What exactly is a "top" boarding school?

Prep School Admissions
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<p>A recent thread raised an issue that I wrestle with every application cycle since I've been active on the forum (this will be my 4th year and my second go-around with a child who is applying):</p>

<p>"What exactly is a 'Top' Boarding School?"</p>

<p>And also the related question, which I consider more vexing, "Why do so many who come to this forum consider and apply to ONLY the most famous, most selective schools in the country/the world?"</p>

<p>I didn't want to hijack that poster's thread, so I started a new one.</p>

<hr>

<p>While I understand that it is not exactly analogous, would it be considered prudent to only apply to Harvard, Princeton, and Yale when the time comes to apply to college? Even the most ambitious/prideful parent would surely counsel his/her child to have a few other schools in the mix.</p>

<p>As anyone who is familiar with our family's story knows, my older daughter applied to a few of the most selective schools a few years back and was fortunate enough to gain admission to one. Yet she chose a different school, one that is often mentioned here, but rarely in the reverent tones reserved for, well, you know the schools I'm talking about. The school she attends, while selective, is not in the "mid to low teen" admit rate — at least not yet.</p>

<p>And you know what? I think she's A) having a great time there; B) is getting a great education; and C) will probably get into the same kinds of colleges that she would have gotten into had she attended that "top" school.</p>

<p>I understand that some adopt a "go big or stay home" mindset, and for those with strong local options (that might include the LPS) that's fine.</p>

<p>But for the average high-achieving, high-scoring kid...I stand my POV that any of the schools discussed here with any frequency will be able to offer a challenging/rigorous education and a college matriculation that is similar to what you might be able to get at one of the more "name brand" schools.</p>

<p>So CC BS community...how do YOU define a "top" school?</p>

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<p>Exactly like you.</p>

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<p>Because applying to high schools isn’t exactly like applying to colleges–there’s always a local option, for most people. There is generally a fallacious conception among families that only brand name boarding schools are worth the tuition and emotional investment of sending the teens away. </p>

<p>Since rankings should be objective, I define a “top” school based solely on hard statistics: namely, matriculation stats to top colleges (US News 50) because they attest the school’s “prestige” and the quality of the average student (I want to be surrounded by smart, motivated peers). </p>

<p>Yes, I don’t oppose the idea of rankings, but that doesn’t mean I advocate choosing one top school over a hidden gem if that top school is a bad “fit”. Just as I would choose SAS over Choate, Milton, Groton, Deerfield, and possible Andover, I would choose UMichigan over, say, Brown if I managed to get into both, even though I am cognizant of the fact that Brown holds more prestige and brand name than UMich.</p>

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<p>For me, a top boarding school designation results from the right combination of stats (college matric, SSAT, selectivity and yield, attrition etc) and then a bunch of soft criteria, which are truly and equally important. I mean, what good is a school full of highly motivated, smart, stressed, mostly unhappy students whose idea of success is me, me and more me with a bit of grade-grubbing and depression sprinkled on top. All of us parents and kids see and weigh these criteria differently. Personally, I feel sorry for the kids who themselves, or aided by their parents, choose a school primarily based on stats.</p>

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<p>It does? Really? (Go Blue!)</p>

<p>@SevenDad: Nothing to add. I’m with you and wish we had been more informed when our son applied. All the best to 7D2.</p>

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<p>I echo SevenDad. We were thrilled when my D was accepted to a ‘reach’ school – but she chose another excellent, though much less ‘prestigious’ one. At the revisit she connected so well with other students, faculty, and administrators – and got more and more excited about the course offerings and ECs there. She turned to me midway through the day and said “These are my people, Mom! I know that this is the place for me.” For us, “top school” means “the right school”…</p>

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<p>I can’t help but feel–based on experience–that what one needs out of a high school education is very different from what one will tackle in college. I’m not saying fit isn’t a factor for college, but to my mind it is THE factor for boarding school. So do your research. The top tier schools MAY be the perfect fit for the right kid, but don’t delude yourself that even of you beat the odds and gain admittance to one of the ultra competitive schools that it is necessarily
the best school for your child. Kick the tires, check under the hood, PM students and parents from CC. Better informed is better!</p>

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<p>I’ve often wondered how “Go big or stay home” works. While I understand the need for some people to go big and only big, it’s the stay home part I’ve had trouble embracing. </p>

