Featured: Published April 12, 2009
If you are trying to figure out how one boarding school compares with another, you probably tried looking for a site which ranks schools. Well, good luck! If you find one, let us know. There is no ranking system for boarding schools that we know of. Try it yourself. Google "private school rankings" or "ranking private schools" and see what you get. Not very helpful answers. So, let's look at the reasons why this the case.
1. Private schools are unique.
Each school does its own thing. Schools are overseen and managed by trustees and faculty who have a particular point of view. For example, a Jesuit boarding school such as Georgetown Prep has a quite different approach to curriculum and teaching than The Putney School does.
Each school does its own thing. Schools are overseen and managed by trustees and faculty who have a particular point of view. For example, a Jesuit boarding school such as Georgetown Prep has a quite different approach to curriculum and teaching than The Putney School does.
The broad strokes of the program may be similar on the surface. Most schools will offer courses in core subjects such as English, science and math, sports and extracurricular activities. But exactly what courses and at what levels they are offered, what teams are fielded and how many extracurricular activities are offered varies widely from school to school.
2. Private schools do not divulge data.
The NAIS has taken the lead in this debate. And for all kinds of very good reasons. It and all the state and regional associations have for many years counselled their members not to talk to the press. That's why there are no rankings such as you find in Newsweek or U.S. News and World Report for colleges and high schools. Things like where graduates matriculated, SAT test scores and so on, must be discovered either by checking individual school websites or by asking the admissions staff. The data is readily available. It's just not gathered and neatly packaged in one convenient place.
The NAIS has taken the lead in this debate. And for all kinds of very good reasons. It and all the state and regional associations have for many years counselled their members not to talk to the press. That's why there are no rankings such as you find in Newsweek or U.S. News and World Report for colleges and high schools. Things like where graduates matriculated, SAT test scores and so on, must be discovered either by checking individual school websites or by asking the admissions staff. The data is readily available. It's just not gathered and neatly packaged in one convenient place.
3. The best school is the one which works best for you.
Choosing a boarding school is similar to choosing a college. You are looking for the best fit. That's really all that matters. How do you determine the best fit? You need to have a serious discussion about exactly what you desire in a school. Let that determine which schools end up on your short list.
Put another way, we all know that Exeter and Andover are top boarding schools. But there are hundreds of other boarding schools out there. They have great academic programs, superb facilities, dedicated, highly credentialed teachers, and all manner of athletics and enrichment activities. Most do an excellent job of preparing your child for college.
How do you find these schools? By doing your research. Hire an educational consultant if you can afford it. Consultants have forgotten more about boarding schools than you and I could ever know. The $3,000 or $4,000 you will spend on a consultant virtually guarantees you a good fit. Nothing is guaranteed, of course, but you get the idea.
Boarding school ranks don't matter. Only fit does. Get the fit right and you will have a happy child and great learning experience.
Choosing a boarding school is similar to choosing a college. You are looking for the best fit. That's really all that matters. How do you determine the best fit? You need to have a serious discussion about exactly what you desire in a school. Let that determine which schools end up on your short list.
Put another way, we all know that Exeter and Andover are top boarding schools. But there are hundreds of other boarding schools out there. They have great academic programs, superb facilities, dedicated, highly credentialed teachers, and all manner of athletics and enrichment activities. Most do an excellent job of preparing your child for college.
How do you find these schools? By doing your research. Hire an educational consultant if you can afford it. Consultants have forgotten more about boarding schools than you and I could ever know. The $3,000 or $4,000 you will spend on a consultant virtually guarantees you a good fit. Nothing is guaranteed, of course, but you get the idea.
Boarding school ranks don't matter. Only fit does. Get the fit right and you will have a happy child and great learning experience.
More Resources
- Boarding School Rankings: Ignore Them!
