<p>My son is just finishing his last year at an English boarding school in London. The experience has been fantastic for him (and us). Based on our experiences, we would encourage others to look into this option for their own sons and daughters. Feel free to PM with questions.</p>
<p>Which school did he attend?</p>
<p>Harrow School</p>
<p>Aside from the fact that Harrows is an all boys school, why did you choose a European boarding school? Can he easily get admitted to a good university in the states or are you planning for university in England?</p>
<p>My parents thought about this. Mainly because we are from Australia with close British ties however, we live in the US and they feel that they’d pefer I was closer.</p>
<p>We chose it for several reasons:</p>
<p>It really “felt” right when we visited. Plane flights were easy. Direct flight to Heathrow then an easy Tube ride to school. The international aspect appealed to us. The UK system allows more specialization, which worked well as he is a science/math person. We liked the single sex aspect and the uniform requirement. There are lots of chances to meet girls though. Lots of traditions in the best sense (songs, plays, sports). A chance for boys to be boys and not worry about whether their hair is always combed for the girls. The education has been absolutely superb and we are very happy with the experience that the whole family has shared. He has made some great lifelong friends and his perception of the world has been changed.</p>
<p>We looked in the States. Groton he found too small. Andover would have worked, but he chose Harrow. He would like to come back for university and has applications in to several, but he has applied to a UK school too.</p>
<p>He did GCSEs and AS/A Levels. He has taken the SATs too (five SATII tests). His final year is like college level work. He was able to do five years each of Physics, Math, Chemistry and Biology which he really enjoyed. A friend who is an engineer told me that his math class is working at the second year college level. Classes are taught in divisions, so everyone gets more or less the same work, but at different rates. </p>
<p>The school works hard to find the unique strengths of each boy and develop those strengths. We suspect that admissions requirements have tightened over the past few years. There are some amazingly smart people at the school (both boys and masters), but there are also amazing athletes, actors and painters too. And our son tells me that many of the teachers are simply fantastic and brilliant to boot.</p>
<p>Our son even admits the food is quite good. Especially after the dining room remodel from a couple years ago.</p>
<p>Downsides for us?</p>
<p>Long flight (10 hours) from LAX which he does several times a year. We thought it beat trying to get to Boston though and then having to find a way to get a car to a New England school. Especially with snow issues.</p>
<p>FA not really available to Americans. Need to consider ways to play the currency game to our advantage. Had to find a guardian service (required by law). At the time our son started, we knew no one in the UK. Not anymore though.</p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>the only good thing about Harrow is on a clear day you can see Eton :)</p>
<p>Ooo, I think that was a jab!</p>
<p>I just want to inform people of the truth</p>
<p>also its actually it was a quote from Winston Churchill who of course went to Harrow</p>
<p>Yes, the older Harrovians often point to Eton from The Hill and tell the New Boys “that’s where you’ll be sent if you screw up here.”</p>