So my son went to a public school. He will be a freshman at a selective school this fall. We have another sibling coming up in a few years and I saw some threads on the colleges kids get into from prep schools.
Our public school is good, but it barely sends 1% or 2% of kids to the super selective Universities. If we really want our second child to have a good chance at a super elite school, would it make sense to invest in a prep school? If so how many years? Our second child is a freshman in high school right now.
Are there any good Prep Schools in Texas that you could point us to with good admit stats to the super selective Universities?
Actually a lot of people would say that going to a selective prep school hurts a student’s chances for a top college. The argument boils down to whether your child is a big fish in a small pond, or a small fish in a big pond. Which do you think the colleges like?
After the legacy, development, URM, and athletes are accepted at top colleges, this leaves room for top students. They generally like to take top notch students from all over the country, and not take half the class at Andover/Exeter/etc.
So if you think your kid can rank in the top 1-2% of the local public school, then its better to stay put. Don’t send your kid to boarding school thinking it will help with admissions.
Boarding school however is good for kids on so many other ways: independence, comraderie, school spirit, confidence, critical reading, etc.
Are you talking only about boarding schools? Or all independent schools in Texas? There are several excellent independent day schools in Dallas and Houston, but only a few boarding schools.
Are you in Texas? I’m assuming this but I’m thinking that Texas is not really known for stellar boarding schools that send a majority of their kids to top schools. In Austin, we have St. Stephen’s. But I’m thinking that their acceptance to colleges list doesn’t really stand out. It may be good though just to contact them for the info or look at their website.
Since your son is a freshman now, and is not going to a selective prep school next year because all of the deadlines have passed, your school choices are either two years or three (but only if he is willing to do a repeat 10th grade year). Not many kids are admitted for just the 12th grade. The other possibility would be a single PG year if he is some sort of D1 level athlete.
If boarding school is an option, you may want to broaden the search beyond Texas. Texas boys go off to boarding schools in New England. They also go to southern boarding schools, such as Woodberry Forest, McCallie, or Episcopal.