<p>I'm an international student so my knowledge of these schools is really limited.</p>
<p>I want a school that has open, friendly students who are mature, happy and unpretentious; where sport isn't too intense (I'm not that athletic; I wouldn't mind doing things like cross-country running or cycling, but I don't want to be somewhere where I'm made to do team sports) and which is welcoming to gay students (just somewhere where they're accepted and not treated any differently, where people feel comfortable with their sexualities). </p>
<p>The following schools can be considered with this in mind. Unfortunately, these are the only ones I can look at so I cannot take other suggestions. As much information and experience about any of them would be thoroughly appreciated.</p>
<p>Avon Old Farms
Culver Academies
The Governor's Academy
Kent School
The Lawrenceville School
Mercersburg Academy
The Stony Brook School
Tabor Academy
Westminster School
Stevenson School (CA)
Western Reserve Academy
Woodberry Forest School
Ravenscroft School</p>
<p>As a first step, it might be helpful to take a map of the USA and locate all these schools on it. Some of them are many hundreds - if not thousands - of miles apart, so it is hard to imagine why these are the only ones you can look at. What is it that they have in common that is essential to you?</p>
<p>There are plenty more schools in that range than the ones you listed. Lawrenceville is the most expensive prep school in the nation, and Andover is 10,000 or so below that. </p>
<p>@mrnephew It’s nothing to do with the actual cost of the education, it’s to do with the schools that organisations are willing to fund me to attend. Trust me, I’ve been given that list, I did not make it myself. I can only consider schools from it. :)</p>
<p>OK. Well, I am a Mercersburg parent, and as far as I can tell it would fit you well. It seems a tolerant and happy place. My son is a tolerant and happy sort of kid and he loves it. The sports requirement is very flexible; you can be involved in theater (on or offstage), community service, or outdoor education (hiking, cycling, etc.) instead. Good luck!</p>
<p>Culver used to be a military school, and it still carries a lot of the customs of a military school, so I’m inclined to think that it’s pretty conservative.</p>
<p>Lawrenceville is the most prestigious on your list, but it would be a stressful place if you are not able to thrive in a very rigorous academic program. Stevenson is laid back and liberal Californian with golf and wonderful weather. Kent has a high number of international students. Local students would likely choose Westminster over Kent or Avon if money were no object, but Westminster might feel too small. I agree that Culver would be more conservative, but less formal and snooty, as it tends to attract low key midwestern, sportsy students. Stony Brook is very Christian, so a non-believert might feel uncomfortable there. I have heard that nice guys go to Woodberry Forest, but the South is more traditional than the North and West in terms of social issues. Tabor is known for its great sailing team. Governor’s is a decent school, but it loses top applicants to stronger prep schools in the region, such as Andover. </p>
Sorry for the late reply: Avon Is a great and Tolerant place with a good reputation. The community experience is one of the greatest parts of the school. The school also is a leading school for the English Speaking Union if that is what you are planning on using. You do not need to do a team sport but you need to participate in some sort of sport for two seasons which is the same with every school on your list hope everything turns out well.
The sports requirement is very flexible; you can be involved in theater (on or offstage), community service, or outdoor education (hiking, cycling, etc.) instead. Good luck!</p>