Anonymous wrote:It is a rigorous school with wonderful teachers and school spirit, but it caters to a very specific type of kid, particularly pre-high school- athletic, neurotypical, extroverted, and wealthy. If your kid is on the shy side and/or doesn’t play sports, it can be a difficult environment to navigate and the “star” athletes and students tend to suck up a lot of oxygen. Agree that the class composition can make/break the experience. DD’s class was awful- loud, entitled, disruptive, lots of drugs and alcohol. DS’s class was the opposite- very bright, focused, “good” kids. The upper school was much stronger than the LS/MS/IS in our experience, so you could just apply for 9th (or even 7th, which I think is slightly easier to get in) and save $ in the meantime. The school has a very particular vibe, so would only apply if it aligns with your kids’ interests and personalities. Plenty of other schools out there. Good luck!
Agree 💯 with above comments-and would add that the admin and teachers also cater to this type of kid. The shy, quiet and kind kids are bypassed for the leadership positions in favor for the lifers and the BS artists. Cheaters get overlooked or a slap on the wrist. Academics are rigorous and college outcomes largely good but everything about this place felt disingenuous. The graduating class is fragmented with bullying cliques ruling the roost. Covid probably played a role but not the whole story. As the PP said, look beyond the surface and choose carefully.