Private day high-schools in MA/NH?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Parents
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<p>If this is not the right forum, please let me know.</p>

<p>We are thinking of a private high school for S. We are looking at a few boarding options (Phillips Andover and possibly Middlesex). Are there any day high-schools that folks would recommend? We are about 25 mins north of Boston and about 15 mins south of Nashua NH - so could do day schools in either place or anywhere on the way.</p>

<p>A couple that have been mentioned to me - Bishop Guertin in Nashua and Central Catholic in Andover. Both parochial schools - not necessarily our first preference, but we'll look at any school that offers him an enhanced academic experience. S excels in all subjects thus far, in advanced math classes at the middle school. Loves music and theatre.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

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<p>The Governor’s Academy takes day students.</p>

<p>[The</a> Governor’s Academy](<a href=“http://www.thegovernorsacademy.org/]The”>http://www.thegovernorsacademy.org/)</p>

<p>So does Brooks School, in North Andover.</p>

<p>[Browser</a> Not Supported](<a href=“http://www.brooksschool.org/default.aspx]Browser”>http://www.brooksschool.org/default.aspx)</p>

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<p>The Pingree School is north of Boston
Honestly 25 minutes north of Boston is not that far from the city, so you could consider some of the Boston Schools such as Buckingham Browne and Nichols (there are a number of students from north of Boston), BU Academy</p>

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<p>Sorry, no, NOT Bishop Guertin!</p>

<p>My son has a close friend who excels in both math and science. They looked at both Bishop Guertin in Nashua and Bishop Brady in Concord. Bishop Guertin was willing to make NO accommodations for the kid. Bishop Brady, in contrast, did everything they could to customize a program to fit his rather unusual needs. The result? He enrolled at Bishop Brady, was placed in accelerated and/or AP math and science classes, and flourished! Bishop Guertin never would have given him that chance.</p>

<p>So, I know Bishop Brady is probably too far away for you to consider . . . but for this math/science geek, it’s been amazing! (And, yes, religion class was mandatory . . . but he just accepted it as a cross-cultural learning experience and didn’t let it ruffle his feathers.)</p>

<p>Exeter is always an option as a day student - and they have a strong performing arts program in addition to their renowned and extraordinary math program.</p>

<p>You might also want to take a look at Milton. It’s not the easiest commute from where you live, and it’s darned difficult to get into as a day student, but . . . I love, LOVE, LOVE their performing arts program!</p>

<p>What about Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick?</p>

<p>I’d suggest you start visiting the schools you think you might be interested in. Doesn’t even have to be a formal visit. Go for a concert or theatre or dance recital . . . just to get a better sense of the school and the students.</p>

<p>Honestly, you have so many really good schools close to where you live, I’d just start exploring if I were you!</p>

<p>One other thought . . . Northfield Mt. Hermon is definitely farther away than the other schools you’re considering, but they also have an amazing performing arts program . . . along with some really helpful open house days in the fall and winter. Even if it’s not the school for you, you might enjoy the open house.</p>

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<p>Yep - we visited Governor’s Academy and liked them (we looked them for boarding). They were the only school we visited that had parents on hand to talk to prospective parents while the student was in his/her interview. And parent involvement is encouraged without it being too intrusive. They’re day student percentage is higher than many of the more traditional boarding schools so I’d second Pelican Dad’s suggestion.</p>

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<p>St. Mark’s does this also.</p>

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<p>We are also about 15 min South of Nashua, NH and - Concord Academy, Concord MA - was one of the schools in this area we also looked at for a day option. They are about 50% day and 50% boarding, which seem to be a good mix if you are going the day option. This was also one of the few schools where the parents and kids were separated for the school tours. Parents were given tours by current parents while students were given tours by students. It gave us the chance to pick the parents’ brain a bit and see the school from their perspective. It struck me that Concord Academy seemed to be less focused on sports and more of a school that emphasizes the arts and sciences.</p>

<p>Cambridge School of Weston seem to have extensive music and theatre courses.</p>

<p>There are many boarding schools in this area and most of them do have day options. Some have fewer spots for day which makes it a bit harder to get in, but the options are there.</p>

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<p>Haven’t been able to login since I originally posted - thank you so much for the responses. Lots of suggestions here for me to look into. Keep them coming if there are more.</p>

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<p>For a very strong student, Boston University Academy is great. It’s on the BU campus, which is a long way, but there are some public transportation and carpooling options. The theatre program is small, but strong, and the math is without ceiling. Lots of BUA parents will generally be available at any open house. (I’m the proud parent of a recent BUA grad.)
Cambridge School of Weston does have a very large music/theatre department and has both boarders and day students who mix well.</p>

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<p>Thoughts on Pingree in Hamilton, MA? S is considering vs Brooks, St. John’s Prep, PA, Central Catholic</p>

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<p>How about the 5 day boarding option at Nobles?</p>

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<p>As a prospective statistics major, pianist, and school stage manager, I can highly recommend The Derryfield School in Manchester, NH. I’m currently a senior and have attended since seventh grade, and Derryfield has supported and helped me explore my interests to the fullest. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to PM me! I’m an admissions tour guide, so I should have at least some answers to your questions. :)</p>

<p>Here is our website: [The</a> Derryfield School ~ The Derryfield School-New Hampshire-Home](<a href=“http://www.derryfield.org/podium/default.aspx?t=138522]The”>http://www.derryfield.org/podium/default.aspx?t=138522)</p>

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<p>Dodgersmom- Catholic schools throughout the US educate more kids than any other private education institution and they do a much better job than public schools. They are usually not “Prep” schools but then again everyone is not cut out for prep school. For the price, they represent a very good value and some catholic schools have rich traditions of providing outstanding educations. Usually they are the only schools serving the inner city kids trying to escape poor public schools. Your comment about religion makes you sound like a bigot. They are not teaching “witchcraft” they are teaching christian religion based on the bible. So if you are anti christian I would advise that you go elsewhere. If you are christian, all Christians were Catholic for 1500 years until Martin Luther. And just because your “Friend” had a genius who didn’t make it at Bishop Guertin doesn’t mean that it is not the right school for people on this board. That is your own biased opinion, how do you make that statement without knowing much about the person who is making the inquiry? Everybody thinks their child is a genius in middle school. I have known too many “talented and gifted” public middle school kids who when put into a private school turned out to be not that “talented and gifted”. If Bishop Guertin is an under performing school, it will go out of business. Unlike the poor performing public schools, they just keep sucking the taxpayer dry.</p>

<p>For the record, I don’t know anything about Bishop Guertin, I don’t live in Boston and my son goes to Andover. We are a Catholic family and one of the reasons he is at Andover is because they are RESPECTFUL of all religions!</p>