Hi, I’m new to the forum and joined just to ask a specific question. DD has just turned 12 and is technically in sixth grade and we are considering a boarding school for 8th grade (probably not for 7th, though we aren’t opposed, just a bit too late in the cycle). I’ve been reading and I’m familiar with the top tier names. However we aren’t looking for a top BS nor do we care about college admissions at this time. Our sole concern at this point is a better environment for a quirky kid who just doesn’t fit in into public school. She’s been at a learning center for homeschoolers (brick and mortar classes with teachers, but officially as a home school student) taking all kinds of above level classes and is now working through an online charter where her focus is on developing test taking and executive function skills (the academics aren’t that challenging, despite being mostly 7th and 8th grade levels).
She’s very, very smart (IQ at the ceiling of the test). She’s been in classes from her grade level (math) through high school (history, science, debate) and everywhere in between. She’s energetic and social without any LDs, but also somewhat anxious, perfectionistic, and not good at dealing with pressure. She’s not a ‘high achiever.’ Despite doing well in accelerated classes in terms of concepts and application, she’s got the executive function skills of a kid exactly her age and hates the kind of rote learning / exercises that public school seems to thrive on. She loves the Socratic method of instruction – lecture and discussion. Her favorite classes have been ethics, debate, and biology. We need a school where she can be challenged in both the humanities and science, but not a stressful pressure cooker. A smaller school with a nurturing environment that understands the learning styles of this type of kid would be optimal.
We’re looking at a couple of consultants who specializes in this sort of thing, but I’d like to hear from individuals so that I can take a preliminary look at a few school sites and get an idea of the landscape before we drop the cash and start the process for real. There seems to be a bit of a ‘secret knowledge’ aspect to our research so far. We can’t see past the marketing on the school websites.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Feel free to PM me if that’s more appropriate. Should we proceed with this process (and it’s a big decision for our middle class family) I’m happy to report back on all phases of our process.
Understand she’s in 6th, next fall 7th so planning for 8th in which case either a coed JBS that goes thru 9th or Groton 8-12. Getting into a JBS should not be an issue. Groton is a totally different story. There are only so many coed JBS and there’s only one Groton. My first inclination, without really knowing your daughter, would be to apply to all those qualifying JBS and Groton. I don’t know about the need for a counselor at this point in time as your choices will be limited. Schedule the visits in the early fall, not now. After the visits you’ll get a better picture of this boarding school world. Good luck & welcome to CC!
Can you consider sticking it out with what she’s doing now for another year? She would have so many more options if she’s applying for 9th grade, instead of 8th. It’s practically impossible to get into Groton as an 8th grader, and not necessarily a fit for a kid that you describe as “quirky.” JBS is certainly an option, but do you really want to have to go through the whole search and application process again in just two years? Having just suffered through the process for the second time myself (albeit for a second child, not a second time for the first), I’d avoid having to do it again if I could.
Well, she’s in 6th, so starting in 8th already means sticking it out for another year. But aren’t there more boarding schools that take 7-12 and 8-12? In perusing schools on boardingschoolreview.com there are a number listed.
Not very many that I’ve ever heard of. Which doesn’t mean that those are some perfectly great schools, but most of the ones listed on boardingschoolreview.com that go 7-12 or 8-12 are not mainstream schools that get much play on this board. I’m just looking down that list now, and the only ones I’ve ever even heard of (leaving aside true JBS and military academies) are Chesire Academy, Garrison Forest, Groton, Hockaday (not somewhere you’d want to send a quirky kid), Stoneleigh-Burnham, and Webb.
soxmom, I see what you are saying. I realize that the big top tier schools don’t necessarily need to have listings on a review site… everyone knows who they are. But as you point out that doesn’t mean they aren’t good schools. Just from the listings, they have great matriculation stats, lots of AP and advanced coursework, and don’t include any of those “my kid is a troubled teen” places. The top tier schools have their pick of students. They seem to have intense and focused atmospheres and appear more formal – that might be a bad match for my quirky, blue-haired daughter. I’m beginning to think that a consultant is really going to be our best bet.
If I had a choice between applying to SS from home or from a JBS, I would choose JBS and apply from there. The JBS SS Placement offices are (without question) AMAZING. Better than any high priced/ high powered EC you could possibly hire or imagine.
But- back up: When read about the OP’s daughter, I immediately thought JBS would be perfect ( or definitely worth exploring ) and SS placement didn’t even cross my mind. I went to JBS ( VERY young ) and sent three kids ( V Form- VII Form ) and I will tell you ( again- without question ) it was the best experience of our lives - even though we went on to some pretty awesome Secondary Schools.
