INDEpENDENT SCHOOL GuIDE
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working on the water brings us closer together. There’s one constant that each of us relies upon at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. It’s the bond that exists between all Cadets, entrusted with saving lives and protecting our nation’s coasts and waterways. We quickly become family, taking on challenges bigger than ourselves in a nationally ranked Bachelor of Science degree program. And our reward is not only a guaranteed paid career serving our country, but the knowledge that as Coasties we’ll always look out for each other. It’s why the Academy is like no other college in the nation.
Experience more at uscga.edu
Why would a student help another scale a 10-foot wall? Why would a 17-year-old walk differently than his friends back home? Hold his head higher? Consider himself a leader? The answer is pride. A private day and boarding academy for grades 7-12 and postgraduate, VFMA’s mission is preparing students for competitive four-year colleges. 99% of our cadets are accepted to their first- or second-choice schools. And more than 63% matriculate at the nation’s leading universities. The primary reason for that is our Five Cornerstones —academic excellence, character development, personal motivation, physical development, and leadership. Our students thrive and grow thanks to an average class size of just 13, with a student-teacher ratio of 10:1. Valley Forge Military Academy is not for everyone. It is not easy. In fact, it’s demanding. But students who are ready to push themselves to new heights, who are ready to learn, to follow, and ultimately to lead, will not only flourish here. They will proudly flourish in whatever paths they choose in life.
1001 EAGLE ROAD, WAYNE, PA 866-923-VFMA | ACADEMY.VFMAC.EDU
A boy’s education without Character Development and Consistent Structure
Our personalized instruction provides the right equipment Be Informed | Be Selective | Apply Now
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NEW YORK MILITARY ACADEMY CO-ED • COLLEGE PREP • 7TH - 12TH GRADE BOARDING & DAY SCHOOL
Located just 60 miles from New York City,
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Military Academy is an important part of
America’s independent school heritage. Today, we offer a rigorous global curriculum for students who actively seek to be Set Apart for Excellence. We do this in a structured program that enables our graduates to enter college inspired, engaged, and ready for the future. ACAdemiC TrACks our CAdeTs Are pursuiNg: Classical College Prep Studies • Service Academy Preparatory • International Diplomacy • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics • Research and Technology • Business/Entrepreneurial
ACADEMICS ATHLETICS CHARACTER LEADERSHIP
Visit our website for OpeN hOuSe dates. Call Now for Reservations! Please visit our website for Summer Program information
888-ASK-NYMA • WWW.NYMA.ORG NYMA 78 Academy Ave • Cornwall on Hudson, NY
Army Navy Academy
College Preparatory Boarding School for Boys, Grades 7-12
Honor. Integrity. Respect. Responsibility. Compassion. Since 1910, Army and Navy Academy has developed scholarship and honorable character in young men. The Academy is an internationally acclaimed college preparatory boarding and day school with a proud tradition of setting young men on a course for academic, personal and professional excellence.
The Academy’s approach is built on six pillars: academics, athletics, leadership, character development, residential life and the associated student body.
The Academy follows University of California standards for matriculation and incorporates leadership training and character development into the daily curriculum. Our highly structured program is rooted in individualized personal attention, with an emphasis on responsibility and accountability.
Call 888.762.2338 or visit armyandnavyacademy.org
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL GUIDE MILITARY ACADEMIES Army and Navy Academy Carlsbad, CA College Preparatory Boarding School for Boys, Grades 7-12 Since 1910, Army and Navy Academy has sought to develop scholarship and honorable character in young men. To achieve these results, the Academy demands high curriculum standards in combination with essential life management, good citizenship and leadership skills. The Army and Navy Academy is a college preparatory boarding school for grades 7-12 that follows UC standards and incorporates leadership training and character development. Our cadets develop internal self-government and benefit from having a greater degree of structure, motivation and discipline in their daily routine. Accreditation The Army and Navy Academy is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), in association with the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS). Academics One of our core competencies is the academic achievement of our students. On a regular basis, students show significant improvement in their G.P.A., often within the first semester of attendance. Small class sizes, a highly committed staff and individualized support enable students to achieve better results and improve their chances for attending a college or university of their choice. Students can benefit from a structured schedule, small classes and study skills training. Our challenging college-prep curriculum is based on the standards established by the University of California system requirements (a-g). The Academic Department provides a variety of academic support services for cadets including daily tutorial, supervised study hall, academic counseling, and college planning services. Campus Setting The Academy has been established in its current oceanfront location in Carlsbad, CA since 1936. It is 35 miles north of San Diego and approximately 80 miles south of Los Angeles. The campus consists of 29 buildings on 16.5 acres, including a gymnasium, cafeteria, library media center, classroom buildings, recreation center, chapel, dormitories, and vAlley Forge militAry AcAdemy
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faculty houses. In addition, the campus contains administrative offices, a swimming pool, tennis courts, athletic field, and beach access. Athletics The Academy participates in interscholastic sports competitions. We are members of the Coastal Conference, which is part of the San Diego section of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the governing body for all high school sports. For grades 9-12, we compete in Football, CrossCountry and Water Polo in the fall. Basketball, Wrestling and Soccer are offered in the winter and Baseball, Golf, Tennis, Swimming, Track and Field and Lacrosse are offered in the spring. For the 7th and 8th grades, we offer Flag Football, Basketball, Soccer and Baseball. Residential Life Safety and security are important at the Academy. Residential Life Officers oversee cadets and serve as a cadet’s mentor/advisor for time spent outside of the classroom. Leadership Opportunities Leadership opportunities are one of the unique aspects of the Army and Navy Academy program. Whether it’s participating in one of the Academy’s 20+ clubs or in the Leadership, Education and Training program (LET), opportunities to participate and lead are within reach for all cadets. Leadership training provides an underlying foundation that prepares high school students for leadership roles and cultivates independence, responsibility, accountability and self-discipline. To arrange a campus visit or for more information, please contact us: Email: admission@armyandnavyacademy.org Phone: 888-762-2338 Address: 2605 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad, CA. 92008 Visit our Website: ArmyandNavyAcademy.org/CPW
Valley Forge Military Academy Wayne, PA Valley Forge Military Academy (VFMA) is a private, all-male boarding school offering grades 7-12 and postgraduate. Established in 1928, VFMA has a long tradition of fostering personal growth through a comprehensive
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INDEPENDENT SCHOOL GUIDE system built on five cornerstones: academic excellence, character development, personal motivation, physical development, and leadership. Valley Forge graduates benefit from a kind of education that is unlike other schools. Small classes allow dedicated instructors to really understand their students. Instructors care not just about their own limited academic subjects, but about developing the whole person. Cadets start off as good followers, and they become great leaders. The entire institution is dedicated to producing citizens who will become, in the words of our mission, “a credit to themselves, their families, their alma mater, their country, and their God.” The diverse student body represents more than 35 states and 24 countries. VFMA has an excellent transfer record, with 99% of cadets accepted to their first or second choice schools. This year’s graduating class will enroll at top universities across the country and internationally, including Princeton University, NYU, Columbia University, Villanova University, the US Naval Academy, the US Military Academy at West Point, and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (UK). Although we are a military school, the result is not necessarily to pursue a career in the military, though nearly 10% of our graduates will choose this path. The VFMA “military model” is, at its core, a structured and disciplined way of carrying out the education and development of young students. Our students learn to manage their academics, leadership responsibilities, personal motivation, physical development, and learn character traits through the understanding that life is a constant balancing act, and the military model helps them to prioritize appropriately. It helps teach our students to manage their time, think critically, balance their responsibilities, and develop life skills that will propel them ahead of their peers. A challenging curriculum, dedicated faculty members, small classes, individual attention, and faculty supervised evening study hall provides cadets with an environment conducive to attaining academic success. The acquisition of knowledge, the development of skills, and the shaping of attitudes are emphasized to enable the cadets to excel academically and to inspire them to pursue education throughout life. The average class size is 13, and the student-teacher ratio is 10:1. Also unique to the VFMA educational experience, our academically qualified high school juniors and seniors are granted the opportunity to enroll in college level classes, taken at Valley Forge Military College, on campus. Each year, a few of our Academy cadets enroll in the College full time because of the special Senior ROTC Early Commissioning Program, where in just two years, they will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army, faster than their peers in other four year programs. Our college is one of only five schools in the country to offer this accelerated program, and is the only school in the Northeast. Learn more about Valley Forge Military Academy at academy.vfmac.edu, or contact us at 866-923-VFMA (8362). 1001 Eagle Road, Wayne, Pennsylvania.
