Hi. Familiar with some prep schools (I went to top tier BS, oldest is at same one). Son applying for 9th grade. Needs academic supports (not pull out, but structured, serious support for Adhd/nld), nurturing place a plus. He’s sporty-ish - wants to try out for JV football. Musical (in a band). Social/friendly. At a local private school now with very small classes/tolerant staff (can be either great or annoying in class). “Good kid.” So-so grades. Needs to feel part of group.
We are compiling a list of schools (and reaching out to them with testing/info) but hoping for insider info on ones that might be a good fit and also the likelihood of admission. Thanks in advance.
Proctor
Putney
Cushing
Holderness
Cheshire
Brewster
Tilton
Vermont Academy
Winchendon
Forman (I realize this is an LD school…thoughts?)
Eagle Hill (same as above)
We know a boy that went to Brewster with similar challenges and the school was perfect for him. The boy went on to graduate from a good state university and is now working on an MBA. What are you looking for in a BS that isn’t offered at the local private school other than the away experience (which I think in and of itself is a good reason to send a kid to BS)?
Most of our local private schools lack the academic support (if if they have it, have a troubled population and/or the support means being pulled out of classes/feeling isolated). My son has some educational and emotional needs, but doesn’t need a therapeutic environment if that makes sense. I worry that traditional schools won’t tolerate some of the behaviors he might show in class, but schools that are special ed will not fit him socially (if you met him you wouldn’t know he had any issues). I also think he’d really like the camaraderie of BS and benefit from some distance from parents/sibs (all super high achieving). Not sure where he can get in, but so far loving what I know of Cushing.
I think I understand what you are looking for and why. We are in a somewhat similar situation with our second child, but likely needs more educational and social skills support than your son, although not quite a therapeutic environment either–mine is a good kid too
While we didn’t use an educational consultant for our first kid’s boarding school search, we think it might be worthwhile to try to find one for the second kid as the nuances among the schools matter much more than it did for the first kid. Perhaps you’ve considered the same? In any case, I wish you all the very best in getting helpful feedback and ultimately finding a place where your son will be happy and thrive!
Know kids at Proctor and Tilton who needed structure and did/are doing well. I would also suggest you look at Berkshire. Chauncey Hall Chapel Hill is very focused on individual learning (small school outside of Boston).
Apple - so glad to know we aren’t alone in this tricky position. We had thought about a consultant, but hesitant to spend the money and worry we will wind up with the same list…(probably with places like Storm King/Marvelwood on it, though we would like to stay in 2-hours ish from Boston area)…let me know if you have more wisdom to share!
MA2012 - I have heard mixed things about CHCH (which would be a day school for us…). We’re looking, but I’m somewhat concerned…thoughts? I’ve reached out to Berkshire, too.
I also know a family very happy with Brewster Academy, with a sporty ‘good’ kid. I think a lot of it comes down to how much support your child will really need – not just academically, but also around things like taking meds or showing up for support or counseling sessions. Some schools would have plenty of academic support available, but place the onus on the kids to make sure they’re getting the help they need. I know a kid now very happy at Eagle Hill because it turned out he needed more support managing his issues than just academic help like study skills. One benefit to a school like Eagle Hill or Forman is that a kid with ADHD or other LDs won’t feel ‘different’ than all the other kids – everyone’s got some diagnosis, and so it just becomes a big non-issue for the kids.
I would definitely look into Berkshire. I am a current student and after reading about your son above, I can see him fitting right in! Feel free to PM me with any questions or concerns- I would be more than happy to help you out
How competitive is Berkshire? It keeps coming up on these forums but when I do a search it looks super competitive and I am looking to make a switch from a competitive private day school with minimal formal support to a more supportive and tech savvy program to prepare my daughter for college. Am looking at Forman but may be too non-traditional for her and also Brewster, Proctor, Kents Hill (anyone know anything about?)
Please let me know if you have visited any on your list, as we are looking at some of the same and we are late to start the process. Can keep my student at her current school but I fear she will lose interest/motivation and won’t have the advocacy and tech skills to help her be successful in college. Thanks!
@highschoolparent1 I am a current student at Berkshire. It is competitive but not extremely compared to other school (Deerfield,choate,lawrencevill,Exeter,Andover,hotchkiss, all top 15 schools) your daughter sounds like she could be a really good fit at the school. I am a current student so don’t hesitate to pm me and I would more than happy to answer any questions and speak with you about Berkshire
We are meeting with Salisbury this week for our son who sounds very similar in terms of support that is needed. Any input on The Blue Ridge School in VA and The Phelps School in PA? All three schools are all boys. We are also trying to figure out the co-ed vs. all boys factor and what would be best.
I realize this thread is a few months old, but how did everyone make out. I have a rising 7th grader and will be looking at all of the schools mentioned when the time comes. Almost wish there was a sub group…
I would add Dublin, White Mountain, Vt Academy, New Hampton, Cheshire, Darrow along with Millbrook, Suffield, George, Tilton - all recommended by our consultant for a strong student who needed some additional support but not theraputic or full LD school. Very different schools with varying admissions competitiveness and worth checking out. We visited Dublin and Darrow and loved both! Very warm, friendly, nurturing places that know how to challenge kids without being pressure cookers. Berkshire does also sound like a great fit - have a cousin with a similar profile to your son who loved it.
Just an update for people that end up searching in the future. We’ve visited Forman, New Hampton, Brester, Vermont Academy and Kimball Union. We have been impressed with the Academic Support at all of them. Will update as we visit more. Please feel free to PM me with questions as I know how hard it is to evaluate places.
My daughter graduated Proctor in 2016 and we were thrilled with her time there. Plenty of really smart kids who went to great colleges but wanted (or needed) something slightly different from the HS experience.
