The Winchendon School Blog

You’ve put in the time, completed your applications, embarked on tours and prepped for boarding school interview questions - congratulations! As spring approaches and acceptances start to roll in, you’ll likely be bombarded with advice about how to choose the best boarding school. Something you might not have heard? How NOT to choose a boarding school. Here’s the low-down.

Smaller is better.

Comments at the end of the semester come too late.

Personalization needs to be more than a buzzword.

Teens have interests, but without opportunities to pursue them, interests wither. True personalization requires flexible academic programs that emphasize fieldwork, research, and experimentation in a  resource rich  environment. By encouraging students to pursue focused studies beyond the classroom, we stimulate intellectual curiosity, encourage choice, and make learning fun.

As you explore independent, private high school choices for your child(ren) you may discover you have more than the two choices of day school and boarding school. More schools are adding a five-day boarding option.  What's a five-day boarding option and can it work for your family? 

There's Plenty to Like
Five and seven day boarding options share almost everything. With both options, students live in dorms, have a dorm parent, and both follow the school's schedule for meals, classes, athletics, practices, and study time. Both five and seven day receive the benefits of a classic boarding school education.

March 10th is approaching and with it the excitement and sometimes anxiety as families wait for boarding school admission decisions. What does your admissions decision mean and what should you do next? Here are the five different admission decisions you could receive, and how to respond to each. 

Is it even possible to use social media, protect your professional reputation and remain true to your personality and friendships? Yes, though it involves plenty of self restraint and self monitoring. It’s best to be both retroactive and proactive in crafting a social networking identity that can withstand public scrutiny. Here are six tips for getting it right:

If you spend your days waiting for a response from the boarding school of your dreams, you’re not alone. Many students have their hearts set on one specific school and are anxiously waiting a boarding school acceptance package. But don’t worry, we’ve got a few tips to keep you going while you await the news of what next year holds in store.

Did you miss the application deadline for the private New England boarding school you think is perfect? It may still all work out for you. Schools such as The Winchendon School have a first round deadline (usually January 15 or 31st) for the application.  This regular admissions cycle includes all admission decisions being sent via email, phone call, or 'snail mail' on March 10th.  But what if you didn't get everything in on time or you just started to apply now? Is it too late to apply?

Some 50 educational leaders and friends of The Winchendon School gathered for a lively conversation in Manhattan earlier this month to discuss trends in college admissions and their potential impact for today’s middle and high school students. Our panel was lead by The Winchendon School trustee Manuel Carballo — who served as Middlebury College’s Director of Admissions before taking on his current post as Vice President of Oberlin College (OH) — and was moderated by Dr. Pola Rosen, publisher of Education Update.

If you have a private school interview coming up, congratulations! In the days leading up to the interview, many students wonder not only about what questions they might be asked, but also what to wear for the big day. While every school is different, most of the time, wearing a suit is not a requirement for your success. Looking tidy and professional goes a long way, and planning your clothing ahead of time will take some of the jitters out of your impending visit.

When it comes to the boarding school application process, it’s best to start thinking about applying at least a year in advance. At The Winchendon School, in order to meet financial aid eligibility you must apply by January 31st - and you will need several months leading up to that time to meet with admissions and to gather and submit your application materials. Making such a major decision involves time, planning, and even travel as you visit different campuses. Below is a rough timeline to follow as you plan for your college career during Junior and Senior year of high school: