<p>Which boarding school would you guys consider the best? I am at a competitive prep school right now and maintain a 5.0 GPA. My parents want me to attend boarding school so I was wondering if some of you could help me out.
Thanks in advance</p>
<p>I believe that most would consider the best boarding schools Andover (slight bias as I attend), Exeter, St Paul's and Deerfield. There's no particular order among those. The next group would be Choate, Groton, Hotchkiss, Lawrenceville. After that Middlesex, Peddie, Hill.</p>
<p>I'd say
First tier:St.Paul's (Class of 2009:)), Andover, Exeter
Second tier: Choate, Groton, Lawrenceville, Deerfield
Third: All the rest</p>
<p>Exeter, of course.</p>
<p>('09er)</p>
<p>But seriously, there is none. It all depends on what you're looking for. Exeter is best for an intensive, talk-y, passionate environment; St. Paul's is more nurturing/homey because it is smaller; Emma Willard is great for a girls' school, etc.</p>
<p>Obviously very subjective. One can always provide lots of anecdotes and statistics that make a different case. I've had one son who graduated from St. Paul's and another who is currently at Deerfield. The truly special schools? St. Paul's, Deerfield, Exeter, and Andover.</p>
<p>My parents went to prep schools on east coast. Sisters went to Exeter and Groton, and I'm at a prep school myself. I'd say that I have pretty extensive knowledge of east coast boarding schools. Even though the differences between these schools are miniscule, this is what is more or less what is generally agreed on.</p>
<p>First Tier
Phillips Exeter
Phillips Andover
Deerfield Academy</p>
<p>Second Tier
St. Paul's School
Lawrenceville
Choate Rosemary</p>
<p>Third Tier
Groton School
Hotchkiss School
Milton Academy
Lawrencville School</p>
<p>They're all great schools and have phenomenal matriculation rates into elite colleges.</p>
<p>There was a wonderful poster several months back who was a prep school adcom. Her list and terminology:</p>
<p>Super elite: And, Ex, SPS, Deer</p>
<p>Elite: Groton, Milton, Hotchkiss, Choate, Lawrence and a few others.</p>
<p>For '04, SPS was number one in ivy matriculation.</p>
<p>She was also a supporter of the smaller schools being a place she would want to send her children.</p>
<p>Actually all of these schools are first tier, second is more like Episcopal High, Woodberry Forest, Madeira, Georgetown Prep, Baylor, etc.</p>
<p>Believe it or not, there are excellent boarding schools outside of the northeast!</p>
<p>basically any of these schools are first tier, just as the ivies in college. But also just like the ivies, there are different "tiers" within the category. But between the teers and schools, there really aren't very many differences unless you consider environment and other more personal reasons.</p>
<p>Definately apply to Andover, Exeter ('09, my personal fav. because of what I saw in the academics) , Groton, Deerfield.</p>
<p>I'd say apply to Andover, Exeter, St. Paul's ('09, Woohoo!!!), Hotchkiss, and Deerfield</p>
<p>edit: definately apply to SPS (I forgot it, but definately apply)!!! My mom wouldn't let me apply because she said iit was "too far".</p>
<p>SPS is 30 miles from Exeter.</p>
<p>If you are going to an elite boarding school, think carefully before you elect to go. Kids with $$$$$$ will be given preference over kids who go with financial aid in getting selected with leadership position of any value. Teachers shows favoritism for kids with $$$$ in selecting kids for board positions. Teachers main aim is helping rich kids and merit may be ignored in selection process. I hope you come to these schools with an understanding that merit is nothing. I am telling you based on facts. </p>
<p>Merit alone is nothing. But these palces are wonderful places if you come for the sake of learning. Just do not expect that you will go to elite colleges where only famous, rich and people with legacies have upper hand.</p>
<p>:] I like Pomfret School. It's really good. ^_^ Depends on what you want in a highschool I guess. :/</p>
<p>atalk, on what are you basing your claims? I was by no means in posession of "$$$$$$" in boarding school, and I have not found what you say to be the case at ALL.</p>
<p>Were you given a head potion for any board/clubs - who got it? Not the kid who put most time in the activity and who put forward most ideas. I am watching as most selection are based on who is more popular and who can spent more $$ on fellow club members.</p>
<p>I think only Exeter is not need blind. In other words, only Exeter MIGHT be more selective with financial aid applicants. Other schools only look at the applications and once they decide if you're accepted, they look at the FA asset.</p>
<p>P.S. When applying to boardingschool, my family was basicacally completely unemployed (father, mother, and stepfather, although they all have rare talents) and I had no problem with the schools having issues with my parents' current employment status. I later got in to all of the schools I applied to, including Exeter , the not need blind school.</p>
<p>atalk - complete bs...Teachers don't even know which kids are the rich ones and which ones are the ones on scholarship (unless people happen to flaunt their money, which very very few people actually do). And most club/board selections are made by a student vote of the club.</p>
<p>Agreed. Atalk clearly has been embittered by a single extra-ordinary incidence that in no way reflects the norm at the aforementioned institutions. As a head of several clubs at Exeter, I know for a fact that board positions are decided by student members of the club, not the faculty advisors. In fact, the atmosphere here is so overwhelmingly meritocratic that one's financial circumstances could be more of a burden than an asset. </p>
<p>I would be very interested in learning upon what grounds atalk has based his assertions.</p>