<p>Yes, Jedwards I have 2 friends who sent their daughters to Westover.
One graduated 2 years ago and enjoyed her experience there. However, she felt that after the first 2 years the school was a little small for her and she missed being around boys. This student was too far to commute home on the week-ends and she felt that there could have been more organized "field trips" on the week-ends. The other girl left after her first year because she missed being in a co-ed school.
Both families were happy with the academics at Westover.</p>
<p>Thanks very much, Parent '08. Do you know if the one girl thought there just wasn't enough to do on the weekends? or did she just miss boys? My d will miss boys, but she has gone to an all-girls school before and likes it very much - as do we. But, I wouldn't want her at a school that doesn't organize weekend activities...too boring and lonely, especially for girls who live far away from school (as ours would). Thanks!</p>
<p>jedwards- The one potential issue that comes to mind regarding weekend actvities, and most all girls schools, is that the percent of boarders is on the low side. I believe that this can have a negative effect on the schools because alot of students are home on weekends. My 7th grade d spent a week at westover over the summer and really loved the place.</p>
<p>There was a girl on the board last year - Tapping(?). Try to respond to one of her posts. She was going to Westover.</p>
<p>Jewards--My Westover friend had told me that on the week-ends there were organized dances with the all male schools and there were trips to the local mall but beyond that she felt that they could have offered more to the students. Perhaps in the way of trips to New Haven or New York or have more activities on campus. Of course, that is one person's perspective. If my D was interested in Westover I would ask specific questions about this and I would ask both the administration and the students I met on campus.<br>
Preparent makes a good point about the day/boarding population. I think a high percentage of day students dilutes the boarding school experience on the week-ends.
I will also add that she was very happy with the math/science program at Westover.</p>
<p>Thanks to all who replied to my question. I agree that the higher the boarding percentage the better really - especially for girls who wouldn't be able to go home on the weekends. AND I want the school to offer not just mall trips and dances, but also cultural opportunities - museums, concerts, trips to places that enrich their experiences, etc....even if the girls don't always take advantage of them. does anyone know if Emma and/or MPS offers these to their girls?</p>
<p>I know 2 people with daughters at Emma and MPS. I'll get the scoop and get back to you at the beginning of the week!</p>
<p>Does anyone have any information on applying to Idyllwild? I wish to apply there for my 9th grade year as a Creative Writing mjaor, and currently I'm trying to find more information on what they expect when you apply. Does anyone know where I can find this?</p>
<p>Hazmat, are you an Exeter graduate and in your first or seod year cnof college now? I am testing out how to send private messages by clicking on the Reply button below your post. Thanks.</p>
<p>I believe that Hazmat is in his sophmore (?) year at Dartmouth and that he was in fact a graduate of Exeter.</p>
<p>In order to send a private message, click on the users name and then click on the option which called "send private message to [username]"</p>
<p>Hazmat goes to Penn. As for year, he is either 2nd or 3rd.</p>
<p>I'd love to see some posts from those of you who just started at prep schools. So far, is it what you expected? Any negatives you were not anticipating?</p>
<p>Sorry, I always get Penn and Dartmouth mixed up for some reason. Thanks for pointing that out.</p>
<p>As for school, It's been real tough grade wise. At least at this point it seems to be more of a transition problem at least for me at this point... nothing that ca't be overcome within the next couple of terms. Other than that, I absolutely love it at BS. The People are amazing, the faculty is genuine and knowledgable, and there is never a lack of anything to do.</p>
<p>I just started Miss Porter's last month. It's definitely a LOT of work...and my grades aren't the best. But I've spent a month doing the transition, and though I'll be a "new girl" for awhile, I'm SO much further along and confident than I was a month ago. I think I'll be able to get my grades up pretty soon.
Miss Porter's is a boarding school, but sometimes people forget that there are day students from surrounding towns attending the school too. And day students ROCK. The freshmen, sophomores, and juniors all have their day student rooms together in the same hallway, and some boarders stop by too. It's really a fun place to be.
I'm not in many organizations (yet). Part of it is because I don't want to overload myself before school really gets underway. Another part is because not many clubs INTEREST me. So many freshmen are doing debate and Model UN because they think it sounds official for their college applications. I'm not interested in Model UN and don't see how people get so psyched about it.
I'm in Chorus and Orchestra for the first semester, have a lead in the fall play and I'm also on the literary magazine staff. I think that right now, that's more than enough for me to juggle and everyone's telling me to join more more more so that my college apps will look good. I think it's more important for me to ease into school and get a feel for it first.</p>
<p>I can vouch as a parent who has a child in bs that grading is vigorous.</p>
<p>What are your experiences and thoughts on tough grading in the top prep schools while the students may very well get straight As in the public schools? How will a less than straight A GPA from a prep school impact the college application?</p>
<p>My son was getting As & Bs in public school & is still getting As & Bs in a much more competitive & rigorous private school. He is challenged by his peers now (wasn't previously) & loves the interaction with the instructors who are BRILLIANT. It is a lot more work for him to get the grades, but he's more motivated because he's in a much more stimulating environment. I was afraid that if he remained in public school, his grades would drop as he found the work & environment increasingly less stimulating & deadening.
Some kids (& adults) have a very tough time in a more competitive environment while others love it & thrive. It's all about finding the right "match" for the individual. We let our kids choose where they wanted to attend HS--both chose to go to a very academic, private HS instead of the much easier public or a competing much more "social" private HS. I think they both chose wisely for their needs.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback! It is something I wonder asbout for my daughter, what's it like to be a straight A student all of your life and land in a place where it's improbable?</p>