<p>Hello. I know that this forum is more HADES oriented, but I was wondering if anyone could provide some feedback on Rivers, BB&N, and Dexter, and Catholic Memorial. How do they stack up academically compared to Choate, Taft, Hotchkiss (homework/night, AP's, class sizes...)?
Also, does anyone have any idea what the acceptance rates for the 3 day schools listed above are? Thanks</p>
<p>Dexter is fairly new (it is the boys school-- it has a sister school that shares the same campus). It has gown out of the grammar school that has had a long tradition in the Boston area. As far as I can tell the high schools (boys and girls) are still finding their footing --but to be expected for a new school. Dexter, the grammar school, is the most traditional in the city. When we looked at the school years ago for my eldest, they made it clear that the parents’*role in the school was to write the check. A friend whose son just looked at the school (grammar) got the same comment. Things might be different at the high school. One interesting fact…the school buses are all driven by faculty members.</p>
<p>Academically none of the schools you have listed would even be near the same league as Choate Taft or Hotchkiss. I have no idea as to the amount of homework. </p>
<p>Boston day schools are very selective bc of the high number of kids applying for the few spots. Dexter, again because it is new, maybe a bit easier. But they are very different schools and a kid who would do well at CM might not be a BBN kid or vice versa.</p>
<p>Thanks Etondad, your post explained alot about Dexter. Could anyone else comment on the other 3 schools?</p>
<p>SAT Average Score
Catholic Memorial 1585
Taft 1904
Rivers 1990
BB&N 1999
Hotchkiss 2013
Choate 2018</p>
<p>I’ve heard BB&N is very rigorous. They do like their athletes though. I know of kids who transferred because of this.<br>
Dexter/Southfield are very traditional/conservative.</p>
<p>The more rigorous day schools are Belmont Hill, Roxbury Latin, Milton Academy, Commonwealth School, Winsor School, Nobles and Greenough and BU Academy.</p>
<p>Roxbury Latin SAT average 2230</p>
<p>The only school that would put up with choate or hotchkiss is bb&n. cm would be on the complete opposite side of the scale. The catholic conference schools are considered easier with less than 1% ivy league percentage.</p>
<p>Except for St. John’s Prep in Danvers. Back in the 90s, the Harvard Independent had a book about prep schools, and specifically ones about Boston area day schools. St. John’s was right there with the best. It doesn’t send a ton to the Ivy Leagues, because to many Catholics, particularly in the Boston area, going to BC is like going to Harvard for them. However, the curriculum is rigorous enough, and the reputation of the school good enough, that if you want the Ivy Leagues, you can get there from St. John’s. A significant number of Harvard’s football captains have attended St. John’s. Nuf said.</p>
<p>Definitely Roxbury Latin</p>
<p>@Galanter, i dont think the st johns prep would put up with isl schools. I agree it is the best catholic conference school, but not better than ISL schools</p>
<p>Baseball, the assessment that St. John’s should be considered among the best of the best among Boston area day prep schools is not my opinion. As I alluded to in my previous post, The Harvard Independent made that assessment based on the attendance at Harvard of students from Boston area prep schools. As I said, surprisingly, St. John’s has provided a number of Harvard football captains, despite not being an Ivy League feeder school.</p>
<p>I think everything is relative…</p>
<p>@Galanter when you say a number how many? for all i know it could be 2 captains which isnt that much. I don’t get how football captains correlates to school matriculation. Just because athletes go to a college from a school doesnt mean the matriculation is good for the rest of the students. your harvard captain argument is flawed.</p>
<p>St. John’s Prep is definitely a jock school, but there are many serious students there. SJP regularly produces NMF scholars, and sends young men to top academic institutions every year. They also happen to produce state champions on a regular basis - in Fencing, Sailing, Rugby, Skiing, swimming and diving, wrestling and T&F… and are always in contention with LAX, Football, Baseball, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Volleyball & water polo. </p>
<p>To specifically address the Ivy/football connection above - Nine of this year’s St John’s Prep football seniors were recruited to play football at the next level. Next fall they will be attending Penn, Dartmouth, Amherst, Tufts (this young man will play both football and LAX), Bates, Hamilton, RPI, and a couple small local private schools… Merrimack (DII) and Endicott (DIII). Other sports/teams enjoy similar yields. Ask the admissions office for the school profile for a look at where recent graduates are matriculating.</p>
<p>College Matriculation List - 99% to 4-year colleges & universities:
[St</a>. John’s Prep (MA): College Matriculation](<a href=“http://www.stjohnsprep.org/page.cfm?p=8255]St”>School Counseling - St. John's Prep)</p>
<p>Facts & Figures:
[St</a>. John’s Prep (MA): Facts & Figures](<a href=“Fast Facts - St. John's Prep”>Fast Facts - St. John's Prep)</p>
<p>My impression of Boston University Academy–a place about which I knew little until just a few weeks ago–is that it may offer the most rigorous, not to mention encyclopedic, educational experience of any secondary/prep school on the Eastern seaboard. BUA’s required core of Latin or ancient Greek language study may not be everyone’s cup of tea but, once you get past that idiosyncrasy…wow.</p>
<p>I have friends who go and have graduated from there. It is very rigorous especially considering starting junior year you are taking college classes. There college matriculation is rising every year and will be among the top in years to come.</p>
<p>MaryOC, why do you know so much about St. John’s Prep? Are you affiliated with the school? Do you know why they discontinued their boarding school in 1975 if you are affiliated with the school?</p>
<p>Galanter - I have a son who graduated recently…and I still follow their sports (and other news) closely. I also have two younger sons in middle school and SJP remains on their radar, along with a handful of other area privates. </p>
<p>I’m not sure why SJP ceased boarding. It likely wasn’t profitable. The school’s website offers this: “…In the late 1960s, the Board of Trustees voted to phase out the residential program during the next several years - a difficult decision indeed and one that took much faith and courage. The residential program ended in 1975.”</p>
<p>SJP provides as much rigor as its students are willing and able to embrace. Admittedly, they are not as selective as ISL or Prep schools in the area, but there are as many pure geeks on campus, as there are jocks… with lots of overlap between the two groups. Socially, an all-male student body isn’t for everyone… but there is tremendous rigor, discipline, brotherhood and tradition there… leading to a generous and involved alumni association. </p>
<p>If you are paying full freight, SJP offers great value compared to the ISL and Prep schools in the region. They offer some merit and need-based aid, but families who qualify at SJP, would likely qualify exponentially at the more competitive area schools.</p>
<p>Any motivated student will be very challenged there…and you can’t beat the level of athletic competition - should your student athlete wish to be recruited for play at the next level (I was remiss in mentioning golf and tennis above, as perennial powerhouse programs. SJP often owns those DI state titles, as well). Most importantly, the school enjoys an excellent reputation with college admissions committees. </p>
<p>It’s certainly worth a looksee… if it is a commutable option for your family. My son traveled 40 minutes each way. With homework, athletics and other extracurrriculars …including concert band, which met daily at 7:15… before the academic schedule began… it made for very long days.</p>