<p>Dana Hall is a lovely smaller school, a nice community, dedicated teachers and lively bright girls including of course some seriously good riders. They have a relatively new head of school (she’s been there 2 years). I know you said college matriculation wasn’t the be all and end all for you, but this year’s list is really impressive:</p>
<p>Going to jump in here and recommend looking at Miss. Porter’s. I attended the school, and am a current parent. Excellent environment, and strong arts program!</p>
<p>Thank you for all the posts. We have extended our reach a bit to include Dana Hall. Linden Hall is just a bit too far away for us to consider as a day school option. </p>
<p>Simplylimeade, why do you say “don’t send your daughter to Westover”? </p>
<p>Mayhew, appreciate your insight on Miss Porters. We did not experience a particularly “warm” environment when we visited compared to other schools. Though, this was a bit tainted by our experience of some of the other parents we met there. So, perhaps we should give it a second look.</p>
<p>^^^Of course now I am curious as to what the parents you met were like?! I promise not to be offended by your report!</p>
<p>I do have to say that my daughter has had an exceptional experience at Miss. Porter’s. It has offered more, and been more, than I ever could have hoped for. Truly, sending her there is the best decision we have ever made for her. At the same time though, you definitely have to follow your own instincts, and no school is the right fit for everyone.</p>
<p>Thanks Mayhew. First, I want to say that we did see Miss Porters as having rich offerings. We encountered a minority of parents, albeit enough to make a lasting impression, who were unusually overt in promoting to admissions what appeared to be their interpretation of a recipe for acceptance of their children.</p>
<p>^^^^curiouscandidate: You are making me laugh - I can just imagine the scene!! You get top marks for diplomacy as I picture the scene for myself … sounds like a memorable time …!<br>
Visiting schools is fascinating for so many reasons, not least of being scenarios like you describe - personally, I find what is in the admissions waiting room almost as interesting as what the school is showing me…there certainly are all types of parents out there…but at least we are always entertained :)</p>
<p>Curious candidate-
My daughter is at The Ethel Walker School, and in the riding program. She is very happy there. We also looked at a lot of schools. PM me if you like.</p>
<p>My daughter had a terrific experience at Miss Porter’s. While there she was stage managet for a few of the dance recitals. She said that the comraderie of the dance team was incredible and she thought the dance instructor was really wonderful.
I do not have persona knowledge of the riding program but have always heard that it is a good program.</p>
<p>Hello,
My daughter is thinking about applying Miss Porter’s.
How is the Art Program, particularly Visual Art ? she loves drawing. computer generated animation and she might go to Art College.
Thanks.</p>
<p>Hi, bewildered2. My daughter is a recent Porter’s graduate. Her advisor is the head of the visual arts department. We thought he was great. While my daughter was more focused on the sciences, several of her friends were focused on the arts. The art studios are on the first floor of Olin. I was frequently there for conferences so got to see all of the student art displays which I always thought were impressive. Many students went on art schools such as RISD, SCAD, and one in Baltimore.
My daughter did take intro to computer graphics in her freshman or maybe sophomore year and enjoyed it. In her senior year she took Jewelry 1 and 2 and loved the courses and the teacher. She made some beautiful pieces. Last year we were at the jewelry exhibit at the V&A in London. I was so proud when my daughter pointed out Calder pieces. Turns out she had researched the jewelry Calder made for his wife and used some of his techniques in her projects.
Porter’s has a pottery studio and kilns. In December every year they have a Bowl-A-Thon where they sell handcrafted bowls made by students and teachers. The proceeds are then donated to a soup kitchen to “help fill their bowls.” My daughter always volunteered to help set up and that way she was always able to be one of the first buyers! I have several very unique Porter’s bowls.
Then in the spring they have a big art sale and also donate the proceeds to a charity.
Good luck to you and your daughter. Please let me know if you want more info.</p>
<p>Dear Shelly 14.
Thank you very much for your kind answer. I am so glad that you and your d had such a great experience at MPS. I would wish the same with my d ! Actually, I visited the campus and found it very beautiful as well as it’s people very warm which is a big plus.
May I ask you one more question. How do you rate MPS academically compared to other cut-throught- competitive bs? I mean, bs that make its student constantly compete with their peers doesn’t always make a wonderful bs. Some schools prepare its student perfectly for the most prestigious colleges without creating the unnecessary tension. Thank you very much for your candid opinion.</p>
<p>The ethos at MPS is, I believe, non-competitive. While my daughter was there the girls did not share test results or grades with each other. This carried through to the college application process. The girls did not share with each other where they were applying.
Some of the clubs/organizations are competitive. The Model UN is based on try outs - written position papers, etc. Others are open to all. I think there are plenty of leadership opportunities available.
I think academically the school is very strong. Of course, because of its size Porter’s does not offer the umteen million APs that the larger more elite schools offer. But I knew several girls who took APs one on one with a teacher as an independent study.
In my daughter’s class of 85 girls, 8 went to the Ivies. Many went to the well known northeast LAC’s. While she was there history was made, when there was a girl accepted to West Point and another to the Air Force Academy.
There are wonderful traditions, lovely facilities, caring teachers and staff. Of course, I am sure many boarding schools have the same!</p>
<p>MPS & Emma Willard are the two best all girls schools in the country. If you’re looking for all girls boarding, both are as academically rigorous as it’ll get.</p>
<p>WESTOVER. I love it here. Im a freshman and I made a great choice. I applied and got in to many other schools, but Westover was just by far the one that stood out among the others. The academics are strong and so are the arts. The teachers are always willing to help and everyone there wants to be there and wants to learn. You can message me anytime if you have any questions. :)</p>
<p>My daughter is currently at MPS and very happy. I am pleased with all aspects of the school. She has wonderful teachers and challenging curriculum. They have a great Art program.</p>
<p>Alex-While MPS and Emma Willard are fine schools and may be among the best boarding schools for girls, they are not necessarily the best all girls schools in the country. Don’t sell those day schools short. In the last 5 years Emma Willard sent 1 student to Harvard. Winsor, a Boston day school, sent 26.</p>