Boarding School Placement

Oxbow Academy

2010-08-10T22:55:00.000-07:00

Oxbow Academy is a residental treatment program for boys `suffering from sexual abuse or sexaul misconduct. The school located in Wales Utah not far from the capital St Lake City, My tour was in the morning. Steve Shultz was gracious to get me to the programs which included Discovery Ranch. Discovery Academy and Oxbow. I have heard a lot about thess programs and their sucess by consultants but needed to see the programs for myself. The sucess of the program can be described by its sucess working with families with specfic needs, in this case addressing the student as a whole person with sexual issues.

The Admisssion Director, Erin Nester, is very familar working with adolescents in this population, having worked in similar settings in the past. Mr. Richard Hess, psychologist, and primary therapist Todd Spaulding are also familar with this type of student. We have meet several times during the year at various worshops and meeting with consultants to discuss the strong components of the program at Oxbow.
We met this occasion to discuss the overall program including it being a placement option for consultants. Oxbow by far is one of the best programs for sexual addiction and abuse for young adolecents. I have toured other program and found there are two program which are far reaching for this population which includes Birdseye Ranch and Stevenson.

The other two programs, one which I have toured and the other spoken to the Director of the Program extensively, have different size and structure to the program. I have toured several other program but this are of working with children and adolescents is very different. Depending on the size and structure of the program one would say this program has a good fit as well.
This carefully designed program is described by Steven Shultz, as a program designed by the staff which includes: Discovery Ranch and Discovery Academy which have a very different models for each program, at Oxbow "all clinical staff were involved in the development of the entire program".

The program is carefully researched based, using the most current methods of research and working with children and adolescents with this population. The workbook used in the program is designed for the population and exercies and assignments are part of the program.\
An intergral coonection with program is parents too, with extensive researched based intervention with families and interventions which help parents recognize their own behavior in the home. With these types of students having this in place makes the familiy more connected.
Many parents are very non disclosing of their own contribution to their past in dealing with children's behavior, ( viewing of pornography, sexual stimulation movies in the home and observing sexual behavior of adults is ofte minimized in a home setting or go unrecognized at times.

We meet in the conference center to review the program components including the assessement part and how the program works and this was followed by a tour of the facility director Ms. Erin Nester. She showed me the living quarters as well as a typical day for students at Oxbow. The schedule is very intense and not one student is left alone. The clincial staff as well as the students also do peer modeling to recognize the students in this setting.

All staff are very familar with the need of these boys who's age range from 12-17 years of age to be supervised and to be monitored by staff is an example of who different this program is from other therapeutic schools or programs.

The program was actually developed using the very best ways to detect sexual misconduct, using polygraphs for students, with very well documented psychological reports, and therapy.

In fact, all the students receive a poloygraph and a complete psychological evaluation. I really wanted to speak directly to the student but they were in a group therapy session at the time of my visit. A few other consultant were ahead of me on the tour earlier, so my review of the program was made with the director and her staff.

The program addressed students who have issues with gender idenfification as well as those who have sexual disorders common in adolescents. The common sexual behaviors of children in the age group treated at Oxbow might include: addictio to pornography, mastribation contributed to stimulation of viewing sexual material, implusive behavior often associated with sexual stimulation or arrousal.

While many of the students are exceptionally gifted, they also need much direction and support and therapy. A comprehensive 90 day assessment includes both a polygraph and psychological assessment performed by the psychologist.A written statement or committment by the student along with goals are also discussed upon entering the program.
I reviewed the assessment used at the program, and was very impressed by the confidentality of the assessment, is overall application in helping these students and the information which is shared with the parent and the consultant.

The students are typically supervised 24 hrs a day in the program by staff for safety and to protect other students. While they live together is a close living enviroment they are encouraged to seek out staff and to work as a family. The safety in therapy is very comforting and any issues which are shared are held in the group and among staff.

The program actually protects many of the students from engaging in sexual behavior in the treatment, using positive peer culture. The program is also uniquely designed to help a small group of boys, than more traditional residental programs, with a larger number of boys. This is not simply warehouse program for these students and moninter their behavior and consequences, are not punitive, and dealt with therapeutically.The program helps parents and students in the process of identifying those behavior which are triggers for the parents.

While is definately has an approach to helping students, it also allows them to be more expressive with art therapy and an strong equine therapy program. The housing is in a coverted church building not far from St. Lake City. It is a one story building with a limit of 12 students in the program. We discussed the admission process with the director and staff.

The type of student most common to come to Oxbow Academy, has a typical profile of engaging in sexual behavior, which might be considered, inappopriate to their age group or even to others in a social context. While having siginificant social interaction implications, many students with identified sexual disorders, are classifed in the DSM-IV.

Most of the schools students are referred by Educational Consultants, and have a varied diagnostic grouping when I addressed the common Axis I and II of students attending Oxbow.This is a very specialized area of practice for most consultants who work with special needs placement. Therefore this type of student most commonly needs supervision and monitering as well as peer confrontations.

A significant sexual acting out behavior may be observed before admission but this behavior has gone on for some time. Many students would even had convictions for this behavior and many would be treated in an acute care psychiatic hospital and sometimes not with other adolsecents with similar challenges.

Many therapeutic school programming would be significantly different in size and in supervision but this program must be well supervised.

Students typically engaged in inapproptiate acting out sexual behavior: voyerism, exhibitionist, or mastribution are commonly seen in the program and prior to entering the program. There are monitered camera's in this housing unit and living areas of the house.
The boys ranging in age 13 -17 years of age, from all over the country. Due to our short time, we did not get an opportunity to speak to the students, however the staff provided much insight into the routine and progress of student and the families. Parents have ongoing opportunites to meet with clinicans to address their child's problems, as well as an extensive assessment completed both at the admission and discharge. The program has a 30 day assessment, which include: a complete psychosocial identifying the clinical diagnosis of the students.

Many parents who send their children to a program like Oxbow may find, the severity of their child's sexaul acting out may not meet the admission requirement, determined by the online assessment and interview.

Sexual pre occupation, pornography interest, are just a few of the addictive behaviors discussed at Oxbow. Sexual gratification, violation of others are common among students in this setting.

The program offers educational and therapeutic groups, which are very unique. The peer culture i s often used to addres these needs for students. Mooning and obcene gentures are also very common for student in this program. While the program is designed to help these students by carefully monitering their behavior clinicans are actively involved in helping them.

Red Flag behaviors are often dealt with in a group setting and other students generaly adddress the students rather than other staff. Much of the program also provides wrkbook exercises with both parents and students. Parents must be committed for the first 90 days and students are fully engaged in activities including: art therapy, academic remediation and help to address their school needs.

The clinical use of a polygraph to hold students and the family accountable to the behavior which sometimes is clearly masked in other treatment programs. Sexual acting out behviaor has some restrictions but not shame. The program has 11 clinical and administrative staff members. students are engaged in equine therapy as well as music and expressive arts.

All of the rooms of the dorms are supervised 24 hours a day by rotation staff on campus. Most staff do not live on campus, and come to the program. Erin says: " all of the boys know us and we know them". Confidentality plays a significant role in this program and all information must be held in confidence with parents and with staff. The dorms were very clean organized and most of the boys lived on a divided part of the house.

There is a 30 day supply of medication and a registered nurse to moniter the students. Many of the student have a range of Axis I and II diagnosis ranging from bi polar to depressive disorders. The monitering of the medication is performed by the staff nurse, who moniters all aspects of the students medication schedule, or weather termination can be determined by the staff physican.

We found the program to be very comfortable. We have visited another program in New England and his program seem much more connected in helping both the families and students.Academically most of these boys are very bright. It is very difficult to determine whether the program is for sexual offenders or victims.

There are no televisions not computer no electronic dreviaces at the school. There are no medical stimulation on campus but student do have the opportunity to discuss this when passes are provided after entering the program. Parents are likely to be helped in addressing this areas on home visits.

The program has significant strong points for consultants. While there is a small area for the program, it does have a good feel and it is equally connection with Discovery Academy. Students might be involved in or move from one program using the therapy services of other programs, without must notice of transition.

A consultant working with special needs are likely to see much progress for students interacting with their peers, not being resticted in a completely restricted residental program. There is more openess and less restrictiveness at Oxbow. A greater sense of openess, a very good connectiveness to families and certainly a very knowledgeable staff on working with children in this category.

We would recommend Oxbow for any therapist or consultant. Follow up by a consultant is certainly more desired. This program needs a consultant follow up for any boy entering or leaving the program and tranisitioning to a different therapeutic setting.

Buxton School

2010-07-27T00:59:00.000-07:00

Buxton School is a co educational boarding school located in Williamstown, Massachusetts. This is a smaller boarding school, which has internationally recognition for curriculum by consultants. I regularly received the Arts at Buxton newlettter yesteday with information to keep me updated on the school. My touring was about six years ago, however, I do keep in contact with the school from time to time. At the time of tour, Buxton continued to have a good reputiation for being a very good college preparatory small boarding school. The school has a very non traditional approach focusing on both arts and developing individual learning. Student's do have the traditional "Harkness Table in classes, but the motivational level of student's at Buxton is with emphasis on developing types of learning than just collecting data in the traditional learning curve.

My first impression of Buxton was very good. It is a very nuturing school where student and staff can learn differently and still use their talents in a college preparatory program. Even after my tour we placed a student. We found many students returning to Buxton to teach or to mentor other students which is a great sign of sucess.

While many of the past students includingL Dina Jacir are now on the faculty, it is clear the school has had some impact on many students lives.The tour which was back 2004, years after my placement, was with several consultants who had been in practice.

It remains very tailored to student body looking for a small boarding college prepartory program, and its very intimate. Student do know one another and faculty has a good idea what they are doing too! The school has a very long history dating back to the 1700's, priding itself in having a very sucessful college preparatory program, While the school is a very liberal arts focused school some students studying enviromental science would also do well at Buxton.

Many of the students attending Buxton seem to lead a path in media and television as well as theatre and performing and performing arts. The school has a average of 120 or more students during the fall or winter term with sometimes a reported 200 students at maximum.

The fall is the beginng of the school year, with several vacations on holidays taken throughout the year. There is really no summer program at Buxton so this would not be a school to offer summer boarding. The campus is just down the street from Williamstown College, which has a good reputation as a liberal arts school. Williamstown is a very small New England town which has a history with Buxton over 75 years ago. Buxton has very family large kitchen used by students for cooking in a famly style setting. We met in the dinning hall with all the faculty on our tour with other consultants at the time of our visit. We found the school very warm and nuturing.

