<p>True, f’boarder. Although the student body at Hockaday is only about 20% boarding, the school has over 1000 students. So the boarding population is around 200 kids, which is still a fair number of boarders.</p>
<p>Oh, I see. Is it very remote, or would I be able to travel to and from easily? Unfortunetly, I live a long way from Texas.</p>
<p>Hockaday is in Dallas, which is easy to get to by plane from just about anywhere.</p>
<p>Maybe I’ll look into it :)</p>
<p>I can’t speak to the other schools, but I can assure you that Darlington School is not a finishing school of any sort. I currently have 3 daughters that attend there and we love the school. If you have concerns, why not set up visits with these schools. I know that at least Darlington has frequent visitors come and spend the day or even spend the night in the dorms. There are students from all over the world at our school. The academics, sports, students, faculty, we have no complaints. In fact, I can’t wait until my son is old enough to attend.</p>
<p>Thanks CalmlyiChaotic, it’s good to hear about Darlington from a parent’s point of view - I definitely want to visit! However, I read some pretty nasty things online at greatschools.org. The most recent reviews are quite shocking, but I understand that there are always going to be people with opposing views. Here are the first 3 reviews:</p>
<p>Posted Wednesday, March 30, 2011 …
“The School here is filled with prejeduces. People are 2 faced and ecspecially the people that are in high office at this school. If you want you kids to be happy never send them here.” </p>
<p>Posted March 1, 2011 …
“I hope I will someday get over my rage at how horribly I was treated at this institution. I would not send a farm animal to this school, much less a child. They sabotaged my chances of getting into a good college (which I did despite of them), but I will always have a permanent scar from my experience there. Thinking back to it I just want to cry at how horrifically I was treated by the administration. They put on a very good show, and let you pay lots and lots of money, and then completely turn they’re back on you or treat you horribly when parents leave. The whole thing makes me sick. If you have any respect for your child, don’t send them here. I am still in therapy for how bad my experience was, and I am not the only one.” </p>
<p>Posted December 16, 2010 …
“Can’t wait to graduate come May and get out of this place. Decent academics and all, but Its the deep South, we can’t forget it. One token Black teacher, the rest are ‘in their place’ in the kitchen and grounds’. I’m embarrassed and uncomfortable, but we learn to ‘keep our heads low’, do the work and move on. The assumption if you are here and Black, you are on athletic scholarship, a few are on academic scholarship. A lot of rich spoiled kids from old slave money who still think like their grandfathers. Lot of rich Asian kids too. I could never get used to this town. If you’re not careful, with the hair policy and dress policy, they’d knock the Black out of you. Still two systems for everything in this part of the world.” </p>
<p>After these three, nearly all the reviewers seemed genuinely pleased with the school, some even singing their praises. But it was an unpleasant surprise to fine that the most recent reviews were quite openly critical. Does anyone have any idea what these reviewers meant, or do you think they were just being prejudiced? I read that Darlington is 85% white, but this doesn’t bother me - what bothers me is that the recent reviews seem to be singing a similar tune. If anyone has any opinions/thoughts/comments, they would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>To me, those reviews sound like bitter kids who were probably kicked out for one reason or another. I know that there were several that were asked to leave last year due to various reasons. Darlington has an honor code and an honor council of peers who meet and decide any consequences for a student who’s been found to have broken the code. Usually these offenses have to do with being caught drinking, sharing alcohol with other students, or the occasional kid that gets caught with drugs. Every once in a blue moon you will find a couple of kids who are busted for lewd behavior. In 99% of all these cases, the punishment is handed down from the honor council. With alcohol and drugs, it’s usually a probationary period with the promise to attend an alcohol/drug awareness course or similar. Sometimes you do have the occasional spoiled rich kid who thinks that Mommy or Daddy can just buy their way out of it and decides to leave the school rather than accept the punishment. When you have kids with a sense of entitlement, you will have kids who think that the world (or the school in this case) is responsible for their problems. That is what these reviews sound like to me. </p>
