Boarding schools are 24/7 communities of intellectual life. Many students are looking for programs that are more engaging than what their local public and private day schools offer. They find that boarding schools have compelling academic programs that enable students to go above and beyond a typical high school academic experience.
Phillips Exeter Academy: Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter’s curriculum offers classes not found at most high schools. Students who want to study Greek or Latin can earn a classical diploma. Not only does Exeter offer typical modern languages such as French and Spanish, but it also offers courses in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, German, and Russian. Math courses go beyond the calculus level, advancing to linear algebra and multivariable calculus. Exeter also offers classes such as Malaria: Exploring Bioinformatics and Next Generation Sequencing, as well as Sports Science, Principles of Engineering and Design, and a history class called War, Identity, and Nationhood in the United States.
Phillips Andover: Andover, Massachusetts
It’s rare to find advanced computer science classes at the high school level, but Andover offers courses such as Data Structures and Algorithms, as well as a class called Autonomous Systems. Andover also offers an Economics Research Colloquium and Independent Projects for students who have exhausted the school’s traditional course offerings. Students can apply for faculty-led spring break trips to destinations around the world. Recent trips have included a ski expedition across Finland from the Russian border to the Swedish border, a cultural immersion trip to Ghana, a Russian language immersion program in Estonia, and, for international students, a mini tour of the United States.
Choate Rosemary Hall School: Wallingford, Connecticut
Choate offers “Signature Programs,” which are dedicated learning experiences designed to build on students’ interests and talents. Students interested in history, politics, or global affairs can join the John F. Kennedy Program in Government & Service, named after the Choate alumnus, or participate in the Global Engagement Program, which includes study abroad opportunities. Other programs include Advanced Robotics, Arabic & Middle Eastern Studies, Arts Concentration, the Environmental Immersion Program, and the Science Research Program. The Choate Signature Programs include mentoring, partnerships, classes, internships, teamwork, and collaboration, all while allowing students to explore areas of interest in greater depth.
United World College: Montezuma, New Mexico
United World College is a school for 11th- and 12th-grade students pursuing the prestigious International Baccalaureate diploma. These students become changemakers through community service projects and global understanding initiatives while completing three Higher Level academic courses, along with a class called Theory of Knowledge. Students also complete an Extended Essay as part of the IB Diploma Programme.
If your student is looking for greater academic challenge and the opportunity to explore subjects in depth, consider one of the many boarding schools that offers an intellectual community of engaged and academically motivated students.
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