Any advice on admission to prep school in MA /NH? My child is a current 10th grader who has re-classed for his sport and now intends to re-do 10th grade. His grades from 8th grade are all As, but 9th are As, Bs and a C+ , 9th grade at his public HS was not great post Covid - for example he had 4 teachers for Algebra 2 ! Current grades are As and high Bs. He is driving this decision, hoping to get better academics and happy to redo a year. He has been offered a spot at Kimball Union to play his sport but that would mean boarding. His other favorites include Lawrence Academy, Middlesex, St Marks, Winchendon but would also consider others. Thanks for any advice.
Not a lot of info to give advice on. I don’t think 8th grade grades will matter if he’s done two years of highschool. LA, Middlesex, and St Marks are pretty different schools. With very different acceptance rates.
With two years of re-classing make sure you check the isl age cut off. There is one but I can’t remember what it is.
Hi Thanks - he is only 15 now (on the younger side) so would not really be bumping up against any age restrictions thankfully. He is only doing one year of reclass - from 2025 to 2026. They actually are asking for his 8th grade grades as he has a language and Algebra 1 classes from 8th grade.
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Since sports is driving the reclass, I would focus on schools where he can continue – either at school and/or club. It sounds like he should avoid schools where there all academic tracks would challenge him to the point that they burn him out or siphon too much of his energy into academics.
Lawrence came to mind and is on your list. Worcester? Brooks? I’m sure a few more will come to mind as soon as I hit reply…
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We do need to look at Brooks. We went to Worcester A but after looking further into the school the coach for his sport recently left and the position is being filled by someone whose focus is actually another sport. So…WA is not an option to continue his sport to the fullest extent he would like even though it would have been a great option! Thanks!
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What sport? Also, just as an fyi, many prep school coaches are pretty terrible. Most are teachers who also coach. There are rare exceptions but I would not look to prep school to make my player better unless you’re seriously downgrading academics.
Brooks is lovely by the way. Lots of school spirit. Academics are not super stressful.
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As promised!
Another one to check out is Cushing - I’ve known kids who were good athletes (and more athletes than scholars) who were very happy there.
Governors and Tabor feel like they might be of interest based on what’s on your list. Tabor definitely has the marine science/sailing thing going on, but my sense – based on a friend whose very different kids all attended, is that they serve different kinds of kids pretty well. Really depends on whether your son can pursue his sport there.
Milton Academy
Noble & Greenough
Both are in the Boston area.
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