It operates on the belief that God made man for His glory, and, therefore, everything that is taught in the classroom, achieved on the playing field, or modeled in relationships is done to the honor and glory of God. 2. Christian Family Atmosphere: Chamberlain-Hunt is the nation’s third-oldest military school and one of the few in the United States that self-consciously maintains its distinctive Christian character and strict military discipline. As a boarding school, Chamberlain-Hunt’s cadets are removed from some of the distractions of the usual high school scene and are placed in an environment that supports their academic, physical, and spiritual development. Cadets will not be using the internet, cell phones, radios or mp3 players. 3. Caring & Quality Faculty: 100% of the teaching faculty is certified and 90% hold advanced degrees. While the Academy’s instructors meet each cadet on his level, they also expect achievement and are always challenging them to reach a higher level of academic success. 4. Classroom Success: There is no danger of a child falling through the cracks at Chamberlain-Hunt. Chamberlain-Hunt’s cadets achieve distinction in the classroom, often for the first time. The cadet-teacher ratio is 6:1, with class sizes ranging from 1 to 14 students. 5. Competence and Confidence: Young men who complete the Academy’s program enter the nation’s top colleges and Service Academies. College-bound seniors score 4-5 points higher than the national average on the ACT. Over 90 percent of Chamberlain-Hunt’s graduates will enter college or join the military within one year of graduation. Many graduates will earn academic scholarships for college. Chamberlain-Hunt Academy is located 27 miles south of Vicksburg, and 37 miles north of Natchez on U.S. Highway 61 in rural Mississippi. The campus is approximately 200 acres in size. There is a 70-acre wilderness training facility adjacent to campus with two paintball courses, a climbing and rappelling tower, a 30-yard pistol and rifle range, a fitness trail, two confidence courses, and a 4.5-acre fishing pond. Choosing the right school is a big decision. An interview and tour of the campus is required of all new cadets. To begin this process, please contact the admissions office at admissions@chamberlain-hunt.com or call (601) 437-8855.
Chamberlain-Hunt
Vicksburg, MI Five unique features set Chamberlain-Hunt apart from other boarding schools: 1. Character Development: Among military schools, ChamberlainHunt provides more structure and accountability. Our Christian and caring faculty hold young men to a high standard of excellence in all things. Chamberlain-Hunt is first and foremost a Christian school.
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INDEPENDENT SCHOOL GUIDE New York Military Academy Academics • Athletics • Character • Leadership Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY Established in 1889, New York Military Academy’s motto of Toujours Prêt (Always Ready) reflects the long-standing mission of the school to prepare students for the challenges of the future by making them informed citizens. New York Military Academy is a co-ed, college preparatory school for day and boarding students in grades 7 through 12. Their curriculum develops students in mind, body, and spirit, while traditional course work, with electives designed to encourage exploration, prepares students for their collegiate future. They offer a rigorous curriculum for students who actively seek to be Set Apart for Excellence. They do this in a structured program that enables their graduates to enter college inspired, engaged, and ready for the future.
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Represented by students from twelve states and ten countries, overall achievement is measured by the 100% success rate of graduating seniors in gaining admissions to the nation’s leading colleges and universities. Every student participates in a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and interscholastic athletic program. The academy offers varsity, junior varsity, and modified athletic teams that compete in sports, such as soccer, football, fencing, basketball, swimming, softball, wrestling, baseball, tennis, golf, lacrosse, just to name a few. The military organizational structure and tradition combine with confidence and self-discipline to enhance the students’ achievements in and out of the classroom. The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps teaches accountability and responsibility while developing character and leadership skills. It is these skills that define their students as successful citizens, capable of making significant contributions to their communities and country. The prestigious and highest designation awarded by the Department of the Army, Honor Unit with Distinction, allows New York Military Academy to nominate qualified seniors to the United States Service Academies. The Academy’s “tracks of intentions” high school discovery program enables students to pursue lines of academic credit and co-curricular experiences that enable them to gain exposure to areas of inspiration. Those tracks of intention cadets currently pursue are:
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Classical/College Preparatory Business/Entrepreneurial Research & Technology International Diplomacy Service Academy Preparatory STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Weekend outings, parades, field trips, band, drill team, and an equestrian program are just a few of the additional activities that round out cadet life at the academy. NYMA’s competitive academic, experiential education and athletic programs are enhanced by a structured boarding environment that includes daily tutorials, a nightly, mentored study hall, a robust ESL program and a 12:1 student/teacher ratio in the classroom. Cadets enjoy opportunities to not only learn accountability but to practice peer leadership and to accept important responsibility. One of the things that sets NYMA apart from the normal college prep school is what they call the “real-life leadership lab.” Putting their cadets in positions of increased accountability and responsibility in the Cadet Corps, while at the same time requiring them to maintain a high level of academic and athletic participation, requires them to constantly improve their organization, planning, time management and multitasking skills. They believe development in these critical areas gives their graduates a distinct advantage over others as they transition into some of the more prestigious colleges and universities in America. Please browse the website and become familiar with what sets New York Military Academy apart from other college prep schools. Then schedule a visit and come see for yourself why their cadets are Set Apart for Excellence by being inspired, engaged and ready for their future. 845-534-3710 x 4272 or 888-ASK-NYMA; Online at www.nyma.org. New York Military Academy: 78 Academy Avenue, Cornwall-onHudson, NY.
Riverside Military Academy Gainesville, GA Founded in 1907, Riverside Military Academy (RMA) offers a traditional, American-style education where personal values, honor, and love of country still matter. Riverside is not owned or operated by any particular religious denomination, but supports the spiritual and educational goals of all families. Riverside’s 2010-11 Corps of Cadets consists of over 380 cadets from 15 countries. RMA is first and foremost a college preparatory school. They offer high quality academics in a structured environment designed to meet the needs of boys in grades 7-12. The military setting adds structure, responsibility, accountability and yes, consequences when necessary. All contribute to a well-rounded young man. This environment works for those who have historically underachieved, who simply have not been able to manage their time, and who tend to procrastinate in every endeavor. The rigorous days at RMA are filled with academics, military activities, social activities, and athletics. Thus, there is little time for non-productive activities. Over 70% of their faculty hold advanced degrees and encourage their cadets to develop the daily habits essential for success at home and in the workplace. These habits include organizational skills, time management, and the ability to manage stress through preparation and exercise. Cadets of Riverside Military Academy benefit from a small class size and a 14:1 student teacher ratio. Their
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL GUIDE riverside militAry AcAdemy
entire educational program centers around the way young men learn best. Because Riverside believes that there is a strong connection between physical and mental development, extra-curricular activities, field trips, and outdoor activities play an important role in the daily lives of cadets. The RMA program takes full advantage of its 206-acre campus, athletic facilities, and proximity to Lake Lanier, which is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Riverside’s college center assists cadets in preparing for and placing their college applications each year. The graduating class of 2010 consisted of 74 cadets who were admitted to over 90 universities, including the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Military Academy –West Point, and received over $4,100,000 in scholarships. Upon graduation, a Riverside cadet has experienced the challenges of the military model of education and is completely prepared for the rigors of college. He is poised, polite, and confident in any social environment. Riverside cadets stand tall, offer a firm handshake, respect authority, and display a level of confidence that parents may not have observed previously. Riverside Military Academy holds dual accreditation in SACS and SAIS. Located in Gainesville, Georgia, just one hour north of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Riverside is easily accessible to cadets and their families from around the world. In addition, RMA offers shuttle service to and from the airport for their cadets. Riverside Military Academy’s comprehensive program of rigorous academics, athletics and leadership development sets the stage for a lifetime of success. They invite you to learn more about Riverside Military Academy by visiting www.riversidemilitary.com or by calling the admissions office at 800/462-2338.
