<p>My son, 12, wants to go to boarding school (his sister, E.V., is in the middle of her first year of boarding school and raves nonstop about it)- but I worry about the boarding school environment for a boy as sensitive and artistic as E.J. </p>
<p>He is very smart- ahead of his grade in math and science. He’s only 12 but he’s already taking Algebra 2 and has taken some very intensive science courses at John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Summer Program. </p>
<p>EJ is also very talented at instruments (he plays piano, violin, cello, guitar, bass guitar, drums, etc.) and he loves art- drawing, painting, watercolors, charcoals, clay sculpting, photography, digital art, etc. </p>
<p>He loves to play soccer (what (half) Korean boy doesn’t?) but generally does not like sports very much. I would prefer a school that is not as intensive about sports but still require physical activity. </p>
<p>Now keep in mind, EJ is only 12, he has not come out as gay and I can’t say for sure that he is or will; but as a mother, I could never in good conscience send my child somewhere I know he’ll be discriminated against. </p>
<p>Furthermore: should we apply to only co-ed schools? How different would the atmosphere be at an all boys school? (My husband attended a very prestigious all boys school and so he could probably very easily get EJ in, but I don’t know if an all boys school would be the right environment for EJ)</p>
<p>I can’t really comment on all-boys schools, or single-sex schools, but supposedly they’re more “nurturing” … I’m really not sure! It depends on the person, I guess. Go on tours and see if he likes the school? The school might seem amazing on the website, but a really crappy environment in real life, or vice versa.</p>
<p>Woah. 6 instruments?! Haha, if his life is really art-centered, you might try Interlochen/Idyllwild/Walnut Hill, all of which are pretty prestigious arts-centered schools (but of course, as with each boarding school, top-notch academics…)</p>
<p>One school I’m really <33 about is Loomis Chaffee. They supposedly have a great performing arts/writing program (while not being arts-focused) , and they have incredible academics. Interlochen/Idyllwild/Walnut Hill are all arts-focused so … Loomis’s arts are a bit weaker, and their academics are considerably stronger (I think… don’t hold me up for this xD). I think Loomis is perfect if he’s artistic but still academically motivated!</p>
<p>I’m not sure about gay discrimination, but Loomis has the Spectrum program (Gay-Straight Alliance) so I think the school’s pretty welcoming and stuff about that! Interlochen/Idyllwild/Walnut Hill I’m not sure about, but go ahead and check BSR for clubs like that…</p>
<p>(I hope I helped. I’m just as clueless as anybody, though. Just… another hopeful prospectus?! Haha)
Good luck~</p>
<p>Cambridge School of Weston (but I think the academics are not as strong), Concord Academy has strong reputation in music/art and good academics. Walnut Hill is for the serious artist/musician. </p>
<p>I have to tell you I didn’t visit any of these schools but in my experience (up to graduate school in a conservatory), artists/musicians are generally open minded and won’t care if your son is gay or not.</p>
<p>Interlochen is generally for serious artists/ musicians but there are alot of people there that just love that kind of artistic environment and the kind of academics that entails.
The academics at Interlochen are wonderful, not at all a conservative, traditional type of classroom. But they are rigorous enough that, even though they are not called AP classes, alot of kids still take the tests and get mostly 5s.
There is a very, very large LGBT community at Interlochen. It is a part of life there, so it is very common and very accepted.
