Thoughts on school rankings

p43531
Thu, 17 Feb 2011 10:23:30 +0000

How do we measure and rank these variables so that we can make the right choice of school?



I do feel that the process might be more effective if during the school search dozens (or more) variables were gathered and students (and their parents) could narrow down choices based on such filters (not “rankings”). They are all good schools, so what else do they have (or what makes them “good”)?

That way we would not have to start new threads every month about which school has the best swimming program, the most trees, the coldest March, or the swellest boat. In other words, such factors would not “rank” schools as much as provide extra detail and add texture to each picture, so even before starting applications students could sift through a great variety of outstanding schools and get “fitted” for the right(er) ones.

For instance, “acreage” is great, but how about students/acres (like endowment per student)? How about major “facilities” (science, gym, arts, library, team sports etc.) - latest renovation, new build, development, improvement? And the length of trails, streams, and the number of ponds and squirrels?

These might all tell a story, and woven together present each school in a different light. *Then *you visit a select group of school, because in the end, personal impressions and gut feelings will lead to most of the final choices. But getting an early head start (not basing visit choices on mere name recognition) from the comfort of your computer screen could be quite helpful.

Winterset’s somewhat amorphous and USNewsForbesEtc’s narrowly number-driven approaches could be melded into something more revealing and together very meaningful.

Sevendad, the Clark is fantastic. I’ve been fortunate to have spent quite some time there, viewing in private their splendid Dürer collection, when a family member was curating there a few summers ago. A hidden gem of an art institute, highly recommended.