<p>I've been comparing the curriculum at a local private day school ($15k per year), and a few boarding schools ($35k+ per year), and the curriculum seems to be almost the same for ninth and tenth graders. (English I/II, Foreign Language I/II, World History/10th grade courses vary, Biology/Chemistry)</p>
<p>The only things that are different are the electives, and you don't even get to pick interesting one's until JUNIOR YEAR!</p>
<p>I'm really starting to question if it's even worth thousands of dollars more each year for the same courses, even with FA.</p>
<p>Now I'm thinking that I should apply for my junior year, if I apply at all. I don't know, though. Is all this money spent all for the name?</p>
<p>Having gone to a private day school before I transferred to a boarding school, I would definitely say there is a difference. From my experience the teachers at boarding school usually are more knowledgable and passionate about the subject they teach. It is highly encouraged that teachers have actually worked in the field that they teach. The classes may be the same, but from my private school, boarding school is one step above. The sciences use college textbooks, the required U.S. history class is on the AP level, etc. The students have a passion for learning at boarding school that I don't think you find anywhere else. Many want to take the highest level possible, not the easiest.<br>
As for transferring in junior year, it is very hard to do. Most schools only accept 10-20 new juniors every year. Also, they don't have many choices for electives since they have requirements to fill that they could have gotten over in freshman and sophomore year. Generally the earlier you start in a bs, the more electives you get in junior and senior year.
I would say that the money for the education alone isn't worth it, but combined with the social experience and all the opportunities available to you at a bs, the money is more than worth it.</p>
<p>You can get steak at the 99 or steak at The Palm or Morton's
You can eat a Hoodsie cup or you can eat Ben & Jerry's</p>
<p>Whether it's steak, ice cream or education, different places can offer the same category of product; where you find the differences is in the QUALITY of the product. </p>
<p>You can find all the courses you listed at a public school as well....and you CAN get into excellent colleges if you take advantage of the right opportunities at a public school and seek out ways to enhance your education outside of school e.g. college courses, distance learning, summer programs, etc.</p>
<p>:( maken me feel like i shoulda tried to get into a private school on a scholarship even though i go to a decent public school where some of the teachers annoy me</p>
<p>I agree that one of the biggest differences is the total commitment of most of a bs faculty. At the schools S and D attended, faculty houses were always open to students- doors were not locked. Kids would go over to a teacher's house for dinner and impromptu discussion groups would form. Top private day schools have excellent faculty, but the relationships that are formed are not quite the same.</p>
<p>That said, my son started his last school as a junior, and it worked fine. A number of kids enter as juniors or PGs, so you are not glaringly new. It is an option if money is a concern. He didn't have much to make up in the way of required courses- just a religion/philosophy requirement and an art.</p>
<p>Actually, our local public schools have similar currics also. So why not go to public school, it's FREE! IMO if you can go to a top day school in NYC than maybe it maybe comparable. Here in Texas, there are a couple day schools that are very good in Dallas, Houston, and San antonio. Two in SA are very good, but not at the level of most bs.</p>
<p>In my experience in the prep/private high school admissions process, most students who enter during the junior are repeat juniors (11R, as they are called at Andover) and are recruited athletes.</p>
<p>Simply, yes. And I've taken a hard look at the best NYC privates too. No comparison when it comes to, teacher involvement/committment, facilities, range of options, spirit, friendship bonds, a total lving/learning environment. If you have to ask, you haven't visited.</p>
<p>sometimes what's best may not be so obvious. you're forgetting what an incredible time you might have, or if there might be better teachers, etc. dont judge by what seems best on paper.</p>
<p>Yes. A case in point: virtually any school can offer a math course and throw the name "Linear Algebra" in front of it, but only certain schools can truly have students grasp the minutae of this college-level math course. In Andover's Math 650 however, though the curves were incredibly steep, several graduates learned the subject well enough that they placed out of Linear Algebra at MIT. That never happens at MIT.</p>