PM me if you have any questions about Interlochen!</p>
<p>I have a friend, whose musical son is at Concord Academy. Her advice to me was, when looking at boarding schools and day schools for musical children, one must consider the child’s potential career path. Some schools allow students to concentrate on their music. Many students at such schools will hope or expect to attend a conservatory after high school, preparing for a career as a professional musician. </p>
<p>Other schools have good music programs, but encourage students to develop other interests as well. It is important to ask about the future paths one can expect for enrolled students, and how much time music students will have for other activities.</p>
<p>Thank you everybody for the imput! And you nailed, what i should have said clearer, right on the head.</p>
<p>While I’m pleased to learn about all these musical schools for EJ; what I’m really looking for is an academically stellar BS that also has an extensive/intensive arts and music program. </p>
<p>EJ is a talented musician and artist, but he himself says he’d rather keep them as talents and hobbies rather than life choices and careers. EJ wants to be a doctor (…or he wants to want to be a doctor to please his father but either or).</p>
<p>Sounds like Walnut Hill is not for your son.</p>
<p>Most of the top BS offer very similar music programs and I’d think most of the teachers in New England are extremely qualified. Hotchkiss has a beautiful music building that was just built a few years ago.</p>
<p>I would look at George School, if you are willing to go outside New England. It has a very friendly and laid back campus culture with good academics and an emphasis on the arts.</p>
<p>It is a Quaker school located North of Philadelphia adjacent to the cute town of Newtown, PA. There is more info about this school on their website and also on past threads here at CC.</p>
<p>Concord Academy would be a great fit for your son. Very rigorous academics, but very strong in visual and performing arts. It is a safe and affirming environment for LGBT.</p>
<p>NMH - strong academics and strong music. Arts program is definitely not gay, although gays are well accepted. Citibank (pre-bust) just paid for a new arts center. And large Korean/ Korean-American/Asian community. PE is offered as an alternative to sports, at least some terms. And some sports (outdoor team, JV swimming,dance) accommodate needs of the less then athletic. With the massive upswing in the Arts-oriented students, the athletic department become a bit more flexible. </p>
<p>The career path question is important. The arts professors at prep schools can really monopolize a student’s time, to the detriment of GPA. Its not unusual for the major arts performance to fall during mid-terms or Finals. The drama teacher requiring 30 hours during the week of a big performance, even though Mid-terms is at the same time is not an unusual occurrence.</p>
<p>Pushing into academics AND arts will require choices. Hopped up academic AND art AND sport is nearly impossible. But making choices is part of a student’s growth.</p>
<p>Actually, because of the structure of boarding school, it can be possible to do more than at many day or public schools. At Andover, for example, there’s no conflict between doing a competitive sport and doing orchestra/band/chamber music, which is not a class and happens early evening. After, there are mandatory study hours, so she manages to do all her work well. No time for much else, that’s for sure. At other schools, there well could be conflicts: does Orchestra require a class period? Are drama rehearsals ever at the same time as team sports? Things to look at.</p>
<p>I agree with lemonade1 above. Boarding school does offer a greater opportunity to do big academics AND big arts AND big sports due to logistics.</p>
<p>I think I’ll have more time at BS than at my school here–</p>
<p>Because there’s no need to worry about transportation, (my school gets out at 4 PM) (I stay for sports until ~6) (No time for clubs/leadership position/volunteer on weekdays) (There are ton of tests -required by state- compared to private schools where they don’t need to follow those regulations or whatnot)</p>
<p>I’m biased, since I go there, but Concord Academy would be a good match for your son. It’s very intellectual, very artsy, though not too athletic. Students tend to be well-rounded and have varied interests.</p>
<p>As far as an open and accepting atmosphere goes, you could not find better. We started the first GSA in the country back in the 80s, to boot. Lots of kids come out at CA every year and there is unbelievable support, no matter if you’re gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.</p>
<p>Consider Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. Great academics and arts. Sports not so much. Wonderful, creative, open experience that prepares students for college or conservatory training.</p>
<p>I love single sex education, however, I personally would avoid an all boys school if you think your son is gay. It seems to me that the all boy environment tends to be a little homophobic and boys are a little less supportive than girls in that department. They also tend to place a higher importance on sports than the arts.</p>
<p>Milton Academy has a truly spectacular arts program. It’s broad (performing arts, music, visual arts are all very strong) and deep. When the elder Smile Pup was a boarder there (a few years ago now) he participated in the instrumental music program (got the opportunity to travel to Italy with the Chamber Orchestra, among other wonderful experiences) and he had many friends who actually went onto conservatories (both in music and theater) upon graduation. And the academics are unparalleled. As far as the LGBT life at Milton, my impression was that it is a very welcoming and nonjudgmental community of faculty and students, but I don’t have any particular information on that point.</p>
<p>I have a child a Interlochen Academy - wonderful, magical place! Their theme this year is “The Artist as a Revolutionary”, focusing on those who dared go against convention. Creativity is not just encouraged at this school; it is expected! The arts are integrated into the curriculum (which, by the way, is rigorous). Fantastic and worth every penny.</p>
The school might seem amazing on the website, but a really crappy environment in real life, or vice versa.</p>