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Andover or Exter or St. Pauls
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Anonymous
| I like your healthy ego pp. I'm wondering if there is a ranking somewhere of boarding schools just as private day schools and public high schools are ranked? |
Anonymous
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There are rankings all over the place. This is America -- a country that loves to rank(try DCUM, US News and Report, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, New York Times, Worth magazine). The key to rankings is to understand the methodology, inclusion/exclusion criteria, variables and limitations to arrive at a reasonable evaluation.
A simple google search will provide a sleuth of information for you to wade out wheat from chafe. You can also search the engines of popular press for their history of stories about boarding school ranking. |
Anonymous
I'm not annoyed because my boarding school didn't make the subject line, and because people outside of New England don't view it as being in the same league with E,A, and St. P's. Most people haven't heard of my school, and I couldn't care less. I'm annoyed because the OP's preoccupation with big-name schools reflects the silliness of so many other threads on this board. The recent "IVY BOUND" thread was another example, and the endless obsession with the "Big Three" at the expense of the many other great schools in this area, both public and private. My point is: broaden your search. |
Anonymous
| In the broader context you have just outlined I see your point. |
Anonymous
| Some people are really sore losers and have self-esteem issues. Why do some people refuse to admit that all schools are not equal. Yes, some schools are better than others. |
Anonymous
I don't think anyone here's arguing that all schools are created equal. If you say that any of the boarding schools on this thread are better than an average public school in Detroit, I doubt anyone's going to disagree you you. But when you're comparing a relatively small group of schools with similar profiles, it's a lot harder to figure out what criteria to use and which is "better." Here's one ranking list of schools: http://webreprints.djreprints.com/wsj_tuition_040104.pdf. According to it, there are 13 other schools "better" than Exeter (including three in the DC area!). Or here's another list of schools with the largest number of Nat'l Merit Semifinalists: http://www.getlisty.com/preview/2009-top-high-schools-by-national-merit-semi-finalists/. Two local public schools severely outrank all the boarding schools discussed here. Does that make them "better"? I totally agree with you that many people are sore losers and have self-esteem issues about school rankings, but I don't necessarily see it in this discussion. |
Anonymous
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OP here. I totally understand there are other good boarding schools out there. We are looking there as well. We actually loved Milton. In fact, we have been told that Milton has one of the highest acceptance rates into Harvard of any school in the country. It is incredibly liberal and progressive and we had a nice chat and tour with a great young fellow from a dorm called Forbes. He even showed us his room.
If you did go to Milton, I have one quick question and this is because we have a daughter. The whole story about that oral sex gang rape a few years ago of a freshman girl by a bunch of senior boys on the hockey team freaked me out. Seriously freaked me out. I really like Milton but that story was just so horrific and creepy that Im not sure I can get over it when there are other options. Do you think that was a one-off incident or is there something about the culture over there that would incite this type of behavior? |
Anonymous
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the only ranking that counts is reputation. and it goes like this--
1. st. paul's 2. exeter 3. andover 4. groton 5. deerfield |
Anonymous
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I hate to be a nuisance because I did not go to any of these schools but am a senior faculty member at one of the Big Three (which will remain nameless) and also a parent of a DC. But, this ranking is not right. The PC answer is that the best school is the one that is the best for your child. But, if your superficial, and looking for the traditional powerhouse New England boarding schools that people fight tooth and nail to get their children admitted, the general ranking amongst most people is:
(1) Phillips Academy (Andover) formed by Colonel Samuel Phillips, the oldest private secondary school in America, older than most Ivy League colleges, and has graduated more presidents and members of Congress than any academic institution except Harvard and Yale. The undisputed insider's school that has been the cradle of the American political, economic, social and intellectual establishment of this republic for centuries. Stunning campus that is hauntingly beautiful. Charismatic and brilliant students. Politically and socially liberal/progressive. (2) Phillips Exeter Academy formed by Governor John Phillips, Colonel Samuel Phillips' younger brother. The undisputed academic powerhouse of boarding schools. If you want your kids to be academic machines, this is the place for you. A first class library designed by Louis Kahn. Ugly campus--a little too modernist and Stalinist, including the library (looks like a brick square). Awesome Harkness classroom discussion philosophy--all takes place around circular oak tables, symbolizing the equality and infinite capacity of the academic classroom. Very profound and intellectual students. Politically and socially conservative. (3) St Pauls or Groton--the runner up schools. St Pauls has the most stunningly beautiful campus you will ever see, combined with a gentility and dignity that is unsurpassed. Groton claims FDR as one of their esteemed alumni. First class academics as well at both places. Most all of the students were candidates rejected by Andover and Exeter. Well groomed and charming students. Politically and socially conservative. (4) Milton--the warmest and most compassionate of the schools. Feeder into Harvard. Teaches sons and daughters of Harvard. The most hippy/granola of the boarding schools. Touchy feely with a brilliant faculty. Cute campus. Deeply intellectual, progressive and tolerant students. Very liberal and progressive. (5) The Others-- Deerfield, Choate, Hotchkiss, Northfield Mount Hermon. (i.e., Rich kids from privileged backgrounds--just not too bright) |
Anonymous
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As an aside, from another poster; this ranking
mirrors the ranking of the endowment/pupil in descending order. |
Anonymous
| Addendum...I believe Milton may be the exception on this list based on the above ratio. But, it is in Harvard's back yard (Boston/Cambridge) so it's no surprise it and others (Exeter, Andover) are major feeders. Much like Peddie, Hill School, Lawrenceville and St Albans may feed Princeton and Duke further south. |
Anonymous
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I went to Exeter and Harvard. I got an amazing education at Exeter and chose it over St. Paul's or Andover largely because of the Harkness system.
But I grew up in a very small town and couldn't get the kind of education your daughter is receiving at Sidwell. At Harvard there were tons of kids from the best DC private schools and they certainly were just as well prepared as I was. I worked harder at Exeter than at Harvard, BTW, and I was very depressed my upper year (aka junior year) because of the extreme work load and being away from home. I loved my lower and senior years, though. I've already promised my husband we wouldn't send our kids to boarding school because there's no significant advantage over the excellent choices in the DC area. I'd keep your child at home where you can be a daily resource and support to her. Just my 2 cents! |
Anonymous
Please don't make me laugh. No "senior faculty member" at a Big 3 school (or any other school) would write this ridiculous post, replete with grammatical errors and petty insults. - Milton grad |
Anonymous
| Just one moment now. I would not put this past senior teachers at a Big 3 school D.C. area school! |
Anonymous
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The senior faculty member here--you would be surprised what we would say under the cloak of anonymity
But, nontheless, rather than take issue with the poster--do you agree with the substance of the post? That is what I always tell my students. Regardless of whether you like, dislike, hate or love the spokesperson of an idea is really irrelevant and immaterial, it is the content of his or her message that matters. Thus endeth the lesson, poor Milton soul. By the way, my brother went to Milton--he loved it. Stayed three years at Robinson House. I have taught at independent schools for 22 years now. All of them I cherish. You should not put us on too high of a pedestal, we --like you--are mere mortals who also enjoy the occasional gossip and fluffy discussions of DCUM 
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