<p>That doesn't seem to work for me, either. I've found that the only way I can produce that result is to manually enter this command:</p>
<p>[noparse]
</p>
<p>You can delete the "=sabregiel121" part if you don't care to specify who it is that you're quoting. I just find that useful.</p>
<p>take a look at thatcher....</p>
<p>it has pretty good academics and a strong riding program I believe.</p>
<p>However it is a small school with only around 200 kids</p>
<p>there's florida air academy, which also has a flying program.</p>
<p>thacher has a very strong riding program. they have a polo team as well. but if you only ride english, you might want to learn how to ride western before you go -- the emphaisis there is on the barrel and the trail!</p>
<p>I look at the various posts on this thread and others regarding prep schools and am suprised. The best prep school is one you enjoy going to. The stats on prestige are stupid. The stats on college admissions are also bogus. For example Foxcroft which has less then fifty in the graduating class have students attending Havard, MIT, Wesleyan et al. I am a parent and it sickens me that we have raised kids more worried about possible prestige then happiness. I have been in the business world almost 30 years and not once have I hired someone based on what prep school they went to.</p>
<p>I don't think the question was one of prestige -- but rather, a strong academic program. If someone was only focusing on prestige, then many of the schools mentioned would not be on the list.</p>
<p>there is a difference between boarding schools in terms of academic rigor -- and some schools just don't make the cut -- so it is a reasonable question to pose.</p>
<p>Please explain how you define strong academic program.</p>
<p>prestige -- I define this as a school that has broad name recognition as a top school. I would put Andover and Exeter in this category. Prior to reading these boards -- those are the only schools I would have put in that category (I am from Colorado, not the east coast, and boarding schools are not well-known here).</p>
<p>as far as having "wet dreams" about a school (you might have chosen a better description) I am not at all sure what you mean by that -- and perhaps it wasn't directed at me? I am a parent and my son has no interest in prestige and no plans to apply for any of the well-known schools often mentioned on the board.</p>
<p>I define a strong academic program as one where classes are small, academic expectations are high. Many classes are offered, including advanced level classes, science classes are lab sciences, teachers with advanced degrees, comparing median SAT scores, the mission statement, impressions during visiting day, 4-year college placement and matriculation results.</p>
<p>a school that I would say does not have a strong academic program is one that lacks a foreign language at the 4th year level or above, that only offers one or two advanced classes in the core subjects (i.e. might offer AP bio, but not AP chem or AP physics or any other advanced class), where not all students go on to college, where the general placement record for students is lower level state schools or lacs, where teachers only hold bachelors degrees and teacher turnover is common, where classes are large.</p>
<p>there are many boarding schools with strong academic programs.</p>
<p>Wow, sounds like Madeira and Foxcroft are your schools under your defintion.</p>
<p>I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone or any school in any way, and everyone's replies have been very helpful. I do agree with what you are saying about prestige, and I really didn't mean to offend anyone. I think I am going to apply to Foxcroft and Madeira, and maybe a couple more. Thanks so much for everyone's help!</p>
<p>wsd -- not exactly sure what you mean by Madeira and Foxcroft are "your schools under your definition". My son is looking to apply to schools next year for 9th grade -- we are just starting the process of looking at schools. He is interested in schools with an outdoor program, outdoor focus and/or environmental focus. He is a very good student, hard worker -- but no interest in large, competitive schools -- just wants a good, solid education and some more opportunities than are currently available. right now he is thinking of applying to Fountain Valley and Conserve and considering Thatcher. I will take a look at Madeira and Foxcroft (never heard of them -- but that means nothing coming from me!)</p>
<p>My rant was about the need on this site to label schools as strong or weak academically based on nothing but comparison to past reputation of some northeast prep schools that, pardon the pun, fart dust. It is stupid for teenage kids to get so concerned about possible prestige at the expense of happiness. There are alot of great boarding schools both coed and single sex throughout the country. Stop the chase for the one you think has the most prestige and go to the one that makes you happiest. Foxcroft and Madeira are girls great girls schools outside of the northeast. There are many coed and boys schools that also fit this bill.</p>
<p>wsd -- I agree with what you are saying, but I think if you would read more of the posts, you would see that not everyone is obsessed with prestige.</p>
<p>Are you familiar with coed schools (not the top 10 that everyone knows)? If so, I would love to ask for some suggestions. I am not interested in prestige, but we are looking for significant financial aid and a strong academic program. small classes and a good percentage of boarders are a plus, location is not an issue. My son prefers a casual atmosphere and he is interested in the environment and outdoor activities.</p>
<p>let me know if you can think of any schools you think we should look at. right now, he is thinking of Conserve School, Millbrook, Midland, Thatcher and Fountain Valley.</p>
<p>@ hsmomstef: Check out this link: <a href="http://www.ashevilleschool.org/information/extracurricular/mountaineering.asp%5B/url%5D">http://www.ashevilleschool.org/information/extracurricular/mountaineering.asp</a></p>
<p>The endowment isn't gawdy, but it's decent. The opportunity for FA seems like it could be promising. But that's fairly personal and specific to the applicant so I can't speak to that. </p>
<p>If by "casual atmosphere" you're not talking dress code (tie for boys) and are referring to something more along the lines of a preference for collegiality over internal competition, then if you think the FA looks promising, this school hits all the items you listed in your previous post. </p>
<p>Plus, Asheville is a great city. It usually gets snow before NYC. It would be familiar enough in many ways to someone coming from Colorado...but your son might be valued (from a FA allocation p.o.v.) for coming from Colorado. There's skiing, too -- though hardly what you'd be used to. You're open to many schools and I know you'll need to set some limits on the search, but this comes to mind when I think of a kid from Colorado looking for lots of outdoor-oriented activities...yet still going to a school first and foremost (as opposed to an Outward Bound program that has classes thrown in for good measure).</p>
<p>Ethel Walker's in Simsbury CT has one of the top riding programs in the country. It is all-girls.</p>
<p>I know this is an old thread just bumped up, but Stoneleigh-Burnham School has a good equistrain program, again it is all girls and it a small school in Western Massachusetts (near Deerfield and NMH).</p>
<p>Garrison Forest, Madiera, Foxcroft, Oldfields, Linden, Grier, Chatam Hall are all good riding schools but i don't really know what is considered "good" when it comes to academic programs</p>
<p>Both The Ethel Walker School and The Andrews School have strong academic programs and prestigious riding teams. I would strongly recommend looking into EWS since it has a great program. But take into consideration when applying to these schools the level of commitment to the sport and passion for it. Since many of these girls have dedicated their entire lives to riding and are really advanced, it may seem a bit intimidating at first but if you demonstrate interest and a desire to progress, the coaches will take notice and help you improve.</p>