<p>why prep school? what's wrong w/ public schools?</p>
<p>Well if you go to Bergen county Academies or Thomas Jefferson HIgh school and a few others i would stay put ... If you don't boarding schools just offer a far superior educational experience.</p>
<p>The education is superior. The opportunities are superior. You are forged into something beyond yourself. </p>
<p>Alot of threads have been made about this. Try "What does HADES mean to you?"</p>
<p>I support italianboarder's statements... And my own little tidbit:</p>
<p>Why not?</p>
<p>better opportunities, academically motivated students, small classes</p>
<p>No distractions from the umpteen kids who don't want to be there.</p>
<p>The chance to fail, and learn from it.</p>
<p>You've got that right! Gone are the days of my son throwing together a paper at the last minute and getting it swiftly returned with nothing more than an "A" and "Great Job!" written on it. Now, all of his work is gone over with a fine-tooth comb and ripped apart by teachers who truly care. Nearly impossible to get an A now. He has to rediscover what hard work really is. It is very much worth it. (And he agrees).</p>
<p>As someone who currently attends a public high school...the learning environment is just so much more superior at boarding schools. The intellectual challenge sure doesn't hurt either.</p>
<p>And I'm sorry, compared to some public school teachers, these people at boarding schools have waaaayyy better credentials, and way better teaching styles. IE, there is no reason an English III class should be making poppets, just because they read The
Crucible (example from my own school).</p>
<p>Good example, starcrossed. At my son's public hs in his Honor's Freshman English class, they made cardboard shields to depict a scene from the Odyssey. There were several other arts and craft projects. He received an "A" and accolades from his instructors (there were two of them because there were 38 students in the class!) He re-did his freshman year and his non-honors Freshman English class of 12 students (honors isn't even offered) was an eye-opening (and non-"A") producing experience for him.</p>
<p>Keylyme, does this sound like a familiar conversation (when your son was in Public):</p>
<p>ME: (reading over an essay) Are you seriously going to turn this in?!?!?
SON: Yeah, sure. Why not?
ME: because it's garbage!
SON: I know it's garbage, but I'll still get an A and it'll go on the "explempary work" bulletin board.
ME: (sarcasm) You must be so proud.</p>
<p>teachers who have masters degrees in the area they teach instead of "classroom management."</p>
<p>Average SAT scores of college bound seniors planning to major in education, 2008:</p>
<p>CR 478<br>
M 482
W 475</p>
<p>Source: College Board</p>
<p>Not exactly the brightest and best, folks. Not anymore.</p>
<p>I'm sorry, but my son did considerably better than that when he was 12!</p>
<p>neato....that happened all the time. I would look over a paper and find mistakes, awkwardly worded sections, little substance, etc. I would point it all out and he would say "They love me. It's fine" He would then get an "A" and give me an "I told you so." Now, I am the one saying "I told you so" and he gets to see just how good he can really be (he's still trying to get that A).</p>
<p>Exeter Average SAT:
2100 Composite Score</p>
<p>Average HS Senior:
1450</p>
<p>I will be 150% of the student that they are.(Score wise, I know that is an incorrect statement in essence... I was making a rash statement to make a point)</p>
<p>I think that you guys are complaining for no good reason. A few years ago you would have killed for teachers with 1400s on their sats and now that most teachers have that grade you guys are complaining ... when does the cycle ever stop :P (Someone actually said that to me believe it or not).</p>
<p>Lol ya cuz a few years ago the SAT was out of 1600.</p>
<p>1400 out of 1600 not 2400</p>
<p>Actually, I think that many public schools that I'm familiar with are great places. The public school teachers I know personally in the Boston city and suburban systems are as dedicated as any you would find at a prep school. But they do almost always have larger class sizes, and more students overall throughout the day, which makes it much harder on the teachers and changes the educational experience for the kids. I have a lot of admiration for the many talented public school teachers.</p>
<p>Boarding school isn't---and can't be--- for most people. When people who use public schools ask me about why my daughter isn't in our good public school, I say that boarding school was something she wanted to try because of her particular interests and abilities.</p>
<p>For me personally, I really love the teaching method at boarding schools with the small classes and discussion-based courses. I'd rather be engaged in an active conversation listening and contributing in a class of 12 kids than sit in a large classroom of 35-40 kids in rows and listen to a lecture while taking notes. Sports and extracurricular activities can't be ignored, of course. A large bond of students interested in learning and trying new things. What better environment can you be in?</p>
<p>I began investigating private high schools when I realized that our public high school lacked honors and AP courses in the area of my child's greatest strengths. This lack isn't driven by a shortage of resources. It's driven by the belief that children of all levels of ability can, and should, be taught together. I don't happen to share that belief.</p>