Looking for our boarding school unicorn?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Taft is located right on a river do you can row right there, without traveling to a boathouse.

No school is going to be all nice kids. Because boarding is a relatively rare choice in the US, and extremely expensive, the families tend to be atypical in some way (affluence usually). Or unusual family situation/structure. But of course those kids can still be nice.

Second this. Don’t fall in love with beauty of campus and beware the videos. The kids are often not so nice. Unlike day school, your kid can’t come home at end of day. They are stuck. Figure out campus culture, the student body beforehand. As noted, and speaking in generalities, these kids tend to be affluent and entitled. Really regret sending our very nice kid to one of schools mentioned in this thread. DC excelled but the social environment was terrible. And we used one of the educational consultants regularly promoted on this website. Never have we paid so much for so little. If you go this path, do your own research.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Deerfield mum of 2: Thank you for your insight. The same phenomenon is playing out at boarding schools here. The self segregation is real and impacts community. Our son’s city day/boarding school has just put a 2-yr circuit breaker pause on the pipeline while they create a strategy to address better integration. The school requires all Year 9 boys to live at their bush campus and it has a rigorous physical/outdoor ed/teambuilding curriculum for five months. This is where the mismatch was insanely apparent. My son will attend this and finish in June, then head to the US to start Year 9 from scratch (seasonal misalignment). Would love to find a cultural melting pot with real integration.

Wouldn’t all rowing be varsity? He would love a competitive program with enough kids who take it seriously that a few boats can race each other during practices. He’s just really into it and needs 7+ 1 other guys to make it happen. And we would love easy/on campus river access. Not excited about being bussed to the boatshed if it can be avoided.

I think Exeter sounds too big? Current school is 225 per Year. It’s working okay for him, but can feel a little too big. St. Andrew’s looks great but might be small? Definitely applying anyhow. Of the schools you mentioned, are any a bit more relaxed? He’s a very solid student with solid mental health to match. I feel protective of all kids’ mental health these days. I guess what I am looking for is high personal standards but not high collective pressure. To each his own with regards to how success is defined.

What questions do you suggest I ask to get a real sense of culture? On You Tube, they all make similar claims. No surprise. I would love to know what features of Deerfield you think are standout.

And they all have low admission rates. He might need to apply to multiple and the choice gets made for us? So casting a wide net.

St Andrews in Middletown Delaware should continue to be top of your list! My son rowed all four years, the school was fabulous for his growth in every way ( the head crew coach is going to Lawrenceville next year tho)(so you might look at Lawrenceville as well)

[Anonymous]

Any of the Six Schools League schools would be great for your requirements. It’s the Ivy League of boarding schools. Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

Kent, Pomfret, Blair. My 2nd cousin did crew at Kent then went on to row crew at a D3 college. He was not super athletic but really loved doing crew there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if Mercersburg has a good rowing program but in terms of strong academics and a laid back atmosphere, it's a school to look at.

St. Andrews should be on your list. Just like what everyone else says.

Read OP's post and was ready to recommend St. Andrews but saw everyone else beat me to it. We are a rowing family and the most normal, down-to-earth and successful college rowers we know came out of St. Andrews. The program that DH works with recruits from there with intention.

If you make a separate post, I'd be happy to share where all the jerks come from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Paul’s.

Agree.

St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire. (Concord is the capitol of the state of New Hampshire.)

Outstanding rowing program. Incredible academics. But, there will be a lot of students from wealthy, but not showy,families.

St.Paul's School is 100% boarding and evenly divided between male and female students.

All of the schools being discussed have crazy wealth, but I would have reservations about St. Paul's. When OP says wealthy families, they mean so wealthy that they don't bother to be showy and lots of them all seem to know each other and be connected to each other. St. Paul's was so tantalizing but we were put off by the feeling that we would definitely be on the outside of things.

[Anonymous]

OP-- kids in Australia are much nicer based on my experience. Keep your kid there. Too many rich US kids are bullies.

[Anonymous]

@1:30

Are you able to share what informed this feeling? I am sure it is not the only campus, but we don't know how to identify such an environment, particularly from a distance. What specifically did you notice? You put words to our concern, but it's tough to define/identify. We are really looking for a truly integrated community. Thank you for your help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St. Andrews, Berkshire, and Northfield Mount Herman look interesting, for reference.

Son goes to NMH and loves it. Lots of international students, very welcoming vibe.

[Anonymous]

Where are you going to be living, OP? Some US cities have good or decent day/boarding schools. List the city and people might have ideas. Your kid could live with you and then only shift to boarding if he had to.

[Anonymous]

The George School if a quaker school appeals.

[Anonymous]

Rothesay Netherwood School.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aussie family excited to soon move your way! We would love feedback/suggestions about school culture for boarding schools that fit the following:

1. Eastern US region
2. Must have a rowing program. (His absolute most favorite sport. Rugby is a distant second.)
3. And the single most important factor: Nice kids! Not excited about schools filled with billionaire alpha spawn who let you know the minute you walk in the door that the fix is in: They have it all sewn up, and you are there as window dressing to fill out the high school so they can hoover up all the awards and college placements.

I know 3 sounds rough, but it is what we were told by a few US families at our school here in Sydney. They are discouraging us. The culture is very different from the marketing is what we are told. Toxic is what they said, but I am keeping an open mind. However, our transfer might have us moving around, and we would like a consistent four year experience with solid relationships for our child.

We are not as hung up on the "perceived prestige" factor. I've read up on the acronyms and rankings. Interesting, but not persuasive. Great teaching and community for a bright kid is the goal.

Sooo....... what have you got for me? Thanks mate

Exeter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also avoid Prep and St Albans

Those aren’t real boarding schools - those are really day schools with a small boarding population

[Anonymous]

OP we’ve lived both in the states and Sydney, and I’d say truly your son won’t find a huge difference between the students in either place. I think whoever told you point 3 is generalizing something odd that they experienced. My kids haven’t found a huge difference overall, other than more kids here do multiple sports seriously vs specialize in one at an earlier age.
For schools, where are you going to be posted first? A day school with a boarding option might be a nice way to hedge against a new posting elsewhere while letting you have more time with your son. Otherwise, I’d look at Deerfield, st Andrews & Lawrenceville. Good luck