United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT ALL SECURE “All Secure” - That’s what you might hear a Coast Guard officer say after boarding a drug-running boat and eliminating its threat. Undoubtedly it’s the feeling a family in distress experiences after being recovered by a Coast Guard Search and Rescue mission. Security is what you’ll experience every day in the Coast Guard Academy knowing you’ll graduate debt-free and with a guaranteed leadership position. While the commitment after graduation is only 5 years, most Coast Guard officers decide to make it a career. After all, a life of adventure, protecting America’s borders and serving others
is hard to beat! But if you do choose a civilian career, an Academy diploma, five years of leadership experience and Coast Guard graduate school support will go a long way in helping you reach your goals. Your parents will also feel a sense of security knowing that their son or daughter is attending one of the nation’s most prestigious and selective institutions of higher education. Our campus provides a secure, supportive, and highly structured environment to prepare you to be one of our nation’s finest leaders. Cadets attend the Academy tuition-free, receive a stipend while in school, and are guaranteed an exciting profession in the United States Coast Guard when they graduate. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy has a proud tradition. Founded aboard a two-masted schooner in Baltimore in 1876, this nationally recognized, accredited college is dedicated to educating future Coast Guard officers. Whether it’s the quality of academic programming, leadership development, or rigorous professional training, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy has been recognized as among the best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, Princeton Review and Forbes.com. The Coast Guard Academy offers a wide variety of engineering, strategic intelligence, mathematics and science classes along with courses in the humanities. While the academic and athletic requirements of the Academy make it one of the most competitive schools in the nation, a Congressional nomination is not required for admission. At our beautiful waterfront campus on the Thames River in New London, Connecticut, the Academy provides a four-year Bachelor of Science degree program with a full scholarship for each individual. Each year, approximately 200 ensigns (or junior officers) are commissioned during graduation exercises in May. Following graduation, newly commissioned ensigns report for duty aboard cutters and at sea or at offices in ports nationwide. While the United States Coast Guards is notable as the oldest live-saving service in the world, its roles include more than just maritime safety and security. The Coast Guard is also called upon for critical service in protection of natural resources, maritime mobility (management of maritime traffic, commerce and navigation) and national defense. Secure your future and the future of others by attending the United States Coast Guard Academy. United States Coast Guard Academy, 31 Mohegan Avenue, New London, CT 06320. Admissions hotline: 800.883.USCG (8724) Admissions@uscga.edu; www.uscga.edu
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INDEPENDENT SCHOOL GUIDE DAY SCHOOLS Wooster School
Danbury, CT What do you look for in a school? Challenging academics? Competitive sports? Innovative arts? Dedicated teachers? Small classes? The latest technology? A beautiful campus? These are important qualities of a fine school, and Wooster is one of the finest. Since 1926, Wooster School has provided the premier educational experience in Northern Fairfield and Westchester counties. But a first-rate education is more than just the sum of its parts: Maybe what wooster school
Athletes may try out for the 32 Upper School teams. Upper School (Grades 9 to 12) provides an outstanding college preparatory curriculum within the context of a strong liberal arts tradition. Academic excellence is promoted through independent study, colloquia, honors, and Advanced Placement courses. Sophomores are eligible for our unique Year Abroad Program in France or Spain; all seniors participate in Senior Independent Study; “self-help” is a community philosophy wherein children and adults act as stewards of the School; and 100 hours of community service are required. We have talented, professional artists and musicians who bring their passion and skills to their classrooms. Sports teams compete in a 45-member Association as well as in New England Tournaments. Experienced counselors support students in the college application process. They explore their intellectual aspirations, personal goals, and career plans. Recent graduates have attended Amherst, Bard, Barnard, Boston College, Brown, Cambridge (UK), Carnegie-Mellon, Cornell, NYU, Pratt, Princeton, RIT, RPI, Tufts, UMichigan, UPenn, Wesleyan, and Williams. Inspiration lasts a lifetime… when it happens every day.. Come see for yourself. 91 Miry Brook Road, Danbury, CT. 203/830-3916 www.woosterschool.org.
The Children’s School Mission: A Thoughtful Child Who Likes to Learn
you’re really looking for is the best place for your child to grow up! Located on the Ridgefield/Danbury border, our scenic campus of over 100 acres provides a safe and peaceful environment that offers a variety of habitats for experimentation, direct study, and outdoor fun. Central to its educational mission, Wooster has maintained a longstanding commitment to diversity in its student body, staff, faculty, and Board of Trustees. We cultivate the intellectual, creative, athletic, spiritual, and ethical development of our students – for their benefit and for the good of the world. Lower School (Age 3 to Grade 5) emphasizes the joy of learning, integrating language arts with reasoning to create lifelong readers, writers, and problem solvers. A science lab, a foreign language initiative, computer skills, thematic units, varied athletics and recreational facilities, and a myriad of innovative events and programs are just some of our unique features. Middle School (Grades 6 to 8) offers a challenging curriculum taught in small groups by dedicated teachers. Students work with their advisors to navigate through the waters of early adolescence, while preparing to become autonomous learners. We feature classes in Latin, French, and Spanish; math classes grouped by ability; hands-on science; required geography; field trips integral to the curriculum; studio art, sculpture, and photography; private music lessons; and technology-infused learning.
