Parents of Upper School Flint Hill

[Anonymous]

My son went to Nysmith for 10 years then going to Flint Hill for high school now. We wish that we started at FH earlier. At FH he discovered he loves sports and computer science and he is very happy at FH. He wished that he started at FH earlier so he could play sports at school. He started to play lacrosse in freshman year and the students and coaches were so nice to him and encouraged him. I remember he came home so happy and said a senior was teaching him lacrosse. To me, it's very nice to see the students play different sports at school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son went to Nysmith for 10 years then going to Flint Hill for high school now. We wish that we started at FH earlier. At FH he discovered he loves sports and computer science and he is very happy at FH. He wished that he started at FH earlier so he could play sports at school. He started to play lacrosse in freshman year and the students and coaches were so nice to him and encouraged him. I remember he came home so happy and said a senior was teaching him lacrosse. To me, it's very nice to see the students play different sports at school.

Nysmith is a much better school than Flint Hill. You did the right thing by keeping him there for 10 years. Flint Hill elementary and middle school can't compare.

[Anonymous]

the school is very good
yes many nay sayers that it’s mediocre bc it’s not a pressure cooker for those who don’t want it. i have news for them.. Karma kicks in at some point
easy to find friends. parent community very friendly. Administration is strong
expulsions yes in extreme cases they don’t take any BS when the kids break the pledge they all sign at the beginning of the year. for less extreme cases they have detention and honor council (committee of teachers and peers). the learning center is wonderful resource. there’s a lot you get for your money including many teachers who have the time to be invested in your teen’s success.
PS i have had a few parents of big 5 etc tell me about buyers remorse (we have a junior) and wish they had looked/considered more broadly and the course selections are more appealing to them at FH as well as the peer groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the school is very good
yes many nay sayers that it’s mediocre bc it’s not a pressure cooker for those who don’t want it. i have news for them.. Karma kicks in at some point
easy to find friends. parent community very friendly. Administration is strong
expulsions yes in extreme cases they don’t take any BS when the kids break the pledge they all sign at the beginning of the year. for less extreme cases they have detention and honor council (committee of teachers and peers). the learning center is wonderful resource. there’s a lot you get for your money including many teachers who have the time to be invested in your teen’s success.
PS i have had a few parents of big 5 etc tell me about buyers remorse (we have a junior) and wish they had looked/considered more broadly and the course selections are more appealing to them at FH as well as the peer groups.

No one at a Big 5 would wish that they sent their child to FH.

[Anonymous]

you’d be surprised and you must live under a rock. there are a lot of negatives associated with big 5 esp for some kids who don’t thrive socially or academically (not to mention some faculty issues)

[Anonymous]

There is a wide range in the academics so the kids can find what is a best fit for them. There are some very bright and talented kids at the top and the bottom is probably lower than what you would expect at an expensive private school and is more similar to a public. The middle set skews a little lower than other privates, which is where I think some of the negative comments come from. The offset is that the schools is not a grind so kids select into the appropriate cohort and can thrive. Our child is challenged and motivated by the academics and the teachers and has done well there.

The sports for the most part are not very good (with some exceptions like volleyball) but if you want your child to be on a team and play they can do so there as compared to some other private and public schools. Many of the sports are no cut so kids can try different things. To me, this is a plus. If your aspiration is playing in college, there are better schools but your kids might not make the team

Socially a wide range of kids and diversity but that is offset by severe entitlement. The wealth is palpable and the kids flaunt it. The kids are vapid and very cliquish especially the kids who have been there pre HS. Not the nicest set of kids, it is an issue. Many discipline problems ( sex in bathroom, weapon to school….) but the administration took action and expelled the kids ( about 8% have of my kid’s class have been expelled so far ). Socially our child says all the kids try and go to Madison parties because more activity there. The classmates have been our biggest negative thus far.

Overall there are lots of opportunities to make the school what you want it to be and what is right for your child but it really caters to the kids where the “top privates “ are not not an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is very good
yes many nay sayers that it’s mediocre bc it’s not a pressure cooker for those who don’t want it. i have news for them.. Karma kicks in at some point
easy to find friends. parent community very friendly. Administration is strong
expulsions yes in extreme cases they don’t take any BS when the kids break the pledge they all sign at the beginning of the year. for less extreme cases they have detention and honor council (committee of teachers and peers). the learning center is wonderful resource. there’s a lot you get for your money including many teachers who have the time to be invested in your teen’s success.
PS i have had a few parents of big 5 etc tell me about buyers remorse (we have a junior) and wish they had looked/considered more broadly and the course selections are more appealing to them at FH as well as the peer groups.

