@Happytimes2001 I agree that @Garandman struck an epiphany with his post (gender assumption by name only).
I keep re reading it and thinking about how similar it is to our experience.
For DS, our search was based on:
Sports offered
Narrowed down to highest SAT scores (we looked at top 20 co-ed)
Location/geographic setting
Size (except PA…I always wondered why it stayed on the list)
College matriculation
For DD…it is a new approach. Yes, she wants a strong arts/theater program. (Her current school does not have drama or theater at all). But mainly we are now looking for the right fit for her…
Culture/environment
Community
Size
Class options/flexibility (the science thread has piqued our interest)
An earlier post caught my eye - like @busymommyof4 we are looking for an environment where our DD - highly gifted, poor executive function, exam anxiety resulting in procrastination - “can’t fall through the cracks - for me that means required study hall, scheduled meals with adults, small classes, advisor check-ins, longer class times, and lots of available help in the way of office hours, etc”
That sounds about right… Also, inclusive and friendly environment, where a quirky kid would be welcomed. Sports not important but required involvement in sports / extracurriculars might be a good option. We’d also like to avoid paying extra for academic support, but have that built into the programme.
What schools would fit this description? We are looking at
Tabor
Proctor
Harkness
Tilton
Brewster
Holderness
even.Milton - which is selective but has apparently good academic support.
She likes Vermont A but we’d like a bit more push on the academics. We’re planning on visiting this summer, so any comments on these and others that we should consider would be welcome!
^did you look at Holderness, Putney, Lawrence Academy, and all-girls school’s? A colleague of ours had a daughter that also decided to do BS after my DS got accepted. They secured a spot at Miss Porters and she loves it. There are many highly revered all-girl’s schools. And as @PhotographerMom suggested, junior boarding for 9th may also be an option, which would give you more time to find a final landing place.
Look at Masters, too. All of this: “required study hall, scheduled meals with adults, small classes, advisor check-ins, longer class times, and lots of available help in the way of office hours” except the scheduled meals with adults (though there are regular advisor breakfasts. Plus this “inclusive and friendly environment, where a quirky kid would be welcomed. Sports not important but required involvement in sports / extracurriculars” in spades.
@GOSOX1 - I like all JBSs, but based on your posts, I’d suggest looking at a JBS like Rumsey Hall in addition to what you already have on your list - just to explore the JBS option and compare . I promise you that it won’t be a waste of time. Kids really take off, blossom and come into their own while at JBS, and they are highly sought after applicants for SS-BS.
Rumsey ( as an example ) is amazing- especially for young ladies living away from home for the first time . They will provide exposure to BS in a beautiful family-like setting - offer excellent academic support ( if needed ) and they will provide expert SS-BS guidance and placement - taking the guesswork and all the angst you may be feeling right now out of the mix… Which ( in my mind ) can be quite a welcome relief when it comes to securing the right SS experience for your daughter.
It’s a win-win. She’ll have a safe/ wonderful BS experience and the time of her life- and you won’t be throwing darts at Secondary schools.
IMHO- there is no better launchpad for SS than a JBS - regardless if a student needs full academic support, temporary support or no academic support whatsoever. It’s definitely worth the cost of admission in every way imaginable . I strongly encourage you to visit a JBS like Rumsey Hall and consider JBS as an option for your daughter next year .
FWIW- I went to JBS and so did my kids and we all agree that is was ( without question ) the best BS experience of all. In fact, we’d all like a do over!! The alum network is fantastic, too. There’s unbelievable devotion and a closeness that you won’t find at any SS. The bonds are very strong and will last a lifetime.
All the best and good luck! Let us know how you make out!!
I second (third?) the Millbrook recommendation. My gifted ADHD son blossomed there. Absolutely did not fall through cracks. His advisor changed his life. The teachers weren’t mad at him when he struggled to get his work in on time in 9th and 10th grade (unlike his previous school). And yes, he ended up at a selective college (18% admit rate). It was a 4 year journey and I credit Millbrook for helping him thrive and giving him the tools to be happy and successful in college and in life.
@cinnamon1212 she will be attending Cate in the fall. She got waitlisted at Choate and her close friend got in. We knew that could happen because on paper they are so similar. She was disappointed and I think the “rejection” still kind of stings. She was very interested in their Arabic program. It did lead to a good discussion. Cate was the only school we toured that made her giddy with excitement. I preferred Choate and spoke rather negatively about Thacher and Cate because of their distance. I just wanted her closer to home. I wanted the option to fly up for a day if need be. Even though what I said was very bland and always had something to do with distance it made a difference to her. California schools fell to the bottom and Choate and the other east coast schools were at the top.
Once she came clean and knew that we would be onboard with California she chose Cate to revisit. She didn’t want to revisit any other schools and didn’t care to know if she got in. It was the school she had truly wanted all along. I am happy with how things have worked out. Thacher and Cate were always the better fit for her. I feel like she will also get the any assistance needed for her ADHD. She doesn’t currently have accommodations and is good at advocating for herself so I am confident that if anything does come up it will be handled.
I will give Cate a big plug on one thing. D is currently healing from a severe concussion. We have had some horrible interactions with her current school that caused me to call Cate to see what our options were. The HOA was so kind and caring. She showed more grace to my child then her current school. After my conversation I knew that I was sending my D to a person/school that really cared about the students and would support my kid.
I’m going to miss my kid like crazy but feel like she will thrive and adore her next for years in sunny California.
Yay!!! Welcome! Cate truly is a very special place, and your daughter will thrive there. She has fantastic taste in schools.
Families come to Cate for the weather (and the view!), but stay for the fantastic education and nurturing community.
People look out for each other at Cate. Rest assured that not only will your daughter be cared for by students and adults alike, but you will stay a part of her world, regardless of the distance.