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Stamford, CT As it nears the half-century mark of its founding, The Children’s School has good reason to celebrate: a beautiful, award-winning new school building; a renovated “green” campus; a well-trained, dedicated staff that is without peer; involved families who are committed supporters of the School; and a child-centered mission. What is the mission of The Children’s School? It is a belief that the early years are a time of critical importance in laying the foundation for children’s confidence, strength of character and intellectual skills, as well as the problem-solving and creative capabilities that will be in high demand in the 21st century. Today, a growing national movement is
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INDEPENDENT SCHOOL GUIDE validating this mission by recognizing that Pre-K to Grade 3 constitutes a distinct learning and developmental period in the life of a child. “It is gratifying to see this movement taking hold,” says Maureen Murphy, Head of The Children’s School. “All children deserve the very best when they embark on their journey of formal education. They need well-trained and caring teachers, an enriched curriculum that piques their curiosity, and an environment that is respectful of their needs and imbued with a sense of purpose.” Below are the highlights of The Children’s School curriculum that reflect the School’s mission “to take children’s tremendous potential to learn seriously.” Literacy The low hum of The Children’s School classroom says it all: it is the sound of children learning about language. All forms of communication are encouraged: listening and speaking, reading and writing, Spanish and American Sign Language. Children learn that listening is a way to show respect for others and to understand unfamiliar concepts. By hearing teachers use affirmative language in the classroom—filled with vocabulary-rich, descriptive words—students learn new words and the importance of speaking positively to others. The goal of the reading curriculum is simple: to inspire a love of reading and books that will last a lifetime. Younger children discover the sounds that letters make and then soon make the connection that words are comprised of these sounds. Thus begins a child’s phonological, or sound, awareness. Later, as their fluency, comprehension and vocabularies become stronger, children are encouraged to read with greater accuracy. The writing program teaches children to express themselves clearly through words. The program begins introducing students to a variety of writing instruments and materials. When children are ready, they participate in Writing Workshop and learn that writing is purposeful and targeted to an audience. Numeracy Math is often called the poetry of logic, which means that a central challenge for teachers is how to anchor that logic in children. The Children’s School maintains that the best way to fulfill this objective is have children work with concrete learning materials because they are what young minds grasp easily. The School relies on many classic Maria Montessori mathematical learning materials to accomplish this objective. Children learn numbers, for instance, by tracing sandpaper numerals that correspond to the number of buttons or shells placed in their hand. Later, teachers focus on teaching higher-order concepts and operations such as fractions and addition. Fine Arts Concentrated sensorial experiences, which stimulate the senses and memory, are the building blocks of the human intellect and creativity. Spatial skills, visual memory and feats of the imagination are stimulated by sensorial learning. Brimming with sensorial materials, the School’s classroom invites children to explore. Each material isolates and nurtures one sense while connecting it to a specific idea or concept. The goal of the sensorial curriculum is to lead children through a progression of understanding: from the concrete to the abstract, from sense memories to higher-order problem solving and self-expression. To that end, the School offers a vital arts program to augment sensorial activities. The arts take children up a step, helping them to hear their voice in music, make their mark while
painting on canvas and shape clay into sculpture. Social Studies, Science and Languages Children are keen to define who they are within the context of family, community and the larger world. At The Children’s School, they begin to do this by learning about their community, the State of Connecticut, the United States and cultures across the globe. Meanwhile, promoting an understanding of the physical world is the goal of the School’s science curriculum. Through hands-on experiments, children learn the scientific method: making a hypothesis, designing an experiment to test that hunch, collecting data, recording observations and forming a conclusion. All areas of science are touched on, from physics to chemistry, Earth science to biology. Long before studies showed that the early years are the most opportune time for children to learn a second language, the School immersed students in Spanish during the school day. It also offers classes in Mandarin. Final Thoughts Clearly, The Children’s School nurtures an eagerness to learn. “When children move on to other schools, they usually do so with confidence in their abilities, excitement about the learning journey ahead and with a good sense of how to be respectful to others,” says Maureen Murphy. “When that happens, we say ‘mission accomplished.’” The Children’s School serves children ages 3 to 8 at its campus on 118 Scofieldtown Road in Stamford, CT. For more information, please call 203/329-8815.
BOARDING AND DAY SCHOOLS Canterbury School
New Milford, CT Canterbury School is a coeducational boarding and day school enrolling 360 students in a college preparatory program for grades 9-12. In addition to its strong academic program, the school is known for the beauty of its location, a true dedication to spiritual growth, and an exciting sports program for both boys and girls. The school is situated on a hilltop adjacent to the historic section of New Milford, Connecticut, where Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, lived. The campus is about 80 miles from New York City in an area of natural beauty near the Housatonic River and the Appalachian Trail. Canterbury was founded in 1915 CT by prominent lay Catholics. One of New Milford, the founders, Dr. Nelson Hume, was honored by Pope Pius XI for his outstanding work in education. Today the Canterbury student body is a diverse
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Grades 9-12 • Boarding & Day • (860) 210-3934 • www.cbury.org
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL GUIDE mix of both Catholics and non-Catholics from 16 countries and 21 states. Canterbury’s buildings, set on 150 acres, are a rich architectural mix of traditional and modern. The Chapel of Our Lady is both the physical center and the spiritual heart of the campus. The large newly renovated and expanded Robert Markey Steele Hall has a dining room, a student center, two computer labs, a library, a 100-seat lecture room, and the Steers Admission Center. Next door, Nelson Hume Hall has classrooms, science labs, a 400-seat auditorium, and the Theater Department’s “green room.” The sports facilities include ten playing fields, three baseball diamonds, eight tennis courts, a track, a new state of the art aquatic center, and the Hockey Arena. The athletic facility houses three basketball courts, five international squash courts, locker rooms, a weight and fitness room, a wrestling room, as well as space for aerobics and dance. There are eight student dormitories, which, like the classroom buildings, have wireless Internet access. There are eighty faculty, most of whom also coach and serve as dorm advisors, and therefore may be working with a student in several roles each day. Many live on campus, 30 with their families. Canterbury School takes pride in the breadth and depth of its course options. Few boarding schools of Canterbury’s size offer as many AP classes (19). Canterbury is among the very few offering AP courses in World History, Drawing, and Music Theory. The school also offers four years of Latin. All 100% of the seniors in the class of 2011 continued on to college. Students have enrolled at excellent schools such as: Boston College, Boston University, Bowdoin, Colby, Colgate, Columbia, UConn, Cornell, Dartmouth, Fordham, Georgetown, Loyola, Northeastern, Notre Dame, Penn, Roger Williams, St. Lawrence, US Coast Guard Academy, US Naval Academy, Villanova and Wesleyan. Canterbury’s sports program is extensive, the athletic facilities are substantial, and the coaches are dedicated. All students participate in athletics. Three team levels – Varsity, Junior Varsity, and recreational—are fielded in most sports to accommodate players of varying skills, ages, and size. Boys teams are organized in basketball, baseball, crew, cross-country, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, squash, swimming, tennis, track, water polo, and wrestling. Girls compete in basketball, crew, crosscountry, field hockey, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, squash, swimming, track, tennis, and volleyball. Students may earn academic credit for participating in the Canterbury Choir, Chorale and Octet as well as Chamber Orchestra and Jazz Band. Other activities include student government, theater, the school newspaper, the yearbook, and the literary magazine. Interest clubs are formed for the environment and recycling, diversity issues, and school spirit. www.cbury.org; www.facebook.com/canterbury.admission. 100 Aspetuck Avenue, New Milford, CT. 860/210-3800.
Westover
Middlebury, CT Education Plus Opportunities for Girls in Special Areas of Interest Westover, a selective boarding school of 200 girls, grades 9 - 12, in Middlebury, CT, has students from 16 countries and 19 states. Because the Westover community values the ideas and talents of every student, its students have endless opportunities to distinguish and challenge themselves. In addition to its rich and varied curriculum, Westover offers three specialized programs for those students with more concentrated interests. These programs provide co-curricular experiences for Westover
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students with the Brass City Ballet, the Manhattan School of Music, and Women in Science and Engineering (WISE). • Brass City Ballet. As participants in this program, a joint venture between Westover and the Brass City Ballet, select students have the opportunity to study dance at one of the region’s leading dance schools. Students audition in the fall of their entry year and take six dance classes a week in ballet, modern, and jazz. • Manhattan School of Music. This joint program between the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Division and Westover offers talented musicians and vocalists the opportunity to study music and play in an orchestra or ensemble at one of the country’s leading music schools. Students must complete a separate application and audition to be accepted into the program. • WISE (Women in Science and Engineering). This advanced extracurricular program in conjunction with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) offers a variety of electives aimed at preparing students for careers in science or engineering. WISE graduates also receive special consideration for RPI’s engineering program. A number of Westover graduates who have participated in these programs have later pursued studies in dance, music, science and engineer-
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ing in college and have gone on to establish careers in these fields. In addition, Westover offers three signature programs that further reflect the School’s commitment to giving students opportunities to gain experience and knowledge in special areas of interest: the Sonja Osborn Museum Studies Internship, the Online School for Girls, and Westover’s Summer Programs for girls entering grades 7, 8 and 9. • The Sonja Osborn Museum Studies Internship. The Museum Studies Internship, designed for students with interests and aptitude in the study of art history, consists of a ten-week program. The first eight weeks are spent at Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, CT, the home designed and lived in by Theodate Pope Riddle, Westover’s architect. The final two weeks are spent working on a project that investigates the historical ties between the museum and Westover. • The Online School for Girls (OSG). Westover was one of four all-girls schools in 2009 to establish a consortium to offer online education for girls. Girls taking part in the program are offered courses taught by faculty members from the consortium over the Internet. Courses range from multivariable calculus and differential equations to women in art and literature. All classes focus on collaborative projects for participating students.
