Madeira vs episcopal high school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I chose between these two years ago and chose EHS. It was definitely the wrong choice for me, in large part because I probably wasn't ready for boarding, and in large part because EHS was just a tough social environment back then. The kids on the visit at EHS made fun of the Madeira girls, saying they were all weirdos in addition to a bunch of homophobic things. I let it scare me away from Madeira, but it should have scared me away from EHS. This is probably of limited relevance decades later, but if she's not ready for boarding, that's your answer. If she is, she should really follow her gut after admitted student days. They had very different feels back then and probably still do.

thank you for your comments

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I chose between these two years ago and chose EHS. It was definitely the wrong choice for me, in large part because I probably wasn't ready for boarding, and in large part because EHS was just a tough social environment back then. The kids on the visit at EHS made fun of the Madeira girls, saying they were all weirdos in addition to a bunch of homophobic things. I let it scare me away from Madeira, but it should have scared me away from EHS. This is probably of limited relevance decades later, but if she's not ready for boarding, that's your answer. If she is, she should really follow her gut after admitted student days. They had very different feels back then and probably still do.

thank you for your comments

does anyone have comments about Madeira?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I chose between these two years ago and chose EHS. It was definitely the wrong choice for me, in large part because I probably wasn't ready for boarding, and in large part because EHS was just a tough social environment back then. The kids on the visit at EHS made fun of the Madeira girls, saying they were all weirdos in addition to a bunch of homophobic things. I let it scare me away from Madeira, but it should have scared me away from EHS. This is probably of limited relevance decades later, but if she's not ready for boarding, that's your answer. If she is, she should really follow her gut after admitted student days. They had very different feels back then and probably still do.

Can we have more details about the social environment? I heard EHS is more diverse.

[Anonymous]

Madeira definitely has strong diversity - in the boarding and day programs. More than 20 states and more than 20 countries represented as well.

Socially it will feel a little less traditional than EHS who has big football games and the co-ed piece. But Madeira has lively weekend offerings and its own special traditions. And I think a real lack of self-consciousness and supportive vibe among the community. For a student who wants the freedom to be a little silly, try new things, experiment with style - Madeira would be a safer place for that.

I agree Admitted Student Days will help clarify as these are two very different options. I often think the only reason they overlap is b/c of location, because the school identities are not the same.

[Anonymous]

Again, this was late 90s/early 00s. The kids were largely white, Southern, wealthy, and preppy and well, the kinds of kids who would make fun of a school with a few artsy and non-straight students for being a school for lesbian freaks (or at least a lot of them). Most of the diversity came from international students who were largely self-segregated, in part due to language barriers, though there were maybe 2-3 black kids per grade, too. Lots of pressure on girls in particular with respect to looks and size stuff, which led to some eating disorders. There were also several suicide attempts because it was just a hard place for some kids, and supervision was somewhat lacking. I'm sure a lot of this has changed.

Also, with respect to the partying, back then, there was plenty of drinking off campus, though a lot of it was on weekends when kids stayed overnight off campus with parents. They were zero tolerance on drugs, but you got two strikes on alcohol, and some of the faculty "on dorm" would look the other way when kids came back obviously drunk so that it was actually several more. Though lots of kids did get kicked out. There was also a pretty rampant hookup culture (including freshmen), a lot of it occurring during "strip time" between study hall and lights out.

[Anonymous]

Can someone who chose local boarding explain why they chose it? I'd only heard about boarding school in other areas until recently. Is it sort of a half-way step, to give them independence, but have family in town?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I chose between these two years ago and chose EHS. It was definitely the wrong choice for me, in large part because I probably wasn't ready for boarding, and in large part because EHS was just a tough social environment back then. The kids on the visit at EHS made fun of the Madeira girls, saying they were all weirdos in addition to a bunch of homophobic things. I let it scare me away from Madeira, but it should have scared me away from EHS. This is probably of limited relevance decades later, but if she's not ready for boarding, that's your answer. If she is, she should really follow her gut after admitted student days. They had very different feels back then and probably still do.

Can we have more details about the social environment? I heard EHS is more diverse.

Only in regards to gender. Madeira is a wonderful, special environment. We don't see lines between the jocks (using that term loosely), the brains, the artsy kids and the horse crowd. My kid's friend group includes all of the above. There is not a lot of social class divide (despite there being a significant contingent receiving financial aid). While there are girls across the gender/sexuality spectrum, pretty much everyone is respectful. Skews liberal (much more than Episcopal) but you'll find a conservative or two as well. The value of the Mod schedule and co-curriculum cannot be understated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can someone who chose local boarding explain why they chose it? I'd only heard about boarding school in other areas until recently. Is it sort of a half-way step, to give them independence, but have family in town?

Sometimes it's for commute or parents who have demanding work schedules. But often it's as a half-way step to independence. The chance to live away from home with a safety net and a community invested in helping you succeed. You pick up a lot of life skills and feel very prepared for college. Plus family is close - so weekends home or having your parent or sibling be able to show up for your game or your performance is nice. Best of both worlds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone who chose local boarding explain why they chose it? I'd only heard about boarding school in other areas until recently. Is it sort of a half-way step, to give them independence, but have family in town?

Sometimes it's for commute or parents who have demanding work schedules. But often it's as a half-way step to independence. The chance to live away from home with a safety net and a community invested in helping you succeed. You pick up a lot of life skills and feel very prepared for college. Plus family is close - so weekends home or having your parent or sibling be able to show up for your game or your performance is nice. Best of both worlds.

yes, commute is the reason. Both of the schools are not close.

[Anonymous]

Madeira, 1 hour one way, EHS, 1hour +20 minutes, one way

[Anonymous]

We chose ES for coed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We chose ES for coed

thank you