Buxton has a very nuturing and supportive enviroment for students to achieve sucess. Meals are served in a open dinning room and student do cook meals similarly to the type of enviroment of living with families. There are regular bed checks by staff, with some supervision in the dorms. This seems to be a perfect match for a student to feel comfortable in sharing with faculty as well. Many of the faculty live on campus, and get to know the students quite well.

Most of the students at Buxton are from New York, New Jersey as well as the surrounding New England area. There are work expectations on weekends but student having privelleges do leave campus for town. Buxton thrives on having students of varied ethnic backgrounds, from varied socio-economic and diverse cultural backgrounds, and countries.

Thirty five percent of the students are students of color and fourteen percent are international students. The national average of student on the SAT are indicated on its web site, but there is really no indication of the SAT needed for Buxton. Most student must submit a written essay and transcripts and the SSAT is required.

There is a 1 to 5 student to faculty ratio, so its impossible for staff not to know the students. Classroom size is about 9. We found even smaller classes at Buxton on our tour, with individual instruction in art and theatre.

Some of the noteable alumi at Buxton include: Peter Shummline, Christian Parenti, Journalist and Writer, Phillip Rickey. Sculpor, Frank Wood. Actor . and Marco Williams, Documentary Film Maker. Parents interested in their child attendng a school might be liberal in thinking, but certainly, the student should have well formed ideas about developing meaningful relationships. Buston has a good admission staff, with extra curricular activities.

We worked with a great family a few years ago, looking for a school like Buxton was not hard to find. We believed at the time Buxton as a great fit for the this particular family. The student was having less sucess in a public school, had good leadership ability and attending Buxton was a great opportunity for learning and use of those skills in a unique learning enviroment. We found some of the challenges at the school, for our student, were not engaging in activities or sometimes failing to discuss concerns with faculty or even to move in the direction to increase their interaction with this nuturing small baording school throuthout the semester.

While we believe the student did take some initative, they also did not find their nitch until after the parents concerns were addressed to the consultant. The student was actually not very actively involved with other students, which was problematic of his placement. Buxton, provided the learning enviroment but sometimes, students simply face challenges, much later in the placement which are less problematic or even identified by the consultant or the family. We believe the parents were terrific, but sometimes kids just get stuck in a rut and just don't move until they decide to do things themselves.

A student who is really for free thinking student, might do very well at Buxton, but not having a grading system which is tradition in other schools, might present a challenge for parents. It was difficult for our family to review his progress simply because the student was not informing teachers of his work or sometimes completing work and asking for credit later.

Parents almost always expect some notification from schools about grades, these days. Not having this until the end term was a challenge for any family looking for grades from this school. This loophole, provided this particular student with the opportunity to not take personal responsibility for soem of their work, sometimes blaming the school for his neglect. We realized many students not coming from a boarding school, are not use to being accoutable for their grades. This is usually left up to the parents. This freedom in learning might have also been better with an online grading system, than a narrative report, which was difficult for parents to understand. The schools mission is to develop this type of individual thinking rather than holding parents othe task of accountability.

A student placed at Buxton would be taking college level courses, and in college the expectation is to do the work without much prodding. The curriculum and the grading system are not traditional it is based on a college level direction which students have to be responsible for their own sucess. There is a personal invite each year to the school, which lets the student know they can either be accepted at Buxton or denied. This grading system is not fully explained on the web site, and I had to call to discuss this more in detail with the headmaster.

It might have been better to provide example for parents, during their orientation or tour, enough to explain how grading is performed by faculty. However there also need to be a more clear description on the web site to explain why this grading system is implemented.
In transfering to another private school, our student was accepted at a good private school, but the grading system still left the admission office very unclear about the value of this grading system.

The web site does tell of the grading system, but few parents would understand this coming from a traditional school or public school. In public school grades are not on line and there is daily and even semester to semster grades kept on students.

We asked the admission department several times about grades and we were unable to get the grades, without consent by the parent after sending our agreement to the school before admission of student. This was one issue including the activities, which were clearly not always clear to families.There were however, clearly planned activities and events on campus. We found after calling the school very organized trips to Washington DC and even a graduation party given by a parent.

Our student had good sucess in the off campus activities, took some leadership role in activities but needed more structured activities, and this probably would be very much needed for a student coming to Buxton from another part of the country. A student is active, need ongoing activities, and this needs to be improved at Buxton. While we did determine a student who did not initate interest in an activities might be very challenges too! Buxton, is simply a school for some students who have leadership ability. Because there is no hand-holding for these students. A student must initate the process of learning themselves at Buxton.

Many of the activities on campus included: biking, capoeira, chamber music, chorus, dance, drumming and percussion, horsebackriding, photography, snowboarding, skiing and studio art. Team activities included basketball, track and field, soccer and ultimate frisbee. We found on our tour, great students who seem more interested in the arts and community service. The average tuition at Buxton

Buxton accepts a standarized application with SSAT required for admission with an interview and essay required by the student. The Admission Director is Annie Shuker Haines, is a good Admission Director with a good staff who spend a significant amount of time marketing the school. Margo and Annie are also on staff at the school, and both have been helpful to families. We did find on the financial aid part at Buxton, our parents received regular statements of cost for activities monthly but without some explaination.

Many of the schools charges were not fully explained in detail, and I did find myself calling the school to speak to everyone from the headmaster to the admission to the financial aid department. Many parents were also challenged by the financial statements sent by the financial aid office. While we do have a good relationship with the school, this did present a problem for our parents.

The student we placed at Buxton is now in a public school, and while we spent a significant amount of time working on helping this student, the concern we had was Buxton perhaps liberal in the curriculum. We had difficulty getting transcripts for the family, we had holds placed on grades, when we had requested the grades, not knowing whether the family was up to date in their financial agreement. When we found out they had paid for the school and the amount owing was relatively small, the school insisted payment in full on the account, which made the family uncomfortable in addressing the financial piece with the consultant.

While our tour was very impressive initally, and certainly the school did much to help in coordinating a tour, having lunch on the campus, and explaining the admission processs, there were gaps in the communication with the family and the school. One example: is when the student had not been attending classes the parent were not informed, nor was the consultant. Record keeping of attendance was not based on a attendance book. The student assignments seemed to be unclear, when communication was needed with family which made it difficult for the consultant to obtain this information.

While my belief is Buxton still has a good school, there is clearly some challenges with the communication of departments. Annie was great in getting information completed in the admission process, however we simply did not know if there was any significant challenges in our student until we finally received a call from the parents.

My impression of Buxton, has been mixed. My thoughts are we do need to have greater communication with families. The school is very non traditional in the dress code, but the school has great community services. Fees are high and there clearly needs to be better communication between the consultant and family. We believe, student activities need to be more clearly explained to families at orientation. This simply because, the additional cost which is added to tuition might not seem very cost effective with parents who do not anticiapate this in the tuition. This can be very surprizing to some families and our experience, could be more explained.

Buxton has a great parent committee, and parent are involved with students and alumni. A student which might be a good fit for Buxton, must have the ability to work independently, be creative, focused, not easily distracted, willing to take the challenge of a college preparatory program, have good writing skills, looking for a liberal art college, have interest in theatre or the arts, have a direct link in wanting to learn the arts.

A student in creative arts or theatre might do well since Buxton is clearly interested in the arts or even performing arts. Many of its graduates are now working in the arts, and the maticulation to other colleges seem very good with a large number of student attending very good art progams.

The Oliverian School

2010-06-20T22:25:00.000-07:00

The Oliverian School is a college preparatory boarding and day school located in Haverill, New Hampshire. This past week, we visited the school and meet with the Director of Admission and Headmaster Emeritus, Barclay Mac Kinnon Jr, who has always been a part of the schools ongoing development.

Barclay spoke to me, as well as other consultants, on the tour, about the mission and the extensive development growth of the school over the past 10 years. There has been several changes which have occured, including: finding the construction of several new building in the staff with the addition of the admisions director, Carl Lovejoy is the current admissions director, replacing Barclay, who was performing both roles as headmaster and admissions director.

Carl has been in the industry for some time and as excellent knowledge of traditional boarding schools working in familiar schools in New England. He brings to the schools the very missing piece for the curriculm and a wealth of knowledge having worked at several boarding schools and having a good knowledge of day and boarding schools.

Barclay is now Emeritus headmaster moving his position to an honorable position, than direct headmaster. While he admits, " its taken some time to know mission of the school", he also acknowledges his role the made changes from being a therapeutic school to a college prepatory program. This change has taken time, and much decidication, based on their student population and the feedback from consultant and parents.

Many boarding schools are located in New Hampshire, having college preparatory program, however Oliverian is unique in its "pedalogy". The mission, similar to other college prepf schools has a curriculum matching these schools, but its student's are sometimes more academically challenged. The very practical learning focused on life science and experimentation, its clearly a school for a student who is wanting to experience life skills application, but its focus is on college preparatory admission.

The nature beauty of the school is cascade by its very lovely enviroment, which is green friendly and shares with students how to care for others, besides themselves. This experience includes: a creamery, livestock for caring for and a extensive horticulture program.

Staff at Oliverian are very enviromentally friendly too! The most interesting piece in the school mission, is its ability to challenge students grades 9 through 12 and will accept students in upper grades. A traditional boarding school would not allow admission in the 12th grade in general. This not the case for Oliverian.

The school offers snow skiing, snow boarding, and typical winter sports, while offering different activities in the summer like softball and soccer. Students come from all over the world. There are student from the states, at least 20 different states are included. These students may be underachievers, or they might be middle or moderately underachievers. The more capable of achieving in the school the more sucessful the student might be.

The enviromental science for example is a learning lab. We might consider these students otherwise not be admitted at traditional boarding school, but probably in a therapeutic school placement.

The curriculum is similar to a traditional boarding school, but there are not the pressure of having a regular boarding school. The program offfers sucess but under different circumstances. The residental treatment program component is not really noticeable, becaue it looks like a therapeutic school and not a boarding school.

Several consultants including myself met with the school last week to hear about the changes at Oliverian. During our fourth day of touring several school in Massachuttes, Vermont, and New Hampshire were also involved in the tour. Consultants from Canada. Washington DC and Bermuda, Massachutes, and Vermont were in attendance.