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL GUIDE • Westover’s Summer Programs. The School’s residential one- or twoweek summer programs in the arts and academics are an extension of the Westover experience, allowing girls to benefit from courses taught by Westover instructors while enjoying a range of summer activities. Recent course offerings have included ceramics, creative writing, dance, drama, Model United Nations, and photography. These six programs reflect the diverse offerings that Westover provides for all of its students. As Head of School Ann Pollina has noted, “Westover’s small, all-girls’ environment forces students out of boxes and into a bigger picture of themselves. Our girls are artists and athletes, musicians and mathematicians, poets and physicists – sometimes all at the same time.” 1237 Whittemore Rd, Middlebury, CT. 203/758-2423 www.westoverschool.org. For admissions information, or to arrange a visit, contact Westover’s Office of Admission at 203/577-4521 or e-mail: admission@westoverschool.org.
The Storm King School Technology Meets Tranquility Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY Beginning in September 2012, The Storm King School will be a oneto-one iPad School. All students and faculty members will use iPads as the primary platform for textbooks, notes, organization, and many other school functions. Together with Web 2.0 tools and applications, the iPad will serve as a hyper-notebook and textbook in which students read their assignments, highlight and take notes both in class and on their own, and complete many parts of their homework. In a review of the research conducted at other schools and colleges, the faculty and administrators observed that other, similar iPad programs yielded consistent increases in the level of collaboration among students, the organization/executive functioning of students, the ease of conducting research, and the amount of reading students completed with interactive textbooks. Students also appreciate the decreased weight of their backpacks when printed textbooks are replaced with less-expensive, electronic texts. Because anecdotal evidence suggests that students’ writing does not improve when working on the iPad, students will be encouraged to do most of their writing on laptop and desktop computers. The School will also continue its current emphasis on writing across the curriculum, which includes writing substantial research papers in the winter trimester in all English and history courses. This March, faculty members were issued iPads and are exploring and planning implementation of this new program. Each student will receive an iPad2 when he or she arrives for the start of school in the fall of 2012. In the meantime, approximately five iPad professional development days for faculty and involved administrators are taking place this spring and summer. The Storm King School student body is approximately fifty percent international. The School celebrates its long involvement in global education, which dates back to at least 1930 when the School hosted a symposium on global education that drew participants from around the world to its Cornwall-on-Hudson campus. Today, students come from about 17 different countries. Stephanie Frank teaches English as a Second Language to students who are improving English as their second, third, or fourth language. Ms. Frank says that her students want to be engaged in their learning and will enjoy the access to information that the
the storm King school
iPad offers them. She says, “Since all students at Storm King will have iPads, everyone will be able to use the tool, and I foresee this creating “an equal playing field” where all students journey together to learn in a variety of manners.” Storm King offers a small school-within-a-school called the Mountain Center to support bright, college-bound students who have learning differences. Andre Green, the Director of the Mountain Center, was an early proponent of the iPad program. The Mountain Center program will take advantage of the applications that are specifically designed for students with learning differences. Interactive e-Books will be especially attractive to these students. And, Mountain Center teachers will use specialized software, such as Kurzweil 3000. The use of the iPad will also assist students in time management and other executive functioning skills. In addition, Mr. Green said, “The greatest value of the iPad may not be its ability to function as an eBook reader but instead its capacity to function as a consolidator of information.” Shortly after Apple announced its move to make iPad the textbook platform of the future, Storm King’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to support a proposal by the School’s administration and faculty to join this movement. In making this decision, The Storm King School has chosen to be part of the vanguard of schools using technology to better prepare students for college and university studies and for life in the 21st century. The college preparatory school has long been known for its academics, arts, and athletics, in addition to its spectacular location in the Hudson Highlands. On the shoulder of Storm King Mountain, between Black Rock Forest and the Hudson River, Storm King will now expand beyond its 6000-acre classroom into the virtual world, as technology meets tranquility at The Storm King School. For more information, visit www.sks.org or call Joanna Evans at (845) 534-9860. Ms. Frank, Mr. Green, and the rest of The Storm King School community are eager to welcome you for a visit. 314 Mountain Road, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY 12520. WESTONMAGAZINEGROUP.COM
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Avon old FArms
Avon Old Farms Avon, CT At Avon Old Farms, our goal is to be the best school for boys. Every aspect of our school program is engineered to enable boys to be successful, and we provide young men with the tools necessary to achieve in their scholastic, athletic, and artistic endeavors. Everything that takes place on campus is specifically designed with the educational and developmental needs of boys in mind. We appreciate their sense of humor, their energy, and their unique learning styles, and we believe that our dedicated, focused approach is critical to helping boys realize their full potential. We are convinced that the single-sex educational approach makes more sense now than ever. Current research indicates that coeducational classrooms can actually reinforce gender stereotypes, and that many boys are significantly lagging behind girls in terms of high school and college graduation rates. Boys and girls at this age have very different needs, learning styles, and approaches to life. A single-sex setting allows boys to stretch themselves, try new things, and make important strides toward a strong and secure manhood. Ask any Avon student what he values most about our school, and the answer is typically the feeling of community and brotherhood that we have created here. Students, faculty, and staff know each other well, they respect the diversity of origins that characterize us, and they enjoy spending time together. Simply put, Avon boys like being here.
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Every boy is truly a member of the community. Men of Avon forge relationships that last a lifetime. Avon Old Farms School: 500 Old Farms Road, Avon, CT 06001. 800/464-2866; www.AvonOldFarms.com.
HIGHER EDuCATION Bard College at Simon’s Rock
Great Barrington, MA Bard College at Simon’s Rock — a highly selective college of the liberal arts and sciences — gives bright, motivated students the opportunity to begin college immediately after 10th or 11th grade. Starting at an average age of 16, students complete the BA in four years. We are ranked 13th among all colleges and universities in the nation for the percentage of our graduates who go on to earn the PhD. Why Start College Early For some students the standard track just doesn’t make sense. At 16, they are ready for —and need — the serious, joyous, rigorous exploration of topics and ideas they are passionate about. They don’t want to spend another year or two preparing for college – prepping for and taking standardized tests and padding their resumes. They want the opportunity and challenge of a high quality liberal arts education now.
