<p>I am new to this forum. I have a son who is in 8th grade. He applied to 3 schools this year and was waitlisted at one of those. We did not realize how competitive the admission process would be. Not very many people go away to boarding schools in our area so we have not had the opportunity to talk to other parents. He is currently in one of the best independent schools (k-12) in our area. As of right now we plan on keeping him home another year where he can hopefully mature as a young man and improve his academics. </p>
<p>As we begin this process again, we really want to consider some other schools. One of the many things that is important to us is good leadership. We are looking for a school that has a great headmaster. A headmaster the students get to know. A headmaster that communicates with parents. A headmaster that inspires those around him or her.</p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone has anything to add on this subject. Some of the schools we are interested in for next year are: SPS, Kent, Salisbury, Taft, Westminster </p>
<p>Looking over your list, you may be in CT. If you decide to spread out a little more, take a look at Blair Academy. The current Headmaster [Blair</a> Academy - About Blair](<a href=“http://www.blair.edu/About_Blair/ab_welcome.shtm]Blair”>http://www.blair.edu/About_Blair/ab_welcome.shtm) has been at the school for 20 years, and it has been a remarkable period of growth for the school. Both he and his wife Monie, who heads Development, came from Taft. They are both very approachable and know the parents and students. In fact, some students have him as an Advisor! Under his leadership and Trustee leadership, the school has significantly improved all facilities, and endowment has been growing. </p>
<p>By the way, if you are not looking for financial aid, there may still be openings at Kent, Salisbury and Blair.</p>
<p>I would take a look at Blair (comparable to some of the schools you listed) - the headmaster and head of admission and any staff we met were amazingly warm and engaging - made a huge impression on my son</p>
<p>– I wrote this before seeing the post above (we must have been writing at the same time) - but I ditto burbparent</p>
<p>We live in the mid-west and do not need FA. Last fall we toured 11 schools in New England. My son is a strong athlete and a good ice hockey program is important. We had not heard of Blair Academy until recently. Thanks.</p>
<p>PM me and I’ll tell you as much as I can about the school I know best – Salisbury ( the current NE hockey champions). I have a working knowledge of the other three in CT, not so much SPS.</p>
<p>Two years ago, I heard Drew Casertano speak at an event in Philadelphia. He is the head master at Millbrook School in Millbrook NY. He was extremely impressive and the School has flourished under his leadership. They have a hockey program too. They’re worth a close look.</p>
<p>Check out St. George’s & Brook’s websites. Personally, I believe all these schools ride a roller coaster with respect to sports. Can be undefeated one year and not so well the next. As much as we all like to win in athletics, it’s what’s between the ears that counts.</p>
<p>the high praise for Casertano of Millbrook. Very impressive guy who’s done a great job at Millbrook. One of his sons is a lacrosse captain at…Salisbury.</p>
<p>Choosing a school based primarily on the headmaster can be tricky. Drew Casertano is great, but he was in serious consideration for the Deerfield headmastership a few years ago. The average anticipated tenure for a head these days is 10 years at a top school. Matthews at SPS is wonderful. Roach at St. Andrew’s is absolutely brilliant. He mesmerized the entire room speaking fairly extemporaneously on his educational philosophy for nearly an hour at a revisit last year. You might consider adding this school to your list. Don’t know about the others you mentioned.</p>
<p>Good leadership is only one of the many things we are looking for in a school. We looked at Salisbury last year (did not apply because my son wasn’t sure about an all boys experience) and loved it. One of the reasons we liked it so much was because of the Headmaster, C. Chandler. He sat and talked with us during our interview, and we were very impressed. What a great man! I think the experience of talking with him has made us think more about leadership and the effect it has on a school as a whole.</p>
<p>As we begin the application process again for next year, we are looking at things a bit differently. We are definitely considering Salisbury this time around. In hindsight, I think the schools my son applied to this year (2 rejections, 1 waitlist) were “reach” schools. We would like to add some schools to our list that he might have a better chance at. He is a “B” student in a very strong private day school with average test scores. (Great kid, interviews well, good athlete, etc…) Hopefully another year at home will give him the opportunity to improve his grades and a little studying might help the test scores. He is a good hockey player (AA), and we are looking for a small school that has a strong hockey program. It doesn’t have to be the “best team in New England” just a team that has good coaches. We looked at Kent, Taft and Westminster last year as well (not sure why but did not apply here either), and we are very interested in these schools for next year. Hence, why I am asking if anyone knows about the leadership at these schools. </p>
<p>To be honest, we never considered Millbrook. I like what some of you have said about their Headmaster. I think we will put that on our list to look at. As far as small “hockey schools” go, we also looked at Berkshire and Avon last fall, but they seem to recruit heavily. We are not interested in a school that takes a lot of PGs. We want our son to have a chance at playing. He is a good player but not “great”. I might send away for info. on Brooks as well. We will reapply to a “reach” school, but want to make sure he has some options.</p>
<p>A "B " student from a strong private day should be able to get into Middlesex or Taft which have an amazing hockey program. Berkshire has a fantastic head, and great fundraising but look carefully at the population of the school.</p>
<p>I’ll chime in here on a few things…first, to agree that the Blair headmaster is known in education circles as a fantastic head. Second, to say that you rarely see the same candidate considering both St Paul’s and Salisbury. They are really for two completely different types of students. I’d add Millbrook there too, as one that doesn’t get too many crosovers with St paul’s.</p>
<p>I’ll also disagree with the poster who says that a B student from a good private school should have no problem getting into Taft or Middlesex. I think those would be reaches.</p>
<p>As someone else said, I recommend looking at Brooks, also Governor’s—they don’t have PG’s which is a plus for you. anyway, that’s just a few comments…</p>
<p>Take a look at Avon Old Farms while you’re in CT. The headmaster is a grad of Exeter and Harvard. I’ve found him to be engaging. He always seems to be on the sidelines rooting for the boys during athletic games.</p>
<p>Newyorker22 - we considered Salisbury and SPS. Dad’s an Alumni and knows the terrific way Salisbury raises young men to be great citizens!
Dad’s also a St. Bernard’s Alumni!</p>
<p>Nothing but positive things to say about Mathews @ SPS. He exemplifies the sense of community fostered at the school - he’s very engaging, warm and approachable. He and/or his wife are present everywhere on campus. As has been a long standing tradition, they open their home to students on Saturday nights and its popular way to spend part of your Saturday night - eating snacks, playing games, watching sports on tv, chatting with friends at the Rectory.</p>
<p>It would be difficult to get into Middlesex with B’s–there are very few schools with higher average SAT scores. And B’s for Taft?..maybe if the student has an exceptional athletic ability.</p>
<p>St. Andrews School, DE headmaster, Tad Roach, is an exceptional, principle-centered leader who has been with the school for many years. As much as I enjoy reading various headmaster’s philosophies and writings (including SPS), few come close to this man’s ability to grasp educational trends and stay steadfastly focused on consistent core values of integrity and character as a part of the students education experience.</p>