We had a very nice lunch after touring several of the new contruction ares of the campus, The campus renovations included: the fine arts building, the girls housing, the boys housing the library, along with the housing for staff located in over 1,400 acres of land with a natural pond used for ice skating in the winter and swimming in the summer. The program also has a summer program with less the amount of students.

The maticulation to colleges at Oliveran seem very sucessful with many going on to local colleges after Oliverian. The faculty provides direction for students in college admissions helping all students find direction in testing, having AP courses as well as tutoring. We had lunch with all the staff and they answered all of our questions regarding the sucess and challenges of the school. The school does have a very academic center, art and music studio, organic gardens, forestry barn and horse stable, including a riding area. The counseling and fitness center is also an addition to the program. The school has a live stock barn with many animals used by the school.

This type of approach to learning is a perfect fit for students both a residental treatment and therapeutic boarding school setting. The school also has a academic preparness which is helpful. A creamary is on campus where they produce dairy products, and teach recycling, as well as enviroment science. the admission office is at the front of the housing and classroom areas.

"Our goals of the program is to teach individual skills for independence, "not baby sitting", according to the new admissions director, Carl Lovejoy. The Center for School Sucess is a model used at Oliverian to help move them to sucess. Individuals hired by the school are specifically choosen based on their capability to carry out the missin of the school as well as the model of the Center for School Sucess, adopted by Darmouth College, which is directed to helping student achieve sucess.

We found. while there are certainly no perfect students at Oliverian. Many students do come from wilderness progams before coming to Oliverian. The school is less restrictive in rules and expectations are simply to help student achieve sucess and being responsible. Barclays says: " if a student does not want to be here, they can leave". "We do not believe in making kids come to here, nor do we want them here if they don't want to be here". At Oliverian, we simply want our students to want to be here". The most interesting part of coming to Oliverian is their sucess rate. The campus is absoutely beautiful, simple natural, very much like living in a home setting, but very nuturing, to students.

A student who might be choosen to come to Oliverian might a student not as sucessful in a restricted residental treatment program. The student certainly need to be somewhat mature, but has direction in being more accoutable, and enjoys being in the outdoors. A student who might want to study enviromental science is a perfect fit. A student is very oppositional is not a good fit simply because its very difficult to control a student in this enviroment.

A student needing nurturing and support by staff is a good fit. We believe the cost to be quite reasonable at about 55,000 (fifity five thousand dollars). The price is just about 10 (ten thousand dollars compared to a traditional boarding school. The dorms are very simple, but comfortable. No frills but the larger part is the schools very large campus with the number of students enrolled in the program from other programs.

The current enrollment was a bit past 50 students and this was apparently a comfortable number for the staff to have a clear mission of addressing the need of the student individually. A consultant would look at this school as a in betwen placement or step up program. This is not a step down program where a student would be placed before wilderness, it is a good school for a step up program after wilderness.

There was over 90,000 dollars of financial aid awarded during the year at Oliverian to students and this is quite impressive. The school was inital on the ground of a public school for students with special needs, having made several changes over the years.

Family therapy is frequent, with the students and their parents, who even have the opportunity to have contact with the staff with home visits. We found a significant availability of services with a good staff to student ratio of the school . There is a chef on campus to provide good meals and students do work at the school in many capacities. Barclay recently hired a new assistant to admission who is very familar with traditional boarding and worked a several traditional schools before coming to Oliverian.

We believe a student who wants to thrive in a therapeutic boarding school prepatory school will do well at Oliverian. Students with a significant problem with substance abuse, challenges with behavior so restrictive to need a more supervised setting will not do well at Oliverian. We found the staff supportive and creative. The application is on line or can be provided by the educational consultant.

Wolfeboro Summer Boarding School

2010-05-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

Wolfeboro is a summer boarding school. Now that summer is qujckly coming up us, many parents are looking for a summer program. Summer boarding schools provide a unique opportunity to work with students both academically and provide enrichment activities leading to placement in a traditional boarding school or to those interested in college. Wolefboro is one of my favorite, summer programs simply because it has many boarding school components, yet this program has a very strong preparation for those students looking at fall admission through a summer program.

While most consultants are familar with Wolefboro, this unique program is in a setting which is similar to a camp program with students from China, India, as well as United Arab Emirates, among other countries. Presently, I have a student interested in a summer boarding school. Wolefboro is a perfect fit for this paarticular student offering ESL classes. Many students from India although they may be proficient in basic Engish, need help in writing and reading.

Dr. Joyce Ferris is the academic dean, We have spoken several occassions about the school, and what it has to offer. Dr. Ferris says, " some student who come to Wolfeboro, find the outdoor setting very different, but become quickly adjusted during the nine week program. Mr. Ed Cooper is the head of school and a perfect fit for Wolfeboro. This is a co educational boarding program, which has an entry level for fifth grader. Enrollment is for the full session only! Wolfboro admits student of any race, creed or background attend Wolfboro. A school which has international recognition in many countries, can be the best fit for students looking at a boarding school in the fall.

The application can be completed on line and is really very quick but length. A consultant working with a family would have to enter the information or have the information completed by the family, which includes:a three part profile of the student. Wolfeboro requires a B-2 visa which is actualy a tourist vias and many parents from outside the country can get this information from a consultant.

The first part of the application includes: providing the student's primary residence. Parent or legal guardians are also asked to fill information n the application on line. The other part is a secondary residence information which allows the consultant to be informed of the student and family as well as the school needs this information. The student profile is really to identify the core subject areas of the student and the relatively weak subject areas. Wolforo also needs to know the student study habits and its relevance to being at the school.

The non academic aspect of the program is discussed in the packet of information which can be sent to the family or consultant. The admission packet includes: out of school interest and hobbies and the type of friends the student might have. Many of the students attending Wolfeboro might be special needs students, but many are not. Wolfeboro can address the special needs of students, as well as formulate an individual plan for its students

While not all students are special needs students at Wolfeboro. There are many in student's who need help in English. The average student has classes which is small. This allows more 1:1 help by teachers and smaller class room size. We discussed with Dr. Ferris, the averge enrollment and size of classes, and our interest in placing a student who was coming from India. Dr. Ferris indicated " we have several students from India and "they were quite pleased with our program". Our interest was placing this student in the right school or program, not so much as he is from India.

Wolfeboro is designed for those students who might look for a school like Exeter Academy, Andover, or Cushing Academy. Wolfeboro wants to know the primary goal of being at the school, than just which is part of the application need to be completed. A consultant might ask a family several questions but they might provide this information voluntarily to the school. Many parents completing any application for a summer program, completes the application on line with a consultant, or even in person. Working with a consultant helps to avoid mistakes. On a historical note, let me share with you how Wolfeboro begin.

Wolfeboro was purchased by George Robins, a teacher from the Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. In 1977 the school as established as a non profit school. Classes are designed to improve, review and develop the essential skills in lagging subjects. While a summer program was added to be non academic program it later became both.

The ESL English as a Second Language program is designed to help students who need assistance in learning to read and write in English. The do have a significant amount of students from China. This makes a a good fit for an international student or a student or those native born but has limited command of English. Tuition is not listed on the web site, but my information fo the current fees at Wolfboro have increased. The New England Boarding School tour will soon come again in winter, and this will be on my agenda to attend this tour.

Diamond Ranch Academy

2010-04-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

Diamond Ranch Academy is a residental treatment program located in Hurrican Utah. It has the feel of a boarding school, with a focus on therapeutic intervention for boys and girls. The program does focus on both academic remediation and improving behavioral areas for students with challenges socially and in learning.

We have sent students to the school which included transporting these students to the program, working directly with the staff and associate clinical Director Kade Matthews.

Diamond Ranch offers a very diverse program for boys and girls. The campus is divided into several areas, which includes: Lava Falls for older boys and several different age appropriate areas for boys and girls which allows staff to move students around depending on the needs of the student.

The program has a level system using a court based system to move students to sucess. This method is very effective in helping students understand consequences to their behavior. The program also rewards student by increasing their level so they have a clear understanding of what they need to do to move forward toward discharge.

Our first contact with the school included: discussing the entire program with the Director Maurie Simmons including our visit to campus more recently to check on one of my students and meet with the clinical director and associate director and admissions director in St. George.

Maurie as well as all staff are very comitted to helping with the placement of students at DRA. We generally works the staff in the inital conference call addressing the financial piece, along with reviewing my assessment and recommendations.

This is usually followed by having an Exhibit A which is the cost needs of the family. This plays a significant part with a family, determining the need for enrolling the student and the cost for the program. Ms. Simons is also very good at addressing my needs for the family. Diamond Ranch is a perfect match for a student needing a 10-12 month program. DRA also provides an additional month free after graduation.

The inital cost would be both enrollment and for any prepaid fees for medical and equipment fees for students participating in athletics. Diamond Ranch has a very dedicated staff, who continues to keep us informed in the entire placement. We believe, a student in the progra and committed to working with consultant would be a good fit. Diamond Ranch is clearly the right location for a family who might have a child between 14-17 years of age and these might include girls or boys.

The clinical staff is terrific. Kade Matthews has spent a significant amount of time working with me and families in the early placement along wtih Bo Iverson, who is the Education Director. The amount of continued work with our students in areas of goal achievement, orientations and goal setting and discharge planning, including: providing psychological reports, testing and weekly updated and contacts with the family has been invaluable.

The school offers a free months tuition for families after completing the entire program. The cost of the program is about $6,000 (six thousand dollars per month), with all cost not includig the enrollment fees. The fees include clothing, books, sporting equipment for baseball and football. DRA also has a music program and creative arts which is part of the program including community service. Courses at DRA range from English, Math, Science and Social Studies, all broken down into specific areas as the student advances in the subject areas. These include: algebra, geometry, pre calculus, biology, chemistry, earth science, US and World History.

The program is divided by age groups and each area of the campus is designed to allow students of various ages and gender to be incorporated in the program. Diamond Ranch is the perfect fit for a adolescent who has issue with oppositional behavior or conduct disorder. The program was founded in 1999 and is relatively new.

It has had years to look at other programs and identify sucess and implementing a program that matches a boarding schools. Students are required to wear casual uniforms. Enrollment is year around and the program is accrediated by the Northwest Accreditation of Schools, licenced by the State of Utah with credits transfering to public and private schools.

Our student, was able to move forward in his education by completing a year which he was behind. The courses, varied from math, economics, english, and science. The focus is on charcter education, where students are taught to value themselves. DRA has a personalized System of Instruction which is individualized allow students to work at their own pace and ask for help in the curriculum. Credit is granted on completing of mastery of content, not just spending time in class. Each class is designed to move the student to a much broader understanding of themselves and to take responsibilty.

