From a parent’s perspective, I think it is or should be. As long as the prospective student is “smart enough” and “organized enough” and “talented enough” and “confident enough” and “mature enough”, it appears that passionate curiosity drives the process to what many/most parents would consider ideal and/or excellent outcomes.
There are always students who geek out 100% for grades or stay in their hockey bubble or whatever, but the ever-curious kids seem to get the most out of the myriad of opportunities which differentiate these prep schools from the rest.
There are a number of “most”, all too subjective. I tend to agree with @stargirl. If you define success as “worldly” success at least, which means, for example, laying back and purposefully living a aimless life as a “philosopher” or living art is not considered success. Then the drive to succeed is the most important.
One could argue that any trait is the most important as long as the student is “curious enough” and what not.
But if a bs freshman had focused much in just one academic/athletic/art area, her curiosity would be especially important in bs environment as it provides good opportunities in diverse areas, so that she can find her true love of the life thing to focus with resilience and determination during her college and thereafter.
Incidentally, taking a step back and experimenting all different sort of opportunities that a bs can provide is why she wants to go to a bs.
I believe the answer depends on how you define success.
Do you mean “success” as in a favorable outcome on M10 & admittance to top tier boarding schools?
If so, I think authenticity & grit are determining factors.
Success at boarding school. Smart and all that other stuff gets you in, but what separates those students who truly benefit from the unique boarding school environment and those who don’t. Grit also works well where choices and resources are limited, but what is most important where choices and resources abound?
Choices and resources abound!. Hopefully all those “very interesting” global/social/psychology courses on their curriculum would work out as D hopes since her interest in that area is growing fast.
Then I would have to identify initiative as an important trait. Doesn’t really matter that choices and resources abound if you don’t seek out and take advantage of said opportunities!