<p>I am interested in any info comparing these schools - academics, sense of community, pressured environment, athletics...
thanks</p>
<p>That is an interesting comparison. Did you know that the Headmaster of Blair and his wife Monie spent many years at Taft before coming to Blair almost 20 years ago? His wife is the Director of Development. BTW, she is also a trustee at St. Andrews, so you can see how inter-related these schools can be.</p>
<p>I think the Blair Headmaster introduced some Taft traditions to Blair. For example, the grading scale moved to the 6 point scale used by Taft, also used by Andover. I think at Taft student select their Advisors, as they do at Blair. </p>
<p>I cannot make a fair comparison between the schools because I don't have detailed knowledge of life at Taft. I am under the impression that athletics are very important at Taft. If you visited Blair or went to one of their receptions, you could ask Chan or Monie Hardwick what similarities the schools share. They are both very approachable.</p>
<p>^^ what BurbParent said.</p>
<p>can anyone shed some light on life at Taft - academics, pressure, community?</p>
<p>I would be happy to answer any Taft questions you might have from the perspectie of a day student's parent. Feel free to PM with specifics. I have had kids go to three different independent schools in this (CT) area but I know nothing abut Blair.</p>
<p>Blair Academy is a nurturing community with caring teachers and faculty. Acadmics are challenging without being a pressure for the student - you can challenge yourself with AP and advanced courses if you are driven to do so, and/or can take a variety of interesting coursework...the facilities are amazing - new athletic center, student center and theater, and the campus is beautiful. Visiting and interacting with the students is a great way to see if this is the perfect fit for you.</p>
<p>should try to work the word "nurture" into its name.
Something like "Blair Nurturademy" would work.</p>
<p>As a student at Blair, I have found that what burb parent and springisintheair have told you are completely true, not just marketikng schemes to attract applicants. As far as comparing it to taft goes, I really cant help you there, but i suggest you come and take a look at both schools.</p>
<p>Blair and Taft are both great schools. Since you are asking a difference between them, I'd say that Taft has a little bit less room for a student who is still trying to find himself academically. Blair might accept a B student with potential, but Taft probably won't. Likewise, Blair will do a good job in helping to inspire a kid who gets off track, but Taft has little patience for it. Taft is more rigorous academically, although a top Blair student will find the rigor at his school if he wants to.</p>
<p>I'l caveat this with saying that I had a student at Blair who was one of those B- students that they took a chance on, so I saw how they handled this situation (they were fantastic). A Blair parent who has a top student might tell you that Blair is just as rigorous as Taft---because in their eyes and for their student, it is. I'm just saying that Blair opens the door a little wider than Taft. Which I think is a good thing.</p>
<p>thanks NewYorker22 - do you think a top student at either school would do equally as well when it comes to college acceptances?</p>
<p>Cba,</p>
<p>That is a question that could be debated on and on! Basicly, you are asking if you have a top student, is it better for him to go to Taft or Blair? or are they the same?</p>
<p>Here is a thought: You don't really know yet if your child IS a top student. But he might be more likely to become a top student in a strong, yet less competitive school. Meaning, if he enrolls at Taft and is in the middle of the class, he is no longer really a top student, is he? So, from a college point of view, it is not always best to go to the most rigorous school. But of course it isn't all about college, and finding the best fit at this point is what you are really after.</p>
<p>"You really don't know yet if your student is a top student." = This is experience speaking. The SSAT exam tries to compare students on an equal basis. But some students do not respond well to a higher level of across-the-board competition and find the demanding academics at elite boarding schools overwhelming. Doesn't seem to happen often, but often enough that it merits mention.</p>
<p>cold wind,</p>
<p>yes, you are right on that. I guess my "pet peeve" is that there is massive grade inflation in public middle schools, so I see A students who have 30% SSAT or 98% SSAT--you just never know. And likewise, a 13 year old who does well being a big fish in a small pond might not react so well to a competitive environment where there is always someone a little bit better than you.</p>
<p>I've been studying the gap year, and a lot of prep school students take one for various reasons---but one reason that keeps coming up is that after 4 years at Andover, or a similar school, they often don't "feel smart" and doubt that they can keep up with the kids in college. So part of the decision for a parent isn't just about the best school, but what level of competitiveness is best for their child. Some kids work harder under pressure, others buckle. I have found this to be one of the least often mentioned, yet most important considerations in chosing a boarding school. </p>
<p>Cold wind, do you work in the educational field? you seem to know a lot..</p>