Parenting workshops are held and all students and families are engaged in this process. We found the parening workshops to be very valuable for our family in understanding their role in the placement. While our student still presented challenges, there was no doubt, everything possible was provided at DRA with the admission to the discharge planning.

We believe DRA has the right fit as a co-educational residential progrm with at least a 10 month stay and graduation at least during this time. We like the rolling enrollment during the year. Parents can benfit by working with us in deciding whether this program is indeed the best fit. Please contact us for more information and placement at Diamond Ranch Academy.

Indian Mountain School.

2010-03-02T08:52:00.000-08:00

Indian Mountain School is an independent co educational boarding school for children grades pre k -9th grades, located in Lakeview, Conneticut. The upper school is for grades 5-9 and the lower school is for the lower grades. My tour of included included several other schools throughout Conneticut including Marvelwood, South Kent, just to name a few.

Conneticut has a wealth of good schools, and Indian Mountain, is one of those hidden secrets about lower boarding schools at the lower grade school level. The school has a great curriculum designed for moving toward a upper schools but sophisticated enough to appear simliar to a upper school. Not only does it have a curriculum designed for grades 5-9 but the primary school includes pre kindergarten grades which is common more in a day school. The children are adorable at this age and despite some parents reservation to have a younger child in a boarding schools setting it worked perfect. Many of the other consultants also remarked on this observation. We had well over 8 consultants from every country from Brazil to China on the tour to Russia.

We meet with the staff at the school and spoke to the headmaster, before we actually started the tour, and while the campus was a bit damp this morning we were greated graciously. It was a typical New England day, but all of the consultants, we prepared and dressed for the weather, with a warm jacket, some wearing gloves, and others a longer coat. The children were equally prepared for the weather!

The school combines the critical elements of middle school at the lower schol level. They have a strong focus on developing social skills and learning at the same time. A student entering upper school must prepared but they seem to do quite well.

Its a perfect match for a parent looking for a day school and boarding at an early age. The curriculum at the school includes: fine art, performing arts, and a strong study program, and sports and much parent involvement in the early grades in the lower school.

The school was founded by Francis Riggs in 1916 who purchased the land on the upper campus. Riggs educated at Groton College and Harvard College was deeply affected by the World War II, and believe prevention of another conflict of this magnitude, layed in the eratication of proverty. By 1922, Riggs had secured funding for the school and developed a boys boarding school for his purpose.

The motto of the school "Life through Service" became the predominate motto of the school since its inception which was initally for boys. Taught at the school were the benefits of school kitchen and outdoor life. Riggs retired from the school in 1939 and appointed William Doolittle has head of school. Doolittle, began the school with only 18 boys. The enrollment increased to 130 boys later, and was changed into a coe educational boarding school. By 1946 the school offered grade 9 and the focus of being a all boys school shifted.

We meet the faculty early morning and dicussed the changes of the school, which now includes the pre school and an active parent group for the children, We found the maticulation rate, including admission to other upper schools, which included: Ethel Walker. Old Farms School. The Gunnery, Kent School, Marvelwood, Salisbury, Suffield Academy, Miss Porters, among other schools.

This school would be a good fit for parents who have younger children but it would also introduce students in the lower grades to boarding school. Most of the students were very familar with boarding, and well adjusted to entering boarding at an early age. This has to be one of the best schools for this purpose and our recommendations would be supported in this placement.

The cost for attending Indian Mountain, is roughly about $43, 900 fourty three thousand and nine hundred dollars. Tuition as the day school is $23,0000, twenty three thousand dollars. Pre kindergarten is $14,000 fourteen thousand dollars.

The school offers a tuition refund plan, and a structured payment plan which is convenient for parents. This is no cheap bargin for parents. but there are many scholarships and the endowment funding is quite large and growing. Many parents hiring an Educational Consultant would be looking at this school for a high end lower school. Cost may be a factor in choice, but for the right family is a good fit. What do you think about the school? Is it a choice for you and would you consider Indian Mountain Schools as a pre school choice?

Cheshire Academy

2010-02-24T13:05:00.000-08:00

Cheshire Academy is a middle school located in Cheshire, Conneticut. It is one of the oldest boarding schools dating back to 1794. Cheshire has a long history with many famous individuals have attended the school, including JP Morgan, Andrew Foote,Angela Robinson, Joseph Wheeler, Chester Bowels, among others are the list of alumni.

Our consultant tour of Cheshire started with a student in the middle school who was born in the area, and a day student. We visited the entire campus walking through each department, and visiting classes where students attended in the upper and lower school, where there we learned, students attending Cheshier were proud, exctied, and very comitted to the community in itself, They were also familar with the history of Cheshire, and faculity and the commuity at large. This is a very community based boarding school, where everyone knows of the school, its students, and its reputation.

The approximate student population is 360 with a mixed co educational student body. Cheshire has the presence of a lower and upper school on campus, with student of varied age groups from the 6th to the 12th grade. There are a vary of activities for students ranging from art to athletics, many students are day students, and others are boarding students offering flexiblity for parents.

The consultants on our tour, were impressed by the faculty support of the school and we had a introduction by each of the faculty at an open luncheon for consultants. The head of schools, recently took the position from leaving Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire. I lived in Exeter and know the prestige of attending a school like Exeter, and Cheshire ranks very high in this number.

Chershire has a friendly campus, not only with staff but students, it covers lower grades and moves to the upper grades. Cheshire does support students with special needs as well. The class size is larger than a small boarding school, but each student receives individual attention in most subjects. 60 (sixty percent) of the students are boarding students, the other are day students. Teacher ratio is 7 to 1. The endowment is 7 millions and the school does offer scholarships. Admission is in Feburary with a rolling admission policy. Chershire offers AP courses including history, Spanish,literature and composition, psychology, music theory,European History,Chemistry and Calculus. American Goverment, statistics, and other advanced classes.

This would be the prefect school for a high achieving student, who is advanced in mathmatics, or had an interest in the arts. The school also has a strong fine arts department with classes in art , digital photography, theatre, and drawing and painting. There is also a good athletic program which includes: competitive swiming, soccer, volleyball, and other sports.

All students eat in the dinning area, which is scheduled daily. Day students are often dropped off by parents, but transportation is avaialbe for on campus activities. There is a strong parent support group at Cheshire, with involvement year around and a summer program. The parent association is very active, involving faculty and students in fundraising. Activiites and funraising happen year around.

Cheshire does have a uniform policy, but on our visit most studentss were dressed in either casual dress similar to uniforms or wearing uniforms. Schools in Conneticut have a long history of exceptional learning, and Cheshire is one of those schools, which have both the accceptance in the academic community, and community at large. Families receive a family handbook for students enrolled in the school, and tuition is $42, 000 dollars and day school just about $31,000 (thirty one thousand dollars. Acceptance in colleges is a given at Cheshire and most students do attend major universities here acceptance rates are very high or excelling.

We found the school to be in a good range for prices at a middle boarding school. Additional cost for uniforms, books, and activities must be factored in the overall tuition. Cheshire has a long history of excellence. and a proven record of sucessful alumni. Most parents lviing in the New England area are familiar with Cheshire. Parents in the mid west or southwest would probbly considre this a far distance to travel. We believe its one of the better schools for families, and would recommend the school either in lower or upper grades. A excellent support with parent committes makes this a interacative campus of parents and students.

South Kent School

2010-02-23T17:05:00.000-08:00

South Kent School is a boarding and day school for boys in grades 9-12, located in the heart of the Litchfield Hills in northwest Connecticut. An enrollment of 145 students and a teaching staff of twenty-nine translates into small classes and individualized attention for students. The average class has ten students." I had a chance to visit the campus at South Kent, as a consultant and offer parents the unique opportunity to know the school on a personal level.

South Kent is located in a rural area of Conneticut, but its campus by no means simply a rural setting. With over 350 acres of land the campus provides a large number of activities for the school and great housing. Selectivity is a part of coming to the school. however, it does not require the SSAT, which is traditionally required for boarding schools. Many of the students come from all over the country, as well as other parts of the world. Acceptance rate is 46% and all students must meet the application deadline which is in March. There is a rolling admission policy for new students, and most students must be prepared well to attend South Kent.

At a glance, South Kent represents a traditional boarding school but its lower and upper school grades make it very appealing for families. In many ways with the strong academic of the students expectation by the faculty, South Kent is considered a smaller boarding school.

It would be a good match for a student looking for a traditional small boarding school that has some selectivity. There is a tuition assistance program and most students receive some assistance. The endowment at Kent is 6 million, making this school not only affordable but cheapeer in overall tuition for day students compared to boarding students which is $24,000 (twenty four thousand) for day students and $34,000 (thirty four thousand) for boarding students. Ken is an all boy's boarding school not a co educational boarding school.

Activities on campus range from crew, basketball, cycling, snowboarding, skiing, baseball and soccer among other intermural or competitive sports. The students we had as tour guides were very polite, appeared to have selected Kent based on its traditions and its academic program. There are no accomodations of students with learning differences at the school. The range of grades start at middle school to upper school from 9-12,

Most of the consultants, we spoke to regarding the school were very familar with its tradition's and its acceptance rate. The minority acceptance rate is just above 12 % of the student population, with a over 80 percent of the children from middle class to upper class families.

We believe, South Kent, is a good match for the right student. Kent would be a good fit, for parents looking for an all boys school, college prepatory with a strong academic focus. Students must be engaged in learning to come to the school. They must also be motivated and interested in learning and self disciplined. Many parents would be surprized that the range of activities at South Kent would be appealing for young men between 9-12th grade.

A single gender boarding school, has much appeal for a boy who needs to be focused academically, needs a disciplined school, but preparing for college, and can make the adjustments to lving in an all boys enviroment. Single gender boarding schools are actually very popular, in the boarding school community.

Activities are not just limited to the all boys setting buy co educational activities to happen on campus with other girls schools. Generally supervised activities are organized with faculity and parent groups, which might be a surprize to many parents. A consultant working with a family in these instances would be helpful not only in determining the selection of a school, but the potential sucess of a student in a school like South Kent.

Rumsey Hall

2009-12-10T13:28:00.000-08:00

Rumsey Hall is a co educational boarding school is currently located in Washinton, Conneticut. This is about 1. 5 hrs from Hatford. A parent visiting this campus needs to have a rental car or a transport to get to campus, its very rural in its location. It has moved with the rapid need for more space and a greater number of students to attend this pretigous school. The school is well know in the community for its excellence in education, working with student from varied states and varied countries around the world.

