I’ve heard many things about Hun. Some people say it’s a great school, others say it is one of the worst in New Jersey. Obviously, it isn’t as good as Lawrenceville, but I’m considering it as a safety (60% acceptance rate). Is it a good school?
Also, extra question: If Hun isn’t good, what are some other good boarding school safeties?
Thank you.
It’s actually a really nice school. It slid a bit downhill for a long time sandwiched between lawrenceville and the PA schools. Personally it s a wonderful option for a safety. I know people that loved it and are very loyal to the school.
I know some students who have attended Hun. There are a lot of things going for it:
- Great location
- daily extra help-sessions after school with teachers
- Strong sports teams (esp Lax)
- Not as much pressure cooker environment as other nearby schools
Overall it can be a great school for the right kid. I don’t know why anyone would say Hun is one of the worst in NJ. There are far worse schools that I can think of.
That’s good to hear! Thank you.
Hun is a good school with a solid emphasis on sports. Hun has a good community and embraces all students – from the high achieving to the C student (if that’s the best they can do.). Hun will often send its top students to the Ivies and other select colleges. It’s a solid choice and many of our friends are very happy there.
I have a lot of friends at Hun, and they love it! It’s not the most selective school, but there’s a place for everyone- from the über smart kids to the recruited athletes & they do have a great support system from what I’ve heard
Not sure about their college counseling though
Solid school with a really beautiful campus. I would not consider it your “typical” boarding school though. Majority o are local day students. Think there are about 550 students and about 150 of them are boarders. My understanding is that it is the international students that comprise the bulk of boarders.
HarvestMoon1. Yes!
They seem to do a very nice job of preparing athletes for college – particularly the more average students who with the right academic prep will be attractive to coaches – and that says a lot about the teaching… I’d characterize it as a day school with a boarding option (my sense is the same as @HarvestMoon1 – mostly international students in the dorms) rather than a typical boarding school. As such, they’re competing more with some other day schools in the area for students. I sense that a lot of the social activity happens off campus but someone else could tell you more.
All the kids that I’ve known who have gone here have been very nice, friendly kids, and they all ended up at colleges where they were happy. The school has had its share of issues (drugs, bullying), but it seems like they address these swiftly and decisively (which may be why I’m aware of them). As these issues can – and do – happen at pretty much every school at some point, it’s not something to hold against them if they deal with it; it’s only an issue if it’s ignored and allowed to persist.
If Lawrenceville is where you’re setting the bar, pretty much everywhere else will look like a safety. Not far from Hun are George School and Westtown, both Quaker boarding schools in PA. George is about twice the size of Westtown, and I don’t think either is a whole lot harder to get into than Hun. If you’re looking for the friendly vibe of Hun, those might be worth considering. If you’re looking more along the lines of L’ville, Peddie might be worth a look.
Wow, I fell in love with George School, thank you for the suggestion!