<p>I'm applying to St. George's for junior year, but I don't really hear much talk about it here on CC. Usually the discussion are about Andover, Exeter, Deerfield etc, but does anyone here have any experience with St. George's? Any alumni? Students? Parents of current students? Any one else applying or visiting this year?</p>
<p>I visited last year and it wasn’t the right fit for me. It is a very warm and close community, I felt as if I might be smothered there as opposed to a bigger school. Everyone was really nice and friendly, but some of the kids I talked to said that they chose St. George’s because they could still get into a good college without having to work very hard in high school, which I didn’t like very much. If you are looking for a small, close-knit community, then I recommend a visit. Good luck!</p>
<p>St. George’s can be a superb place! Did you visit? I think you’d know pretty quickly if you’d fit.</p>
<p>I think it’s a very unique setting and I like the adult St. George’s people I know. A lot.</p>
<p>I like its rival, Middlesex, too. I think the other schools get attention because they’ve got the enrollment numbers. You’ll get a top-flight education at St. George’s. If you visit, you may be hooked. It can really grab you…if it fits. If you don’t have time to visit before applying, you need to do the revisit. I think you’ll know right away and with near certainty – on a revisit or visit – if it’s a match for you. Like it or no, it will be worth the (re)visit.</p>
<p>The big down side is the reputation St. George’s has for being the school for good-looking, fair-haired, rich kids. Which is putting a rather fine knife to the whole of boarding schooldom, considering that you could say that about the whole lot of them. It’s sort of like people singling out HADES from other schools as though there’s a meaningful qualitative difference between the so-called “tiers” that would actually impact a student.</p>
<p>Still, with that “let’s not find distinctions where none exist” disclaimer in place, I would be remiss if I didn’t take the opportunity to point out that St. George’s was home to one of the most absurd student protests (a lunchtime protest, I think) in all of human history. The reason for the protest: the school did not plan to build a helipad for daddy’s company helicopter to whisk Junior off to the Hamptons on the weekend, or possibly dinner in Manhattan. I have no idea why it seemed so important…but I love sharing that story. Hey, whatever gets kids engaged in social activism is great. Some of them are likely to find worthier causes…so good for them!</p>
<p>Alumni and P’10. Be glad to provide you with my thoughts and insight. I’ll be brief on the topics and you can pursue and I’ll try to elaborate or you may send me a PM.</p>
<p>Academics: The school raised it’s academic bar several years ago, much to the chagrin of several faculty that they left. That drama has since passed. The kids work hard and no one is going to fall through a crack. </p>
<p>Athletics; A member of the ISL. One is required to play sports. One does not have to be an exceptional player to play for any sport they offer. You can switch sports the following year. </p>
<p>Facilities: Excellent! </p>
<p>Social scene: A very social school. There is no bullying and what issues have arisen are dealt with promptly. There have been instances where the issue just wasn’t communicated well enough are fell under the radar which had prolonged needed action. Otherwise, the Goth are left alone and no one bothers them. One or two always seems to get in and I figure they must have metamorphosed over the summer. A freshman can walk across the quad with a whole pizza and make it to his room unscathed and pizza intact. The Seniors remember when they were Freshmen and how hard they worked to get accepted. </p>
<p>Newport / Middletown: The school really is located in Middletown and not Newport and unless you live there you wouldn’t know the difference. The town is a 20 minute walk, if that, but everyone seems to take taxis these days. The Admission folks know they are in a wonderful local with Newport next store. Don’t harp on that as you’re there to learn and participate and add to the school, not shop and dine in Newport. You can do that after you get accepted. </p>
<p>College Matriculation: They did very well last year, no complaints. In fact, they go the extra mile and just enough extra effort on their part for our son.</p>
<p>Faculty. I really like the Headmaster and his wife. The faculty are superb and some who I honestly consider good friends. </p>
<p>Drugs & Alcohol: Debatable whether it’s a one or two strike school. Bottom line, don’t do it. If you bring it on campus then it will be good bye. Too many good kids out there that they don’t need to tolerate any stupid behavior. A lot of drama last year which is a whole other story. The seniors were very upset having their year marred by that episode. Regardless of what one may hear, the school is far from being a party school. You get bounced for matches. </p>
<p>They don’t call it St Gorgeous for nothing, the campus is beautiful. It is not in middle of no where and your biggest problem might be finding a comparable college campus afterwards.</p>
<p>I missed the helo pad protest; I thought that was a joke.</p>
<p>Yeah I visited a couple weeks ago, didn’t think I would like it because of how small it was, but ended up loving it because of the close knit community and how different it was compared to the other schools I’m applying to. The people were EXTREMELY nice when I visited, I’d walk pass a classroom and the kids would shout out “Hi” to me and wave, and say that they were “building trebuchets to launch potatoes.” It was just really warm and welcoming (and the setting is just an extra bonus!)</p>
<p>Then it’s clear to me that you gotta go for it! If you feel like you’ll fit in, it’s a great choice.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Our son applied to Deerfield, Middlesex, Tabor, SG & Avon.(accepted at all) He liked them all and wound up liking SG the best of all because it was open and the community was warm. He is graduating this year after being there four years and we’re not sure we’ll be able to get him to leave after graduation! He has enjoyed it immensely and would not trade it for anything. He was 14 when he made the decision and he knew then as he knows now that he made the right choice. Go with your feelings for what fits you the best. Good luck. PM me with any questions.</p>