I had the pleasure of visiting Rumsey, during my regularly scheduled fall tour with other consultants. The consultants came from all over the world for the tour, which was very well coordinated by the Marvelwood school. This tour included several schools and great kids. Rumsey Hall resembles a upper school, but surprizingly its has grades k-9, with about 300 students and a 1:5 ratio of student to facultyof the students, who were simply wonderful. I loved the campus and the students were equally gracious and mannerable.

We started with a music and video performance, followed by the chorus of students from all grades. This is really a top notch group, with an equally committed faculty and staff. We proceeded with one of the students in our tour of the entire campus. Student have a way about presenting the facts to consultants, which makes the tour even more delightful. The focus of the curriculum we found is on language skills and flows from writing to organizationanl skills, essential to learning.

The campus has a large area, more than any schools this size and the faculty walked us through the changes on the campus, which included a new athletic center, changes in the construction of the girls dorms, and the proposals for upcoming years.

Most parents visiting this type of school, might be surprized the school really looks like a upper school. This boarding school ranges in grades k-9 which is commonly the start grades for lower school than upper schools. The campus is very accomodating with dorms decorated for this age group or girls, teddy bears on the bed, super heros for the boys, video games, dolls for the girls, and just a very warm feeling for the students.

The girls were terrific, polite, mannerable and just the kind of kids every mother and dad wished they had. There are various activiites for the girls and boys and most students including : athletics, art music, fine arts, just to name a few, were all part of the entire school. I believe a new constructed auditorum for class meetings, was very tastefully decorated in school colors, and the campus had great study areas for the children.

The right student for Rumsey Hall would be a younger student entering or prepared to enter a upper school. A day student would also be a good match, but they possibly might consider being a boarding student in the near future. The children have field trips, socials, all sort of events all year around. There is no "bordem" here, the kids are busy all the time, and they don't have time to think about missing home. Home for many of the students is Rumsey Hall, the the faculty and staff make sure the kids re taken care of.

There is a dinning room, decorated with taste and all students eat together, While our tour says the food is "pretty good"-well the kids know better than I do! Smile. I am just a visitor-right, Most students are from the east coast. Other students are from near and far.

The variety of activites range from ice hockey, to baseball, basketball, soccer, their are so many other activities to keep this young population active. While the teacher ratio of 1:5 the class sizes equally small. Would you send you child age 7 to a boarding school? What are some things about Rumsey Hall you like? What is the curriculum about? Having heard nt comments would you go to Rumsey Hall? Would you send you son or daughter to this school?

The Hotchkiss School

2009-10-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

The Hotchkiss School is a private independent co educational boarding school located in Lakeview Conneticut. It was founded in 1891 and provide a education unsurpassed by most boarding schools in the country. We toured the school among other schools in Conneticut this past week. Students come to Hotckiss from over 36 countries including the Umoted States for the experience of a lifetime.

Hotchkiss has a mixture of students from every country imaginable, Afganistan, Iran, Africa, South American, China, and so many other countries. The schools also has a rigious academics curriculum which requires at least 6 hours of homework per day. Hotckiss is marvelous school for the right student. Our tour of the school was simply facinating. Parents looking at a school like Hotchkiss, will be very impressed by its academics with over 200 courses and 16 departments ranging from art, fine arts, mathmatics, history, languages, chemisty and biological sciences, which students must be independent, and high achievers to compete in such a rigorous program. Students must also be self motivated.

Students at the school study economics, mathmatics, physics, advance calculus, trigonometry, among other courses in every imagable setting, where an international baccularate level of education is offered, and ESL English as a second Language is taught. It is clear to me, not every student will be accepted at Hotchkiss. We discuss in depth the requirement for admission and most students would have to be exceptionally prepared.

There are pre. upper, middle and senior level courses, and all students have a very clear idea of their direction and goals. It is not uncommon to travel to other countries at Hotchkiss. Most students already have a international direction. Course offeing includes: world religion. philosophy, music, theatre, modern languages including Chinese, advanced mathmatics, history, just to name a few. All of the students we toured with were very happy with the school, and considered it a privellege to attend the school and be admitted.

As a traditional boarding school dress is casual, and with some dress days, a blazer and slacks for boys and shirts and blazer for girls is required. The expectations are high, and students who have challenges might not fit at Hochkiss, but it certainly is a indepth boarding school. We visited the art studio which was comprised of students in fine art, sculpture among so many other choices for art students. We also toured other parts of the campus including the dorms which are double bunked. We found most students are so busy, they simply don't have much time to go to their rooms unless it is for studying.

A student panel was held with all consultants, and we asked the students about the amount of time it required to keep up at Hochkiss. Many of the students spend at least 2 hours per subject in study hall and after classes which means 6 hours a day studying. The school has a wonderful athletic facility where sports like squash, tennis, volleyball, basketball, and so many other sports are played at a very competitive level with schools like Choate Hills and Berkshire, both highly competitive schools.

The bookstore had all college level cousre books, ranging from Shakespearean Literature to Advanced Calculus. Students can trade in their books at the end of the year and this reduce the cost for books. The campus has 0ver 800 acres of land. It is a non denominational school, which accepts students from all faiths and backgrounds. The annual tuition is $41,800.00 and there is a cheaper route for day students. Rachel Bear is the admissions director, and met with us in the morning of our tour to address our concerns of parents and consultants. Many of the questions about the school foccused on its future, its mission, and direction with students who are extermely gifted and talented.

Parents seem impressed by the school, when we talked to the students, it afterall is a class act to say the least. The offering special lecture series at the school with prominent individuals from all over the world to discuss current topics related to education is exceptional for students in a boarding community. Classroom size is large enough for individual attention with the traditional circular table for more class interaction. We talked to a student from Chicago, who says the school has changed her life. We believe the doors that open up by attending Hotchkiss is enormous.

One parent donated 5 million dollars to the school, even after not re-enrolling his son in the school. The endowment size is 380 million and much of this is used for scholarships and school improvments. 38 percent of the students are of color and 92 percent are boarding students. which speak well of the overall student population and the emphasis on boarding students. Most boarding school require a minimum of 3 sports for students, however many of the students are involved in less.

Having heard about Hochkiss, would you send you child to this type of boarding school? What type of student do you feel would be placed at a school like Hotchkiss? Would consider the school to be high end? What things do you like about the school?

Marvelwood

2009-10-25T16:03:00.000-07:00

Marvelwood School is a co educational boarding school located in about 1.5 hours from Hardford Conneticut. Marvelwood is the brainchild of Robert A. Botkin and Ian Han, who started the school in 1956 with 21 boys and a handful of teachers in a country setting, which is remarkable! We toured the school, recently with several consultants from as far as China and Russia and Brazil. Additional consultants from several states were also a part of the tour. California, South Carolina, North Carolina. Colorado, Georgia, as well as the New England States.

Many parents looking at Marvelwood would be very surprized at the culture and diversity at the school, not to mention the schools wonderful sense of community. The student body is about 166, which is a perfect fit for international student's or ESL students from other countries. The school also has a curriculum to help students with learning differences, its a great fit for the right student. It is a traditional boarding school for boys and girls. has a terrific athletic programs, varied classes, and curriculum addressing the academic needs and challenges of students no matter what their learning curve might be.

My student tour guide was from Ghana. Africa. Her name is Alicia. She as a very excited student, who is very bright, articulate, knowledable about different cultures having attending school in Malysia, Africa, and the United States. She is involved in mulitiple activities, and very much a leader on the campus. She first came to Marvelwood, after looking at several other schools in the United States.

Her brother, who is also a boarding student, at Choate, is described as a very bright student equally. Alicia has regular contact with her brother, and often returns home in the summer with much excitement to tell her parents of her experience at Marvelwood. The most significant part of this students life was she was also in public school student. She found attending public school to be very challenging and not in the direction for sucess.

When we asked, why she choose Marvelwood, she indicated," everyone here feels like family". "We know everyone and everyone knows us". My mom lives in Ghana and she is coming to visit, but we talk all the time about the school". She is equally pleased about my coming to Marvelwood". We could tell, from the excited smile on her face. which was glowing. Indeed this is a special place for many international and stateside students.

The school challenges students no matter where they come from", -"I feel so much a part of the community at Marvelwood its like home". It's hard to explain, but we all feel like family here".As a consultant, there was not a single student, we interviewed, or toured with at the school, that did not say something positive to say about the school. All of the students were excited and very enthuastic, and engaging.

A student who does not want to attend Marvelwood, or a seclusive student would not be a good fit, according to one student on our students on the student panel. Simply because "its a school, where you simply cannot hide."

With an average class size of 9 expanding 83 acres of land it is as beautiful a campus, as the students themselves. What makes Marvelwood an exceptional school are its kids, with good character, a strong sense of community at the school, its protection of its students by helping them mature and focus on helping other students, achieve sucess. The faculity in the commuity is equally committed most living on campus. Our student was so very excited about the school's graduation, she could not hesitate to tell us aobut her anticipated graduation the following year, and the traditions of the school.

She indicated she was planning on attending either George Washington University or several other schools with prestige. She wanted to become a lawyer, and it was very clear she had direction and focus. Her advisor was also involved in helping her plan for college and to make the right decisions.

As a student she also told us about the rigrious academics in her home country before coming to Marvelwood. Her dream was to attend a school in the United States and become a lawyer. An ambition she has had for a very long time. Strong meaningful relationships seem to be a part of Marvelwood, which is also a part of the reason our student excels. We had lunch together, toured every part from the fine arts, to the athetic center, showing award to the school in everything from basketball, soccer, baseball, and a host of trophies incased in teh athletic hall. Alicia was a very warm and caring young lady, the tour also had a tstudent panel who was equally proud of Marvelwood.

Marvelwood is an intimate community of students, where each student is important and each student is recognized. As a consultant, this is absoutely one of the best schools, we found in our many tours of schools and programs. Teachers are more than teachers at Marvelwood, they are advisers, and Alicia spoke highly of the students and they also spoke well of her. Marvelwood cost about $48,000 fourty eight thousand dollars for tuition. An enrollment fee is added and much of the interview process is finding the right student for Marvelwood. There is a payment plan offered to parents, and their is a resident deposit for the school.

