What makes your school special?

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>When I say “your”, I don’t mean the specific school you attend or are somehow affiliated with, I mean any school that you know something special about. And I’m not looking for “‘So and So’ is special because of rigorous academics and a great sense of community”, I’m looking for “‘So and So’ is special because of the fantastic newly build science center that contains a particle reactor available for student use!”.</p>

<p>You get the idea. </p>

<p>So please contribute! This list might be especially useful to students and parents who would like to know specific things that make any particular school great.</p>

<p>Feel free to mention as many schools as you are knowledgeable about, you are not just limited to one.</p>

<p>PS The list should be formatted so that people can just copy what the above person wrote and add their school in so that schools aren’t repeated multiple times.</p>

<p>Ex. Andover- …
Exeter- …
SPS- …</p>

<p>You get the idea.</p>

2

<p>Hi there! Nice to hear from you again. </p>

<p>From my research, I’ve figured out a couple things about schools that I found interesting.</p>

<p>Brooks School- They have a playwriting class. There’s tons of opportunities to travel (study abroad programs, plus last year the field hockey team traveled to Holland to compete). Their science program is fantastic. They send students to a lab on the coast of Eastern Canada to do real field research, and they have partnering programs with MIT and Harvard scientists. They also have a great Crew program (they have indoor still-water tanks for practicing in bad weather). </p>

<p>As you can probably tell Brooks is one of the schools I’m favoring at the moment(:</p>

3

<p>Brooks is lovely. Have you visited it yet, future girl?</p>

4

<p>neatoburrito- I have not, actually. I’m cramming my visit in last-minute, sometime in early January, but before the 15th of course. I can’t wait.</p>

5

<p>Any more contributions? The schools I’m personally wondering about are, SPS and Deerfield. I’m relatively well informed on most other schools :D.</p>

6

<p>I know just a bit about Deerfield, but little about SPS. </p>

<p>Deerfield’s science building is phenomenal from what I’ve seen in pictures, and the campus looks more like a town than a school.</p>

<p>And pretty much all I know about SPS besides that it’s a fantastic school is that their ice hockey team is supposedly very good.</p>

7

<p>Ok, so far we have:</p>

<p>Brooks School- They have a playwriting class. There’s tons of opportunities to travel (study abroad programs, plus last year the field hockey team traveled to Holland to compete). Their science program is fantastic. They send students to a lab on the coast of Eastern Canada to do real field research, and they have partnering programs with MIT and Harvard scientists. They also have a great Crew program (they have indoor still-water tanks for practicing in bad weather). </p>

<p>Deerfield Academy- Science building is phenomenal from what I’ve seen in pictures, and the campus looks more like a town than a school.</p>

<p>SPS- Ice hockey team is supposedly very good.</p>

8

<p>Nice idea for a thread, markalex1. I’d suggest people feel free to comment on whatever it is that means something to you about the school - maybe it is the dedication of the teachers, or the availability of the dormparents just to chat, or the way the day is structured that you like, the food, advantages that come from being in its location (proximity to a certain city, say, or skiing), or some interesting extracurricular opportunities.</p>

9

<p>^That is EXACTLY what people should write! Thank you so much for that post! I just hope though that enough people reply to this thread that it eventually becomes a great resource.</p>

10

<p>As I’ve posted elsewhere, Pomfret is the only place we’ve seen that has a dedicated digital arts program that students can work their way through over 4 years. Seems like kids who are interested in using the computer for cutting edge interactive programming should have this place on their list, regardless of other factors for its “tier” ranking.</p>

11

<p>I’d also add that NMH has a VERY unique vibe unlike almost any other BS I’ve seen. First of all, the campus is HUGE (1000) acres, so outdoors types will have a lot of room to play and explore. And there’s a working farm. And there’s a level of liberal trust and independence extended to students from the time they get there to the time they leave that is far beyond what most other schools will allow.</p>

<p>P.S., was also at Brooks recently and concur with the comments about its unique attributes as well!</p>

12

<p>Andover: Cluster system, most selective boarding school in country, need blind admissions, founded in 1777, 300 courses available, tons of sports, music is EXCELLENT</p>

<p>Brooks:they have a playwriting class. There’s tons of opportunities to travel (study abroad programs, plus last year the field hockey team traveled to Holland to compete). Their science program is fantastic. They send students to a lab on the coast of Eastern Canada to do real field research, and they have partnering programs with MIT and Harvard scientists. They also have a great Crew program (they have indoor still-water tanks for practicing in bad weather).</p>

<p>Deerfield: science building, no town nearby/in the middle of nowhere, great lacrosse team, great writing, (read their english magazine, really great stuff!) uses harkness, campus looks like a town, medium sized community </p>

