<p>My son’s SSAT score</p>
<p>Verbal: 66%
Math: 55%
Reading 73%
Total: 66%
He is above average kid. </p>
<p>I looked those schools. It seems the competition for below schools will not as hard as a lot of the schools mentioned here.</p>
<p>Avon Old Farms School, Christ School,Baylor School,Western Reserve Academy.</p>
<p>I want to listen to your opinion above those schools. Thanks. Baylor School is a little bit of drive for me live in PA.</p>
<p>i dont know anyting about the other schools, but i would say extremely good chance for Avon old farms....</p>
<p>Western Reserve has a pretty good reputation in the mid west.</p>
<p>It's refreshing to see someone that's not applying to the super presitigous boarding schools.</p>
<p>Good for your son!</p>
<p>Does your son enjoy sports? Avon Old Farms is known for athletics, at least that's what I've heard of it. Of course, I'm sure they offer much more. Why not Mercersburg? I don't know much about the other schools because I am in the northeast.</p>
<p>Did you consider Blair Academy in NJ. My son goes there, and it is a great school for him. I think their average ssat is 65%.</p>
<p>Maybe the whole MAPL...</p>
<p>Burb Parent, I talked to this person, and their son is in ABC too. They got there boarding school letter today I guess and these are the schools the son is being referred too. That's why I consider MAPL. It's a big fit to me rather than AESD and such.</p>
<p>How is Blair to your son?</p>
<p>Although his SSAT's are not extremely strong, they are not terrible. I think your son has a good chance!</p>
<p>I'm curious what you are looking for in a school beyond a general match in test scores (overrated in my opinion as to an indicator of likely achievement)?</p>
<p>Are you looking for a very structured controlled environement to manage? Some students need more help with this when they leave home. When I see Western Reserve, I think of a more structured environment.</p>
<p>My D's school is an interesting mix of structure and the informal. They are big into the student faculty relationship and have fixed study hours and no internet in dorm rooms, but are an entirely casual dress code. In fact, our local public school has a stricter dress code. She doesn't need a lot of the law and order stuff to keep her motivated, though. The relationships with her teachers are priceless, though.</p>
<p>To us fit is far more important that distance. Yes, it would be a lot easier and possibly cheaper to fetch my D for breaks if we had taken a closer school that we had a choice of (about 500 miles instead of 1000). We could also visit more often too. And I could actually see my D play in goal more than just 1 weekend. I made 2 round trips in the car this year to make that possible (and transport her equipment for practice during Xmas break).</p>
<p>We are very happy with our choice however. Looking back it was the correct decision and I wouldn't change her school given a second chance.</p>
<p>To njdana
He LOVES it! And so far, so do I. They have a great mix of serious academics, caring faculty, sports, community service and fun. There are many opportunities for the artists there too. Feel free to ask me questions about it.</p>
<p>Are you definitly in ABC? Last time you weren't sure, although it looked like a "yes."</p>
<p>How is the overrall atmosphere? Is everyone friendly or just so cut throat about academics they have no time for friends. Also how spirited is this school? You know I am all about spirit! I just love the Blair and Peddie week.
Also how is your son day like?</p>
<p>It is not at all a cut throat school. The students are very friendly!<br>
Last year we saw 5 schools over the Veteran's Day vacation which is spirit week at boarding schools. Blair was the clear winner in being most spirited of those 5. In fact, after seeing the school spirit, my son moved it to his top list. My son is in 9th grade and is taking 6 courses (2 honors) plus health plus private music lesson in percussion plus a sport plus a few clubs -- and he still has time to have fun. In fact, he is excelling a little too much in dorm life! Even with some fun, the academics are serious, and the faculty care about students doing their personal best. </p>
<p>Unlike most schools, at Blair the students pick their Advisor. Also, he has a Monitor, who is a faculty member focused on his academic progress. As a result, he has at least 2 faculty members watching over him.</p>
<p>That's really cool. I hope I get accepted then.</p>
<p>Good luck! I hope you do too. I think you have good chances at the MAPL schools.</p>
<p>haha omg i remember when i was at this boarding school fair in SF and i was basically making my rounds to all the reps, uknow like introducing myself, shaking their hands, asking questions and the like. then i stopped by the Avon old farms school and introduced myself and then the guy gave me a very queer look and was all like, "ummm, this is an all boys school, young lady." lol i was so embarassed.</p>
<p>hahahahahhaha
classic. something i would have done.</p>
<p>To the OP, I would definitely suggest looking into Mercersburg Academy, especially since you live in PA (I'm guessing you live in Central/Western PA). Its a great small school that is very well endowed, and has just finished building some very nice new facilities, especially its new Arts Center. It is still in a building phase so I expect that many new building projects will be undertaken and completed in the next during the next 5-7 years. </p>
<p>I'm a Mercersburg alumnus and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.</p>
<p>I live in the Greater Philadelphia area. From the Mercersburg DVD, we like it ,too. Thanks.</p>
<p>western reserve has a good reputation in the mid-west, they are actually decent..of course, not as prestigious as AESDCH or milton or something like that</p>