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL GUIDE How To Spot A Simon’s Rock Student Simon’s Rock students are not only bright and highly motivated, but truly love learning. They are smart, creative, independent-minded, selfmotivated. All have an inner sense of purpose, are mature enough to live semi-independently on a college campus, and are ready for a new community and a new challenge. At Simon’s Rock these students find true peers who share their hunger for engagement and their desire to be part of a vibrant intellectual community. What Sets Simon’s Rock Apart The quality and diversity of the students we enroll, the expertise of the professors, the small and inspiring classes, and the combination of rigor and engagement. All of our classes are seminars. Students learn from each other and from professors. All of our professors are adept at managing lively discussion and debate. Our core curriculum assures a solid foundation across all disciplines, and is complemented by a full array of electives and concentrations in the humanities, social sciences, mathbArd college At simon’s rocK
ematics, natural and physical sciences, and fine and performing arts. Why Send Your Teen to Simon’s Rock We give them an exceptionally challenging liberal arts curriculum, an extraordinary amount of personal attention, and a strong social network. All of our students start college early in an environment designed specifically for them. The way we teach, the way we set up our advising system, the way we staff our dorms and choose our faculty and arrange our curriculum – all of these things are tailored for the intellectual and emotional needs of slightly younger students. Life After Simon’s Rock Our graduates are smart, confident and prepared for the next step in their lives. They’ve had internships, studied abroad, and written theses. Those that transfer after earning their AA go on as juniors to many of the most selective colleges and universities in the nation. Our BA graduates go on to the medical, law, business, engineering, and graduate schools of their choice.
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL GUIDE Bard College at Simon’s Rock, 84 Alford Rd, Great Barrington, MA 01230. 800/235-7186. email admit@simons-rock.edu. Website: www.simons-rock.edu
Clark University Worcester, MA
Challenge Convention. Change Our World. Founded in 1887 in Worcester, Massachusetts, Clark University enrolls students like you who want a rich liberal arts curriculum that addresses the complex scientific, social and economic challenges facing the world. Clark’s focused areas of research excellence are backed by
clArK university
strong undergraduate, master’s degree and Ph.D. programs that will engage you in a relevant and challenging 21st century education that transforms lives and communities. If your passion is business leadership, the emerging sciences, energy and the environment, child and family well-being, genocide studies, international and community development or urban education, you can join with Clark faculty and other purpose-driven students in rolling up your sleeves, digging in deep and learning the best way possible – by doing. After you’re transformed by the Clark education experience, you will be in an ideal position to exemplify the University’s motto, “Challenge convention. Change our world.” CLARK UNIVERSITY IN THE RANKINGS • 1 of only 40 “Colleges That Change Lives” • U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges • Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” • Princeton Review’s “Best in the Northeast” • Princeton Review’s “Best Business Schools” • Peterson’s “Cool Colleges” • Kiplinger’s Top 50 Best Values for Private Universities • Sierra Magazine’s Top 20 “Coolest Schools” • Peace Corps’ Top Colleges A DYNAMIC COMMUNITY WITH GLOBAL INSIGHT Clark University faculty are committed to mentoring you as well as involving you in their classes and research. Clark’s intimate academic setting and tradition of close-working relationships provides
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many opportunities for you to pursue knowledge through active participation. With a 10:1 ratio, you can partner with faculty and postdoctoral associates on a variety of endeavors and projects that will be instrumental in developing innovative solutions to realworld problems. By living and learning in Clark’s global community, you will also enjoy a broader understanding of international perspectives. With approximately 600 international students, faculty members and scholars from over 90 countries, you can gain firsthand experience with multiple cultures. Combined with the University’s commitment to making a difference, Clark will inspire and equip you to get involved in significant ways on campus and abroad. Over fifty percent of Clark students actively volunteer locally and globally through community service and study abroad programs. At Clark, students also lead the charge in organizing over 120 clubs and organizations involving business, the arts, the sciences, social service, sports, etc. THE ACCELERATED MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAM With Clark’s excellent graduate school and research possibilities, the University is able to offer you a unique cost saving opportunity. Meet the eligibility requirements and you will be able to earn an accelerated master’s degree from one of 14 different programs with the fifth-year of tuition waived. Clark University: 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA. 800/462-5275 or 508/793-7431; admsissions@clarku.edu; www.clarku.edu/explore.
The Evergreen State College: Think Beyond the Ordinary
Olympia, Washington While most colleges teach the same things in the same ways, Evergreen stands apart. We opened our doors in 1971, not 1791, and you’ll see the benefits in our innovative curriculum, student-driven academic pathways and focus on real learning. The Evergreen Difference • Full-time, multi-quarter interdisciplinary programs, often team-taught • Coordinated schedules for homework, tests and field study • Narrative evaluations • Customized academic pathways • Individual and group learning contracts to tailor your education • Extraordinary 1,000-acre campus in the Pacific Northwest Other Good News • Princeton Review 376 Best Colleges • Colleges That Change Lives (one of only two public colleges included) • Fiske Guides “Best Buy” • Sierra Magazine top 10 green colleges • High acceptance rate to graduate school Learning in Community, Making Connections – Imagine studying art, science, history, writing and sociology in one integrated program focused on a central theme. Many students take just one 16-credit, teamtaught interdisciplinary program per quarter (instead of four or five disconnected classes), studying with the same students and faculty for up
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL GUIDE to a year. Check out our catalog to get a feel for the unique and intriguing interdisciplinary programs you’ll find at Evergreen (www.evergreen.edu/catalog).
the evergreen stAte college
Coordinated Studies – In a full-time interdisciplinary program, homework and tests for one subject don’t compete with another and you don’t have to miss other classes to take field trips, work at an internship, or study abroad. Focus on Learning – Your faculty will give you feedback in a narrative evaluation instead of reducing your hard work down to a letter grade. The focus is on learning and collaboration – often in small seminar groups – not competition for grades. The absence of grades doesn’t mean an absence of high expectations. National studies show that Evergreen students read more, spend more time preparing for class and work more in teams than their peers. More Flexibility – We don’t limit your options with formal majors. You can tailor your education to meet your needs and explore areas of interest without worrying that your credits won’t count toward graduation. Later in your studies, you can also design individual or group learning contracts to create customized learning opportunities. Great Value – Evergreen is both a nationally acclaimed public liberal arts and sciences college and a Fiske Guides “ best buy.” Our total cost of attendance for non-resident students is less than tuition alone at many private institutions. Depending on your need and/or academic qualifications, your actual cost could be even lower. Living in the Pacific Northwest – Evergreen is located in Olympia, Washington’s capital city. Our 1,000-acre forested campus – a living laboratory and classroom – has a beach on Puget Sound, miles of trails, an organic farm, a Native American longhouse, and easy access to Olympia’s vibrant downtown. More opportunities for fun – the Pacific Ocean, Olympic and Mt. Rainier national parks, Mt. St. Helens, ski areas, and the urban scenes of Seattle and Portland, Oregon – are just an hour or two away. Learn more at: http://admissions.evergreen.edu/why http://admissions.evergreen.edu/why. 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505. 360/867-6170. WESTONMAGAZINEGROUP.COM
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BABES IN THAILAND by Laura Shepard
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO GO TO AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
