Most people are not aware of the fact that there are a number of boarding schools that serves the needs of boys and girls of middle school age (10-15). Some of these schools are for high achieving, highly motivated students; others are for children who struggle with some aspect of the learning process and for whom academics can be a challenge. This range is one of the great things about junior boarding schools; there is a place for anyone. The job of the Educational Consultant is to help the family find the right fit and to guide the family through the admission process. For more information about this unique group of schools and specific info about each school, check out their website at www.jbsa.org.
I recently visited 2 junior boarding schools devoted to working with students with learning differences--The Greenwood School in Putney, Vermont and the Linden Hill School in Northfield, Massachusetts. Both are for boys only and enroll a small number of students-- Linden Hill has 32 students, Greenwood 44. Remediation of a language based learning disability (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, etc.) is the focus of each school although they will also enroll boys with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). I was impressed by the level of personal care at each school. Teachers and Administrators know each student and their specific needs. Faculty training is extensive and constant. Students often enter the school with low self confidence and a lack of academic success and leave with a new set of academic skills and a belief they can be accomplished students. The programs are highly structured, success oriented and offer an array of competitive and recreational sports and extensive arts and other extracurricular activities. The boys who graduate from these two schools will usually enter a secondary boarding school that can continue to provide academic support and, in some cases, language remediation. Each school has a Director of Placement who will help the family select the right high school and will assist with the application process.
I recently visited 2 junior boarding schools devoted to working with students with learning differences--The Greenwood School in Putney, Vermont and the Linden Hill School in Northfield, Massachusetts. Both are for boys only and enroll a small number of students-- Linden Hill has 32 students, Greenwood 44. Remediation of a language based learning disability (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, etc.) is the focus of each school although they will also enroll boys with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). I was impressed by the level of personal care at each school. Teachers and Administrators know each student and their specific needs. Faculty training is extensive and constant. Students often enter the school with low self confidence and a lack of academic success and leave with a new set of academic skills and a belief they can be accomplished students. The programs are highly structured, success oriented and offer an array of competitive and recreational sports and extensive arts and other extracurricular activities. The boys who graduate from these two schools will usually enter a secondary boarding school that can continue to provide academic support and, in some cases, language remediation. Each school has a Director of Placement who will help the family select the right high school and will assist with the application process.
Subscribe to
Tom, welcome to onBoarding Schools. It's great to have you contributing to the blog.
Interesting recap of your visits. I agree wholeheartedly about the role each school plays in the lives of their students. The atmosphere of success that both set is a powerful, powerful thing.
I look forward to reading your next post,
PB