<p>Looking for some advice on a a few schools, does anyone have any advice on Eaglebrook, Cardigan or Rectory?</p>
<p>Lucky for you that you named 3 schools! Because you can compare the stats for up to 3 schools side-by-side:
[Compare</a> Boarding Schools | BoardingSchoolReview.com](<a href=“Compare Boarding Schools”>Compare Boarding Schools)</p>
<p>Keep in mind that a school is much, much more than its stats; it is only a starting point…</p>
<p>Coed v. single-sex
Rectory is coed. The other schools are single sex.</p>
<p>Boarding %
The majority of Rectory’s students are day students. </p>
<p>Int’l vs. Domestic
Both Cardigan and Rectory have higher percentages of int’l students than Eaglebrook. While it is VERY desirable to have int’l in the student body. It is my perception that a high percentage does not translate to a high number of different countries represented, but a high number of students from a handful of countries. This is not inherently a negative thing, but I would ask the admissions offices about how well the international kids mingle outside of their own nationality due to language issues.</p>
<p>Selectivity
Eaglebrook has a lower admit rate</p>
<p>Endowment
Eaglebrook has a significantly larger endowment</p>
<p>Extracurriculars
Eaglebrook offers many more sports. It even has its own ski lift & slope right on campus</p>
<p>To search for more schools, try this:
<a href=“http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/searchschools.php[/url]”>http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/searchschools.php</a></p>
<p>I’m going to be a little lazy and resend 2 previous msgs posted back in the Summer of 2010:</p>
<p>I am an Eaglebrook Alumni and Cardigan Mt. is our rival. So yes I would take Eaglebrook over Cardigan. The facilities, campus, faculty, athletic program, the extra curricular activities, lead by an extraordinary Headmaster provides a learning environment for 6th thru 9th graders that is second to none. I’m sure CM will beg to differ which is fine, nothing wrong a little school spirit. Review the websites and if you’re going to visit one, might as well see both. If and when you visit, I think you’ll find that Eaglebrook can sell itself but it does come down to how you and your son feel when and if you visit. </p>
<p>I’m unsure as to pros and cons of all boys vs. coed. I’m not a psychiatrist and I didn’t need one after attending EBS then going on to a coed Prep school, just more appreciative.</p>
<p>I am a strong proponent of “fit” and recommend that you visit both schools. Meantime suggest doing a search on CC for Eaglebrook and Cardigan but please remember that CC is public and people make statements that aren’t exactly correct or true. Feel free to PM me if you wish and I’ll do my best.</p>
<p>No kid is going to have a walk in the park academically at EBS and then again they are not going to a pressure cooker. Having said that, I’ll never forget my Biology class and the work I had to do. I thought the teacher was insane when explaining the pending biology project requirement on the first day of class. But his teaching approach quickly sucked me in and I had completely immersed myself in what was required. I still have the written report. I struggled with math and EBS provided the extra help I needed. I believe they are the only Pre-prep that offer Chinese. The academics are challenging with competent teachers that prepare their graduates for many of the challenges that follow. Looking at their matriculation lists proves their capabilities and achievements without exaggeration. I do know there has been no faculty turnover this past year. In my opinion that is a valuable insight to any school. It takes a special teacher to be there 24/7 for that age group. I know of teachers (married couples) that have returned to EBS for a variety of reasons. Having spoken to one of them recently at an alumni weekend it was obvious that the personal fulfillment of accomplishment played a major part of their return. I believe she was sincere, she wasn’t selling EBS, doesn’t have to. Andy Chase is the Headmaster, he’s a natural. He’ll know every kid’s name within a few short days and will build a connection with every kid there. He leads an invaluable and extremely dedicated group of faculty and staff. The school is on rolling admissions and usually fills up by March, April but has been known to fill up earlier. I’ve known situations where boys get in over the summer but that’s because they have a hard time saying no to a really good kid.</p>
<p>I’m still in touch with most of my classmates. Some are still really good friends to this day that I see on a regular basis. </p>
<p>EBS has it’s own ski mountain with a chair lift and snow making facilities. I have taken my kids to the EBS Winter Carnival for the festivities and to ski for the day. They have athletic facilities that are on par with any Prep School. It really is just incredible.</p>
<p>Here’s a bit from a previous post:
<strong>Arts vs athletics, I did both and I was no exception. Played football, wrestled (no snow back in the early '70s), baseball / lacrosse (switched sports the flwg yr, no problem). I was also very involved with the theater program. I was in more than 1/2 the plays during my time there. Had to play the lead girl once. I honestly do not recall getting any grief except maybe some ribbing from my closest friends. Incorporated art and shop projects with biology. I did not play an instrument. One of the Art dept. heads (still there!) is also the ski coach. Now that I think of it, he was also my JV football coach. You’ll find that kind of crossover with sports and arts in many of the BS. Arts and Athletics are equally important at all these schools.</strong></p>
