<p>I was just wondering if there are any boarding schools (that anyone has experience with) that are not well known but are actually really wonderful learning environments? I don't want to miss out just because I didn't take the time to look beyond the HADES... </p>
<p>thanks :)</p>
<p>A lot of day schools are very good and reputable within commuting distance. Such of those are Roxbury Latin, BB&N, Nobles, St. Mark’s, Belmont Hill, etc.</p>
<p>i’d definitely look into st andrews (in delaware). it’s also need-blind for domestic (US) students, so if you need FA it’s fantastic!</p>
<p>i really wanted to apply but they don’t give financial aid to internationals 
boo. i’m not personally very familiar with SAS but i’ve heard nothing but great things about it. look at the parent resource list ( <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/667365-resource-list-current-bs-parents-students.html?highlight=parent+resource[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/667365-resource-list-current-bs-parents-students.html?highlight=parent+resource</a> ) and contact one of the parents on that list for more info about the school/read up on their website. it looks fantastic :)</p>
<p>best of luck!</p>
<p>There are many great choices! Best to do a self-assessment to establish the competitiveness range you’re targeting and then build the list based on your specific academic and extracurricular interests.</p>
<p>I think most of them are about personal appeal. Something special about them that might not suit everyone but fits you well (like emphasis on a sport, art or just a general feel about it you like). </p>
<p>You can go to [Boarding</a> School Review - College-Prep & Jr. Boarding Schools](<a href=“http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/]Boarding”>http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/) and get a good list by opening up in separate tabs lots of schools that appeal to you and then cross them out because something doesn’t fit you(like an SSAT threshold responding to your scores or too small/big). Then you end up with a smaller list of schools. You can then look at their websites and narrow the list even further.</p>
<p>I was very impressed with Berkshire, Brooks, St. Mark’s, and Taft after my tours this year. They are definitely worth looking into. But like the two posters above me have said, the decision to apply to certain schools should be based on different factors that you deem important. So maybe a school like Brooks may be right for me but you could have a completely different impression of the school based off of your individual interests. Visiting schools will give you a good feel for what the atmospheres at different schools are like.</p>
<p>I agree w/ hopeful although I’m not so sure I’d keep St. Marks on the list. I would replace it with St. Georges and St. Andrews.</p>
<p>Governor’s is sort of the “underdog”. Small, not talked about much, but has great model Congress, and very strong in arts competitions. One young lady recently entered MIT so I know the rigor is there. Slightly higher day student ratio than other schools, but then again, that’s more opportunities to go to a friends house for a long weekend.</p>
<p>I think the name change from Governor Dummer will help. I will say they sent an amazing embossed portfolio packet with their acceptance letter, and personalized viewbook before that. My daughter cried when she decided to turn them down because they had been so nice.</p>
<p>So just another option. They’re quiet - but Exeter has recommended them to quite a few people and some faculty send their children there as day students, and some Governor’s staff send their children to Exeter. So take it for what it’s worth. And their facilities and ability to give FA is on par with most of the other schools.</p>
<p>Peddie is a great school with good financial aid.</p>
<p>Hey – thank you so much everyone! Just to clarify, I am a girl so all boys schools would not work - im not sure that St. Mark’s and Governor’s are coed(?)- but thanks!</p>
<p>@AlexMac : You mentioned that your list contained day schools - By this do you mean that the schools are primarily day, with some boarding? Just curious…</p>
<p>BB&N and Roxbury Latin are all day, Nobles and Belmont Hill both are primarily day and some boarding, while St. Mark’s isn’t talked about much but is 81% boarding.</p>
<p>OK thanks – It seems like I need to look into St. Mark’s!</p>
<p>You’ve received many fine recommendations already on this string. I encourage you to investigate St. Mark’s–we have a child there–and will PM you about it. That said, I marvel at how discussion here often centers on the Boston metro area. St. Andrew’s is indeed one of many terrific schools outside of New England; there are many others.</p>
<p>Cheers</p>