Observation on commuters and boarders

Prep School Admissions Prep School Parents
1

<p>Just back from a weekend visiting a kid at Andover and wanted to share a perspective of the contribution of commuters to the BS experience. We are completing our first year with a boarding child and, perhaps, similar to many parents with children applying to schools, one of the factors we looked at was the % of students living on campus vs commuting. Implicitly, we had a bias that a high % of commuters was 'bad', in that it detracted from the BS experience. Having taken 5 visits, I have a more nuanced view to share. </p>

<p>Our experience is that the impact of local parents is really meaningful and positive for the institution. A core group of local parents run a host of parent events, take the lead on electronic communications (Facebook et al), operate the school merchandise store, bring snacks and enthusiasm to sporting and cultural events, open their homes and transport students requiring off-night hosts or local off-campus instruction, etc. As I recall, PA has around 20% of its students as commuters, its a school with around 1200 students, so there's a critical mass of nearby parents. </p>

<p>We are more than 4 hours away from campus, and to the local parents who are so involved, let me share a deep and sincere THANKS.</p>

2

<p>@BAREERS, thanks for this perspective. I think the day population at Choate, especially the parents, is a big plus to the school.</p>

<p>We’re in our second year, and we’re almost 3,000 miles away. Our son has been the recipient of much kindness and concern by local parents, including one parent offering to be my feet-on-the-ground during an illness and a family picking up our son from the airport and keeping him during a two-day dead time between a school trip and the re-opening of campus. Day students are among our son’s best friends.</p>

<p>I can understand the concern people have regarding campuses that empty out on the weekend, but that is not the case at Choate. I am indebted to the commitment of local families and would encourage prospective BS parents to understand the value of their presence and commitment. We have experienced much more of an upside than a downside with these wonderful local families and the additional responsibilities they take on. My hat is off to them.</p>