Northeast Prep Schools with rigorous academics & Learning Skills support ??

Prep School Admissions Prep School Parents
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<p>Greetings -</p>

<p>New here. Reposting from the College Admissions Parents forum at
another poster's suggestion.</p>

<p>We're looking for recommendations for smallish schools in the Northeast
that have rigorous academics but also solid Learning Skills support.</p>

<p>And, yeah, I know that we're way late to the game.<br>
Looking for possibilities, not miracles.</p>

<p>Our son is entering his Junior year. He's intelligent, thoughtful and insightful,
with a terrific moral compass. He has a passion for learning --
history & politics in particular (scored 780 on the World History subject SAT).</p>

<p>But he happens to struggle with Executive Function and ADHD issues, which
get in the way of being a better student. To date, he's struggled to earn a low 'B'
(up from a low 'C' last year) at our extraordinarily excellent public high school.<br>
And, yes, there's an IEP in place. Our sense is that with a bit more 1:1 in & out
of the classroom, our boy could soar.</p>

<p>Currently he's thriving in the Landmark College summer Learning Skills program,
and we're thinking that a smaller, supportive (but academically challenging & rigorous) environment might better allow him to succeed over the next two years.</p>

<p>Schools we've looked / are looking at:
■ Salisbury School
■ New Hampton School
■ Vermont Academy
■ Holderness
■ Proctor Academy
■ Cushing Academy</p>

<p>■ Northfield Mount Hermon (not an appropriate fit, per discussions with admission)
■ Kent's Hill (likely just right, but full)</p>

<p>■ Eagle Hill (per his current LS instructor, likely too remedial -- bar too low)
■ Storm King (my sense is too remedial)
■ Forman (ditto)</p>

<p>Additional schools for consideration, success stories, cautions, recommendations & other relevant considerations invited & welcome.</p>

<p>Thanks kindly.</p>

<ul>
<li>Richard</li>
</ul>

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<p>Consider investigating (at least online, phone call or email):</p>

<p>Blue Ridge
Christchurch
Cheshire
Brewster
Tilton
Kiski
Trinity Pawling
Marvelwood
South Kent</p>

<p>Cheers</p>

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<p>I sent you a PM.</p>

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<p>Check out Ridley College (outside Toronto, Canada). Fantastic school with rigorous academics; introducing the IB program this coming year. It’s a very English-style boarding school, with a very strong House system (think Hogwarts). They also support different learning needs through their Learning Centre:</p>

<p>[Ridley</a> College - Learning Centre](<a href=“StackPath”>StackPath)</p>

<p>Give them a call - they may still be accepting students for Fall 2012, depending on the gender/grade.</p>

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<p>Some of the schools on your list are great for bright youngsters that need support in terms of varying learning styles. Some of the schools provide support for varying learning styles for less academically inclined youngsters. Some are remedial schools for youngsters with mild to mid dyslexia, and yet others are for youngsters with disciplinary issues on top of learning issues.
Have you considered that (lets pretend that the stars aligned and you found a space in a school that you were satisfied with) there is a learning curve the first year of BS? You would be sending your son to a very important (college wise) junior year into a new situation. I would strongly urge you against this.
I would also say that chances of 1on1 are not very realistic. Perhaps it would be better to find an incredibly strong ADHD professional to work one on one with your son during the school year in your very good PS? I mean outside of the school setting.</p>

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<p>I second Brewster. Check them out. Wolfeboro is lovely - a little stark in the winter, but close to skiing if that makes a difference.</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>If anyone can assist with helping to characterize the schools (or just identify which schools fit into the “great for bright youngsters that need support in terms of varying learning styles” category), my better half & I would be most grateful.</p>

<p>Our boy’s primary issues involve organization and written (but not verbal) discourse. No disciplinary issues, he’s a speedy, voracious reader, and his analytical skills vary between good & ‘most excellent’.</p>

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<p>Check out Gow. It’s really small and they have been dealing with learning differences a long time. Longer than any of the others.
The other school missing on your list is Landmark School (gorgeous campus right on the coast) just outside of Boston. I’m sure you’re aware of it because your at Landmark in Vt. this summer, but they are surely worth a look. Btw isn’t it interesting that both schools have the same name and area of expertise, yet they aren’t affiliated with each other?</p>

<p>Also this could be the 2012 “go to” list you are compiling. Would you please eventually list the schools for us with your thumbnail comments about each one in the Fall when your search has ended? Thanks very much.</p>

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<p>Check out Berkshire. They are as challenging as you could want, but still have a great learning center. There are 400 kids, involved teachers, an exceptional science program (check out their intel semi finalists), and a brand new state of the art math and science building. Feel free to pm if you have questions.</p>

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<p>Many thanks to all.</p>

<p>Ultimately, we arrived at a short list of three schools:
Eagle Hill (Hardwick, MA), Vermont Academy & Kimball Union. </p>

<p>I’ve heard & read of Eagle Hill accused of setting the bar too low.
After touring there and speaking in depth with staff and alumni,
we don’t share this concern. A capable student is provided with
the chance to pursue his/her academic passions in a structured,
guided manner. Remarkable facilities. </p>

<p>VA is wonderfully small, has rich academic options, has nicely
integrated support and, to our mind, a good mix of competitive
& recreational athletics.</p>

<p>Kimball Union just felt right. Clearly an emphasis on athletics,
but (in our opinion) not overly so. Very rich academics, and
wonderful facilities.</p>

<p>Had Proctor & Brewster not been full, we’d have included them
in our evaluation (tho’ they’d be ruled out for undue emphasis
on competitive team sports, and not enough availability of
recreational athletics).</p>

<p>Putney was also high on our list, but it filled before our son had a chance
to interview. It’s a wonderful school for a student who can embrace
its model. </p>

<p>Thanks again to all for your suggestions.</p>

<ul>
<li>Richard</li>
</ul>

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<p>Good luck with your applications, let us know how it turns out because I am going to beginning the same process in the fall.</p>

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<p>Some schools we looked at are Eagle Hill, Kents Hill, Marvelwood, Phelps, CHCH, Dublin, George, Hun, Pennington, etc. It depends greatly on the profile. If your son’s issues are just ADHD and Executive Functioning but not any of Dyslexia, High Functioning autism, etc, you may have more choices. There are some schools that are very remedial such as Eagle Hill. Facilities there very impressive but also very expensive. There are some schools we struck off immediately following the first visit such as Marvelwood whose facilities were dreadful. Some might think that is an odd reason but I didn’t think our son would thrive when the dorms, classrooms etc are just in a poor condition. I didn’t like Storm King either for that reason and more. Some schools had 1-on-1 in Learning center only. 2-on-1 is more typical. Classes are never 1-on-1. Good luck.</p>

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What did you choose? How did you make out?

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This thread is 4 years old - odds are poster is no longer using this forum.