<p>After all, so much time, work, effort and heart goes into the SS application process and I think most candidates ( willing or dragged ) are all in by the time the applications are due … much, much more than parents can see or care to admit. Let’s face it: if you go this route you’re essentially introducing a child to an amazing opportunity while also asking them to get the grades, have stellar interviews, write phenomenal essays, fill out the applications, fret for months before decisions and then… if they don’t get in that’s that. Walk away. I don’t completely understand that exercise, but if someone explains it to me, I’m respectfully all ears. </p>

<p>Just to be clear, I get the part about having a wonderful school at home if things don’t work out.</p>

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<p>A top school has an overwhelming majority of kids and teachers who “buy into” an ethos of holding themselves to higher standards. Hence, “top” has to be distinguished from “average”, at which too many settle for the middle. At a middling school, kids and teachers go through the motions showing little enthusiasm for the creativity and curiosity that inspires a love of learning. At a top school, a visitor will be impressed by the spirit and countenances of lots, though perhaps not all, of those observed both in and outside of the classrooms. Cameo’s child seems to have seen this on the revisit day, and appears to be on the way to becoming one of these motivated students at a “top school”, even though not the reach one. With the same dispositions and attitudes, top schools can still look, externally, as remarkably different. A top school need not send the majority to very selective colleges, but the top 25% of each graduating class probably will be going to well-known, competitive institutions. </p>

<p>BS seem to be in the range of $45-55k now. Because the cost to household income ratio is often so high (FA included), it’s no wonder that many parents wonder if a “lesser known” BS could be worth the dough. I would say that if the school meets this sense of “top”, and the applicant seems likely to buy in, then that’s a worthwhile proposition. 50 thousand for a middling BS, and a more “transactional” experience, would not be for my family. In essence, an above-average but not “gifted” kid can be well-served by the right-fit BS selected from a pool of dozens and dozens and dozens. (Certainly, I have my suspicions about a good many of the 300 or so schools to be found on boardingschoolreview’s list.)</p>

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<p>Top boarding school means different things for different clients based on the variables or metrics employed (e.g., age, size, endowment, admission rates to “top” colleges and universities, median SAT and AP performance, number of “prestigious” scholarly awards and prizes, median income of the graduates/alumni, personalized “fit” for a particular student, number of famous graduates and Nobel laureates, extracurricular opportunities in sports, arts and music.</p>

<p>Only 10% of US children attend private school (boarding and/or day). The vast majority of US school age children (90%) attend public school with choice dictated only by zip code and less by an obsession of “fit”. Frankly, this is the beauty of biology – the physiology of accommodation. High performers will do just fine and go on to fine colleges and universities. </p>

<p>For some high performing students with limited resources considering switching to boarding school at $50,000/year the choice of school (return on investment) is largely dictated by school reputation, endowment, and potential network. These students and their families are not interested in “podunk” boarding school without reputation or endowment that may not be in existence in 2064 for their 50th alumni reunion. Therefore, they shoot for the boarding school stars and many are comfortable staying with their local options if not successful.</p>

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<p>2000+ SAT Score
85+ SSAT Score
Less than a 22% Acceptance Rate
200,000,000+ endowment
I agree with abiriba. That’s why many people shoot for top boarding schools. At Hotchkiss, Andover, SAS, Exeter, Thacher etc. you are almost guaranteed that your motivated peers will be successful. I know personally that the Hotchkiss school has a VERY helpful alumni network. </p>

<p>“Once a Hotchkiss student, always a Hotchkiss student. There is something intangible that links us to one other. I know I would go all out for another Hotchkiss grad and I feel that is true for most Hotchkiss graduates. I met a few Hotchkiss alums here that I did not meet at Hotchkiss; once here though, the Hotchkiss connection was all we needed, we bonded instantly. One of my friends went to UVA but wanted to transfer to Wharton. He called up a Hotchkiss alum who said he would make it happen, and it did. This was someone he did not know at all and had never met before, all he did was send an email out.” quote from kafkareborn</p>

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<p>I think I understand the Hidden Gems noise, but because HADES gets so much recognition, many top students don’t apply to say, Westover (Quite a good all-girls school). This results in many of the best students ending up at a well known school. That results in a loop effect, with other top students applying to these recognized schools because they see prominent alumni being churned out of HADES (example)
The only way, in my opinion, for a hidden gem to stop being so hidden is if they suddenly start finding out their alumni are becoming well known.</p>

