<p>I work at a private English school in China. I have a fantastic student who wants to go to high school in America. He’s 12 now, but I want to help him start looking into schools/preparing. </p>
<p>He’s unusual. He does not go to school- his dad is really not fond of the Chinese school system, which involves a lot of focus on teaching to the test and leaves little room for creativity. Instead, he takes 3 classes at our school with native speakers of English, violin lessons, and ballet lessons. And he studies on his own. His parents don’t speak English. Currently he’s working on reading an abridged version of Great Expectations. His English is great, although not perfect- his grammar could use some work. Usually he just gets so excited when he’s writing or speaking he’ll just make simple mistakes when he knows better. He’s an amazing cartoonist and draws cartoons in English. </p>
<p>So what I’m looking for is a (possibly boarding?) school that won’t stifle his creativity. He’s hilarious, unique, and wildly energetic. He’s also very smart- his memory is amazing. A school with good academics and excellent arts programs would be fantastic. But also someplace that values individualism. He has a great personality and I want to direct him towards places where he can make friends and not be teased for being a bit different and crazy (he already would be coming from China, difficult enough!). He knows a lot about American culture (he loves Harry Potter and The Beatles). </p>
<p>I looked at Putney’s website, and it seems like a good possibility. Am I on the right track? Other suggestions? Also, he wants to know what tests he might need to prepare for. It appears to differ. Should I point him towards preparing for the TOEFL or PSAT or SAT etc?</p>
<p>Most of the top schools allow for plenty of creativity, just not at the expense of academics. (Or as an excuse for stifling academic growth!) I’d find it unlikely that he would be teased for being from China.</p>
<p>He needs to take the TOEFL and the SSAT. Those scores will give you an idea of which schools are likely to be a good academic match. Take it from there. </p>
<p>I’m glad he has you to guide him and that he’s starting early. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Putney is a great fit. Also look at Concord and Governors. Just off the top of my head. Good luck.</p>
<p>I asked a dance student. These are the schools she recommends in NE:
He`s got a nice hook as a male dancer.</p>
<p>Millbrook- very rural but nice
cushings- sm town, lots of support
Berkshire -rural
Brewster
Dublin
Gov- known for strong arts
Lawrence-nice little town, near other schools
MacDuffie
Marvelwood-good reviews, strong support
New Hampton
Suffield- great NE town
Masters-close to NYC
Putney-good reviews
Concord- known for dance/art</p>
<p>Schools w/ PG will have stronger sports & older students. You may want to mark such schools off or lower on your list.</p>
<p>Governor’s would be a poor choice in my opinion. I was underwhelmed on all levels by that school - especially the arts. Their emphasis is strongly in sports - I do not foresee that changing anytime soon. If he has an interest in dance - run, don’t walk, away from Governor’s as it is not even a full year program. I felt the visual arts program was very superficial - a kiln and a couple of nice ceramics do not an arts program make- and treated like a hobby. I can’t speak for the music program. </p>
<p>As for Putney - a magical, fantastic place. My D visited and loved it - as far as I am concerned it is the best school for artistic souls out there - including the conservatories such as Idylwild, Interlochen and Walnut Hill. At Putney you can dance ( the dance teacher is really fantastic) draw, paint, weld, sing, write, farm… A very creative open ended educational experience for the right child. Lots of outdoor experiences (skiing, hiking, farming, camping, etc) - not much in the way of competitive organised sport. They do now have basketball - in the most beautiful athletic facility I have seen and green architecture to boot. A conservatory setting would make a child choose and specialise at 14 - Putney is all about exploration and process. As a side note - the food is ridiculously good. Everything is farm fresh, home made, and organic; when these kids go to college they realise how lucky they were. My D chose a slightly more conservative single sex school (she needed more ballet/pointe classes) but was really drawn to Putney. A close family friend just graduated from there and was accepted at really top notch colleges. </p>
<p>Concord is fantastic for dance/writing /art - however they have a really unusual rule that the boarders cannot return to their dorms during the day. It has a lot of day students - it seemed to us like a social siberia on the weekends. We did not apply mostly because of the daytime dorms limitations - seemed punitive to us and extremely silly.</p>
<p>Interlochen does seem like a good fit for him. Choate has the Paul Mellon Arts Center.</p>
<p>I’d recommend the Peddie School: [Please</a> wait…](<a href=“http://www.peddie.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1]Please”>http://www.peddie.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1)</p>
<p>It is in central New Jersey, right in between Philadelphia and New York City. Many of the students are from China, and all of them are quite liberal on Chinese standards, so I’m sure he’d fit right in. The academics are challenging, but I never feel like I’m being taught to the test. The orchestra has a great conductor who performs in the pit on Broadway, and the art teachers are extremely helpful and just generally cool. The arts building is currently being renovated and will be finished at the end of this summer. During the year, the building is open all day and during study hall (8-10 pm) and on the weekends.</p>
<p>At Peddie, the quirky kids are the most loved. Individuals are highly valued among the faculty and students, and there’s never any pressure to conform and be something you’re not, least of all in the arts.</p>
<p>Also, I should add that the school offers Chinese, taught by a man who speaks it as his first language, so translating for the parents should be no problem with him and several students who are fluent around.</p>
<p>I recommend Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, Massachusetts(a suburb of Boston). It has an extremely strong program in ballet and in music. There are a number of international students.</p>
<p>You should look into George School. There is no way he’s get teased, either for being Chinese or being a male dancer because we have plenty of both. Check out the website!
[Home</a> - George School](<a href=“http://www.georgeschool.org%5DHome”>http://www.georgeschool.org)</p>
<p>@Dare2Differ ^ agreed! GS has a very eclectic, artistic student body. A few weeks ago the GS China Parents Association held a information session in Shanghai that was attended by 80 families. Chinese students are well represented on campus.</p>
<p>I recommend Cambridge School of Weston located in Weston Massachusetts.</p>