<p>I do think having parents that attended BS can be a positive. I have experienced first-hand the positives of going - greater value on learning than most of my public middle school friends, more worldly, it was “cool” to be smart, lifelong friendships, mandatory athletics, away from petty issues with my parents and siblings, etc. etc. And I want all the things on that list (that are applicable) for my kid as well. </p>
<p>I was also very candid to the AOs about the fears the prospect engendered. I went to bs when many of the kids were indeed sent away and many walked around in a drug and alcohol induced haze that fueled a lot of random, inappropriate, hookups (defined as sex to me). My MIL told me many times about my H crying when she left him at BS, but he has no recollection of this and I know he recovered quickly if this actually occurred - it could have been her crying or wishful thinking on MIL’s part. I believe the AOs when they told me it was different now and the children of friends and relatives who have attended bs affirm this notion. Plus, if I do say so myself, I turned out okay anyway. </p>
<p>Now, I have become adept at defending the “new” bs experience while attempting to listen to aghast and ill-informed reactions to the possibility of D attending bs in 9th grade. If someone gave me new/current information that was based on something more than hearsay or some nebulous prophecy accompanied with a downcast look and a shaking head that “it will ruin her,” I would consider it with an open mind. At this stage, however, that information has not been presented to me. Keeping her at home when she wants to go “because I only have her for a few more years” seems selfish and actually not in the best interest of either of us. </p>
<p>@Periwinkle:
That SSAT link makes me think that the 3 schools D applied to where her SSAT scores were considerably above the “median” will WL her based merely on a by-the-numbers assessment of her application. </p>
<p>This loopiness is why M10 cannot arrive soon enough! </p>