<p>We are looking at these four boys' schools & are trying to get a better sense of each of them, and what sets them apart from each other. We'll look at coed schools too, but want to focus on boys schools in this post. Any comments from parents or students would be greatly appreciated. We're looking for information beyond what can easily be found on the schools' websites/viewbooks. What the culture of a given school is like, why you chose that particular school, what you do or don't like. We will visit schools but are trying to narrow a rather long list right now, as visiting such a long list is impractical. Son's interests are in flux right now, so we are not looking for strength in a particular sport or academic subject. Thank you!</p>
<p>The culture of many boys schools revolves around sports. They typically have great athletic programs and watching on the sidelines is sometimes as much fun as playing. We chose an all boys school for our son for several reasons. He is very social and having less distractions during the week has been great for him. Traditions are strong and many boys schools still require coat and ties and have sit down meals. We liked this. Boys schools also believe in young men becoming gentlemen. It is talked about often and the boys know what is expected of them not only academically but as a maturing young man. Leadership was very important to us and the school we chose has a remarkable young Head who is committed to his student body and faculty. As far as your list of schools, Avon and Woodberry Forest have slightly bigger student bodies. Trinity-Pawling specializes in learning support, and Salisbury has wonderful new facilities. The athletic center at Salisbury is top notch. Good luck!</p>
<p>I would like to hear a bit more about your son. I have five, all are going or have gone to different private schools. All of the schools you mentioned would be a perfect fit for a certain type of boy.
Find a few schools that you could see him going to and then visit with him. It’s there you will glean the subtle differences you are asking us to describe to you here.</p>
<p>Thank you for your thoughts so far. S is an average boy in many respects - no learning issues, but can be forgetful & disorganized, definitely needs some maturing & still learning to ‘be a student’. He is bright but does not have the grades to show it…grades are all over the map. Needs a supportive, structured environment (ie, mandatory study hall, mandatory sports, busy daily schedule, enforced rules on things like lights out & computer time). He will test limits, so the school has to say what they do and do what they say. SSAT will probably be 65-75%. He has athletic potential but I’d prefer not a “jocks rule” environment as he is no Olympian!</p>
<p>He is very independent & able to live away from home, actually likes formal dress for classes & sit down dinners. Social. Willing to consider all-boys’ school but adores girls. Is a ‘chick magnet’ so the reduced distraction would be good. That said, regular interaction with sister schools & the like is important. Smaller school, smaller classes a strong plus. A school willing to take on ‘a project’, a diamond in the rough, to bring out the best in him. Most of all, needs the ‘right environment’ - a place where it is cool to get good grades, cool to do well. My hunch is he needs that fire ignited - needs a goal that HE buys into…if HE decides he wants to get the grades to get into a certain type of college, then he will be on his way. He needs a school that demands good work but does not overwhelm the kid with too much - he needs a balanced life with time for fun & sleep. We are not looking for an overly competitive environment or ‘the most rigorous’, yet need a school that will prepare him well for college. I like, for example, that Avon offers different levels of classes (reg, honors, AP) so the kid can choose the right level of difficulty.</p>
<p>A ‘party school’ would be a disaster at this point (someone on CC referred to Salisbury as a party school - any comments??). That said, there has to be fun stuff to do on weekends - an urban environment would be too tempting, yet a place with nothing to do (or where the dorm empties out on weekends as the locals go home!!) would be bad as well. Would not rule out a religious school so long as the environment was tolerant & open-minded to kids of all different backgrounds, without trying to convert anyone. Want a school that really understands boys & is willing to meet them where they are. Woodberry Forest has been described as having a very strong Southern bent, which would not fit us - any comments?? How would it be at T-P for someone who does not have learning issues - would this be a reason not to go to the school? Avon looks great, but S is not a hockey player - I’ve heard fully 25% of the student body is - are you less popular if you don’t play that sport? We are lucky that where he is now, kids are happy, well-rounded, guided to do their best but in a fair & thoughtful way…hoping to find a similar environment as this is working. </p>
<p>Feel free to PM or email me if you prefer. Thanks, everyone - your help is invaluable.</p>
<p>The Hill school is known to be more formal. I`m transferring out of one of the(boys)schools you listed above. I think that having girls in the mix keeps the guys from acting like jerks all the time. Thats my point of view anyway.</p>
<p>As a Trinity-Pawling Mom, I will tell you that T-P has more to offer than it is given credit for. It sends 3,4,5 boys to Ivy League schools annually. That doesn’t sound LD to me. And the top 20% typically go to NESCAC schools. I did my homework before my son went there and again, not LD. Yes, it has a wonderful program that supports the intelligence of the dyslexic boy and allows him to grow and thrive and learn, but that is only a minute part of the school. T-P does have great athletics, too, but your son who has worked to earn a place on the varsity team will never lose his position to a PG just to log another tally in the win column!! T-P has integrity!! They compete in the Founders League with all the other big names and they do well. Their players are seen by college scouts regularly. Their college counselling program is second to none and if your son is an athlete, they have a designated individual who works with the coaches who advocate for your son with videos, phone calls and face to face meetings. T-P has a Music/Theater/Art program, too with AP Art along with 18 other AP classes. The boys put on 4 major stage productions every year and everyone goes out for the play including the varsity athletes. I could go on forever about the all-boys experience… T-P teaches in the way that boys learn—those boys are always moving and engaged and interested in what they are doing. They either host or take the boys to social events every Saturday night, too. They have family style, sit-down dinner almost every night with the faculty that live on campus and those boys have wonderful manners!! Even though your son will go to school with a small percentage of international boys, English is the official language of the school. I just can’t say enough about what Trinity-Pawling did for my son! You should just visit the school for yourself.</p>
<p>Trinity-Pawling is a great place! We always knew my son was bright, a B student, but he came into his own at T-P. Without the daily distraction of girls in the classroom, he started getting a few A’s. T-P is definitely a school for the average boy, NOT the LD boy. The dyslexic boy is the exception, not the rule. 99% of the faculty live on campus and it is a real community with lots of friendly dogs and little kids. It is definitely NOT a school that empties out on weekends, they keep the kids busy! I am so glad we visited, because that is what sold us. Our tour guide told us about his personal experiences. He related well with our son and made him feel very welcomed. Every boy we met greeted us with a handshake and looked me in the eye when he spoke to me. They had excellent manners. My son applied to 8 small private New England colleges and was accepted to 6 schools. He chose a school that I never would have imagined for him, but it was a perfect fit for him and I credit the college counselor for that. You should call them.</p>
<p>Thank you, BoardingMom64. It is great to hear stories that turn out so well. Congratulations to you son!</p>
<p>maddog- hey i notcied that you said your transfering out of an all boys school. i am thinking of transfering from one NE boarding school to another one after this year i am just wondering do you know how that all works? Like what does other boarding schools think about you wanting to transfer and how does the whole transfering from one bs to another work? if you went to avon or salisbury could you pm me and give me some info becuase im thinking about transfering to one of them</p>