<p>[Boarding</a> Schools: Don?t Rank Them, Understand Them | Facebook](<a href=“http://www.facebook.com/notes/admissionsquest/boarding-schools-dont-rank-them-understand-them/437488856629]Boarding”>Facebook)</p>
<p>Nice link, Klements.</p>
<p>It’s that “fit” thing again and needs to be repeated on a consistent basis here on CC.</p>
<p>I think ranking is most helpful for providing guidance in selecting right tier for the students. Then you select the right “fit” schools in that tier. That is why you see college ranking, boarding school ranking, and even public school ranking. They provide valuable guidance but there will be no major between No.1 and No.5 school or No.35 and No.40 school, where you should select the right fit for the students.</p>
<p>SF-I agree that if parents and students used the rankings as a guide not “we are better than another” concept then a ranking system could be helpful.</p>
<p>As a preschooler my d tested into 3 classical schools and one gifted school. Even though the gifted school was the furthest away and people told me they were all good schools, I did the research and determined that the gifted school was the best “fit”. Then like now, I did the research and made the hard choices. I have never allowed peer-pressure to dictate what would best fit my d.</p>
<p>As a parent and educator I really wish people would view their kid in the most honest light possible. I am realistic in acknowledging my d’s areas of challenge. In considering colleges now, I have made the parent decision that she attend a small liberal arts college. Not that she would suffer at a large university but I think her skills and personality would best be served at a smaller school where she would be missed it she did not attend classes. I know my d needs to be held accountable.</p>
<p>Just my 3 cents :-)</p>
<p>Boarding schools simply are not set up by tier levels, never have been, never will be. The tier level issue is only something you find in forums such as this on CC. There are thousands of kids who have been accepted to Deerfield (myself included) but did not elect to attend for a variety of reasons. No offense to DA but it wasn’t even my first choice. You can rank away but in the end as you say it will come down to fit. What formula is being utilized to come up with the ranking system? How do you know what formula is the right formula, if there is a formula? IMO, one has to do what the article is trying to convey which is learn about the schools. Knowing your own child will help you determine if the school is right for him or her. The hard part will be where to begin. That process is different for each family and needs to be flexible as one learns more and progresses through the process. The process is learning about the schools and what is best for your child. You want your monies worth for those 4-3 years teaching your child but you also want him/her involved. If they’re involved, they’re happy, if they’re happy then they’re learning and if they’re learning, you’re happy, your money is happy. Granted Exeter and Andover have a lot of smart kids. Most of them with a lot of effort got through the four years, others struggled for four years. I have an Exeter friend of mine who told me how he spent hours in his room writing his paper. His roommate showed up from the woods (it was the '70’s) sat down wrote his paper in an hour and went back out. My friend worked for another 2-3 hours on his paper. My friend got a C while his party roommate got an A. For some it comes natural, almost too natural to be nauseating enough for my friend. He graduated from Exeter but don’t ask him what he thought of his experience, but his parents were happy! I doubt you’ll ever find a good Admission’s officer that will speak of tier levels. </p>
<p>SF I do not mean to rain on your parade. It is not an easy process and maybe it has already worked for you.</p>
<p>That’s my 2 cents.</p>
<p>Well said, ops!</p>
<p>Agreed. Excellent, accurate post, Ops.</p>