Thank you CheddarisBest and Golfgr8 for these informative insights into Emma Willard School. It sounds like it would be a good fit. CheddarisBest If you are open to a few more questions about your daughter’s experience, please message me.
" And there are schools where they are very limited in their thinking and use their politics as a cudgel (if you don’t believe the same thing it could be rough)."
I am curious, would Hotchkiss fall in that category?
FWIW I have met wonderful faculty, alum and students from Hotchkiss not only on campus but also in the past through an international study organization.
BTW…when you are visiting schools or thinking about schools, parents & students can gain additional insights by reading issues of their respective alumni magazines. We learned about the inspiring and meaningful work, research, community service and global outreach of alumni. In particular, we very much enjoyed reading the Hotchkiss magazine.
@DaddyHoosier Good afternoon, I am wondering if you are referring to a school’s administration, or one’s student body? Have kids at Exeter and Hotchkiss. Both schools’ administrations lean extremely liberal, in my opinion. Hotchkiss in the 60s or 70s - different story. I would characterize their student bodies as progressive. A school administration I contrast as being conservative would be one such as Salisbury, whereas highly progressive, Putney or perhaps a Pomfret. Agree with @Golfgr8 , check out a school’s Alumni magazines for good insight as to what a school may care about or wishes to project. I think it may be somewhat uncomfortable these days to be a conservative student at many boarding schools. While my spouse and I are liberal, our kids, perhaps playing the role of contrarians, say they like the Republicanism of the 80’s (think George Schultz), and we periodically caution them to be very careful how they voice their free-market opinions on campus to avoid misinterpretation in these fraught times.
@Mumof3Boyz thank you for your response. I understand that most boarding schools (admin and population) lean that way these days, I attended one myself in the 80’s.
While my son does not agree with a lot of the current progressive views, I am all for him being exposed to, engaging with and listening to ideas that may oppose his own. My only concern is finding a place for him in which he will not be bullied for having opposing views than the majority. I am wondering if Hotchkiss is a place that accepts views different than the majority.
Good day,
As much as possible, I am going to try and refrain from getting into a political discussion, as I believe they are not allowed under the CC TOS, and it can potentially lead to a heated thread/discussion. Feel free to PM me if you want a more candid response.
Obviously, many colleges, high schools and boarding schools are grappling with the challenging interplay between on campus freedom of speech, and speech which may potentially offend some people. We also see this friction and debate everyday on Twitter, CNN, Fox News, etc. We watch as commencement speakers are “cancelled”, and protests ensue over invited speakers’ engagements - that’s the world we live in.
University of Chicago seems to be overtly supportive of freedom of speech on campus. Yet that school is dealing with some fall out from its administration’s support of this policy. Yale tried this, was met with great resistance, and took a different tack, in my opinion.
As for Hotchkiss - I think the school has dealt with the events of the last couple of week’s incredibly well, and most sensitively. I’ve seen Exeter’s response, plus some other boarding schools, and believe they are doing their utmost to give students a voice and be supportive.
You seem interested to know about Hotchkiss in particular, so I’ll try and address it. I believe the administration tries to empower students - to voice their opinions, debate, take explicit action, be heard.
I would characterize most kids as either progressive or liberal. My kid tells me those kids who are more conservative, a decided minority, are invited to express their views as long as they are respectful and articulate. I have read articles in the Hotchkiss Record which lead me to believe divergent political opinions are welcomed.
But I am just a parent, and the reality on the ground may be different.
Another idea: Go online to search for the school’s newspaper editions over the past couple of years. This will give you some idea of events on campus, editorials, and hot issues.
I have met quite a few kids who seem more conservative at Lawrenceville. It’s also on the larger side, so perhaps there’s more room for different opinions. Just a thought.
NMH, White Mountain, Putney. I haven’t read the entire thread, but there is something called progressive education where the student drives their own learning. The schools above (Putney in particular) are considered ones that have a progressive education. My child was very interested in this approach. This is not the same as progressive politically, although they do often go hand in hand. Also CSW.
All top prep boarding schools are great. If you have a chance to attend anyone, you can not go wrong.
Just a funny thought here but, do you all see a relationship between dress code and less progressive vibe? Like the more “uptight” the dress (necktie & blazer) the more “uptight” the school? LOL!