<p>As for racial representation, I can name off the top of my head 3 african american faculty members as well as 2 hispanic. I am sure the “token” black teacher they were talking about was Mr. Garrett. He’s most noticed simply because he’s hard to miss. He’s probably the tallest person on campus. He actually won all kinds of awards when he played basketball for Emory University back in his college days. His oldest child just graduated from Darlington last year and is now playing football for Georgia Tech. He was accepted there, as well as every other college he applied to, with a full academic scholarship. His 2 younger sisters are students now. My own children are half mexican and we’ve never felt any sort of prejudice at all. Short of going through the school directory and picking out specific names, I can tell you that there are many more students on campus as well as the faculty other than the one “token.” Mr. Garrett himself is usually responsible for bringing in several kids every couple years by helping their parents wade through the financial aid process and mentoring the students while they’re here. There are a lot of kids from all over the world at Darlington. We are home to a Soccer Academy and Tennis Academy that brings in a lot of diversity. As for Athletic Scholarships, Darlington doesn’t give any athletic scholarships, so no one is assuming that. I would think any actual former student would be aware of that. </p>
<p>Who knows why the negative reviews, but I personally don’t give them any credence and still recommend a personal visit. As I said, we love this school. I wouldn’t want my half latino family anywhere else and I assure you , we are much more the minority in the “deep” South than any black student. Actually, that particular review made me laugh because we see exactly the opposite around here. The fact that it is the “Deep South,” ensures that. It would be uncouth to make anyone feel badly for something as ridiculous as their genetic make up. </p>
<p>Is Darlington perfect? No… but show me one school that is. Is it the best place for everyone? No… Evidently they are doing something right, though. We just received emails last week about making sure we turn in our re-enrollment contracts quickly as a few of the grades already have a waiting list.</p>
<p>Wow, thanks for telling me all that - it really set my mind at rest! It does seem like they were just prejudiced. I admit that basing my opinion on one reviewer who hates the “deep south” does seem a bit of an odd explanation for not visiting, now that I think of it. After reading your rave review, though, I will definitely be visiting campus, and if my parents let me and my visit goes as nicely as I expect it will, I plan on applying there as well. Of course no school is perfect - and as they say, “it’s all in the eye of the beholder”. I happen to think Darlington is well worth a visit :)</p>
<p>I think you are right on to apply to 4-5 schools. Best to narrow your search as most schools want to see a very sincere interest in their school and a compelling reason to admit and provide financial aid. Our daughter did a careful study and ended at St. Andrew’s in Delaware. She has been very happy with her decision and absolutely loves it there. The school has a great culture and very rigorous academics. They are also need blind and have lots of diversity in their student body. As for southern schools definitely look at Asheville and Episcopal. If you decide to apply to St. Andrew’s DE…it’s only a couple of hours from Episcopal High and is pretty easy to do both interviews in 2 days. I wouldn’t consider St. Andrew’s a southern school— more mid-Atlantic. Strongly encourage you to visit their website and watch their orientation videos.</p>
<p>Hi! I’m an 8th grader right now, currently going through the same process as you! I’m applying mainly to schools in CT (that’s where I live). My favorites so far are Taft, Loomis Chaffee, Lawrenceville, and the Gunnery. Taft is a well rounded school with a very good academic program. Its sports program gets the most funding, and while their arts program isn’t the best from what I’ve gathered, it also isn’t bad at all. I have heard some negative comments about The Gunnery, but I included it anyway because when I visited the campus there was such a great atmosphere about it. It has a great community and a wonderful arts program. their productions have won many state awards, and they are really one of the only prep school’s I know of that has won many awards in the arts areas. Loomis Chaffee is similar to Taft in that it is very well rounded with a rigorous academic program. What is your ssat score (if you’ve taken it yet)?</p>
<p>i am a freshmen at groton school. i board. im an international student. </p>
<p>its amazing. i love the school so much. believe me, going to 8 grade at groton is something i have heard to be an amazing experience as well. its a small school which means everyones so friendly.</p>
<p>WillemS you should consider groton school. its a little farther from ct…but it’s a good choice. </p>
<p>groton school is definitely worth the visit.</p>
<p>Thanks for your suggestion, I will look into Groton!</p>