No one at a Big 5 would wish that they sent their child to FH.

I attended a big 3 and was miserable. I wish I’d gone to FH. And FH was one of our top two contenders for DC for HS. Didn’t even consider my big 3 alma mater.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is very good
yes many nay sayers that it’s mediocre bc it’s not a pressure cooker for those who don’t want it. i have news for them.. Karma kicks in at some point
easy to find friends. parent community very friendly. Administration is strong
expulsions yes in extreme cases they don’t take any BS when the kids break the pledge they all sign at the beginning of the year. for less extreme cases they have detention and honor council (committee of teachers and peers). the learning center is wonderful resource. there’s a lot you get for your money including many teachers who have the time to be invested in your teen’s success.
PS i have had a few parents of big 5 etc tell me about buyers remorse (we have a junior) and wish they had looked/considered more broadly and the course selections are more appealing to them at FH as well as the peer groups.

No one at a Big 5 would wish that they sent their child to FH.

I attended a big 3 and was miserable. I wish I’d gone to FH. And FH was one of our top two contenders for DC for HS. Didn’t even consider my big 3 alma mater.

Sounds like your DC and you were not Big 3 material. It was wise to apply to a much less advanced school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is very good
yes many nay sayers that it’s mediocre bc it’s not a pressure cooker for those who don’t want it. i have news for them.. Karma kicks in at some point
easy to find friends. parent community very friendly. Administration is strong
expulsions yes in extreme cases they don’t take any BS when the kids break the pledge they all sign at the beginning of the year. for less extreme cases they have detention and honor council (committee of teachers and peers). the learning center is wonderful resource. there’s a lot you get for your money including many teachers who have the time to be invested in your teen’s success.
PS i have had a few parents of big 5 etc tell me about buyers remorse (we have a junior) and wish they had looked/considered more broadly and the course selections are more appealing to them at FH as well as the peer groups.

No one at a Big 5 would wish that they sent their child to FH.

I attended a big 3 and was miserable. I wish I’d gone to FH. And FH was one of our top two contenders for DC for HS. Didn’t even consider my big 3 alma mater.

Sounds like your DC and you were not Big 3 material. It was wise to apply to a much less advanced school.

I mean I graduated with a 3.8, but it nearly killed me. I didn’t say I didn’t do well, just that I was miserable. So yeah, not Big 3 material, I guess. And not about to put my kid through the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is very good
yes many nay sayers that it’s mediocre bc it’s not a pressure cooker for those who don’t want it. i have news for them.. Karma kicks in at some point
easy to find friends. parent community very friendly. Administration is strong
expulsions yes in extreme cases they don’t take any BS when the kids break the pledge they all sign at the beginning of the year. for less extreme cases they have detention and honor council (committee of teachers and peers). the learning center is wonderful resource. there’s a lot you get for your money including many teachers who have the time to be invested in your teen’s success.
PS i have had a few parents of big 5 etc tell me about buyers remorse (we have a junior) and wish they had looked/considered more broadly and the course selections are more appealing to them at FH as well as the peer groups.

No one at a Big 5 would wish that they sent their child to FH.

I attended a big 3 and was miserable. I wish I’d gone to FH. And FH was one of our top two contenders for DC for HS. Didn’t even consider my big 3 alma mater.

I feel sorry for you and your children...so sad you have to feel superior by putting others down for not having your superiority views of private school. The world is much bigger than this microcosm


Sounds like your DC and you were not Big 3 material. It was wise to apply to a much less advanced school.

