Thoughts on Brearley Vs. Horace Mann

Iris33
Tue, 22 Dec 2020 15:23:17 +0000

My middle school daughter is in an opportunity program that pretty much guarantees her acceptance to either Brearley or Horace Mann. We are beyond grateful for this. Since both schools are equally academically excellent, we are trying to determine which is the best fit in terms of student culture and course offerings. On the one hand, my daughter loves the whole “girl power” vibe associated with Brearley. On the other, she has many artistic interests, where Horace Mann might provide more opportunity because of its extensive course catalog.

Without in-person visits this year, it’s hard to get a sense of these schools’ different vibes. My concern about an all-girls school is that it may be a tad “cliquey”- my daughter is so not the “gossip girl” type. However, during the virtual tour and interview at Brearley, we did not get this impression- it felt like a genuinely friendly and supportive community that values and nurtures girls’ individuality. Also, both schools have an admirable commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. That said, I know at this age, no school will be completely free of social pressures, especially for a child of color from a middle-class background.

I was wondering if anyone familiar with these schools could offer their insight. Also, transportation is not an issue as we will be looking to relocate.

Thank you so much in advance for your time.