East or West
Boarding Schools
The East Coast abounds with boarding schools. Isn’t that where boarding schools started any way with their ties to Ivy League colleges? It is a fact that seven of the top twenty boarding/prep schools are in New York. Many of the rest are in New England.
These school have worked hard in recent years to shed their elitist image and appeal to a wider group of students. The focus now is less on family name and more on achieving cultural diversity. Many schools now admit women and minorities.
Tradition is still important and the curriculum is rigorous. Many students attend these schools because it is family tradition. Their parents and even grandparents may have attended the same school.
With very low teacher to student ratios there is no doubt that a quality education can be had. Students have more access to help after hours than public school attendees. East coast schools, while strict and traditional, are less like they are portrayed in Dead Poet’s Society than in years past.
The west coast is catching up. Boarding school enrollment is up about eight percent in recent years, despite the perception that they are only for troubled kids.
Students describe them as being more laid back and fun despite the strict academic standards. A lot of schools take advantage of the great weather and offer more outdoor activities.
In any case, whether you’re a khaki wearing preppie with traditional values or a more relaxed west coaster, boarding schools have come a long way.
