<p>A good prep school will nurture its students in accordance with the multiple meanings of that word. It will “protect” students by giving them help. It will “encourage” students to mature by providing them the breathing room to develop their independence. And it will “educate” students to educate themselves. </p>
<p>Tension sometimes exists between these three elements of nurturing. So, it’s important to balance them when making your prep school choices depending upon the relative importance you assign to each of these three criteria. </p>
<p>Keep in mind, however, that these three elements also importantly interrelate with one another. For example, one of the best lessons a student can learn at a nurturing prep school is when he should exercise the maturity to seek help from others so that he can help himself.</p>