<p>I am a parent of a boy who will be applying to day and boarding schools next year for entrance in September 2009 as a 9th grader. My sons test scores are very high (99%) but grades are close to a B average and social skills are below average. He does not want and would not thrive in an achievement-focused environment that rewards competition but would love a school that embraces and nurtures bright students. My son is interested in the world around him (current events, politics, etc. ) and wants to be with others that have similar interests. We live in eastern Massachusetts. What schools do you think should be considered and why?</p>
<p>Would you consider an all boys school?<br>
What are his athletic/EC interests?<br>
What geographic location will you consider?</p>
<p>All boys is an option. </p>
<p>Athletic interests are a willingness to participate as required. ECs currently include Math Club, choir, community service. Strong interest in MUN and similar activities.</p>
<p>Location - for the right fit would consider anywhere in the world but as distance from Logan airport increases so should the fit.</p>
<p>Cambridge School of Weston or Commonwealth School. don't have any firsthand experience but I believe that both are v. individualized and have lots of v. bright kids. Also perhaps a less homogeneous social scene than the ISL's and some of the boarding schools.</p>
<p>What about Boston University Academy? I don't have any personal exeprience with the place but there was a thread about it back in the fall (of '07) and it seemed like a very interesting school.</p>
<p>Search for a thread called "BU Academy in Boston"...I'm sorry I haven't figured out how to link threads on CC yet. <em>sigh</em></p>
<p>I am thinking of a small boarding school.
Eastern MA... Hummm
Middlesex and Concord come to mind.</p>
<p>I think Blair might be a good fit. Your son's SSAT is on the top end of what they get, but I think the community focus is strong and the competitve angst is absent.</p>
<p>Blair does have some 99% SSAT test takers in addition to MUN and a strong history department. While it is not as close as other possibilities, you can reach it by taking 84 from the Pike. What do you mean by below average social skills? </p>
<p>I don't know about their history dept. or if they have a MUN, but you might want to look at Pomfret and Berkshire. And where are the Northfield Mt. Hermon cheerleaders?</p>
<p>We NMH cheerleaders are on a cigarette break. Also we're worried that it's getting too well known and will lose that special charm.</p>
<p>I'm here. I did not respond, because I was concerned that the OP's son scored so well on his SSAT's, yet his school grades are relatively low and per his own father has poor social skills. I think this could actually hurt him at a school like NMH (or a lot of top bs). They don't just look for kids who are academically cutthroat (NMH less so than some others, but it is still achievement-oriented), but they definitely place a lot of emphasis on personality and what you can offer to the school. I think super-high SSAT's and mediocre grades are not a good combination, unless there is something we don't know about the classes being taken (all advance, honors?)</p>
<p>I'm going to respectfully disagree with recommendations that you look at Commonwealth and BUA, both of which I know about. Both schools have very bright kids, but also very high achieving kids. And a ton of work. If your son is getting B's in his current school I'm not sure putting him in a school that is VERY demanding academically would be the best alternative.</p>
<p>Have you had him tested by an independent educational (preferably PhD )psychologist/consultant? It may be helpful to understand disparities between performance and intellegence in his case and the consultant may suggest schools that would be comfortable for your child. I would consider day schools also.</p>
<p>St. Andrew's-Sewannee might be a good fit. Very small school so he wouldn't be overwhelmed.
They look for students across a broad spectrum. Students have matriculated to Yale, U.Chicago, Vanderbilt, U. of the South, Davidson, etc.
No honors classes nor AP because it gives teachers more freedom to teach outside of the AP requirements. However, talented/gifted students can take classes at Sewannee-University of the South for free, and of course for college credit.
A lot of classroom time is spent outdoors. It's not your typical New England School (especially since it's in TN, LOL). There is a dress code, but no jackets and ties. The admin. is very receptive, and very nice. Financial Aid is available, but not as generous as the big name NE schools.
St. Andrew's Delaware also is a small school. Closer to home, and has the New England feel. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves rather than each other. Teachers are wonderful.
I have/had children at both schools.</p>
<p>check out Conserve -- very small, supportive. emphasis on innovation, environment and technology. Athletics is not a huge priority -- and I don't believe it is required. no dress code, not cutthroat competitive but they definitely have bright students. good matriculation.</p>
<p>Blair seems like it could be a good fit</p>
<p>Social skills are an important component for a happy boarding life. Fit for the boarding life at any school should be assessed carefully. Sometimes students are just in the wrong environment. Other times a new environment just won't change who the child is. At my son's previous day school, I did see a few students blossom in the smaller school environment. Whether or not Blair or any other boarding school is the right school for this student will depend on whether or not the boarding life is the right fit for him. I have no way of knowing that.</p>
<p>The schools we looked at were looking for some contribution to the school community, so it will be important to show some level of achievement in some areas. </p>
<p>If his social skills are lacking, then I think a day school might be a better choice. He might be unhappy in a boarding community. If he is just in the wrong environment, then I think it would be worthwhile to visit many boarding and day schools to assess fit. I hope you are able to find a school in which he can blossom.</p>
<p>Day vs. boarding - one friend made the point that boarding schools would be more supportive of the "whole child" as they have 24x7 responsibility versus a day school that would not feel as committed to that student's social development. Is this a valid point?</p>
<p>My son has enjoyed summer boarding experiences. It is hard to know what is best but I really have appreciated all of the comments and observations that have been posted.</p>
<p>HI,</p>
<p>My ssat was 97% and I am very good at academic. However I like a small school rather than a big one like Choate. I am going to Saint Mark's School at Southboro. After revisit I became to like it more since they are so close
and they already knew me at the first meeting. I was so impressed with the way they take care of students there. They have a new school head from Milton, and I really like it and strongly recommend St. Mark's.</p>
<p>You know your child best. Based on the little you have said, day or boarding, it sounds like a smaller school would be best. I'm glad to hear that he enjoys summer boarding.</p>
<p>You should definitely look at BUA (Boston University Academy). It's very small and focused on very bright kids, but it is not a cutthroat sort of place at all. Kids are very kind to each other. BUA also understands that very smart kids don't always have great grades, particularly if they aren't happy with their current school. Kids can spent a whole day at BUA to see if they like it and will generally be paired with a 9th grader who is similar.</p>