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Anonymous June 16, 2009

how to choose a private high school in MA?

Anonymous
I am looking into private school for next year for my 15 yo son. He is a good student but lacks discipline and motivation.
Any ideas and resources are appreciated
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Parent Answers to "how to choose a private high school in MA?"

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michellea
michellea June 18, 2009
Here are some schools that have smaller classes and a learning center if needed:
Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall
Cushing Academy
Malden Caholic
Stonleigh Burnham
Tabor Academy
Thayer Academy
Waldorf High School

Here are some questions you might ask:
Describe the student profile that best fits the school
What is the average class size
How many levels of classes in language and math are offered?
Are their learning specialists on staff? What is their role?
How does the advisor system work? When do students see them? How involved are advisors in students' day to day?
How accissible are teachers for extra help
Are study skills classes offered?
Do students use assistive technology while at school? Laptops to take notes?

Some schools require the SSAT (secondary School Admission Test) as part of the application process.

Here are some good resources to help you through the process:
Admissions Quest: Directory with online application and inquiry options www.admissionsquest.com
Association of Independent Schools in New England: www.aisne.org
Directory of Catholic Schools in Greater Boston:
www.archbosk-12.org/boston.htm
Massachusetts dept of ed search for schools and schools and school types: profiles.doe.mass.edu/
Perterson's guide to Private Secondary schools www.peterson.com
Vocational schools www.massvocassoc.org/schools

Best of luck!
healthy11
healthy11 June 17, 2009
I'm not sure if your son just needs to be removed from the football team, and he'd do fine where he is, or if there are other issues, but here's a list of some private schools across the U.S. that specialize in kids with learning struggles: community.greatschools.net/groups/11554/discussion/152556
Here's some information about private schools in general: community.greatschools.net/advice/168
annemonimoni
annemonimoni June 17, 2009
Thank you for your answer. If you can please send me a list of those schools I can look it up.
Thank you again
annemonimoni
annemonimoni June 17, 2009
My son will be a sophomore next year. He attended public high school in Braintree this past year and one of his teachers reccomended private school.
He loves football and spending too many hours on practice every day it contributed to his academic decline. He did very well on the MCAs in the previous years and his teacher is convinced he is capable of doing better but not sure if we can try a private school and decide . I am looking for a day school, not boarding school, so any advice on how to pick up a goor private school is appreciated.
Thank you for your interest
michellea
michellea June 16, 2009
I'm in MA and familiar with some private schools. Are you looking for a day school or bording? If day, where are you located? There are a number of good schools in the greater Boston area and suburbs - but traffic considerations are important! Does he have special intersts like sports, arts etc? And, as Healthy asks, any special learning challenges? Do you have a price range ?
healthy11
healthy11 June 16, 2009
HI. Will your son be a freshman or sophomore? What kind of school was he in this past year? (Public? Private? Parochial?) I'm wondering if your son has always struggled with discipline and motivation? Has he ever been evaluated for learning and/or attention deficits? I have a list of schools that have good reputations for assisting bright kids with ADHD and/or LD issues, if that might be helpful. Let me know.

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