The mosT sTriking Thing when Touring an inTernaTional school for The firsT Time is audible raTher Than visible. The number of languages amidsT The hubbub easily Tops five afTer walking only one hallway lengTh. i found myself Tuning in To idenTify Them: Japanese, Thai, english, spanish, duTch and possibly hindi. Once my head stopped spinning, I had a look around. For the first moment the school uniforms are a sanitizing force, creating a student body generic. Then the blur lifts and I see my son pointing to a child wearing a small hair covering that looks like a grandmotherly bun with a string wrapped around it. “Mom, that kid is a boy! I saw him go into the boy’s bathroom. I promise you he’s a boy!” It was true that to our Western eyes, the thin Sikh child looked like a girl. His long braid was piled directly on top of his head and covered with a patkas. It was hard not to steal glances at him. Six months later, my son would play soccer and pal around with this boy, the hairstyle all but invisible to us. Another six months into the future, this boy would relocate to Rome with his family. His mother, my lovely friend Inderbir, would send me e-mails about the incomparable tomatoes she now used to cook my favorite Indian eggplant dish, and I would salivate. Most corporate expat assignments last from one to four years. Every June, my children lose several of their close friends to relocation or repatriation. Occasionally these new assignments are in dangerous locales like Afghanistan (Embassy families) or Kazakhstan (Chevron Oil) and my children fear for their friend’s safety. Sometimes we are the ones to move. Every August, their school, the International School of Bangkok (ISB), receives over 300 new students, averaging 25 new students per
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grade, with 160 students per class. Since each grade also loses about 25 students every year, the impact of the changeover for the existing student body is doubled. This transience is the hallmark of every international school. ISB is very large, with almost 2000 students. However, there are many tiny international schools in far off places with only 40 students in the whole school. Forget about special needs or gifted classes. Teachers in sparsely populated international schools often must instruct one class with students in multiple grades. So when a sixth of the student body leaves every year it can be emotionally devastating for those left behind. The effect of so much turnover has a very interesting impact on the social milieu. According to the young globetrotters I spoke with, expat kids tend to be less exclusive or cliquey because one never knows when his or her best friend will move away. The tenuous friend situation compels them to be more accepting and open to potential new friends all the time. In addition, every student has gone through the experience of an overseas move; arriving at a new school in a strange land. The kids are automatically empathetic and thus tolerant of physical and behavioral differences in ways they might not have otherwise been. Not to say there are no cliques at International Schools. There most certainly
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL GUIDE are. However, they are much more malleable, with constant cross-clique contamination and multitudes of free agents. Friend groups seem to coalesce around different commonalities from those in domestic public schools. Many form along ethnic lines due to the language barrier. Others form by tenure as each cohort of new pupils arrives, thus creating multigrade cliques. Some form by sport or fine arts interests, but more form around charitable causes as kids join whichever school club supports their social agenda. My own kids were gobsmacked by the number of school clubs to choose from and their myriad do-gooder themes. That may be unique to schools in developing countries, where there are many offspring of World Bank, US Aid, and W.H.O. employees who have lived in Nepal, Cambodia and other places that raise their social awareness, but I cannot really say. What else did my third-culture-kids focus group report on? Most complained that they cannot identify school lunch. I assured them this
ACCORDING TO THE yOuNG GLOBETROTTERS I SpOKE WITH, ExpAT KIDS TEND TO BE LESS ExCLuSIvE OR CLIquEy BECAuSE ONE NEvER KNOWS WHEN HIS OR HER BEST fRIEND WILL mOvE AWAy. happens in public school cafeterias across America but they remained adamant. “No Connecticut school has ever served kimchi or eel sushi or green papaya salad.” They had me there. “And how many kids back home get assigned a lab partner who doesn’t speak English?” Again I was left with only a shrug. One young lady shared that in place of fire drills, the International School of Jakarta issued earthquake helmets to every student. Now there’s a stone in the backpack! A fair number of students talked about the pressure of being in class with so many Asians. Some Asian cultures put an extremely high emphasis on academic achievement. Those students spend much more of their time studying, taking outside academic booster courses and honing their musical expertise than American kids do. (Have you read “Tiger Mom?”) For many Asian students, anything less than a straight-A report card is totally unacceptable, and the others feel the pressure to keep up. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but it produces some bizarre colloquialisms. When my daughter came to me shamefaced to admit an 89 on a Geometry test, she heaved, “Oh Mom, I totally Asian-failed this test.” I was initially scandalized at the phrase, until her Japanese friend piped up from behind with a cheeky, “You sure did, my Mom would kill me!” National holidays are new to expat students as well, so when a special day arrives, they never see it coming and don’t know what it’s about. One young lady from Japan Int’l School described arriving in class one morning on Oni Day to find the teacher in a golden mask, throwing
nuts at students as they entered. For Songkran this week, ISB students poured scented water and flower petals over their teacher’s hands as a sign of respect during assembly. In said assembly or in class, there is no pledge of allegiance. Instead, the students stand for the King’s Anthem, which is customarily accompanied by a photo montage of the Royal Family. Best of all, the school mascot is no bear or dog but rather a Hindu god. Go Hanumans! Sport is often one of the most salient differences when living overseas. In gym class, expatriate students play sports they have never even seen before, and let me tell you, it’s a distinct disadvantage. In Australia, my children played cricket and netball — badly. In Thailand, it’s badminton and takraw, with some very serious ping-pong mixed in. What is takraw? It’s like volleyball only you can’t use your hands. Huh? That’s right, three players on either side of the net use their feet to slam a ball over the net, even on the serve. This sport is played mostly in Southeast Asia and is amazing to watch. Go to YouTube and check it out. Since no “farang” can play any of these new sports very well and the local schools don’t play our traditional sports, the international schools play against each other. This means that teams travel far to compete and it’s expensive! We have swim meets in Hong Kong, baseball games in Singapore and track meets in Manila. So if your baby on the travel soccer team has to go all the way to Cheshire, CT. for a game, you won’t find much sympathy here. What we don’t have to travel far for is school. My kids hop in our golf cart and tootle down the street to class. Sometimes they don’t want to be seen with each other so one rides a bike while the other drives the cart or walks, but that’s not my problem as long as I don’t have to take them! The joy of the 100 meter commute cannot be overstated. Families who don’t live within the ISB compound load their kids onto a school bus at 6:05 am for an hour-long ride from downtown Bangkok. That is the much more common scenario and many expat students travel two hours each way to a school based far from the city where they live. Culture has its effect on the academic curriculum as well. In Australia, a very open society, my daughter had sex education class in 4th grade, complete with graphic video detail and mixed gender discussions of menstruation. In America, “health class” came in 7th grade with the infamous “anon-elope” from Mrs. Powers class at Weston Middle School. Here in modest Thailand, no one touches this topic until high school and then only as a small part of the “freshman seminar” course. My poor girl has had to sit through it all three times now. My son keeps missing his opportunity with each move so it’s going to fall to me for sure. Maybe I’ll borrow my daughter’s notes! What do International schools have in common with a USA domestic school experience? All the usual school-age stuff is definitely global. There are field trips and back-to-school nights, lost homework and missing gym shorts. There’s helicopter parenting and PTA factions. There’s mean-girl drama and playground bullying and first dates and young love. There are boys who won’t brush their teeth and girls who won’t stop brushing their hair. There’s constant text messaging and Facebook and after-school sport practice. There’s gossip and peer pressure and insecurities and all that wonderful stuff we call “growing up.” Welcome to the world.
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Laura Shepard is a displaced Westonite currently living in Nonthaburi, Thailand. She is desperately missing New England clam chowder, skilled beauticians and winter nights that dip below 90 degrees. WESTONMAGAZINEGROUP.COM
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CLARk UNIVERsITy Is A smALL pRIVATE LIbERAL ARTs-bAsED REsEARCH UNIVERsITy LOCATED IN THE HEART Of NEW ENGLAND – WORCEsTER, mAssACHUsETTs.
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Wilbraham & monson academy a Global experience • The Center for Entrepreneurial & Global Studies • The Mark R. Shenkman interactive trading center • Hands-on entrepreneurial experience through The Global EcoLearn Project® • The advancement of financial intelligence • An extensive travel program to Asia, South America, and Europe • A full AP curriculum • Championship athletics • A fine & performing arts program including theatre, music, fine arts, and dance • College counseling program beginning in sophomore year Founded in 1804, Wilbraham & Monson Academy is a boarding school of 380 students in grades 9-postgraduate. The Academy is dedicated to preparing students for successful competitive college admission and facing the challenge of global leadership.
