<p>i'll admit i never even considered bs for my 8th grade son. however he recently returned from a college math competition with a desire to attend pea, whcih has an amazing math team and coach...
ive always tried to provide him with educational opportunites which are plentiful in the dc area fortunately..i can afford math camps in the summer/aops classes/cty classes. however he really wants to attend a great math/science university (caltech,mit,harvey mudd). wondering if he will stand out better in his small charter school with me able to spend my resources on enrichmentetc or in this ultra-competitive bs environment.
he is not a avid sports player or music player..just passionate about science and math.
opinions??</p>
<p>I think he should be fine either way - for college admission purpose. In Exeter he may get better training in not only math but in other areas, but at home he has your support and can grow in the pace he is used to in a familiar environment. It’s a judgement call depending on what you and he want from his high school education. Hanging around here often and knowing Exeter better in other ways as well may help you make that decision.</p>
<p>thanks for your quick reply! he’s going up for a math competition so he can look around and talk to people.hopefully that can clarify things…</p>
<p>Why don’t you take a tour of Episcopal H.S. – as though he’ll be a boarder – and see what he thinks (and what you think)? Obviously, it’s not Exeter…but you’ll get a better handle of the boarding experience in general and see whether it’s something worth doing.</p>
<p>You seem like you’re highly engaged in his competitions and other activities. You’d basically be bowing out of that role. That may or may not be something you like. That may or may not be to his benefit. I can’t say. But maybe if you toured Episcopal, it would be easier for you to imagine the pros and cons of such an undertaking as they apply specifically to your family.</p>
<p>kayak: given your child’s interests & your location, you might also consider [Center</a> for Talented Youth - JHU CTY](<a href=“http://cty.jhu.edu/]Center”>http://cty.jhu.edu/)</p>
<p>As D’yer noted, Episcopal is within easy range if you want to give BS a peek (can’t believe I’m saying that with a son at Episcopal’s rival Woodberry Forest!).</p>
<p>kayakmom, it sounds as if your son has ample opportunities at home. I would not think that attending PEA would necessarily increase his chances at a great scientific university, because I think it sounds as if he’s already on the right track.</p>
<p>If your son is curious about Exeter, they do have a summer boarding camp experience. If you want him to try to apply for admission to PEA for next year, there’s quite a bit to get done in the next month or so. It’s possible to get it done, but you’d have to line everything up quickly.</p>
<p>after listening to you all and talking to him he decided to stay at his home school for a year, research schools more and not just apply and make a big dicision based on meeting a few people. then next year he can re evaluate and make a decision then… i really enjoy him and watching him think and grow but if he decides after more research that he could get a better education and opportunities elsewhere i’d like him to have it…</p>