Definitely check out JBS. Your daughter will be in excellent hands.
Just to be clear, I wasn’t saying that the big top tier schools don’t have listings on boardingschoolreview.com, I was saying that most of them don’t take 7th or 8th graders. I totally agree with PhotographerMom that JBS can be a great option (too bad you live so far away, or I absolutely would recommend Fay, but its only 5 day boarding). It’s just that to me, having to apply again to other schools in just two years would be a real downer. But here’s another thought – if you’re interested in JBS, it would be worth calling the schools that look good to you and seeing if they’d take a late application. You’re past the deadline, obviously, but often times for exceptional candidates (which your daughter certainly sounds like) schools are willing to consider applications at the 11th hour or even later (i.e. over the summer). Doesn’t cost anything but a bit of your time (and long distance phone calls), and you might hit upon something great. And if nothing else, you’re starting a dialog with some schools that might lead you somewhere good the following year.
^^^ I agree-- it may be worth calling now. JBS are often a little more flexible in their admissions schedule, and it’s worth a try --since you already feel like you’re “sticking it out” for another year anyway, rather than being in a place that she loves. The other advantage of a JBS is (in my experience) some kids change a lot between 6th and 9th grade–and that anxious/ perfectionist stuff may go away (I know it did for my DS-- who attended a JBS). If that happens ( or she changes in other ways), the list of senior BS that would be a good fit may look quite different than they do now. And there are a fair number of schools where blue hair is A-OK and being quirky is seen as a good thing.
North Country School is among the best for those quirky kids. Indian Mountain is also great, as are any of the JBSA schools. Take a look at NCS though, as they really focus on academics and secondary school prep while letting kids thrive and develop independence. I made some comments lat month at http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/17945264
You know, I wasn’t thinking about JBS because, oh, I don’t know why actually. But I love everyone’s suggestions to make some calls. There certainly are fewer of them to deal with.
soxmom, according to the Fay site, they do have 7-day boarding… what do you like or recommend about the school? Does anyone have any other thoughts or direct knowledge on any of the schools (PhotographerMom?).
We really do feel like it’s a slog.
Thanks all for the input everyone, it’s really appreciated.
!any regular BS that have younger boarders but go through 12th (7th through 12th) have fewer boarders in the younger grades, and just feel more like regular BS, with the kids more on their own. JBS a is really focused on that middle school age-- and even ones that are quite academic seem less pressured and more family- like, at least in my experience. Activities are also focused on the younger age, including the purely fun activities.
They’re all great but if I was sending a child to JBS from the Pacific Northwest, I would make sure they had a large boarding population. I would definitely look at Fay, IMS and Rumsey Hall. I’m not familiar with NCS but based on nadko1’s comment, endorsement ( and a quick glance at their website) - I would explore them, too.
I second ( third? ) a call to Admissions. Even if they’re full you can still visit and submit an application for next year. JBS WLs are much more forgiving than SS WLs because they actually move. And you never know- Admissions may say they have space and she might be able to get in right away- so it’s definitely worth the call and a visit.
If you decide on or like a JBS that offers a Summer Program, I would encourage you to look into it. While it’s certainly not required- It’s a great way for new ( incoming ) students to get familiar with a campus, make friends, get to know faculty and hit the ground running in Fall ( almost like a returning student ). And- I think with you living so faraway, an intro to a school over the summer may not be a bad way to go for you or your daughter. Anyway- just a suggestion- she would definitely be fine either way.
All JBSs are very warm and nurturing- and they go to great lengths to create a Home Away From Home atmosphere for their students. She’ll receive an amazing education and she’ll be very well prepared for SS.
Thank you all so much! I really appreciate everyone’s great suggestions and recommendations. I have been perusing sites and will make some calls on Monday. Even if this coming year isn’t feasible (we will need to apply for FA right now, so that factors in as well) at least I’ll have a better feel for the schools and if any of them might be the right home. It’s more than just a quality school (we could do private day school here in town for 1/3 the price) but a place where she can really blossom and find her people and, well, grow into her intellect and her potential.
DD loves biology and photography and does sports, but not in really committed way (soccer for several years, then a year of swim team, and now competitive climbing). She likes to write fiction and sing (we’ve been looking for a choir class). Her favorite class of all time was ethics and she’s desperate to join a Mock Trial team (the teacher invited her… until he realized that she was only 11 – ooops).
You have all been very welcoming and so helpful, I really appreciate it! I’m making a short list and will be making some calls on Monday.