Please Contact the Office of Admission at 413.596.9108 or admission@WMA.us 423 Main Street, Wilbraham, MA 01095
Ridgefield Academy
Experience the Difference Our teachers inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively and communicate effectively.
Building a strong foundation from preschool through grade 8 203.894.1800 | www.ridgefieldacademy.org
Educating Young Women through Courage, Humility and
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Why start college after the 10th or 11th grade? Because you’re ready. We’re a community passionate about learning: independent-minded, inquiring, and creatively intellectual. We’re 400+ students on 275 beautiful acres, loving the challenge. Nobody else does what we do.
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T ING S SCHOOL CHOOL THE HE S STORM TORM K KING Truth ♦ Responsibility Responsibility Truth ♦♦ Respect Respect ♦ “Creating “Creating Success Success from from Potential” Potential”
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haveaa special special bond bond with with my “I“Ihave my Storm Storm King King teachers, teachers,who whoare are encouraging and supportive. They have helped me discover encouraging and supportive. They have helped me discoverabilities abilities and talents that I never knew I had.” —Lily Snyder and talents that I never knew I had.” —Lily Snyder„13 „13
THE HE S STORM T TORM K KING ING SSCHOOL CHOOL 314 Mountain Mountain Road 314 Road Cornwall-on-Hudson, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY NY 12520 12520 (800) 225-9144 or (845) 534-9860 (800) 225-9144 or (845) 534-9860 admissions@sks.org ♦♦ www.sks.org admissions@sks.org www.sks.org
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Thinking of Visiting the Hamptons? Think Ross School. Boarding for grades 7–12 in beautiful boarding houses. Two campuses in East Hampton and Bridgehampton, New York, just 2 hours east of New York City. Easily accessible by bus, train, ferry and air. Global, integrated curriculum to educate the whole child for the whole world. Opportunities for independent study, advanced classes, competitive athletics, extracurricular activities and travel.
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Canterbury School New Milford, CT
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A co-ed day and boarding school for children in grades 4-9.
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Contact Pat Meissner Director of Admissions 603 654-2391 ext. 109 222 Isaac Frye Highway Wilton, NH 03086
www.highmowing.org
Avon Old Farms believes strongly in the benefits of a single-sex education and understands the unique learning styles of young men. A structured academic day includes regular all-school meetings, family-style meals, athletic practices, and quiet evening study hours. Core values such as integrity, self-discipline, civility, scholarship, responsibility, and sportsmanship are emphasized and modeled by a caring and committed faculty who also serve as coaches, dormitory masters, counselors, valued mentors, and friends.
Avon Old Farms is located 15 minutes northwest of Hartford, offering a magnificent campus with outstanding facilities. The Ordway Science and Technology Center was completed in 2002. During the 2006-2007 school year, the School opened the spectacular new Beatson Performing Arts Center, and a student center and athletic field house.
QUICK FACTS:
Established: 1927 Enrollment: 405 boys Avon’s diverse academic program is both challenging States/Countries Represented: 25/22 and supportive. Avon Old Farms is a fully-accredited Average Class Size: 12 college preparatory school and its graduates represent Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1 Campus Size: 990 wooded acres their school proudly at some of the finest colleges Interscholastic Sports: 15 and universities in the nation and abroad.
To RSVP or schedule an interview, please call us at 800-464-2866, or email us at admissions@avonoldfarms.com 500 Old Farms Road, Avon, Connecticut 06001
www.AvonOldFarms.com
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strong voices,
infinite choices
This summer, discover a new passion Summer Programs in the Arts & Academics for Girls Entering Grades 7, 8 & 9 There will be two sessions July 8 -13 & July 15 - 20. The following courses will be offered during one or both of this summer’s sessions: Ceramics • Creative Writing • Dance Drama • Painting • Photography Women in Science & Engineering Our one- or two-week programs are an extension of the Westover experience, offering campers challenging courses taught by Westover instructors in a residential setting that fosters friendships. If you have questions about our summer programs, e-mail director Ruth Curzan at summerprograms@westoverschool.org or call her at 203.758.2423. For more information, visit westoverschool.org/summerprograms
At Westover School, your daughter will live only an hour from home – yet she’ll experience the world Westover School is a rigorous college preparatory program for girls in grades 9 -12 located in Middlebury, Connecticut, a classic New England town 90 miles from New York City. Our community includes students from countries as diverse as Spain and South Africa, and states from Maine to Texas. These bright young women enrich one another with their varied backgrounds, talents, interests, and ideas. At Westover, your daughter will have the chance to pursue her every passion – from Shakespeare to soccer, Bach to ballet – in a nurturing environment where she’ll feel comfortable being herself. For more information please call the Office of Admission at 203.577.4521 or visit westoverschool.org.
Singer. Scientist. Someday. Inspiration can come at any time; why would you limit a child’s access to it?
Wooster School’s dynamic and challenging curriculum offers every student access to the arts, music, language, technology, science, and more every day. What is so special about that? Visit woosterschool.org to learn more.
Call Today to Schedule a Visit!
Wooster School
91 Miry Brook Road Danbury, CT 06810 203-830-3916 woosterschool.org
A coeducational, early childhood through grade 12, college preparatory day school.
The Prospect School at Wooster is a new school in Danbury, CT. The school serves students ages 7–14 with average and above-average intelligence who have identified learning differences that can be remediated through teaching techniques and curriculum.
Learning with a Difference
91 Miry Brook Road | Danbury, CT 06810 203.730.6716 jordana.levine@theprospectschool.org theprospectschool.org
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E V E RY S T U D E N T C A N
LEARN TO BE EXCEPTIONAL
At The Knox School, everything we do is geared to helping young people become exceptional in the sizes, and students that care as much about good values as they do about strong academic achievement. At Knox, all our students learn to be exceptional. Contact us at 631-686-1600 or online at www.knoxschool.org.
THE KNOX SCHOOL LE A R N T O B E E X C E P T I O N A L
541 Long Beach Rd. St. James, NY 11780 • A Coeducational Independent Boarding and Day School for Grades Six-Post Graduate
She’s ready for a challenge. Give her the tools to take on the world. Stoneleigh-Burnham School is an academic community for girls grades 7-12 based on honor, respect and intellectual curiosity. We encourage each student to explore her individual passions and discover her own voice. The School offers nationallyrecognized equestrian, debate and performing arts programs. Now the only girls’ school in New England to become an International Baccalaureate World School, StoneleighBurnham will offer the IB Diploma Program starting this fall, providing the best of 21st century learning.
Greenfield, MA | 413.774.2711 | www.sbschool.org | admissions@sbschool.org
Comparative ComparativeArts Arts••Creative CreativeWriting Writing •• Dance Dance • Motion Motion Picture PictureArts Arts •• Music Music••Theatre Theatre• •Visual Visual Arts Arts
Arts ArtsAcademy Academy
artistic AA fine arts boarding boardinghigh highschool, school,offering offeringthe thehighest highestquality quality artistic training combined academics. training combined with withcomprehensive comprehensivecollege-preparatory college-preparatory academics. The Academy also The also offers offerspost-graduate post-graduateopportunities. opportunities.
academy.interlochen.org academy.interlochen.org Interlochen, Michigan Michigan •• 800.681.5912 800.681.5912
The Classic College Experience 30 minutes from Manhattan 13:1 student–faculty ratio Experience-based learning NCAA Division ll Sports
Visit our beautiful campus in Westchester
800.937.2655 • www.concordia-ny.edu • admission@concordia-ny.edu