My son was accepted to both schools and we would love some more input from current parents. We live a plane ride away and we want to make sure the community is the right fit. We love both schools for different reasons.
Well, start here for St. Marks:
thank you!
When was your daughter there? Recently? We love the head and assistant head so that surprises me.
Revisit days can really make a difference.
My son just graduated from Millbrook. I’d be happy to answer any questions if I can. He had a great experience and I would give it my highest recommendation. The Head has been there so long his vision permeates the school – all the pieces fit together and reinforce each other. My son went from an unconfident 9th grader with some academic issues to a happy, confident, valued kid (who got into one of his reach schools). I had kids at another boarding school, so can compare.
Plus – the zoo! How cool is that? No other school in the world has an accredited zoo as part of it. Many kids, tho not my son, find their life’s work there.
Thank you for input. I find that most people whom I speak with that sent their boys to Millbrook had children with learning issues or academic challenges. Is this typical of the school or just happens to be the few people I have connected with? I hear the kids love it, which is so important. Would a nerdy type kid that takes academics extremely seriously fit in? Congratulations on your son’s college acceptances.
I am curious to know more personal experiences at Millbrook as well. Thanks!
@boymom928 no, most kids at Millbrook dont have learning disabilities. My son is/was pretty brilliant but also has pretty severe ADD – very disorganized, hard time getting homework done on time etc. He came to Millbrook pretty beaten down, and over his four years there really blossomed. He was seen and valued for who he was – a very sweet boy, who was really smart, and who also had a hard time getting things done on time. I can’t say enough good things about Millbrook-- I really think they appreciate each kid for who they are.
My son learned ways of coping with his ADD, was absolutely challenged in his classes (his last two years there he took AP chemistry, honors calculus etc – the tough classes are there if you want them!).
I really credit Millbrook with putting him on a path to be happy, confident and successful. That wouldn’t have happened at every school. The fact that he got into a selective college is a bonus. But as the Head says, that’s not the right focus. The right focus is on preparing your child to be happy and successful in life – however they define success.
Thank you so much for your insight. We are really looking forward to our revisit.
@cinnamon1212 can you PM me? I just wanted to ask some follow up questions about Millbrook but don’t have 15 posts so can’t PM you!
Thank you!!
@wolsajj Hmmm I am new to these forums too, but I think this post will be my 15th. Let me try!
@wolsajj it looks like I can’t PM yet either. Happy to try and answer any questions here (or, start posting a lot so you can PM me 
)
Haha! @cinnamon1212 I guess we will get to 15 quickly this way! Wondering how Millbrook handles the transition for freshman to boarding school? How classes are chosen your first year? Roommates? Anything else you can fill me in on? Thanks!
@cinnamon1212 I looked and you nowadays be able to PM. Either in this thread or PM is fine though!
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Once you reach 15 posts, you need to log out and log back in for the status to refresh. As a reminder, the 15 posts need to be substantive. I’ve seen many users try to post single letters just to boost post count; this only results in my deleting the posts and advising the user on ToS.
@wolsajj I think most boarding schools have similar policies. Roommates- assigned. Classes - students test into math/language level. There are 2 different physics classes in 9th grade (one is easier) and I cannot remember how the students are assigned. Millbrook does a great job with the transition to boarding school. It is a very supportive and nurturing place. Your student is assigned an upperclassman “buddy” to help them in the first few days. I have already forgotten the titles, but besides proctors/prefects, dorms also have "peer counselors " that kids can turn to before going to an adult. My son did this, and I know kids did come to him with issues.
@cinnamon1212 I agree most BSs have similar structure. St Mark’s has a very similar structure as well. Grades have n the first semester are not recorded, in case there’s a difficult transition. Also, SMS (like most schools, I think) has an add/drop period at the beginning of each semester to make sure kids are placed in a class appropriate for their level. If it appears a class may be too advanced, or too easy for that matter, they can be moved into a class more suited for them.
Thanks!