Woodberry Forest experiences

[Anonymous]

Anyone have experience with/a kid at Woodberry Forest who could share their thoughts? DS mentioned being interested and I know nothing about it aside from what I've read on the website. It seems like a great school on paper, but I'm concerned about the stereotypical Southern boys-club reputation that many all male boarding schools seem to have. Is Woodberry like this at all? I don't think DS would thrive in that sort of environment. He is sensitive and concerned about doing well in school, but he also loves sports. My understanding is WF has a great sports program. Any insights?

[Anonymous]

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/159226.page#1456894

You might want to do a forum search .WF is not talked about all that much

[Anonymous]

This is second-hand, but for what it's worth . . .

A couple of years ago I was chatting with a friend who is a St. Albans alum. He had two boys at Woodberry Forest and was pretty happy with the educational choice overall, but was looking for some academic summer opportunities for his sons because it was his impression that Woodberry Forest did not have a very intellectual atmosphere although there were plenty of bright kids. He did suggest that his son was becoming a bit more of the "Southern Country gentleman" (at the cost of an intellectually invigorating environment) than he perhaps would have liked, although emphasizing that the son had had good teachers and had a good group of friends. He said it wasn't very diverse ideologically either and he worried about his kids developing a very set view of the world from a young age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is second-hand, but for what it's worth . . .

A couple of years ago I was chatting with a friend who is a St. Albans alum. He had two boys at Woodberry Forest and was pretty happy with the educational choice overall, but was looking for some academic summer opportunities for his sons because it was his impression that Woodberry Forest did not have a very intellectual atmosphere although there were plenty of bright kids. He did suggest that his son was becoming a bit more of the "Southern Country gentleman" (at the cost of an intellectually invigorating environment) than he perhaps would have liked, although emphasizing that the son had had good teachers and had a good group of friends. He said it wasn't very diverse ideologically either and he worried about his kids developing a very set view of the world from a young age.

OP here. Thanks for the responses (and the other thread, PP.) Bolded is what I was worried about/figured. DS tries hard but is a consistently average student, so he doesn't need a high-pressure place full of over performing super smart kids (the feeling we've gotten from some NE boarding schools) but he is quiet, respectful and fairly liberal so I don't think the Southern gentleman feel would fly with him.

[Anonymous]

Really the only way to know is to take a look and step on the campus. You will know pretty quickly if it feels right to you and DS. Everyone's different. Its not too far from DC/MD/NoVA so you can get there pretty easily. As an added plus, the campus will be beautiful in the fall.

[Anonymous]

OP, have you looked at Westtown ? Might be worth considering.

[Anonymous]

Your DS can do a trial stay at WFS - they connect him with another boy his age, he stays in his room, gets shown around, etc. Might give him a good feel for the culture.

I don't know any recent grads, but just having been a UVA alum and meeting a LOT of them then, I agree with 19:42. It is a good school but not academically intense, strong emphasis on living your life with principles. I'm not sure how far the southern/conservativism of the principles go - you would want to know if they are perpetuated by the administration or just the students.

[Anonymous]

I agree that it's not as academic as other places, but there is something to be said for the "gentleman" aspect. Also, it's easier to get into UVA from Woodberry than it is from public school or at least it used to be.

[Anonymous]

Have a few friends who went there and loved it. Typical Southern old boys club, but that's who we are so no apologies.

[Anonymous]

Why not send him to Episcopal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not send him to Episcopal?

Episcopal is a lot like Woodberry in many ways -- not terribly intellectual, interested in producing Southerners -- but of course with the big difference that it's co-ed. Have met a lot of grads/parents who love it -- it just doesn't sound like what you're looking for based on your concerns about Woodberry Forest.

Maybe check out the boarding program at St. Albans? Good arts, solid sports, intellectually challenging. There are some area students who attend essentially as 5-day boarders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not send him to Episcopal?

I suggested Episcopal, but he said it was too close and he didn't want coed. He said he would go to a coed day school, but not boarding. I have no idea why. I think I'll push a visit to Episcopal because have two friends with kids there and they love the school, and he would benefit from a visit. Thank you for the suggestions.