have a much more formal and constricted atmosphere than NMH does.