As a Field parent of two students, it is not a matter oF a lighter load but the way the students are taught. The small classes do not allow a student to coast along unnoticed. There is also a lot of intreractive teaching and real life experiences Therefore there isn't the need for as much homework. As far as free time, since each student is required to participate in sports or a physical activity maNy kids who at other schools would not have the opportunity to be on a team get to participate and This builds school spirit. Other kids in their free time participate in the artS, jazz band a Capella, pottery, painting and musical and non musical productions. Also Field students have time to participate iN outside actvities like scouts and other community service projects. field students do get into good colleges and more importantly do well at these schools.

Anonymous wrote:Almost. Consortium.
http://www.slaconsortium.org/

Presumably PP's DC doesn't go to a consortium but a college.

That said, looks like the "s" represents "selective" rather than "small". Which is kind of a shame since it opts into the same kind of craziness lots of people head to SLACs to avoid.

Is it just the lighter workload that makes kids at Field happier (or less miserable), to the extent they are? What do they do with the extra time? Are there "cultural" differences between Field and the "Big #" schools?

Yes it's a mix but one of them (Pomona) is one of the most selective.

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges/spp+50

Anonymous wrote:Almost. Consortium.
http://www.slaconsortium.org/

This is one group of SLACs -- selective liberal arts colleges -- which includes some very good schools, but not the most selective.

For Field parents who have had kids go through the college application process: I've heard very positive things about the college counseling program at Field and would love to hear about your experiences. What makes that program so successful?

Almost. Consortium.
http://www.slaconsortium.org/

small liberal arts college

Sorry if I seem dumb but what is a SLAC? I have heard people are quite happy with the college counseling at Field.

Field has a generally different student body than GDS/SFS. So, it really depends on the kid as an earlier psoter said. It's hard to judge happiness by the way. Some kids would be happy anywhere and some nowhere and some would be in the middle.

Parents are generally happier their kid got into SFS, then GDS, then Field.

Field starts at Grade Six as of this year academic.

DC is in HS and is very happy as are we. The school has absolutely amazing teachers.

Does Field have a middle school or only high school

My son chose Field over GDS (didn't get into Sidwell) and has had a wonderful high school experience. He'll be matriculating to a well regarded SLAC (his first choice college) in the fall, and seems well prepared to thrive there.

It totally depends on the kid. I know of kids who have moved from one to the other and are now much happier - if your DS is unhappy at SFS/GDS, and the root of the unhappiness is the high expectations/high pressure atmosphere, then yes, he might well be happier at Field.

Talking HS here, and boys if that matters.