<p>talked to son about Culver and we read the handbook (I finally got that link to work). He is not interested. the kids have their hair cut short, wear blues uniforms everyday and learn leadership through a prescribed, regimented program involving ranks and priviledges (like being allowed to have a bedspread) are reserved for upperclassmen who are officers. Like I said -- very much like Civil Air Patrol. He has done enough of that to know that he doesn't want to spend four years in that environment. He would much rather attend the local school.</p>
<p>I did some more checking at some of his other schools -- Conserve is need-blind and his stats should put him in the upper 25% plus Scattergood Friends accepts 90% of the applicants and provides excellent FA. I think either would be good choices (he likes what he sees of both).</p>
<p>Has Conserve School received full accreditation? Scattergood Friend"s Schoolis only 60 students. Try the George School in Penna. It is highly respected IB school.</p>
<p>Just curious--What do you mean 'do this to your child'? What about Conserve and Scattergood are particularly unusual? I looked at Conserve's website and it looked pretty normal.</p>
<p>Scattergood Friends has only 60 students and a most unusual class schedule. I really do not want to comment any further. Thank you for your question.</p>
<p>um -- not offended, but my child thinks that Conserve and Scattergood are very awesome and cool. I can see him at these places -- like I have said, he is not the typical kid. Loves kayaking and hiking, into organic/sustainablity (and I don't mean that we buy our food at whole foods -- he owns a share of a cow so that he can have raw milk and butter, raises chickens, etc). These are the environments that appeal to him and that is why he is considering them. He comes from a different background. to me, both schools look excellent as far as academics, community, service to others and stewardship of the earth and those are priorities for our family. It may seem "unusual" to others, but it is a good fit for some. His older brother is even more unusual in his interests and activities, so I have an idea of what is ahead. Just to give you an idea -- my oldest sons' college list has St. John's and Deep Springs at the top of the list (though he has the stats, ECs and courses to be competitive for HYPS). His ultimate career goals swing from being a Tibetan monk to working in Cambodia for the Peace Corps. I won't be surprised at all if my younger son also selects a different path from the "norm". </p>
<p>we took a look at George and it looks good (we originally cut it from the list because of the low percentage of boarders -- 55%). He likes the idea of the IB program, so it will get added to the list.</p>
<p>conserve doesn't have full accredidation yet -- they are provisional because of how new they are (graduated their first class in 2004). It doesn't concern me that much -- they show excellent stats and college acceptances (Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth and Harvard are just a few).</p>
<p>block scheduling (which is what Scattergood Friends does) can be very effective and is used in varying ways at many, many schools -- so I can't see that it is a significant factor. I am also not put off by the newness of Conserve. They have excellent teachers, facility, etc. Seems well run and well organized -- gotta start someplace. prestige and history aren't really important or it would be an issue.</p>
<p>Garrity -- just what do you see happening to a student who attends Scattergood Friends versus a school like George or Peddie?</p>
<p>St. John"s and Deep Springs are highly respected schools in any and every circle. But you initially had a list containing well established , highly competitive New England boarding schools that are the complete opposite of Conserve and Scattergood Friends!</p>
<p>Garrity -- ok. sorry to offend -- I welcome all comments and do consider what is said. I realize that St. John's and Deep Springs are well-respected -- but they are both unusual programs and that is what I was trying to compare.</p>
<p>the list does contain some highly competitive New England Boarding schools -- they just happen to also fit the criteria my son was looking at. </p>
<p>I have appreciated your time and discussion.</p>
<p>This just seems to be one coincidence after another.</p>
<p>Hmomstef, you will be surprised to know that I can tell you a bit about Culver Academies as well because my younger brother attends that school. Even though Culver is not a school that aims to prepare students for admission into the U.S. Service Academies, like Valley Forge does, Culver still has a very strict military discipline for boys. Cadets are required to meet very exacting standards within their units, which includes passing boards (an exam administered to new cadets which questions students on the many rules and regulations), having their rooms and everything in them pass inspection every day, and do work details when ordered by school faculty and higher-ranking cadets with the authority. Of course everything is very well controlled, and the work is moderated, but it is still a very strict environment. My younger brother actually does aspire to attend a U.S. Service Academy, so he chose to go to Culver voluntarily, and Culver has a great deal of merits, including more uncommon programs such as horse training and riding, hockey, and other such things. It has great facilities, and many, including the George Steinbrenner gymnasium, are new. </p>
<p>As you said, it is a larger school, students are expected to do many things on their own, and I wouldn't say as closely knit as a whole (although the individual units are). In my opinion, I think academically your son would fit in, but otherwise I don't believe he would. I would research Culver, but I don't think its imperative for your son to look at it much.</p>
<p>burb parent -- thanks for the suggestion. We took another look at The Putney School. It sounds great and he is interested -- it originally was crossed off the list because it shows average SAT scores of 530. After reading the website, that just doesn't sound correct (I emailed and asked them about it). </p>
<p>tokyo -- Culver sounds great -- just not for my son. We live in Colorado Springs, so we know all about service academies and my son's Civil Air Patrol unit meets at the Air Force Academy and lots of our cadets attend AFA. It is a great institution! just not for my kid.</p>
<p>I suggest you take a good look at Middlesex School, in Concord MA. I don't know how Middlesex stats compare to what your child is looking for, but I do know Middlesex is one of the best "small" schools in the country.</p>
<p>Have kind of skimmed this thread, so someone else may have made this suggestion already, but how about the Holderness school in NH? I mention it because it's my understanding that they have a real emphasis on the outdoors/environment.</p>
<p>my cousins suggested it for me, but it just isn't for me, really.
they're outside during the daytime (as opposed to late afternoon sports)
and..idk. look at all of the hippie schools in vermont and new hampshire.. lots have their own farms and grow their own food and have flexible curriculum and whatnot.</p>