<p>Exeter: Originated harkness method, uses harkness in every classroom, largest endowment, tons of sports/music/clubs, big student body, 450 courses, great crew, swimming teams</p>

<p>Groton: Has a Second Form or eight grade, requires latin and greek, has IMO one of the best choral program of all prep schools,(SPS is tied with Groton for choir) has small forms, (b/c of the Second Form) requires the study of religion, is affiliated with the Episcopal Church</p>

<p>Middlesex: Writing program, great lacrosse team, forms well rounded people by requiring you to do a little of everything, requires you to take art history, many kids can take 6 or even 7 classes, campus looks EXACTLY like Harvard, requires interscholastic sports</p>

<p>SPS: Is all boarding, has a great ice hockey, cross country, and crew teams. you have to take “humanities” class which combines english/history, is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, has one IMO one of the best choral programs of all prep schools, (tied with Groton) has an incredible chapel</p>

<p>That’s all I could think of now. Sorry if it’s disorganized/ poorly written. Anyone else have anything to add?</p>

13

<p>I’ll write some stuff that hasn’t been mentioned thus far:</p>

<p>Andover: Offers a crapload of courses you might not find even in other well known BS’s
Exeter: See above, very strong and unique math program
Groton: Very small, starts in 8th grade
Deerfield: No saturday classes, sit down meals, formal dress code
Lawrenceville: House system
Emma Willard: All girls, smallish campus (nonetheless beautiful)</p>

14

<p>Andover: Cluster system, most selective boarding school in country, need blind admissions, founded in 1777, 300 courses available, tons of sports, music is EXCELLENT, Offers a crapload of courses you might not find even in other well known BS’s</p>

<p>Brooks:they have a playwriting class. There’s tons of opportunities to travel (study abroad programs, plus last year the field hockey team traveled to Holland to compete). Their science program is fantastic. They send students to a lab on the coast of Eastern Canada to do real field research, and they have partnering programs with MIT and Harvard scientists. They also have a great Crew program (they have indoor still-water tanks for practicing in bad weather).</p>

<p>Deerfield: science building, no town nearby/in the middle of nowhere, great lacrosse team, great writing, (read their english magazine, really great stuff!) uses harkness, campus looks like a town, medium sized community, no saturday classes, sit down meals, formal dress code</p>

<p>Emma Willard: All girls, smallish campus (nonetheless beautiful), super tight-knit community, really unique traditions, really warm and welcoming atmosphere</p>

<p>Exeter: Originated harkness method, uses harkness in every classroom, largest endowment, tons of sports/music/clubs, big student body, 450 courses, great crew, swimming teams, very strong and unique math program</p>

<p>Groton: Has a Second Form or eight grade, requires latin and greek, has IMO one of the best choral program of all prep schools,(SPS is tied with Groton for choir) has small forms, (b/c of the Second Form) requires the study of religion, is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, very small, starts in 8th grade</p>

<p>Lawrenceville: House system</p>

<p>Middlesex: Writing program, great lacrosse team, forms well rounded people by requiring you to do a little of everything, requires you to take art history, many kids can take 6 or even 7 classes, campus looks EXACTLY like Harvard, requires interscholastic sports</p>

<p>SPS: Is all boarding, has a great ice hockey, cross country, and crew teams. you have to take “humanities” class which combines english/history, is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, has one IMO one of the best choral programs of all prep schools, (tied with Groton) has an incredible chapel</p>

15

<p>Andover: Cluster system, most selective boarding school in country, need blind admissions, founded in 1777, 300 courses available, tons of sports, music is EXCELLENT, Offers a crapload of courses you might not find even in other well known BS’s</p>

<p>Brooks:they have a playwriting class. There’s tons of opportunities to travel (study abroad programs, plus last year the field hockey team traveled to Holland to compete). Their science program is fantastic. They send students to a lab on the coast of Eastern Canada to do real field research, and they have partnering programs with MIT and Harvard scientists. They also have a great Crew program (they have indoor still-water tanks for practicing in bad weather).</p>

<p>Deerfield: science building, no town nearby/in the middle of nowhere, great lacrosse team, great writing, (read their english magazine, really great stuff!) uses harkness, campus looks like a town, medium sized community, no saturday classes, sit down meals, formal dress code</p>

<p>Emma Willard: All girls, smallish campus (nonetheless beautiful), super tight-knit community, really unique traditions, really warm and welcoming atmosphere</p>

