Applying for boarding/day schools - only east coast (due to work). Our current 9th grader is a very high achiever and also talented with violin so having a great orchestra/strings program is paramount. If there is only one orchestra, it’s not a good sign for those who are advanced (so it’s been tricky). Our son is in 7th and could use some academic support- he is in Algebra I Honors and doing great but overall the distance learning has not helped him in structuring his time nor instill good habits. We do have his WISC V which would help a lot, a lot of math competition achievements and his grades are very good (mostly As, nothing below a B+). Ideally we could have both kids attend to the same school at one point. We are using the SAO system. Any ideas?
I just want to clarify: you are not looking for a school that specializes in the arts (like Walnut Hill), you are looking for an overall good school that happens to have a strong music program for the sake of child 1 and academic support for the sake of child 2.
I think you should avoid the usual high pressure choices. You want child 1 to have time to actually play the violin, and you want child 2 in a more supportive environment where child 2’s strengths will also shine.
I would worry less about the number of orchestras and more about what is offered to the individual. For example, at some schools without a full orchestra, they off level based ensembles. Look for on campus private lesson opportunities. Or, look into whether the music department has students in NEC Prep.
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I can think of a few schools that might work well, especially if you are local. They have time in the schedule for advanced music (although you might need to go somewhere else to get it) and LD support with good academics. Top of mind are both in Boston. Cambridge School of Weston has boarding and might work.
I was thinking Cambridge school of Weston too. The two kids I know who attended were super smart and both went on to conservatory colleges.
See page 16-17 about cellist Jake Todd.
Page 12-13 may be of interest to your math kid. There are plenty of kids who attend CSW who are not artists. 