<p>Part of our reason for moving our son to a boarding school is that his high school has changed in nature, reflecting a changing demographic in our area. It's a top public high school, and he's in the accelerated track. Most of his classmates are killing themselves for the numbers - almost all have private tutors, participate in no school activities; participate in music outside of school; attend weekend school; don't attend school events -- basically have made a life for themselves completely outside of their school community. Frankly, it diminishes the experience of everyone. I attended an information night recently for a top boarding school, and almost all of the parent questions were about how logistically to get their child from the school to their tutors, or music instructors, private dance troupe, etc. I just thought "cheech!" Are we being unrealistic? Will we find the same arms length relationships in boarding schools that repels us in our public high school?
Thanks.</p>
<p>I remind myself at information evenings that the parents in attendance are the parents of applicants. They are not the parents of enrolled students. I wouldn’t automatically lose heart at the questions. The school community does not necessarily share the values of the parents whose questions worried you. (It might, though, which makes it necessary for you to try to suss out the school’s approach to life.)</p>
<p>A certain number of the parents who asked such questions may not choose to complete the application process, because they can’t fit their family’s schedule with the boarding school’s schedule. Having said that, a renowned boarding school will draw parents who want the best for their children. Everyone defines that differently, which makes it interesting. There were undoubtedly other parents in attendance, who were wondering, “Does my family belong here?”</p>
<p>Personally I think that Hotchkiss has a wonderful sense of community. Because we are smaller than the lager schools, unlike Andover and Exeter we are able to form intimate connections as a school and be drawn closer together. At Hotchkiss everyone is friends with everyone or at the very least knows everyone else. The sense of community is ultimately what made me choose it over Exeter, Andover. And I am just about as strange as they get. I am an African (Ugandan) who was born in America (Virginia) making me an African American I suppose, who grew up in Asia (Brunei and Malaysia) and lives in the middle east (Saudi) and has a french half Brother… If i can fit in you defiantly can to. Trust me Hotchkiss is by far the place to be when it comes to community.</p>
<p>Blair and the Gunnery also have a good sense of community, especially Blair.</p>
<p>Go west. Thacher for example!</p>
<p>Raisincane- honestly, most kids are so busy at boarding school that there’s no way they could participate in outside activities. One of my children was in a prestigious children’s choir and was determined to continue after starting at prep school. She was so busy from day one that she never thought about it again until Thanksgiving, and then realized that her school choir was much better! Another of my kids played on an elite travel sports team through 8th grade- thought he would continue in the off season- and then was so happy on his school team that he never mentioned it again! And those annoying parents at open houses, and informational parties- well, we never saw any of them again either.</p>
<p>I’ll take this as an opportunity to once again make a Claim for the Asheville School. We are quite small, and the main thing that attracted me was the sense of community here. I Know everyone, we are almost like family Were not a very cliquey school and everyone is involved. We care about each-other If I need someone to talk to, and my adviser’s not around. I find any teacher, administrator, even the Headmaster! I can ask any teacher for homework help. I know Fm gushing but 1 love it here. We all help each other out because we care for-one another, truly! Please don’t role out The Asheville School. 1 know we are smaller, and not as well known as others, but It’s a great education and a great Community, Look us up.</p>
<p>Asheville School, Episcopal, Kent and SPS are big community schools(I have friends at three of them… I visited Asheville almost 10 months ago before I even thought about boarding school… It was an accident. I was seeing the Builtmore Mansion)</p>
<p>raisin,</p>
<p>Those parents just don’t get it when it comes to boarding school. Don’t worry, any school that is worth their salt won’t even consider those families when they ask those questions in the interview. Boarding schools want kids who are fully involved in what THEY have to offer. Parents who pull their kids out for this and that are generally not desired. Plus those parents tend to be looking for more special favors (time out of class, etc), making things harder to run.</p>
<p>That being said, goaliegirl has had hockey committments on Sundays the past couple of fall terms. Occasionally, her logistical committments required her to leave on Saturday night missing some of the fun things, but Sunday is mostly a rest, recouperate, review, and recalibrate day for prep students, so she is very much a part of the organized activities. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t let her do outside hockey if it took away from the core of the experience. And I don’t think she would want to miss any more time away.</p>
<p>was erecting the Builtmore, many said “George, why not name it the Biltmore?”.
But he said no, Builtmore is classier.</p>
<p>True story.</p>
<p>i wish fun is fun was my older brother</p>