[Anonymous]

Parent of 2 US teens. My kids love their school. They are happy as are their friends. Their teachers are supportive and my teens have grown as students. The students when I visit are happy and relaxed...not stressed out like many of their peers at the BIg 3 or 5. There is life outside of these selective schools and the small minded outlook of these schools or bust shows a lack of understanding that not everyone is built for a pressure cooker. Even those who graduated pressure cookers in some ways would never do it again if asked. I am happy my teens are having a more typical high school experience and enjoying their HS years and I know will be prepared for the rigor of college.
For those genuinely interested..please go visit the school and have your child visit for a day with other students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is very good
yes many nay sayers that it’s mediocre bc it’s not a pressure cooker for those who don’t want it. i have news for them.. Karma kicks in at some point
easy to find friends. parent community very friendly. Administration is strong
expulsions yes in extreme cases they don’t take any BS when the kids break the pledge they all sign at the beginning of the year. for less extreme cases they have detention and honor council (committee of teachers and peers). the learning center is wonderful resource. there’s a lot you get for your money including many teachers who have the time to be invested in your teen’s success.
PS i have had a few parents of big 5 etc tell me about buyers remorse (we have a junior) and wish they had looked/considered more broadly and the course selections are more appealing to them at FH as well as the peer groups.

No one at a Big 5 would wish that they sent their child to FH.

I attended a big 3 and was miserable. I wish I’d gone to FH. And FH was one of our top two contenders for DC for HS. Didn’t even consider my big 3 alma mater.

Sounds like your DC and you were not Big 3 material. It was wise to apply to a much less advanced school.

What a lame attempt at trolling.... Is that supposed to offend the PP who attended a Big 3 and didn't like it? Weak. I actually laughed out loud when I read it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but another parent interested for my two boys. I have one shy academic kid and one social butterfly. Both kids play a lot of sports.

Can anyone share what life is like socially?

I’m concerned kids will be geographically far apart and harder to hang out. I’m especially concerned for my shy kid. Afraid he won’t have any friends outside school.

"I’m especially concerned for my shy kid. Afraid he won’t have any friends outside school."

We are not at Flint Hill but many of my child's friends are and they get together often. They seem to have a fine time at the school. What I wanted to mainly say is that this is something you will need to address at any private school. Kids, especially at this age (and difficulty level), spend most of their time at school and with the people they meet at school. You will need to learn to facilitate them being able to see their friends outside of school hours/have get togethers/trips/ etc. and encourage your shy child. I don't know all of the children at FH, but I know a number of them as our K8 has sent many of them there over time. Especially from last year's group, there are a ton of great kids that are friendly and open minded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but another parent interested for my two boys. I have one shy academic kid and one social butterfly. Both kids play a lot of sports.

Can anyone share what life is like socially?

I’m concerned kids will be geographically far apart and harder to hang out. I’m especially concerned for my shy kid. Afraid he won’t have any friends outside school.

"I’m especially concerned for my shy kid. Afraid he won’t have any friends outside school."

We are not at Flint Hill but many of my child's friends are and they get together often. They seem to have a fine time at the school. What I wanted to mainly say is that this is something you will need to address at any private school. Kids, especially at this age (and difficulty level), spend most of their time at school and with the people they meet at school. You will need to learn to facilitate them being able to see their friends outside of school hours/have get togethers/trips/ etc. and encourage your shy child. I don't know all of the children at FH, but I know a number of them as our K8 has sent many of them there over time. Especially from last year's group, there are a ton of great kids that are friendly and open minded.

PP here. by last year's group I mean last year's K8 so this year's freshmen

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is very good
yes many nay sayers that it’s mediocre bc it’s not a pressure cooker for those who don’t want it. i have news for them.. Karma kicks in at some point
easy to find friends. parent community very friendly. Administration is strong
expulsions yes in extreme cases they don’t take any BS when the kids break the pledge they all sign at the beginning of the year. for less extreme cases they have detention and honor council (committee of teachers and peers). the learning center is wonderful resource. there’s a lot you get for your money including many teachers who have the time to be invested in your teen’s success.
PS i have had a few parents of big 5 etc tell me about buyers remorse (we have a junior) and wish they had looked/considered more broadly and the course selections are more appealing to them at FH as well as the peer groups.

No one at a Big 5 would wish that they sent their child to FH.

I attended a big 3 and was miserable. I wish I’d gone to FH. And FH was one of our top two contenders for DC for HS. Didn’t even consider my big 3 alma mater.

Sounds like your DC and you were not Big 3 material. It was wise to apply to a much less advanced school.

LMAO. The so-called "big 3" reject myriad top students simply because their parents are not exalted enough. You are lucky to skate by on the coattails of the few actually best qualified students they allow to rub elbows with the knuckledragging nouveau riche.