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<p>Okay, lets take a “podunk” school like Canterbury and see if we recognize any alumni names:</p>

<p>Joseph Campbell, Sargent Shriver, William Randolph Hearst III, Dominick Dunne, David Copley, John Hemingway… </p>

<p>Canterbury is an excellent school. It’s sad people don’t recognize it more on these threads.</p>

<p>@prepschoolplease- My family has Maria Hotchkiss prominently displayed in our family tree: It’s not a big deal. I have a niece there now- do you think she shares that tidbit with her friends? Nope. Never in a million years…</p>

<p>It’s just my opinion, but I don’t think brand, prestige, or an illustrious alumni roster should ever factor into any BS decision…</p>

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<p>But I think seeing illustrious alumni may trick you into thinking it is a good fit.</p>

<p>I personally think that having a powerful alumni network can definitely be an upside to going to a top school. When looking for a job, it certainly doesn’t hurt if your friend is the CEO of the company, now does it? </p>

<p>I know that everybody has different opinions on this subject, but I can’t lie and say that I wasn’t impressed when I saw Hotchkiss’ alumni list. That definitely, at least subconsciously, affected my decision.</p>

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<p>It may be part of the culture, however. I know my parents strategy for me was go big or go bust.</p>

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<p>I think your high school alumni network isn’t as valuable as your college alumni network, but yes, if you ever happen to stumble on a Hotchkiss grad in searching for your first job, having attended Hotchkiss IS expedient. But what’s the likelihood of it happening?</p>

<p>@prepschool: “go big or go bust” was my parents’ dictum too. Asian mentality?</p>

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<p>Quite likely, actually, if you are in the business sector. The Hotchkiss alumni network is very helpful. I have a close experience with it and the people (even the ones you don’t know from like 20 classes before you) can provide some MAJOR help. I do agree that boarding school networks obviously do not have the same prominence as a college network.</p>

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<p>Yep. Asian mentality.</p>

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<p>We all get to choose our “top” boarding schools (and no fly zones) before we apply to these boarding schools. For some, it’s Pomfret and Canterbury; for others, it’s Exeter and Andover. We all assign differing weights to a number of variables defining a “top” school. This explains why we all do not agree on the “top” schools and why should we … or is it necessary? The return on investment for attending boarding school and value of a school is by definition – personal. “Value” of a boarding school education may be defined by outcome / financial cost of the experience. Trust fund baby status, middle to low SES, and “outcome” may all differ from student to student … and hence the value of any particular boarding school for a given student or family.</p>

<p>In my particular circumstances the outstanding HGC and magnet programs in our area have worked wonders for our children and we may consider exchanging for Groton or Exeter … but not for Canterbury or Pomfret. The reasons are personal.</p>

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<p>A few observations:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Much depends on your local school option. If it is excellent, a “go big or stay home” strategy does not necessarily arise from prideful, overly ambitious parental desires. Instead, it can be the product of a prudent calculation that the local school is a better alternative than all but the very best prep schools (e.g., Andover, Exeter, SPS, etc.). </p></li>
<li><p>Ranking represents a collective judgment of excellence, not a personal predilection. Thus, I might prefer my top-50 state university to an Ivy League college for subjective reasons. But my personal evaluation does not make my state school more highly ranked than that Ivy League college.</p></li>
<li><p>The idea of a stress free top prep school is an illusion. One of the best things about top prep schools is that they teach children how to handle stress. </p></li>
<li><p>We shouldn’t conflate a positive high school experience with the concept of ranking. I had a wonderful experience at a large public high school many years ago. But that positive experience did not transform my undistinguished high school into a high ranking institution. Instead, it proved the different and more important point that attending a top prep school is not a prerequisite to having a great high school experience. </p></li>
<li><p>Your prep school alumni network is only as valuable as your resume. If you have earned a good record, networking may get you an interview for an internship or a job. Beyond that, you are on your own.</p></li>
<li><p>Stories about alums “making things happen” at top colleges are almost always inaccurate unless that alum happens to be a relative getting ready to endow a new wing to the library.</p></li>
</ol>