- Ranking the Rankers
- Why Ranking Private Schools Doesn't Matter
- 10 Top Reasons to Go to Boarding School
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What prompts somebody to start a boarding school? The motives range from idealism to munificence on through to capitalism. - 10 Facts About Boarding Schools
Here are 10 facts about boarding schools which the schools want you to know. If you are considering sending your child to boarding school, this data and information will address some of your concerns. - Boarding School DO's and DON'TS
Here are some considerations to ponder whilst choosing schools and when your child is actually away at school. - The Boarding School Glossary
Boarding schools have their own jargon just like any activity or affinity group has. - Boarding School Myths
Read about common boarding school myths in case your perception of boarding school is driven largely by popular movies and urban legend. - Boarding School Pictures
What does boarding school life look like? View photos from a variety of boarding schools and see if you can also picture yourself there. - Dr. Hank Nuwer on Hazing
We asked Dr. Hank Nuwer,a nationally recognized authority on the subject of hazing, to weigh in with his views. - International Students: Boarding School Benefits
Boarding school is appealling to both U.S. and international students. Learn why boarding school is a popular option for international students around the world. - Summer Boarding School Programs
Learn several key reasons why a summer boarding school program can be beneficial for your child. - True or False: Boarding Schools.....
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Explore the different types of boarding school options in the US. Find which type of boarding school is most appropriate for you. - Understanding Financial Aid
Learn how financial aid works in boarding schools. - Understanding the Post-Graduate (PG) Year
Learn about the Post-Graduate(PG) Year, and how it can benefit certain students. - What If Things Go Wrong?
Boarding schools have a reputation for being tough academically and from a discipline point of view. But that's not all they are. - When Should I Go Off to Boarding School?
When should you go off to boarding school? It depends. Most students enter prep school in 10th grade. But you have choices. - Why Do a Gap or Post-Graduate (PG) Year?
Learn why more and more students are choosing to do a gap or post graduate (PG) year at boarding school. - 5 Common Myths About Military Schools
Military schools seem to go in and out of favor with the general public. Perhaps that has to do with some rather common misconceptions about what military schools are and how they operate. Let's take a look. - 5 Reasons to Choose a Boys' School
We have been hearing a lot about the benefits of single sex education recently. Here are five reasons why you should consider choosing a boys' school for your son. - 5 Reasons To Choose a Girls' School
There is a body of research which suggests that girls do learn differently from boys. So, if that is the case, maybe you should consider a girls' school for your daughter instead of sending her off to a coed school. Here are some points to ponder. - 5 Reasons to Choose a Junior Boarding School
A junior boarding school offers certain distinct advantages for the middle school aged student. Here are five reasons why you should consider choosing this option for your child. - Benefits of a Small Boarding School
Learn about the benefits of a small boarding school. - Choosing a School: Comparing Schools
Use a spreadsheet to develop your initial list of schools. Here's how. - Considering a U.S. Arts Program?
"If the arts are part of your interests and your passion, you should research each school’s available offerings. Spend time reading the school’s literature and visiting its website..." Brought to you by Boarding Schools in the USA - Girls' School Graduates Have an Edge
Exciting new research shows that a girls' boarding school can offer your daughter many advantages. - How to Apply to Boarding School
There are several ways to apply to boarding school. - Looking at Schools
"Do you like large schools or small schools? Are you most comfortable in a city, small town or countryside? Are you interested in attending a school that has a religious or military orientation? Would you like to attend a school that is only for boys or girls? These are some questions you must ask yourself before you begin your search for the right U.S. boarding school for you..." Brought to you by Boarding Schools in the USA - Quaker Education: What’s Different about a Friends School?
Learn about the benefits of attending a Quaker boarding school. - Schools for Students with Learning Disabilities
How to deal with a child who has a learning disability. - Using an Educational Consultant
An education consultant knows schools. Like any professional he has vast experience in and knowledge of his chosen field. - What About Canadian Schools?
Canadian boarding schools have a lot going for them. Great value, location in a foreign but friendly neighboring country, English speaking, fine academics, all kinds of sporting activities besides hockey and skiing and much more. - Why a Progressive School?
Sending your son or daughter to a progressive school sounds like a real leap of faith. It is, that is, until you look more closely at the kind of education your child will receive. Then you will understand the idealism in action which progressive schools embody. - Teaching in a Boarding School
Teaching or working in a boarding school is quite unlike any job in a day school.
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- About Boarding School (18 articles)
- Teaching (1 article)
