Our family is considering BS for our son, a current junior at a local independent school. He would apply as a rising junior, re-classing at BS. We are not familiar with BS except in the most general way. We are considering the option for two reasons. First, our son has had trouble finding his “people” at his current school. He is athletic, but not a team athlete, he loves the outdoors but the school doesn’t meaningfully integrate outdoors options, and he is a very bright young man who struggles mightily with organization and study skills. We love the community of his current school, and he has a handful of adults who know him well and support him, but it has not been enough to make him feel truly successful as a student. He is an honors student with As and Bs, though they are hard won due to his executive functioning challenges.
We are looking for a school that truly embraces students of all types, that has a deep and authentic culture related to the outdoors, and that has strong academics with equally strong individual academic support.
The next two years will go very quickly. Is this change really necessary? You didn’t say if he is unhappy. No, he hasn’t found his people but maybe he won’t until college or later in life? IMHO, I say finish out at current school since grades are good and has a handful of adults there who support him. The next two years will go so fast and this school will quickly be behind him. Focus on finding the right match for college.
EmpireApple, you are right that the next two years will fly by, but he is very unhappy at his current school. He is getting through, but barely, and we are wondering if we are doing him a disservice by not being open to a different option. So keep the ideas coming, folks! Thanks!
I don’t know much about Thacher’s academic support resources, but I would up it way up there in terms of schools that successfully integrate outdoor activities like hiking/camping. Also…Proctor?
Hello… The Putney School could be a great fit. They really support individuals and their learning styles/trajectory and it has a very sincere culture as an institution. I am a current parent feel free to ask questions. https://www.putneyschool.org/
Thacher integrates the outdoors heavily into the curriculum but it is also a steep climb academically. I would be candid with the admission’s office about your son’s strengths and weaknesses. They can help you decide if the School is a realistic option. Additionally, Thacher only admits one or two junior boys a year, sometimes none. When entering as a junior at a school like that, or many of the schools discussed on this site, you enter into the most intense year academically and competitively. AO’s look for kids who can come in without missing a beat, socially and academically - not easy. There are some excellent suggestions here worth a close look however: Putney, Proctor, Rocky Mountain, Berkshire, Millbrook.
Mercersburg has a Outdoor Education program that students can join in lieu of team sports every term. They do really cool things. Mercersburg also admits a good # of students to each class (not just 9th and 10th grades) , and has a robust learning center (my DS uses it) that works with students with disabilities/learning challenges and helps them organize themselves and puts in accommodations in class as necessary. We have been very happy
I would recommend Berkshire School! It has an amazing campus that lays in the base of a mountain and it is very outdoorsy. People go hiking in their free time and as a sport, they have an option called RKMP( Ritt Kellog Mountain Program) where you learn about the wilderness and go camping and hiking. It has great academics and has a strong community. I go to Berkshire and they have an incredibly strong academic support program. They have something called KCL(Kenefick Learning Center) when teachers are paired up with students as tutors. It has been extremely beneficial for me as a student. Also, all the teachers are extremely helpful and have office hours. I would strongly reccomedn that you check out Berkshire for your son.
I would second hellomaisy on Mercersburg. The outdoor education program seems very strong (caveat: I’m no expert; my son did rock climbing for 1 term) and accommodates everyone from beginners to hard-core enthusiasts. Also, Mercersburg tends to be a happy place.