<p>I can’t speak for CMS academically, maybe athletically but that is always a roller coaster with any Prep or Pre-prep school. As much as I believe EBS is stronger academically, more prominent along with plenty of famous alumni past and present, I am a strong believer in fit. I can only suggest that you look at EBS, CMS and may one or two others. As much as I may wave the EBS flag, your son may just find that he is more comfortable with CMS, but I’ll put my money of EBS</p>
<p>Thanks, this is very helpful, does anyone have any insite into Rumsey Hall?</p>
<p>My brother went to The Rectory and never says boo about the place. I know little about Rumsey except for what’s on their website. </p>
<p>The only competition Eaglebrook has is Moms.</p>
<p>I have a daughter at Fay School in Southborough, Boston. This is a junior boarding school that goes through 9th grade. She loves it and is thriving there. Their facilities are fantastic, the student body is unbelievably diverse, the academics superb and the faculty and staff are available, kind and to participate and enhance the boarding school community</p>
<p>I too would welcome some insight into Rumsey Hall, if anyone has first hand experience with the school.</p>
<p>Go to the SEARCH function on this website and search for posts that include the text “Rumsey Hall”</p>
<p>We did visit and interview some time back…Rumsey is a pleasant place, and the AO couldn’t be nicer. Nothing beats a visit and your own personal impressions, of course. You may want to do a google search to see reviews of the school, as that did sway our opinion, which was further borne out by talking to families with direct experience. Eaglebrook is excellent all around. I don’t know a thing about the Rectory. There are many other very fine JBS, of course, but I assume you have solid reasons to limiting it to these three.</p>
<p>Hi @lg002 So I go to Fay School which is a junior boarding school 45 min away from Boston, so from friends and connections I’ve made over the years, here is what I know about the school’s you’ve mentioned</p>
<p>Eaglebrook: best all boys junior boarding school in the country, middle of nowhere…really big social hierarchy…ski mountains…big endowment…</p>
<p>Cardigan:really good school(don’t know much about it)</p>
<p>Rectory: ok school but very money based(bribery) most kids who get expelled from my school or the schools above go there…not the strongest academics but not terrible</p>
<p>Hope that helped!</p>
<p>[Home</a> - JUNIOR BOARDING SCHOOLS are independent elementary and middle schools with a boarding program for middle school students.](<a href=“http://www.jbsa.org%5DHome”>http://www.jbsa.org)</p>
<p>Hey. I currently go to Rumsey so if anyone has any questions, i will try to reply asap!</p>
<p>Hi all, i need your comments about my son’s JBS. Now, he’s in G4, international student. We are looking at Fessenden and Eaglebrook. Just not sure which one will be suitable for him. He’ll go for summer session at Eaglebrook this July. So, we’ll visit both schools. He’s very athletic & well rounded boy, loves to socialize. If anyone can give me your experiences, I’ll be very appreciated.</p>
<p>DS has been at Eaglebrook for last 3 years. Happy to answer any questions.</p>
<p>After a July at Eaglebrook the school will have sold itself.</p>
<p>I would not hesitate to check out North Country School in the Adirondacks/Lake Placid, where my children have been day students since 2009. We could not be happier.</p>
<p>Thank you for all your reply. How is life & school at Eaglebrook? Did DS experience any homesickness? How has his personality changed? It’s hard to decide if we haven’t seen the schoos yet. Both schools look very good from the website. Unfortunately by the time we visit in summer, it’s not regular school schedule.</p>
<p>Homesickness probably is not any worse or better at Eaglebrook-- but overall, they keep kids busy, have lots of bonding experiences, etc., including on weekends (lots of outdoor activities if your boy is interested-- hiking, camping, fishing, rafting-- not required, but all there if desired). There are lots of activities of all sorts.</p>
<p>Personality change… Initially, my DS was a little intimidated, especially socially. School is very hierarchical, in all kinds of ways, and very boy (this is NOT a touchy-feel-y school). What they do best is that they tell you they figure out where every boy is and they then challenge him-- and they actually do What they say. They do this academically (my son is a very good student, but they didn’t let him coast-- they figured out EXACTLY where to challenge him-- which they also did for less strong students, so each boy has goals they can accomplish), they did it in sports (they have all levels of all kinds of sports, so the boys are definitely challenged wherever they are–but also really feel a part of a team), and they did it socially (both with interactions between boys and also with faculty, learning to become self-advocates). In the end, my son has become more flexible (never his strength) and more confident in each area.</p>
<p>Dear DayKidmom, I just read your post about Eaglebrook and very interested since my son just got into that school and another all boys school. We are impressed with Eaglebrook but not sure about fit. Our son is not as confident socially or with sports as he is academically. He responds best to nurturing and positive feedback and has had problems in the past of being excluded socially (not so much bullied as excluded). Reading that it’s “not a touchy-feel-y school” wondering how they deal with boys that are a bit “quirky” socially and need help on that front. Also when you say hierarchical do you mean the family name ranks or social hierarchy (popularity etc). </p>