Thoughts on school rankings

p43531
Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:42:43 +0000

But they can probably do a better objective reading OF your child than you can.



Big5, I am uncertain how consultants (whether headed by a former DEGAS administrator, a trained clinical psychologist, or Magnum PI fishing for inside information) could better differentiate between Andover and Exeter than the applicant herself after return visits, talking with current students and parents with current parents? I am unconvinced that consultancies like the Aristophanes Circle can surpass an outstanding parent. Educational consultants may know a lot. So do my cobbler and my cardiologist.

The above would be the only juncture where I could see such help useful. But earlier in the process while merely browsing dozens of schools?

All that calls for is an easy-to-use database, which takes time to compile and update, but little time to use. Immediately afterward, you yourself, not your agents, are off to a few target schools: their websites and real sites, actually meeting people. If other parents care to share their own stories, all the better (unlike many others here, I still am uncertain about meaningful differences between Andover and Exeter, after talking with several graduates and teachers of each school, wading through literature present, past, and ancient, and contrasting the two on endless facets of boarding school life. I did find some real differences in their course offerings! But everyone has their own experiences and opinions, and they form their own.)

Once the choices are narrowed from several dozen to a handful of schools, it becomes a personal quest to select the final few that receive applications from your child. Delegating this to a consultant is not unlike letting a school counselor determine which college your daughter should apply to. Yes, the good doctor may recommend five miles a day, but it will be you hitting the road.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but consultants do not seem to specialize in raw-data database building. Their services center around “assessment”, “fit”, “optimizing” and lots of talking. Incidentally, how do “test interviews”, “role-playing”, “optimization” and “coaching” help with what I am seeking here? Do consultants train applicants how to sip hot chocolate in a manner becoming St. Milo’s Academy vs the Hopscotch School? Regrettably, I lack faith that corporate approaches apply here. Though they make for catchy websites, and I surmise, respectable fees.

My own doubts with soi-disant experts notwithstanding, I am sure many people may find their offerings worthy.



You appear to have principles at odds. You want the best information available, but you’re not willing to look at legal insider intelligence.



I do not follow. This assumes that on the high end some esoteric knowledge is available for purchase. There isn’t.