Hello, I’m a parent of an 8th grader who was accepted at a variety of schools. He is having a tough choice choosing between the schools. He’s narrowed it down to: L’ville, Hill, Blair and Peddie. Now…before you go all crazy, I’ll tell you he prefers mid-size to large and warmer environment (collaborative) vs colder (and overly competitive). He is likely going to turn down L’ville and Peddie and go for Blair or Hill. Any comments on these last two schools. (And, yes, fit for him is the most important thing, though I know for any people turning down L’ville or Peddie seems crazy.)
I got a buddy at Blair and although I was waitlisted there its still a really nice school. I would personally choose Blair over the other 3. Super friendly people. Their wrestling matches are the most fun to watch even if your son doesn’t wrestle.
I’m in a sort of similar situation as you since I was accepted at Hill and Peddie and waitlisted at Lville. I did revisit Hill and Peddie but I don’t know much about the environment at Blair. Ultimately, I think Hill had the warmest feel of any school I revisited. I found that really surprising considering their dress code and their overall more formal style. I think Hill does a really good job at working on students as individuals and I found that their teachers were really involved with the students both in the classroom and outside where they constantly joked around and were involved in each others day and lives. I didn’t see any school where the students and teachers were as close together as they were at Hill. Good luck in making your decision, you really can’t go wrong!
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There were a couple of things we didn’t like about the culture at Hill, but that’s just our own perspective. I know a few families with kids at Blair and have heard only good things. It sounds like a very warm and accepting culture. I hope you have had a chance to visit both and get your own feel for the schools. They are both excellent, though, so don’t worry too much. Whatever feels right will probably turn out to be right.
@UponReflection Did you get a chance to attend revisits days at Peddie or the other schools? One of the things I just love about Peddie is the collaborative community. My friends who attend tell me about the study sessions they hold with their classmates. Teachers have assured me that there is a lot of academic support among the students for each other. It’s a rigorous environment, but not sink-or-swim like other top schools. I can’t wait for the fall. I looked at all the NJ-PA schools. Peddie has an amazing culture and an open-mindedness about creating clubs if you have a passion. I really hope your family reconsiders.
We also love the collaborative community and culture at Peddie!
Agree with your assessment of Lville. My son graduated in '18, and its not terribly collaborative. I know of one of my friends whose son attends Blair and loves it.