All students must wear a jacket blazer and girls were skirts at the knee and boys wear a shirt in tie during classes. Alicia said this was not a problem for her, she was accustomed to this dress code and it shows pride in being a student at Marvelwood. All student do attend study hall and receive individual help in any subject by teachers and adivisors. The school has a very well developed music program, that allows students to study the history of the Beatles to receiving individual instruction in guitar, piano, and practically all instruments from strings to percussions instruments, including acapella music.

There are girls and boys sports, with all the trimmings of traditional school with a highly competitive program in most sports. Some of the activies include: Math Club, SAT Prep. Drivers Education, Drama, Book Club. Girls Night, Movie Night, International Fair. Scabble Club, Shaksepeare, Prom, Dances, Student Faculity Basketball Games, Winter Carnival, Ski Club and so many other activities, its hard to list them all.

One parent visiting the school, reflected on her son coming to Marvelwood, saying "her son would not be the same student, had he not attended Marvelwood". The parent lives not far from the school came to our tour to meet us as consultants. The was a great opportunity to hear from a parent about the school and its impact on her son, personally.

We believe for a parent who is looking for a school with diversity, acceptance, helping children from 9-12 grades achieve sucess this is the right place. Marvelwood does accept students in 12th grade and has an excellent LD program for student with learning differences, which is very uncommon for a traditional boarding school. This shows the comittment by the school to achievement of students sucess, no matter what level they might be.

What do you think of Marvelwood? Is this the type of school for you son and daughter? What do you like about Marvelwood? Did the personal testimony by a parent influence you decidion to send a student? How can we help you to send you child to a school like Marvelwood?

Piney Woods Country Life Boarding School

2009-10-16T17:45:00.000-07:00

Piney Woods Boarding School is one of the four remaining historically African American Boarding Schools in the country. The schools is located about 21 miles from Jackson Mississippi. in a scenic part of Missippi with rolling hills, and several lakes. It has its roots in the segregated south but also has a unique history, in being both a boarding school, and at one time a school for the blind. While many schools at an eariler time were segregated Piney Woods has a legacy of their ownm with a strong connection to Jackson.

We spoke to the Director of Admissions Ron Huddlesworth, about the school, and found some very interesting things which most consultants might not know about Piney Woods. Many consultants, we have spoken to are either not familar with Piney Woods, or never toured the school. They might have heard of the school, but they have never spoken directly to a faculty at Piney Woods, so their knowledge is limited, most have never seen the campus or explored its historic legacy.

Mr. Huddlesworth was gracious to speak to me about the school by a conference call, which was we both shared many of the concerns of parents having children at Piney Woods. While he was preparing for its annual tubilee- A historical term, often used by many black sch0ols and colleges which is often referred to as parent-alumni days in other boarding schools. We spoke to Mr. Huddlesworth, at greath length about the schools misssion, history and its direction.

The school has a mission of training young men and women toward heart, hands, and helping-a motto of the school which has been embrassed since its beginning. These three areas are a play a significant part of Pinney Woods purpose. While many parents might not undestand this motto or misssion, it's clear tha helping students in these areas are critical. Students are als0 sent to Piney Woods for a college prepatory education, which might not be clear to some parents or consultants. We spoke to one consultant on our tour in New England, who thougth
Piney Woods was a school for only African American students. We had to clarify the diversity of the school to this consultant.

Piney Woods started as all boys school, but is now a co educational boarding school that has student from over 20 different countries and states including girls on the campus. Piney Woods offers a good scholastic curriculum to help students who want to enter college, while preparing for life. The mission of preparing students for life is the essential part of the school's motto. They have over 2000 acres of land, where students do farming chores and work to address this mission. Unlike other boarding schools, students do work on campus, having great responiblities for maintaining the campus.

This supplements the tuition which is at a reduced rate often more afforable to familes which have low economic support. Many student coming to Piney come to the school with a resuced rate for tuition. Many paying much less than they would had they attended a boarding school on the east coast, which can range up to 48,000 fourty eight thousand dollars.

The faculty at Piney Woods are wonderful and committed teachers, many African American who are interested in the student population. Mr. Huddlesworth reminded me about the school and its mission and purpose, in our discussion. The school has on its main page information which was addressed on CNN Lives program "Black in America". This series, talks about the educational challenges of minority youth in America as well as the culture.

The program was hosted by CNN addressing some of the challenges black Ameican face with the drop out rate and violence in public schools. We are planning a tour to Piney Woods to meet the faculty very soon. Our invitation was many months ago, and we feel the school has great opporunities for the right student. Mr. Huddlesworth, explained " Piney Woods is open to all students not exclusively black students". "We do have a large number of black students but mmany of our students come from other countries, including the Carribean, some from Canada others from Egypt". "Many parents many not look at Piney Woods, because they think its a all black boarding school". Other parents might send a student to the school, simply by word of mouth.

We worked with a parent, who had a son at Piney Woods, and left the school after a short time requesting my services for a school. The parent felt Piney Woods as not a good match for her child. We wanted to ask for ourselves, about why this parent removed their child from Piney Woods. More imporatantly, we wanted first hand knowledge of the school, rather than a single parent experience of the school.

Some parents concerns about a school like Piney Woods simply because of the ethnic composition of the students, other might have different reasons. Mr. Huddlesworth, simply replied, "well many parents send their childre to Piney for the wrong reasons". Often the problem is they "have a problem long before coming to Piney Woods, and that is simply not our mission.

We wanted to ask this question, because when a consultant sends a student to an all black rural boarding school, in Mississippi, there might be nunerous reason, or concerns which have nothing to do with the school itself. We also want to determine if those reasons were valid, and if Piney Woods is the best place for the right student. While adjustment to a rural community in Missippi may be an issue or challenge for a student from a urban community, the right place is imporant for any consultant working with a family.

The fact is 98 percent of students attending Piney Woods go on to college. We found the curriculum matching to the states proficiency, but probably needing additional courses in latin and fine arts, and probably math and science was perhaps needed.

The schools' motto is heart, help, and hands is the very essence of the school mission can be accomplished. When a consultant is looking at a school like Piney Woods or Pine Forge, also a historically black Seventh Day Adventist boarding school, they must understand both schools mission and its focus. Pine Forge is a historically black boarding school in Pensylvania, which like
Piney Woods has a largely black student population.

The question we want to ask is: What do you know about Piney Woods, Did you know of this historically black boarding school? What interest you about Piney Woods. Are there some areas of concern you might have in the perception of the school versus other traditional co educational boarding schools? Have you visited the school? What challenges would you have in selecting the school?

Copper Canyon Academy

2009-10-16T06:23:00.001-07:00

Copper Canyon is a private therapeutic boarding school located in Central Arizona which provides care for girls who are struggling with emotional growth challenges. My tour of the school was a couple of years, ago at this time its owner, was Tammie Berman, who developed the school based on her vision of having a quality school for girls.

Copper Canyon is supported through Aspen Education, and has been operating for several years in this southwestern location. The school has been featured on Dr. Phil. It was clearly one of the programs, he recommended for struggling girls who were faced with challenges emotionally or needed a good strong program. We have visited Copper Canyon a few times, since this two year period. The most recent changes were they have a new director, Paul Taylor who has a complete staff of women all Masters level clinicans. Most of the therapist are specialized in EBT. Emotional Behavioral Therapy.

Copper Canynon has a good education progam which is supported by its education director, Ken Buxton, who works with the girls during the school year. Copper Canyon has girls from all over the country and different countries around the world. The schools is not just a single niche boarding school program but well rounded therapeutic level program for girls. We were impressed by Copper Canyon's campus as it is secluded, but very warm and friendly for the girls. It is clearly a place to send a girl, who need to feel secure, have a stronger sense of self work, feel well cared about, and protected.

We have placed a student at the school because it worked very well for the family, and it provided much needed direction for our student. The average length of stay is about 12 months. Girls have a variety of activities including equine and canine therapy programs also community service and trips and activities.

Our last student even went to Mexico to work with a family there, however presently they are not leaving the country for any trips. This student, had great sucess at Copper Canyon with a combined family therapy sessions during the program and additional programming which helped the students. While the current concern by many parents might be sending their daughter to a program like Copper Canyon, its always good to tour the program with a consultant.

There are no AP courses at Cooper Canyon. Some parents are concern about this academic focus of being in a therapeutic school, but students can complete their education and this can be done from any state in the United States, with the requirement meeting the Arizona Department of Education requirements. Arizona has the AIMS state testing which meausure grade lavel and proficiency. Most therapeutic boarding schools have to meet their own states guidelines for compeleting high school. This might vary from state to state.

Copper Canyon probably exceeds the expectations of the AIMS (Arizona Instrument Measure Standards)which is the required test for all public schools . This testing is generally administered during their academic year. Cooper Canyon used the Terra Nova as a testing measure, w;he we spoke to Paul Ravanecraft the new admissions director.

Arizona does ranks 48th in all states in school testing. While a consultant sending a student to Cooper Canyon may be concern about this information, particularly regarding sharing this information with parents, its also important in school selection. The education department isvery good. The Director, is very familar with the education requirements, has been in education in therapeutic schools and programs for a long time and has good working knowlege of the requirement for all schools.

The trend these days is to provide quality education at therapeutic boarding schools and Copper Canyon does suceed in accomplishing this. Copper Canyon offers soccer, baseball and basketball for girls on campus. The education program is involved in a very special program to take girls to Washington and learn about how the country is actually run. How the legislature and the senate and the congress works.

Cooper Canyon has a three level system at the school which addresses leadership, trust, and resonsiblity. These three key areas help girls in their program to achieve sucess, while identifying therapeutic goals. The cost of attending this program is about 5,900.00 per month, this includes tuition fees, and housing for the program. Additional cost would be programs which might include community service trips or programs which are part of the school activities. Students wear uniforms, which are generally casual with a polo shirts. The most interesting part, is when special events are held the girls dress up like ladies.

Graduation is at the completing of the school, and all girls participate in the program. When I attended graduation, there was not a dry eye in the auditorum at the graduation. Paul has done a terrific job in transitioning the program. Shanon was the past admission director has now left the school, was a great asset to the program.

