<p>We are interested in both the above (like the Quaker ethos). Anyone any advice on the differences between the two - or any other mid-Atlantic/NE schools with a similar feel?</p>
<p>When we first visited both schools, four years ago, we were struck by the similarities. My husband and I liked Westtown, but my sons preferred George. George was more convenient for us, and had just announced the record-breaking bequest from Barbara Dodd Anderson. Both have similar Quaker traditions. Westtown requires all upperclassmen to board. It actually has lower and middle day schools, so some students attend from kindergarten on. The boarding requirement integrates boarding and day students. Westtown is older than George; George was founded by more progressive Quakers, during a schism in the 19th century. George offers the International Baccalaureate: students may take certain classes for certificates or pursue the full IB diploma. The schools are athletic archrivals. Have you visited either or both?</p>
<p>Thanks for this. We plan to visit but we have come to this very late in the day so I am trying to gather as much information as possible. The IB is appealing and my daughter is very involved with community service, which I assume is big at both schools, due to their Quaker philosophy?</p>
<p>George School offers two week service trips to students. In 2011-2012 there are trips to South Africa, Cuba, Nicaragua, Arizona (working on the Navaho Reservation), among others.</p>
<p>At George there is a 60-hour outside community service requirement, on top of the campus “co-op” requirement. Students may fulfill it via school-sponsored trips, as mentioned by “dharmamom,” or with some sort of ongoing, local volunteer work. They may propose their own projects, as well. The trips cost money, with some of the more exotic destinations (e.g. Africa, India, Vietnam, et al) being very costly, but some scholarship aid is available.</p>
<p>I personally have a ton of experience with George, and I have to say that I really love it. It is different–more artsy and about self-discovery than other top schools. While it isn’t necessarily known for being the cream of the crop with regard to the Northeastern schools, they offer a ton of courses and have a path for everyone. Freshmen are required to have a packed schedule–no free periods. Religion/Quaker philosophy is a required course for freshmen to take. The Quaker theme is consistently repeated throughout the 4 years spent there–from Meeting for Worship bi/tri-weekly to these religion classes. GS offers the IB program, and you can either complete the entire program and get an IB diploma, or partake in certain IB classes and earn credit. The campus is beautiful, and I am quite familiar with the surrounding area and it is gorgeous as well. Philadelphia, New York, and DC are all fairly accessible, and provide for great learning grounds. The only think that turned me off is that a lot of spaces on campus are not big enough to accommodate the entire student body. The cafeteria, for instance, is only big enough for a portion of the freshman class. For me a healthy interaction between grade levels is crucial, and this set-up deems it nearly impossible for this to happen. GS is large, beautiful, and unique, and anyone looking for a mainstream boarding school with individual flair should definitely take a look at GS.</p>
<p>Note: I have not visited Georgetown and therefore am not qualified to comment on its academics, extra-curriculars, and facilities.</p>
<p>Is George School friendly?</p>
<p>George School is extremely friendly! I believe that one would never be lonely on that campus. Because there is such an emphasis on the Quaker values and the arts, the students tend to bond together. I have not heard of any bullying or segregation between people.</p>
<p>We interviewed there this year… it was warm, authentic, friendly. Ask a student what they love most about it, they’ll tell you “the community” and how close and supportive peer-to-peer and faculty-to-student relations are. Heartily recommend a visit, and they offer sleepover and other visit options before decision & revisit days.</p>
<p>Is a quaker a part of christian?</p>
<p>Twinzy - The Quakers, or Society of Friends, are a Christian denomination that focus on community and seeking “the light of God” within themselves and others. You can find out about them easily on-line. Most Quakers (and their schools) are politically progressive, and so Quaker schools might not fit your concept of “Christian.” They are very multicultural, tolerant, and embrace all faith traditions. My kids attend a Quaker school, where many students identify themselves as atheist, agnostic, or inclined toward Eastern spiritual traditions, but who all feel comfortable under the “umbrella” of Quakerism. They have mandatory “meetings for worship” (they do not call them masses or services), which follow the tradition of silence (their are no priests or ministers) until someone wants to share something.</p>
<p>I’ve been following the recent posts about Friends School education and the Westtown/George School comparison. As a graduate of Westtown, I am compelled to share my perspective. </p>
<p>“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” A William Butler Yeats quotation, I first heard from current Westtown Upper School principal, Eric Mayer. In general, the mission of a Friends School is to ignite the mental, physical, and spiritual fire in each of its members. The Westtown ethos is driven by these institutional values which have been in place for over 200 years. The boarding requirement in 11th and 12th grades is an example of Westtown’s historical commitment to the personal growth of each student. It is my understanding that George feels much more like a day school, while Westtown captures more of a traditional Quaker boarding school feel. </p>
<p>Some facts about Westtown:
-600 acre campus with a lake and high ropes course
-75% of the Upper School is boarding
-No longer offers AP classes, because teachers felt extremely restricted by the curricula
-Students still take AP exams, and most receive college credit for scores
-Offers rigorous college-level equivalent courses such as: Bio 2, Chem 2, Physics 2, Economics, Liberation Theology, Linear Algebra, just to name a few.
-No student cars are allowed on campus
-All of the Upper School students and faculty fit in the meeting house
-Westtown had 3 championship athletic teams last year-- and even more championship contenders this year. Also, 6 seasons of competitive sports are required before graduation, so there is a team for everyone.
-100% of seniors go on to college
-85% of seniors end up attending their first choice college
-The Head Master and Founder of Westtown’s sister school in Ghana, The Heritage Academy, is Westtown’s Math Department Chair
-Every senior designs his or her own senior project. Two weeks prior to the 2-week spring break, seniors travel off-campus to complete a self-designed project. Some memorable senior project locations include: Thailand, Ghana, Barcelona, Paris, Martinique, Costa Rica, Washington D.C., WXPN studio in Philly, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Athens, India, Israel, and Palestine. Many senior projects are service based.
-40 hours of community service are required for graduation
-3 exchanges (France, Spain, and Germany) are offered to Upper School students every year. (An exchange with China will begin next year)
-Westtown makes every effort to help families, financially, and encourage all families to apply for financial aid. I am extremely grateful for the aid I received as a student.
-N.C. Wyeth’s original painting, “The Giant”, hangs in the dining room with no glass cover.<br>
-The Main Building is 1/8 of a mile long (some of the faculty’s kids call it “The Castle”). It’s definitely worth a visit to see in person!</p>
<p>When it comes down to it, Westtown and George are wonderful options for an inspiring and memorable secondary school experience. My suggestion is to visit both campuses. Many of my Westtown classmates looked at George, as well, but liked Westtown better. I say, trust your instincts and you can’t go wrong.</p>
<p>I hope this helps, and good luck with the rest of your application process!</p>
<p>G.S. in the news yesterday. Bloggers attacked this like it was a piece of raw meat…</p>
<p>[Occupy…North</a> Pole! Pricey Private School‘s ’Christmas’ Play Skewers Big Oil, Corporate Greed | George School | Quaker | Video | TheBlaze.com](<a href=“http://www.theblaze.com/stories/occupy-north-pole-pricey-private-schools-christmas-play-skewers-big-oil-corporate-greed/]Occupy…North”>http://www.theblaze.com/stories/occupy-north-pole-pricey-private-schools-christmas-play-skewers-big-oil-corporate-greed/)</p>