Best boarding schools for strong academics and FA?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Parents
1

Hi, all -
I’m researching boarding schools for my 7th grader, for application for 9th grade. He’s still on the fence regarding BS at all, which is fine. Our goal is for him to have options - including our local public magnet programs - this time next spring. We have a trip scheduled to New England for the end of September to visit a few schools and see what appeals to him - big/small/formal/informal…

We went and visited SAS a couple of weeks ago, and we’re very impressed. Also very familiar with, and crazy about, PEA, since I went there. PEA would be my first choice, of course, but even if he decides he loves it too, I’m not delusional enough to put all our eggs in that basket!

So far the schools I’m looking at are: PEA, PA, SPS, SAS, and Mercersburg. I was considering Choate, but from what I’m reading, the FA for Choate looks pretty limited - correct? We’re going to basically need full FA (and should qualify, from everything I’m reading). And, yes, I recognize that the first three, especially, are insanely competitive to get into. We do have good public school options too, fortunately. It’s not the end of the world if he doesn’t get in anywhere.

What other schools should be on my list? This kid is not into sports at all, and would not fit in in a school that is hugely focused on sports. (He fences, but not competitively. We may also look at Lawrenceville because of fencing. But fencing is not a necessity.) He’s fine with there being a club sports requirement, and recognizes the need to make some sort of exercise a part of his life. He does fine in math and science, but is really a humanities kid. Loves theater, literature, film-making, etc.

I’m intrigued by SPS and SAS being 100% boarding, and don’t want to consider any place that is less than 70% boarding. I don’t know where my son will fall on the size-of-school preference. He’s very independent and self-sufficient; I suspect he’d love the freedom of PEA the way I did. We are not willing to consider all-boys schools.

He hasn’t taken the SSAT yet, but tends to test very well. His grades are almost all A’s, at an excellent public school magnet. He has a pretty good chance of getting into one of our county HS magnets. My fear is that he’d be bored out of his mind at our home HS, especially after his MS magnet. The problem with the HS magnets is the same as the MS magnets - it would be four more years of 3 hours a day on a school bus. He doesn’t complain about it at all, but I don’t think he realizes how much it limits his extracurricular participation. And since I did go to BS, I am well aware of how much more is available at great BSs.

To;dr: looking for more suggestions for good boarding schools that can offer lots of FA in NE/Mid-Atlantic for a smart humanities kid.

2

Dear @JustWinginIt …I know you wrote that “ we are not willing to consider all boys schools”…But, for others who may be reading this thread: Suggest you also look at the all-boys schools, as well, for your son. Many of the all-boys and all-girls schools have great FA. Also, you may qualify for specific FA, awards or scholarships based on your student’s sport - even which state or county you are from.

3

We received extremely generous FA offers from Berkshire and Middlesex, so I would add them to your list.
(Our child is currently enrolled at Thacher. Are you sure you don’t want to have an excuse to travel somewhere warm?)

4

For all of your criteria such as theater, film-making, great academics, not too sporty, more on the freedom than structure end of the spectrum, George School could be a fit. It is often an overlap for families who like SAS and Mercersberg. Known for good FA. It is, however about 55-60% boarding. Personally, I would focus less on % boarding than # boarding (and #who stay for weekends) as the latter is more likely to determine the vitality of the community.

If you go to look at Lawrenceville, it’s only about 20 minutes away. (Culturally, much more!) It’s different enough from the others you are considering that it could be a great option or not at all!

5

@CaliMex Thacher sounds amazing! But, no. I was an ocean away from my parents when I went to BS; I refuse to be more than a day’s drive away from DS! But I’ll definitely check out the other two -thanks!

6

From your description of a student who isn’t too sporty and who excels in the humanities, Walnut Hill School may be a good fit. The academics are excellent, and your son would need to apply as a theater or WFMA (writing, film, and media arts) major. Walnut Hill has approximately 80% boarding.

7

Choate is one of those schools that meets 100% of demonstrated need. If they want a student, they will pay for him or her.

8

Check out Peddie too if you will be in NJ. Peddie is generous with financial aid and has lots of options for humanities kids. It’s about 2/3 boarding but doesn’t have a fencing (as far as I know.)

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@JustWinginIt : Your thoughts matched ours with respect to avoidance of lengthy commutes which limit time for ECs & a strong preference for 100%, or a very high percentage, boarding population at co-ed schools. We ended up with a list similar to yours (PEA, PA, SPS, SAS & Mercersburg Academy).

10

Why not Hotchkiss? They have a very strong arts program, if your son is inclined that way. I find students can find their “thing” which could be sports, but it also could be debate, or acting, or even farming. (I suspect this is true at many, though not all, schools).

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PA and PEA were the big ones for us because of aid. SwimKid was waitlisted at most other schools due to aid. We weren’t originally going to apply to either but our advisor told us we needed to because of the aid situation.

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@momof3swimmers - well, that would suit me fine! :smile:

13

In my experience, Choate aid has been fantastic (I am a full aid recipient).

If that matters, I also got full aid from Hotchkiss and St. Mark’s, and both seem to be pretty academic-oriented.

14

SPS, Hotchkiss, Middlesex, and Episcopal High were most generous with FA for our kid, followed by Loomis and Lawrenceville.

15

I agree with @CavsFan2003 Choate FA was great for our DS

Another school to consider is Groton.

16

Consider Concord Academy. My D applied there even though, like you, we were targeting high %boarders. Day students and boarders are hugely integrated. Many day students use public transportation to get to/from school and often take boarders home with them for weekends. We felt very comfortable with it. Concord has lots to offer a student such as yours.

I don’t remember the specifics about FinAid, but D only applied to schools where I felt she had a good chance of having her high need met - with the exception of one school which was a perfect fit and came through against all odds. So don’t be afraid to throw a school into the mix that statistically may not be the best bet for good FinAid, particularly if there’s a good fit and the student is genuinely enthusiastic about that school.

17

St. Mark’s seems to be very generous to those outside of New England. Lower percentage of boarders, but I’d still recommend looking at it. It’s a fantastic school that seems to have some unique qualities.

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^St Marks is 83% boarding…so it isn’t very low percentage…unless you compare to SPS or Episcopal