One things which is key to any therapeutic school program, is having comittted staff, this seem to be changing in the industry. There are significant changes in staffing that are affecting the pas goals of the progams. This is an extremly challenging position for staff who have been at program for years. Aspen Programs have been criticized for this change, shifting staff from school to schools and program to programs. Many consultants feel this is damaging the programs themselves. Students who are alumi families

Miss Hall's School

2009-10-15T13:08:00.001-07:00

Miss Hall's School is one of the oldest all girl's preparatory boarding school's in the country. The school was first open in 1898's and started as a leadership school for women, viewed by most as a finishing school for girls, at that time. Miss Hall's has become one of the finest all girls schools in the nation. We had a chance to tour Miss Hall's a couple of year's ago, and visited the faculty and the girls on campus. It is a wonderful school, and its current Director of Admission Ms. Kim Bolland, is equally as gracious, to host several consultants on our New England tour, at during the fall.

Most of the history of Miss Hall's, is surrounded by its history of Ms Hinsdale Hall, who started the school during the 1800's as a leadership school. Horizons which has now become a part of the school's leadership model, in preparing girls for the future, is a wonderful program. This is a terrific model for the school, which helps girls to become leaders for the future.
Enrolling most of its girls in schools like Vassar, Smith, Welsley, are just a few of the prestigious schools which admit students from Miss Hall's. The school was actually rebuilt in 1909 after a tragic fire destroyed it's orginal building.

We have been to several schools in the east, both single gender and co educational boarding schools, and believe, Miss Hall's and Miss Porter's are our choices. Miss Hall's is our favorite, all girls school, in addition to many other schools in the area. Our tour included several other schools located cl0se by. We found the girls at Miss Hall's to be very hospitable. Very knowledgable, very diverse culturally, Many of the girls come from all over the world, representing 20 different countires, ranging from China, Pakistan, Korea, China, Africa, Carribean, coutries in Eastern Europe, and the Ukraine.

We spoke to several of the girls, from New York and surrounding states, and toured the dorms, classroom, visited classes in session, and spoke directly to faculity during our tour with the girls as they spoke about the entire campus for this all girls boarding school. Present enrollment is at about 188 students. This is a perfect match for a small classroom size of 12 in each class and the match for the right student. All of the girls we had aquaintance, were very disciplined, very much the kind of girls you would see in any private or public school, and clearly leaders of the future. The curriculum is college prepatory focus, and all the girls were accepted or planning on attending college.

The curriculum has strong academic presence. Miss Hall prides itself in sending their girls to the best schools in the country. The average girl attending Miss Hall's has a SAT score of 1800 well above the national level. Over 20 percent of the girls come from ethnically diverse background and many of the girls receive scholarships. The cost of attending a school like Miss Hall's is about *$40,000, which is today's maket is average. Schools like Miss Hall's also offer the Merit Scholarhsip to students.

The school offers many activities for this price, but mostly it offers much prestige and sucess. The activities for girls include: alpine skiing, lacrosse, tennis, basketball, softball, among other sports. While these activities do not reflect the multitude of everything from fine arts, creative arts, music and other activities, it is simply one of the best places for girls to learn and have a great sense of accomplishment. Most girls attending a school like Miss Hall's have their own accomplisments to say the least. Many entering schools like Mahattan School of Music and Jillard after graduation were included in their choices.

Many parents would think that going to an all girls school would be very challenging for today's girls, but that simply is not the case. These girls are really good at many things, from literature, art, music, sports nd athletics, to community activities. Many of the girls have or will travel around the world. The girls are actively involved in community activiites and have a specific organization on campus for community service.

The campus seems small by measure of a larger school, but its mean to be this way, its a school where each teacher, each faculity knows each girl. There is no stone unturned in this campus. Each of the girls know this. The reputation is elite, the girls accepted at Miss Hall's know they are special, and they make you feel special. Without a doubt, Miss Hall's is one of the best of all boarding schools in the eastern seaboard.

Would you send you daughter to a all girls boarding school? What things did you not know about Miss Hall's? What are some myths about all girls schools? Did you know that sports and athletics are a part of most all girls boarding schools? What famous Senator now Secetary of State attended an all girls boarding school?

When Should I Send My Child To A Wildereness Program

2009-10-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

There is much discussion about the benefits of sending students to a wilderness program. The industry has been facing significant challenges over the years identifying these benefits, in measureable terms, leaving some programs to close. While many consultants sucessfully placed students in these programs, their have been many parents who also question the validity of these programs. Many have been compared to "boot camps" while others have a sometime vague description.

Many wilderness programs have made significant changes to the length of stay comparing the actual cost of the program. This has made this type of placement more affordable, but it also has lead to asking questions by parents of the value of these types of progams. This is particulary true when there have been not well documented information on the value of these programs over the years by stafff not familar with documentation.

While several programs have offered complete information on the value of these programs, professional associations have just taken a look at the requirement by accrediting associations and standards which has changed the way businesses like wilderness programs have operated in the past.

Organizations, like TheNational Assocation of Therapeutic Schools have taken serious look at both state to state, and federal or health care guidelines of these programs exploring with legislators the reason these programs even exist. Much of the criticisn in the industry, has come from parents who have had children in wildereness programs and complained of not having trained professionals to insure safety in the industy.

While there are a range of topics on this issue, many programs like Red Cliff, Second Nature, Open Sky and SWSU have either changed their program to be more safer or developed well documented data so support their programs. Our tours and speaking to program directors or staff, have been many are moving to a medical model in their programs.

This method is to identify the better programs, and to help families. These programs may also vary philosophy and in cost. Safety, which becomes the concern of most parents, has been a greater concern for parents and the industry is now monitering safety in programs, using very clinically based monitering, from taking routine check of students in the field, both medically and keeping the kind of information needed to show weight loss and gain to showing improved physical strength and endurance.

Whille helping these families is what educational consultants do best it is also clear programs are now doing their best to improve the outcome measures of wilderness programs. Not having professionally trained staff to provide adequate traiing is certainly a concern of mosst parents sending their child to a program.

Many programs now have increased their Master Level clinicians in the fielsw and are doing therapy in the field. An example of this model is Red Cliff Accent. The not only have equipment which is safe, but staff monintering the ue of this equipment in the field. Also, dietary concerns, as mentioned earlier are of great concern for adolescents with low body weight or even overweight conditions.

While many children these days remain overweight and in poor condition, wilderness progams are moving in a direction to looking at obesity in chlidren and certainly looking at methods to improve this condition. It is estimated that many children living in the United States are overweight.

The cost versus the safety in any programs or the length of staying out of the field seem to vary. This is a concern for many parentsw and having adolesecent or children who are overweight or underweight engaged in outdoor activities of this kind is of growing concern to programs.

We have determined therapy is not always being done in all programs neither are there measures clear to a parents. However, The Associations like the National Association of Outdoor Wilderness has done more documentatin with programs like Red Cliff as well as SUSW and Second Nature.

Sucessful wilderness programs, are usually taking data and collecting this information offering more information to families. A family portal is also being used in some programs to allow parents to see the sucess of the programs using photography or even jouraling.

Parents are unlikely to go to associations like the Rehabilitation Facilities or other associations unless there is neglect. Even when parents are concern about the length of time their child spends in a wilderness program is often is a matter of simply not communicating with their child until after graduation from a program.

The largest part of why the industry has had so many challeges, is its not taking steps to collect data or due to the lacking in outcome measures which have to be document similar to doing medical record keeping. Insconsistency in the industry has lead many insurance companies not to pay for these programs.

At one time, many of these programs were seen as very benefical, using behavioral management terms, now, these terms are either unclear or not aw well document by non profesisonally trained individuals. Documentation simply did not exist, until residental programs or similar program were made to be more accountable by agencies. The question many consultants may have to answer with parents is: Why do consultants and parents send their children to a wilderness programs? Who is responsible for these programs? What outcome measures have been established after leaving the program, and what follow up is being done.

These questions have been quite varied, among programs and depending on the program, this might leave the consultants with unanwered questions too. While many consultants with great experience working with families may have significant knowledge of the program, they may not understand the outcomes of these programs. In many cases, a consultant familar with wilderness program will make the best assessment based on the child's behavior. Not exclusivley measure of what the program will do.

The real meaure of the any therapeutic program is to identify the specific outcomes or interventions used by the clinican, not by the staff trained in outdoor recreation, as many types of interventions may be used in a wilderness program.

However, a educational consultant must be familar with these intervetions to keep parents informed of these benefits. Consultants likewise can help families by placing students in the correct programs to measure outcomes, rather than simply saying "a wilderness program is our first step".

Wilderness program may have several components. Some focus on teaching daily living skills and other work on areas of leadership, responsiblity, working together, therapy or cooperation, and some are specfically designed to be focused on behavior modification.

Many of these programs are rather vague, when explaing this to families. A consultat might say " a step down from a therapeutic school placement", is better than no placement, but this "simply does not make sense in the managed care model.

When a student's behavior is not reachable or attainable this is simply not the measure of having students in a wilderness program. We have spoken to many parents about their child leaving wilderness programs simply unaware of the purpose they were in the program.

Basically not having specific direction in these program may mean there is limted sucessful outcomes, no matter what the cost. We suggest, some questions we have about any wilderness program or the intervention used in that program be discussed before the placement.

This needs to be address to all parents and consultant need to be prepared for these questions. Peer interaction is not a meaure of outcome for adolescents. Having other adolescent to model behavior is not a sucesful way to determine a change in adolescent behavior.

A consultant working in this area need to know if the program has clear measureable outcomes. Whether these outcome are clincially measured or identified by staff. Who is measuring these outcomes, their qualifications are as important as the program itself. Any intervention can be used and not be the right intervention for adolescents.

Most students, have said to us, "its a whole lot better", entering a therapeutic school after attending a wilderness program, while others say "they did not want to go to wilderness in the first place". Sucessful wilderness programs should be very supervised, but they also need a clinical component. Staff which is untrained in wildereness can be a disaster. Also having staff without knowledge of safety issues or use of outdoor equipment can be very challenging but there are many programs which have clinical knowledge and therapy services. Some programs can damage a student, permanently when the program is developed by untrained individuals.

Many wilderness programs are now making changes to address this issue. Others are still faced with challenges of finding the right fit for the right student. When hiring an educaational consultant, there are many ways a consultant can help a student placed in a wilderness program. Many schools now have wilderness as a component, to moving in a therapeutic school program which might work for a family. The experience needs to be a sound academic program along with clearly defined goals based on outcome measures. The staff also needs to be trained in leadership and safety. The students should be able to demonstrate measureable improvement in behavior by measureable outcome measures, not just behavior which is temporary or not significant to improving the self esteem of the student.

