<p>We are looking at several boarding schools in NJ. I am particularly interested in learning about the academic and social cultures at Lawrenceville and Peddie. While we do not have his SSAT scores yet as he has not taken the test, his previous standardized tests for entrance to private schools several years ago placed him in the top 1%, so he shows a raw intelligence however he does not perform to his ability whatsoever and has yet to hit that self-motivation spark. He regularly gets an equal amount of A's to B's. He is cerebral, well-liked by his teachers and contributes to each classroom but his work effort is oftentimes lacking, much preferring to coast and play the latest Halo game and be on facebook or internet chatting than delve deeper into any area of academic study. Aside from whether or not a student like that would gain entrance to either of these schools, my question is specifically aimed at understanding how would a student like that do if they infact do matriculate at a Lawrenceville? Or Peddie? Would they be pushed, would they be ostracized? Is the environment nurturing and supportive or a bit cut throat. Perhaps the competition is inspiring and motivating or would it be demoralizing? Would they find it incredibly difficult to adjust or will they be eased into the rigors of an academically challenging environment? Would they be just a another student or would someone be looking out for him and ensure he is given every opportunity and assistance to grow or would it be a sink or swim situation? In advance, thanks for your feedback.</p>
<p>While I cannot answer your question, I would like to suggest that you consider Blair Academy for your son. Both Lawrenceville and Peddie offer excellent academics, but I do not know much beyond that.</p>
<p>My high aptitude son was there for 4 years, and I can tell you that he was always challenged by the faculty who always had high expectations for him. The faculty meets around 6 times a years to discuss each student and ensure that the student’s experience is appropriate. Your son will select his own advisor but will also be assigned an academic monitor. </p>
<p>The community is supportive, but will push him to do his best. It is not sink or swim. If you are considering Blair and your son gains acceptance there, take a close look. It might offer him the appropriate environment to thrive.</p>
<p>I appreciate your post. We are very closely looking at Blair and it is high on our list, in fact it is likely both his and our first choice at this early juncture. The real question here is whether or not a child like our son would also thrive at L or P… Because of their larger enrollments, good reputations, proximity, etc., both are also, in theory, attractive to us, but at the same time raises flags regarding their ability and interest in providing support for those who perhaps are less then always self-motivated. Thanks again.</p>
<p>I am assuming you are looking to apply for freshmen year. Lawrenceville makes a huge effort to help freshmen adjust to the rigors of the school and develop good study habits. Freshmen fall, freshmen only take five classes (instead of the normal six) and many of them are pass/fail. The idea is for students to work on adjusting to boarding school life and making new friends, the time to worry about academics comes later. There is also a mandatory study hall that begins at 8:00 and goes on until 10:45. This study environment is quite strict with the goal of building habits that last. Students must be in their own rooms (and need permission to go to another room), all cell phones must be in the hallway, and the halls are almost silent. The internet firewall also prevents a number of non-academic sites from being accessed at this time. In addition, internet shuts off completely at 10:45, which is lights out.</p>
<p>Naturally, many of these restrictions are lifted each school year until senior year where there is 24/7 internet and no study hall. But ideally, the gradual change in rules will have taught the students when to work and when to play.</p>
<p>LLville,
Thanks for the above reply. Besides the format that the school puts in place for freshmen, and the easing of the restrictions each year, can you speak to any advisory roles/advocates/champions provided to the incoming students and other support tools. Are they regularly meeting with an advisor/counselor who is keeping track of their transition/progress? Additionally, can you speak to the community as a whole? Are the fellow students supportive or is it basically every man for himself? Both have their place so no judgment but just trying to find a culture with a good mix of nurturing support and still motivational (yet healthy!) competition. Thanks again.</p>
<p>Each student is placed in an advisory group. Each group has about 7 students total. Students meet with their advisors at least once a week at mandatory advisor meetings, but more meetings can be scheduled as needed. Advisors also do duty in dorms so it is very easy to meet more often, at least twice a week. All underclassmen dorms have prefects as well. Prefects are seniors who have been chosen to live in an underclassmen dorm instead of moving into a senior dorm. Having gone through similar situations themselves, prefects often can provide great guidance as needed. </p>
<p>Lawrenceville does not rank its students. As a result, the atmosphere is as competitive towards other students as one makes it to be. If one decides to share his/her grades and try to compete for the top, so be it. But for the most part, students do a lot of work with each other. Study groups are very common and the school has a peer tutor system where students can get HW help from another student instead of a teacher.</p>
<p>I’m a parent with relatives at both Lville and Peddie. Both have similar rules in terms of structure. Neither of them qualifies as nurturing, and the kids are expected to hit the ground running. Even with active advisors, faculty, coaches and dorm parents, the kids are expected to be self-driven. Your son sounds a lot like my #3 and I will not be sending him to BS, at least not as a 14 year old for that reason. Only mom and dad can advocate and stay on top of their own kid while they are still young–don’t expect any BS to be there at breakfast, at dinner and over the weekend for your son. Boys in particular may need a little more growing up before he is ready for this type of experience–he can wait.</p>
<p>I’m a student at Peddie and have lived there all my life, and I can tell you that unless your son finds the motivation to work hard, he will most likely not thrive at any top bs. I would say Peddie is nurturing, in that we are like a 500 member family, but the students are expected to be mature and plan out their work schedule. The excuse, “I didn’t do the homework because I was sick and missed class” is obsolete and when old work is handed in new work is assigned. Our motto, translated from Latin to English, is "We end our work only to begin anew, " or as my dad puts it, “You will always have homework.”</p>
<p>But I know what it’s like. At public school, I never did thee work and still got straight A’s. But, you really have to change your work ethic at Peddie.</p>
<p>Yeah, what he/she/grinzing/facbrat said. All the top schools have motivated faculty that will do what they can to help the student succeed. BUT, the student must be self motivated, organized, and mature. Our child has never seen a more motivated group of kids ever.</p>
<p>LLVILLE - what is the story with the two new Lawrenceville girls’ dorms? Are they increasing the size of the student body or just equalizing the male/female ratio?</p>
<p>Only one new girls dorm has been built at Lville, I do not know of any plans to build a second. As it stands there are 6 sophomore/junior boys dorms and now 5 sophomore/junior girls dorms. I believe the reasoning was to give the girls more space. The school’s student body is staying the same and the male/female is roughly equal with a slight tip in the male direction. The way the dorms were before, most boys had single rooms where as the girls dorms were crowded with very few single rooms. </p>
<p>The new dorm helps solve this issue of equality and gives many more single rooms for girls. The only other construction plans I know of for next year are for a solar panel field, a new heating and water system, and a new language building.</p>