<p>I have possible option to join the George School this year, in Newton, PA. Unfortunately, I am not sure if I should because I do not know much about it. Do any of you know anything? Like students, academic rigor, etc. Please help.</p>
<p>I have a child at George School who loves the school and is thriving. It’s a Quaker school with probably a wider range of kids than some of the boarding schools mentioned here. The vibe is low key and not so competitive. Teachers are called by first names, and dress is casual.</p>
<p>The school gives kids options academically. It’s one of only four U.S. boarding schools offering the IB program in my understanding, and if you choose that route you will definitely be challenged.</p>
<p>There is a pretty high percentage of day students (maybe 40% or so?), so a classroom will have kids from Bucks County, PA, as well as from around the world. Quakers are strong believers in community service, and George School has kids going on service trips to places as far flung as Ghana, Cuba, Vietnam, rural Mississippi and a reservation in Arizona. </p>
<p>What are you interested in? There are outstanding photography and woodworking programs, a beautiful library, and, most important, very dedicated teachers. </p>
<p>For what it’s worth, George School has two Nobel winners (Physics and Medicine) as alums. Julian Bond, another notable alumni, went on to found SNCC (Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee). </p>
<p>Spend time with the website. I think it gives a good picture of the passion of the students and the dedication of the teachers. Good luck with your choice.</p>
<p>P.S. It’s Newtown, PA.</p>
<p>Thank you! I am deeply interested and reading and writing. I also love soccer and playing the guitar. My concern is that I was told it was a pretty strict school (no TV, very early curfew, closed weekends, etc). Could you tell me about this aspect of the school?</p>
<p>I’ve spent a few hours on the website and it seems decent. I just don’t want to go through the process and realize at orientation weekend that it wasn’t the right match. (I don’t have too much time to decide.) It seems like an awesome opportunity.</p>
<p>My child will be a new boarder at George School in September. I think there are only about 6 closed weekends during the school year. Boarders have to be on dorm at 10 Sunday thru Thursday, and at 11 on Friday and Saturday. There is required study hall Sunday through Thursday in the evening, either in the dorm room or library. TVs are not allowed in the dorm rooms (seniors might be able to have them with permission). I’m not sure if the student lounges have TVs. Other George School parents here can probably address that better than I.</p>
<p>Hmmm. Strict is not a word I associate with George School. You’re right that there aren’t TVs in the dorms, although kids do watch dvds on the weekends. </p>
<p>Study hours are 7:30 to 9:30 each school evening (Sunday through Thursday) with limited internet. I think it’s a 10:30PM lights out on school nights, although kids can get special permission for late hours sometimes. The study hours are standard for boarding schools. The lights out may be a bit earlier than is typical.</p>
<p>The first month has closed weekends for boarders, if i remember correctly, and there are a few thereafter during the year, but the school runs Friday after school vans to the Trenton train station and picks up on Sunday evening. Some boarders go home once or twice a month.</p>
<p>One thing that George School does that is great is that boarders don’t have to be back at school until the Monday night after long breaks. This means kids don’t have to travel on the busy Sundays after Thanksgiving and New Years. </p>
<p>Is it the thought of boarding school in general that’s of concern to you? I think George School is on the lenient side of what’s possible for boarders, but it can be hard to see day students going to their homes every evening.</p>
<p>Reading and writing are taught well at George School, and it goes beyond just the English classes. I was pleasantly surprised that a freshman history class had students reading Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart as part of a study of colonialism, for example.</p>
<p>Do you guys know what the differences between Quakers and Catholics are? I am just afraid that I may not want to stay there. Are the dorms nice? Teachers?</p>
<p>Although George School is a Quaker school, only about 15 percent of the students are Quaker, and maybe 25-30 percent of the faculty. Students at George School will be of many different faiths. Quakerism is a Christian faith. Beliefs of quakers include pacifism, social equality, simplicity, and integrity . George School’s website contains very good information about Quaker religious services (called Meeting for Worship), which all students attend 1-2 times per week. </p>
<p>Quakers are not as different as you might think. We don’t even dress like the quaker oats guy anymore. I think that the emphasis that is placed on fellowship, community, and equality make Quaker schools a great place for high school students of any faith to study and live.</p>
<p>Based on the things that seem to be “dealbreakers” for you, perhaps BS is not the best fit…</p>
<p>I’m not a Quaker (actually I may be based on my values), but the values they espouse are great for all people.</p>
<p>I really would like to have the whole boarding school experience, but I was set on Canterbury. The reason I’m so iffy on George School is because it is Quaker (even though I have to agree that they do have great values) and because its such short notice (I’d have a month to get myself together and go through the application process. I was also planning on preparing myself for all of this, but I feel that if I let this opportunity go, I might not get another one. Like I said before, after reading through the website and such, I must admit that the ethics of the school make it seem like a good influence on me. I’d like to see life outside of living with my parents before I’m forced to do it. I’m set on going to boarding school. The question is: When and where?</p>
<p>I know a little about GS, as it is a school talked about a lot in my area, and a lot of kids from my past school applied there (including me). I think GS is an awesome school for kids who are really into the arts. A Quaker environment is beneficial to grow up in, I feel. I could sense that the kids felt free at school. While it wasn’t quite for me, I definitely recommend applying to GS.</p>