<p>Exeter: Originated Harkness method, uses Harkness in every classroom, largest endowment, tons of sports/music/clubs, big student body, 450 courses, great crew, swimming teams, very strong and unique math program, awesome science building, beautiful music building, expansive athletics fields and gyms, highest SAT scores</p>

<p>Groton: Has a Second Form or eight grade, requires latin and greek, has IMO one of the best choral program of all prep schools,(SPS is tied with Groton for choir) has small forms, (b/c of the Second Form) requires the study of religion, is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, very small, starts in 8th grade</p>

<p>Lawrenceville: House system</p>

<p>Middlesex: Writing program, great lacrosse team, forms well rounded people by requiring you to do a little of everything, requires you to take art history, many kids can take 6 or even 7 classes, campus looks EXACTLY like Harvard, requires interscholastic sports</p>

<p>SPS: Is all boarding, has a great ice hockey, cross country, and crew teams. you have to take “humanities” class which combines english/history, is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, has one IMO one of the best choral programs of all prep schools, (tied with Groton) has an incredible chapel</p>

16

<p>Andover: Cluster system, most selective boarding school in country, need blind admissions, founded in 1777, 300 courses available, tons of sports, music is EXCELLENT, Offers a crapload of courses you might not find even in other well known BS’s</p>

<p>Brooks:they have a playwriting class. There’s tons of opportunities to travel (study abroad programs, plus last year the field hockey team traveled to Holland to compete). Their science program is fantastic. They send students to a lab on the coast of Eastern Canada to do real field research, and they have partnering programs with MIT and Harvard scientists. They also have a great Crew program (they have indoor still-water tanks for practicing in bad weather).</p>

<p>Deerfield: science building, no town nearby/in the middle of nowhere, great lacrosse team, great writing, (read their english magazine, really great stuff!) uses harkness, campus looks like a town, medium sized community, no saturday classes, sit down meals, formal dress code</p>

<p>Emma Willard: All girls, smallish campus (nonetheless beautiful), super tight-knit community, really unique traditions, really warm and welcoming atmosphere</p>

<p>Exeter: Originated Harkness method, uses Harkness in every classroom, largest endowment, tons of sports/music/clubs, big student body, 450 courses, great crew, swimming teams, very strong and unique math program, awesome science building, beautiful music building, expansive athletics fields and gyms, highest SAT scores</p>

<p>George School: Everyone at GS (Head of School, teachers, admin, and students) addresses each other on a first-name basis. Referring to some one as Mr., Ms. or Miss will trigger an inevitable raised eyebrow, followed by a predictable, puppy-like sideways glance. A true deal breaker fer sure. Also, received the largest single donation ever given to an existing U.S. independent school, a charitable lead annuity trust in the amount of $128.5 million in 2007.</p>

<p>Groton: Has a Second Form or eight grade, requires latin and greek, has IMO one of the best choral program of all prep schools,(SPS is tied with Groton for choir) has small forms, (b/c of the Second Form) requires the study of religion, is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, very small, starts in 8th grade</p>

<p>Lawrenceville: House system</p>

<p>Middlesex: Writing program, great lacrosse team, forms well rounded people by requiring you to do a little of everything, requires you to take art history, many kids can take 6 or even 7 classes, campus looks EXACTLY like Harvard, requires interscholastic sports</p>

<p>SPS: Is all boarding, has a great ice hockey, cross country, and crew teams. you have to take “humanities” class which combines english/history, is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, has one IMO one of the best choral programs of all prep schools, (tied with Groton) has an incredible chapel</p>

17

<p>Berkshire: Excellent science research program, new math/science center being built to open in the near future, campus is extremely environmentally friendly, takes advantage of the school’s unique location (located right next to the Berkshire Mountains), Ritt Kellogg Mountain Program offers many opportunities to participate in activities that many schools don’t offer (Boat building, kayaking, winter mountaineering, rock climbing, mountain biking, etc.), a higher percentage of internationals that other schools (BSR: 20%), high percentage of boarders (BSR: 89%), formal dress code</p>

18

<p>Choate: Impossible to classify the students as one type - the school has an extremely diverse curriculum and offers opportunities for students with a various interests (science research program, arts concentration, the capstone program, study abroad, etc…), pretty large student population (~850), planning to build a building exclusively devoted to environmental science, offers one of the most extensive economics curriculum, nice campus, excellent theatrical department, basically all of its departments are quite strong</p>

19

<p>Love where this thread has gone! Keep the observations coming…would be great to get more schools represented by current students/parents.</p>

20

<p>My friend goes to SPS and simply ADORES it. She said that its really strict and you can’t walk around campus with cell phones and there is a very strict dress code, especially for girls. </p>

<p>Hope I helped a little bit? Random facts… i know i know…</p>