So, I’m trying to put together a preliminary (very preliminary) list of schools to apply to next year. I’ll be applying as a tenth grader (maybe a repeat ninth, it’ll depend on how I feel then) with FA.
So far, I have CSW, Milton, Athenian, Cate, Andover, and Exeter on my list. To be honest, the last two are mostly because my mom wants me to apply to those again. Also, she says the California schools are dependent on my mental health when I’m applying next year.
Anyway, are there any schools that are sort of in the vein of CSW (progressive (education wise), social justice-y, etc.) that I should add? I really like CSW but I’ve definitely learned my lesson of not applying to just a few schools.
I’m sorry if this didn’t make sense, I am really tired and unsure how to articulate my thoughts.
Athenian has a very small boarding population- it is really more of a day school. If California is appealing, Stevenson is a good choice.
What are your priorities? What vibe are you looking for? The mental health comment from your mom is confusing, tbh, if she is also in favor of super intense schools. But I get what she is saying about being far from home.
Okay! I was mostly interested in Athenian because of their “experimental learning” thing. The website kind of gave an odd vibe, though, if that makes sense. I’ll definitely check out Stevenson!
I’m looking for a school that has a lot of courses that I’m interested in and where I can do something like…Japanese literature or something and then go to darkroom photography and then to music. I want to be able to learn things with other people who are actually interested in what we’re learning. I know that’s true of most boarding schools, but yeah. As for vibe, I want a more friendly, laid-back place (so…not as intense) but as long as it’s manageable I should be okay.
Do you mean Japanese lit like in Japanese? Because that would narrow your choices a lot.
If what you mean is esoteric, off the beaten track, elective opportunities- those aren’t going to be available in most schools until senior year-ish. Bigger schools will have more of them, but everywhere will have teachers with a “pet project” class the school let them teach.
Sounds like the progressive, less intense vibe is a good way for you to differentiate- and there are lots of excellent threads here to learn about the differences between schools.
Because you have Cate on your list…Cate may be California, and it has a culture of kindness, but I wouldn’t call it laid back. Informal maybe, compared to others? It isn’t cut throat, but many of the kids are self-propelled, stressed out over-achievers just like most other bs students. Yes, you can learn to surf and scuba while there, and yes there is a uniquely peaceful feel to the air up on the mesa, but those kids work hard. I can’t really say where it falls on the political spectrum. Probably liberal/progressive - but no more than the rest of California. Happy to talk more about it if you want me to. Don’t want to derail your thread.
What about Masters?? I know nothing about it, other than the fact that kiddo’s friend wanted to apply but her very conservative mother felt the school was too progressive. Which, knowing her, makes me think it’s probably a very cool school.
I mean the second, not Japanese in particular! And yes, that makes sense (to the senior year thing as well as the vibe parts).
About Cate, that makes a lot of sense! I pretty much just read through the website and it’s nice to hear about the sort of…atmosphere? It would be awesome if you could talk a little bit about it, but it’s okay if not!
From reading this, I’m going to recommend Putney again: They have project weeks instead of finals where you work on one or two projects on anything you want to learn about. At the end of the week, you present it to the school. I think this happens two or three times a year?
Stevenson does have Japanese, if you did decide you were interested - one of the few schools that does!
I agree that Athenian is mostly day students, though it does have a vibe similar to what it sounds like you are looking for. Virtually all of the (few) boarding students are international.
I am always happy to, I always worry that I’m too rah rah about Cate (I wish I had been more creative in my username and not tied myself to it lol).
My son is a junior, so my opinions have evolved over time, and aren’t done yet. It might be helpful if you ask questions, so I don’t just ramble into things you aren’t interested in. I can speak to stem classes, social life (only to the extent my kid shares this with me, not so sure), what advisors are like, what the schedule is like… I am not so up on the arts and music programs. There are lots of ways to get your inner geek on with ECs - what do you like?
It is a super friendly campus- the kind of place that everyone says hello to each other as they pass. It is a comparatively small campus in acreage and number of students. It is isolated high up on a mesa (a plateau somewhere between a hill and a mountain), with an expansive view of the Pacific ocean - which is about a five minute drive away. Santa Barbara is 20 minutes away, L.A. 2-3 hours. SF is 5. Cate is a school that definitely needs to be seen/felt - it is such a bummer that prospective students haven’t been able to visit. There is nothing like it out there, and it either speaks to you or it doesn’t.
Most of the buildings are old by California standards (except the brand spanking new fabulous dining commons), some might need some sprucing up. The science building is not in the same league as many I saw on the East Coast. But what goes on inside is impressive.
It is a t-shirt and shorts kind of place, at least for boys. The students are mostly well-rounded, not spiky. There are some off-the charts talented students, but everyone has to do a sport and everyone is involved with multiple activities. There are maybe a few recruited athletes each year, and no PGs, so sports aren’t as dominant as in other schools.
Diversity is important and valued. The grades intermingle fluidly. No school is perfect, and Cate sees itself as a work in progress in how to listen to and incorporate in the feedback from the students/families in what they can do better - especially in the past year.
Kiddo has had some amazing teachers who he has really gotten to know and serve as role models. If you are the kind of kid who doesn’t see adults as the enemy, and will seek out help, you will reap the rewards of having so many wonderful resources around you.
What I don’t like is the stress. A lot of it is self-inflicted, but the struggle is real. It wasn’t so notable when kiddo was a freshman, but the workload junior year is a lot. He has his rhythm down, but there is always something(s) to do. He is extremely happy at Cate and if he had it to do again he would choose it over any other school, not even close. it is his home away from home, but it can be a grind.
Lmk if you want more info. I can blather on for hours.
I certainly appreciate your usernames, and I am sure I am not the only one. Having applied to both Cate and Choate, I have found your posts golden source of information. For instance, I have always been wondering about “Harkness math”; you explained it better than any AO I have ever met, step by step. Choate’s upper-class students once reached out to us for questions we might have; that was the moment I realized I knew so much more than I thought I did - thanks to your posts which I had been visiting well before my registeration to cc. I wonder what these schools could do without you; nobody reads fancy brochures or portals to get real information.
So your respective usernames have been beacons of quality and comfort, and I thank you for that.
Just paying it forward. I am so grateful to people here, too.
Kiddo thinks I am bonkers for spending time here, btw. He said the college counselors expressly warn students against taking advice about colleges from CC. I told him I would never ever go to COLLEGE Confidential for advice about COLLEGE- how ridiculous would that be? But boarding schools? You bet.
Wow, that is really really detailed and helpful!! I agree about your username- I feel like it’s easier to get information that way by looking for people’s posts and things. Anyway, I never know how to respond to things other than thank you, so thanks!
