Hello,
My daughter is currently in 5th grade. She attends the most rigorous public school where the focus is on academics. They do some debate but that’s about it. I want her to be able to enjoy summer, meet kids who are talented like her. She plans to apply for boarding school for high school. Few questions -
- What summer programs can she look into that will help with getting a feel for the boarding schools? I have seen Andover and Exeter have some- any others ?
- please let me know your kids experience if you sent them here.
- Do you recommend the same summer programs, or trying out different ones?
Thanks!
My kid did the Hotchkiss School Summer Portals program. She loved it. At the time, their Environmental Science portal was a 3-summer program, and she wanted to do all 3 parts so she was there the summers following 6th, 7th and 8th grade. She met lots of kids from all over the US and all over the world, and she is still in touch with many of them (they are all in college now). They have really expanded the program offerings since then. I would definitely suggest checking it out!
I’d recommend trying the summer program at an all girls school, too, so she knows what that experience actually feels like.
Also (and @cameo43 can attest): Just because you attend a summer program, does NOT mean you have a greater chance of being admitted later.
OP: You should have a regional program for gifted kids like Duke TIP (talent identification program). Johns Hopkins has a similar program. Not sure if I recall correctly, but Rice University might be another.
OP; Judging by your username, it may help to google “Texas Association For The Gifted and Talented”.
My DD did two summers at Emma Willard and a leadership week at Miss Porter’s one summer starting in MS. She also did Duke TIP. I will say that the all girls boarding experience was great. You cam PM me for more info.
@CaliMex makes a good point in post #2 above. My daughter fell in love with Hotchkiss during that time (what’s not to love?!) and it became her “dream school”, and when she was applying to boarding schools, she was not offered admission there. It wasn’t surprising (to me), since it really wasn’t a good fit for her, but she was disappointed. I think it’s better not to pine for any particular “dream school” – it’s good to consider and apply to a number of schools, any of which your daughter would be happy to attend. You have plenty of time to research them!
Another thing: it’s important to note that a summer program usually bears little resemblance to the actual day-to-day experience of the school during the regular academic year. It’s a lot more like summer camp. It’s helpful to interact with faculty, get the experience of dorm living, and be surrounded by peers from many different places and cultures. I think it gave my kid a good idea of what it would be like to live away from home with so many different people.
Thank you for all the inputs.
I do understand that going to one boarding school doesn’t mean that they will be accepted. The idea is to give them a feel for what it would “sort of” feel like living there if they decided to go with that option.
@houstonmoma why do you want your daughter to go to boarding school so badly?
My kiddo attended PEA’s summer program. It was the first time DC was away from home for an extended period of time and DC’s first exposure to things like Harkness, living with kids in a dorm, rules such as sign-in, etc. Before allowing our child apply to boarding school, we thought it was important to get a sense of how DC would handle being away from home for a longer period time, and the 5-week summer program confirmed DC’s desire to apply to schools.
Also, DC met some really great kids there, including some kids with whom DC now attends high school, and kids that DC meets up with during interscholastic events. Finally, PEA (and I assume many other schools) provide a very nice narrative assessment of what your child experienced, how they performed, and how they appeared to be experiencing the summer. While I think the summer program is valuable for all of those things, you should understand that the summer school’s classes are for enrichment, and while they require homework and the like, they are nowhere near as demanding as what a full-time student attending an academically-oriented boarding school will experience.
@CaliPops Thanks! I agree with you. I want to try out the summer programs to see if this would be something the kids would like. Staying away from home is not for everyone.
@cinnamon1212 - why then judgement? I do not! We are fortunate to have some great schools in our area. However, like every parent I do want to explore the options available that best suit the child!
@houstonmoma not judging, curious. 10 is young to be thinking about it. I know I would not have been able to tell if boarding school was a good fit for my kids at that age. As my son’s class dean at Hotchkiss said that first 9th grade parents weekend: “Your children will never live with you again.” One of many factors to consider.
Johns Hopkins CTY has online programs for the summer. I can’t remember, but I think they do enroll 5th graders. The older CTY kids have programs on several college campuses. Also check out Davidson Institute for the Gifted.
@houstonmoma Good luck in your search! I think 5th grade is the perfect time to start considering other options. My D transferred from large public school to private day school in 6th grade and we have been happy. We may consider boarding for high school. I am in CT and can recommend some programs here but I feel like you may be getting close to deadlines since I recall friends applying in Dec/Jan timeframe.
Choate has a good program for middle school students. The two students I know who have attended have loved it and they were both URM and received full rides. The school has a large endowment and great FA if you may need it.
Westover is a great girls boarding school which is underrated and I have heard great things about their all girls summer program.
The two others to look into are Taft and Kent Schools. I know of one Mom whose D attended Taft and described it as challenging but rewarding.
Keep us posted on your search!
I’m enjoying the thread. Apologies @houstonmoma, because my answer won’t help your daughter. I still feel like I ought to give a shout-out to McCallie School’s CLC program. It’s very selective and is geared toward the academically talented, but all who are admitted get a free, fantastic two-week experience. Also, CLC effectively recruits for honors scholarships to McCallie, although there is no obligation even to apply to McCallie if you attend CLC. Legendary educators staff the program, and the boys are given all kinds of opportunities to explore academics, community service, and (intramural) athletics. Here’s a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL5MuvdNyFE
@commaroon - Thanks! I have a girl though ?