Welcome

Congratulations, you're looking at finding the perfect private high school for you. And double congratulations if you're looking at a New England boarding school. New England is known as a leading region for education, as well as skiing, mountain lakes, incredible fall foliage, equestrian events, and great food! If you're in grades 7-12 and looking for the perfect prep school in New England, you're in luck!  With a little planning, you can find the one that's right for you.

Once you and your family have decided to look at boarding schools, here are six questions to ask yourself.

1. 5-day or 7-day boarding? A few boarding schools, such as Stoneleigh-Burnham School in Greenfield, MA offer a 5-day boarding option. It's all the advantages of 7-day boarding, you get to work at your academics and hone in on your craft whether that's riding, dance, or athletics and do it distraction-free - but your parents live within 90 miles of the school and you go home each weekend! 

2. What are your academic interests? Today, you may want to explore space but tomorrow it could be dolphins. When looking for a school, you want to see if they offer a program that allows you to explore everything making you curious. Does the school offer a WingSpan program to support your academic interest outside of the classroom and offer immersive learning opportunities? 

3. Research! It's great to have to a secondary school placement officer help and guide you in your search, we also suggest conducting your own research. It's your education - have a say in it! 

4. Schedule visits. Boarding school Open House or in-person visit days are a blast!

5. Take notes. When you're visiting schools, take notes about what you see and hear. This will help you remember the details of each school and compare them later. We put together a checklist to help you sort it all out!

6. Talk to people. Don't be afraid to talk to students, faculty, and staff during your visits. This is a great way to get a sense of the school so you can picture yourself there.

7. Trust your gut. Ultimately, the best way to choose a prep school is to trust your gut. If you feel a connection to a particular school, that's a good sign.

Don't be afraid to ask any other questions that you have. The admissions staff is there to help you find the right school for you.