Is sending a child to a Prep school required ?

Parents Forum
161

<p>Haven’t read the entire thread so just responding to the OP’s question.</p>

<p>In our part of the country - (bedroom community in So Cal) - prep schools are unheard of. If someone told me they had sent their child to prep school, I would think they are using a euphemism for substance abuse rehab. But our kids get into great schools. </p>

<p>So no, it’s not necessary at all, even for children with a lot of potential. I know there are communities where parents do send their kids to boarding schools, and this may be the best decision for your family. </p>

162

<p>Calla1-
While prep schools are more common on the East Coast, SoCal certainly does have some excellent, high-achieving privates such as Harvard-Westlake, Thatcher and Webb. Although I agree that prep school is not a necessity. Kids from public school on both coasts and everywhere in between get into top schools.</p>

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<p>As a current senior currently attending one of the most highly-ranked (and by some rankings THE highest ranked) prep schools in the nation, my answer is a definitive NO. I personally can’t wait to be done with it. It really depends on the kid–like college, its all about fit. If she/he really hates it, chances are prep school won’t help his/her development and might quite possibly even hinder his/her performance. Think about it.</p>

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<p>@Calla1,
Aside from the boarding schools in SoCal, there are rigorous, independent day schools which are basically considered prep schools in SoCal:
Harvard-Westlake, Polytechnic, Flintridge Prep, Marlbourough, Brentwood, Chadwick, Sage Hill, Buckley, Viewpoint, and a fleet of other independent schools. </p>

165

<p>@YoHoYoHo, yes, I know about those schools. My son attends one. But when people on this board say “prep school”, they mean boarding schools. </p>

<p>There may be boarding schools in So Cal, but I don’t know of any, and I don’t know anyone whose child has gone to one. </p>

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<p>

Just 'cause people here use the term incorrectly doesn’t mean the rest of us need to! Many of the preppiest prep schools are independent day schools.</p>

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<p>

Cate and Thacher come immediately to mind.</p>

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<p><a href=“Boarding School Search Results”>http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/search-boarding-schools/CA00/00000000000/00/2000/020&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>I have never heard of Cate. I have heard the name Thatcher but didn’t know what it was. Let’s just say we travel in different circles. </p>

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<p>I know of this SoCal prep school that is also a boarding school:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.thewebbschool.com”>http://www.thewebbschool.com</a></p>

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<p>That link is a school in Tennessee.</p>

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<p>The Webb Schools (plural, not singular) in Claremont, CA. They are co-located single sex boarding schools w shared classes. Kinda like the Claremont colleges.</p>

<p>In Carmel are Stevenson (on Pebble Beach) & Santa Catalina (all girls)</p>