<p>I can’t speak for anyone but myself, but I will say that our school choices are limited by geography to a degree. I don’t look at schools beyond New England only because my family wants to be within 5 hours of one another. For instance, my s doesn’t want to look at Mercersburg because it’s seven hours away. That doesn’t mean I think any less of it. I actually think it maight be a fantastic school for him’ but it’s important for him to know that when a long weekend comes around, he can spend most of it with his sister and brother rather than in the car or on a train. There are simply so many terrific schools out here that it isn’t necessary to look beyond the 5 hour driving radius. </p>
<p>It’s nothing against the non New England schools at all. Also, when you live in this area, you are more likely to know people who have gone to these schools. Even in our tiny little town, there are graduates from Exeter, Millbrook, Andover, Darrow, SPS and Kent. They are known quantities, so to speak. That’s all.</p>
<p>I don’t know where others live. Mine is just the perspective of someone who lives not in the middle of the the NE schools, but close enough to be comfortable knowing that my children can come home for more than just the extended breaks and that we can go see the “big game” or the concert or play without the expense of airline tickets and hotels. </p>
<p>I guess you could say that proximity is one of the factors we consider.</p>