A consultant working with a family should examine all the safety issues in a wilderness program, the cost, whether transition from a wilderness program is even needed, and if it is needed, how long? Where will the student go following this type of placement. These are very important questions to address with a family by the consultant. Does the student have a health risk, that might preclude being in a program. Does the student have a eating disorder, or a managament of health issue, diabetes, poor nutrition, or a health risk, which might be harmful to the student being in a wilderness program. Most students have to have a physical before entering a program. Is it possible to have this done? What resistance would happen from the student if they were not in the program? Are there any legal implications?

Does the student have a substance abuse issue? How long has it been a problem? Will sending them to a program make things even more challenging. What back up plan do you have? What means of getting to the program do you have in place? All these areas need to be addressed? Would it be better for the consultant to make the decision or offer this to the parents? What intervention are consulants providing by making the decision for the family? Does the family undestand these options?

A consultant can answer most of these questions for a family, adding additional support in this type of placement. Knowing the program is essential to any sucess of this type of placement. Would you send you child to a wilderness program? What have you heard about wilderness programs. Did you know that many sucessful placements start with wilderness programs. How long would be considered a good length of time for a wilderness program?

What about Facebook?

2009-10-14T17:25:00.000-07:00

Many parents, these days, having children at any age, know about Facebook. A social networking site, with over 400 million members, designed by Matthew Zuckerberg, of Boston Massachuttes. The web site was first a afterthought of Matthew and his roomates at college. This social networking site has turned out to be a multi-billion dolllar business used now by high and small businesses, politican, entertainers, civic leaders, social organizations, and mostly by our children.

The appeal continues to explode in all forms of media as well its use by many boarding schools, private schoools, educational consultant, alumni, and current students to inform parents of this ever growing social media. When you want to find out the latest at the school, go to Facebook. When you want to connect all your friends, go to Facebook.

The site can connect virtually every family, friend, or interest, you might have and let others know, your hobbies, your taste in music, whether you are single, need to chat, plan an event, or announce where you will be or planning to attend. Practically everything from talking about global warming, to politics, is on Facebook. Every thing from talk radio stations to global warming and greehouse gases are listed on Facebook.

The Chamber of Commerce is on Facebook, churches or sororieties, frats, area on Facebook, special interest groups, food aid, health care needs, poverty in Africa, China, The war in Iraq, Iran, Afganistain, Military wifes, practically anything you can think about or have interest in.

Kids these days know social networking, probably better, than their parents having an average of 50 text messages sent from sites like Facebook and Twiter. They might even know their own brothers and sisters better on Facebook than they do in the home. At one time, students studied together, there were study halls, assemblies, class project, dances, now these same activities are coordinated using social networking. A student can invite a friend, talk about their interest, find out mutual friends, talk about a school. post a photo, maybe two, maybe a album of photos, to friends near or far. A friend in China can become a friend in Iran or India.

Many consultants are listed on Facebook, organizations can blog, upload a live streaming video announcing an event, post an event, start a discussion group. A virtual learning community can be established in mintues, you can connect to Twitter, send a message in seconds on events at school.

So why are kids bored in school? I had to learn this the hard way, by going back to school myself. I was in graduate school, at the time, and had to learn about social networking late in life. Initally, it was very intriguing. However, I felt more confortable with the tradtional way of learning. Reading the book, digesting the information, and simply sharing the information with my collegues was the usual method. Simple right? Not exactly!

While my experience in social networking has lead me to my own learning, this also lead me to how children learn and how to make it more interesting, more challenging. Facebook offers this global networking that simply can be a learning experience. Many schools now are changing how we learn to what we learn. What we are learning about Facebook among other social networking sites is unbelievable! We are learning that children don't have to read a story to learn how to read. We are learning, that visual learning is changing how we learn. Children of all ages even as young as 5 are able to use Facebook. While the appeal has been more with Asian, students who have at least a Bachelors Degree or higher, students in this country are quickly catching up to the pace of social networking. We don't teach about it much at the secondary level, in fact most public or private school, are just learning, how this tool works. We do know, that Facebook is here to stay. It has parental controls. it has privacy settings, it has live chat, it has instant messenger, it has all the bells and whistles, combined that has taken Yahoo and MSN Messenger years to develop.

In fact, Facebook ranks higher than any other web site, in effectively social networking. Who is on Facebook? Sarah Palin, John Mc Cain, Michelle Obama, Oprah, Barak Obama, Brian Williams, Carly Simon, Sophia Loren, practically anyone you can name. We think by allowing students to understand how to communicate on Facebook, potentially they could learn a wealth of information. What is Facebook all about? Are you using social media in you classroon? How is it being used? When did you first hear about Facebook? Are you aware Facebook was developed by college students? Are you able to use Facebook in the classroom if you are a teacher? Is it more effective in teaching or learning with your child? How could you teach you child using Facebook?

International Student Insurance

2009-10-11T14:18:00.000-07:00

International Student Insurance is often a concern of parents, who have children studying at a school abroad. While most parents concerns are about the cost of this coverage, other parents are asking about the conditions of these plans. Many parents will be surprised to find out, that many of these plans are afforable. Most are even better than the insurance plans offered in some schools or programs.

Most consultants faced with explaining these cost, may find many international insurance plans provide exceed the plans by schools. Most international plans also cover student studying in abroad. Students who are citizens in the United States have to pay even more for insurance than their neighbors from other countries. There are limits to this coverage, depending on the state where the individual lives, however, their status as a student will affect whether they are accepted or denied in a plan. An example: might be if you are attendnig a school outside the country and full time student, coverage will likely be provided.

However if you are not a citizen living in the states, not a full time student, this would not be covered. Also you would not be accepted in a local plan. Depending on the state where the student lives, a local insurance plan is the only option for parents. For example: A student might be covered in Virginia, but not in New York, especially if they are not a full time student studying abroad. They might be covered, if they are a full time student, but not covered in certain countries, particularly when the State Department has restrictions for student citizens of the United States.

While most parents may have a local insurance plan or local carrier, for their child. An internatinoal plan would likely not be necessary, for a student living in the United States. However, if they are not covered by a local provider, having a international plan as an international student would be a good option, if they were a international student. When a student is not a full time student, they cannot be covered by most international plans.
The same applies, if they are insured by a local insurance carrier in the United States.

The student would be covered by an international plan, if they were re-entering the United States. but only for a limited time which is usually 15 days. The plan would also allows pre existing conditions to be covered as well. This depending on the plan, or the plan administrator coverage may be varied.

Lord's of London is one of the largest insurance providers in the world which has such a plan for student. It is one of the most recognized and best insurance companies in the world providing insurance for international students. The deductible is minimal and the coverage is extremely well benefited.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield on the other hand offers a very limited plan in the United States. It is usually offered state to state, not internationally. Arizona Blue Cross , which is a single carrier, providing limited coverage for students attending schools, in Arizona, is much more expensive than the plan for international students.

This does not include: neighboring states. Most plans in the United States have a monthly rate which can be paid by the parents of the student. A local plan is sometimes limited to certain states. New York, Virginia, New Hampshire have varied plans with Blue Cross Blue Shield. There is additional cost to spouses, usually a deductible for insurance by the parents.

The international plan offers a$100 one hundred dollar, deductible which must be paid at the time of service, and covers unde ra budget plan of $250,000 dollars of coverage. Follow-up visit do not have to pay this deductible. Total cost woud be $595 five hundred and ninety dollars, which includees the administrative fees covered by this plan. The plan would also cover most countries including Canada.

All students studying abroad are included in the plan offered by Lords, no matter what country they reside. The appeal the plan is it is much more afforable. Furthermmore this insurace is marketed to other countries, we also found similar plans which provide better care than the insurance in the United States.

Many parents debating the issue of health care reform may need to take a second look at how this might play out if we ever have a national health care plan. It might force coverage by existing plans, to jump on board. While they have numerous reason for denying health care to millions of students, not allowing afforable health care for students is often an add on fee to tuition as most private school and even universities. A national health care plan might include student insurance, and it might eliminate students not having plans in any country. If this sounds confusing, well it is, it has taken me hours talking to insurance agents on this topic, many have many options, and terms you just can't imagine.

We believe helping students and parents, through this process, discussing an afforable health care is needed. The current cost of existing health care plans estimated to exceed 300 per cent in the next few years, will make it impossible for parents to afford health care. The United States is last on providing affordable health care for all citizens, not to mention students. While the controversy of health care coverage is not passed the Senate, it appears some movement is coming on this issue shortly but will it cover student insurance? Many of our parents who we work with were very suprized to see this as an add on to their tuition, while other were aware of this cost.

While health care coverage for international students is much more afforable than on a localinsurance plan, many parents faced with this challenge might not be as familar with the different cost for families. What do you think? Is insurace more afforable for your child studying abroad or is local insurance more afforable? Were you aware of insurance differences and pricing? Did you know insurance is offered at many private schools? Do you have a son or daughter who might be an international student? What choice would you make?

The Fenster School

2009-10-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

The Fenster School, is a private co educational college prepartory boarding school for underachieving students. The school is located in Tuscon about 2 hours from Phoenix, Arizona. We had a chance to visit the school this past summer, and spend a wonderful time with their wonderful marketing Director Mrs. Barbara Fenster and their enthusastic headmaster, Mr Don Shafer. Mr. Shafer has since left Fenster, and Allan Fenster is now the head of admission's at the school.

Mr. Shafer, is graduate of UCLA, recalls his former days of playing basketball under the famous coach, John Wooden. Don played with Karem Abdul Jabar, the retired NBA Hall of Famer, who player with the world famous Los Angeles, Lakers. Don has been at Fenster for many years and has good insight into some of the needs of students at Fenster. While we guess his athletic skills are no match for today's athlete, we wanted to ask him a few questions? We will likely also follow up with the new director to address our concerns about Fenster.

We meet for lunch, following our tour of the school, and talked about the questions parents most often ask about Fenster? Shafer explained to us, Fenster is a really college prepatory boarding school for underchieving students, which is has focus on helping these students go to college and acheive sucess. In fact, 90% of our students go on to college. "A typical student who might perform well at Fenster, is one who is rather mediocre, in school, or who might be a typically have challenges academically. Student's who attends our school, show remarkable progress while here, who might be considered incapable of doing the work in another boarding school or program. This makes our school "unique".

Fenster also has the appeal for both these students, who need some individual help but needs the direction. A less structured learning setting might not fit for every student but for the right student, we offer that direction. The academics are broad covering subjects for college inclduing fine arts, math, science, and the required courses for admission to college. We also offfer AP courses at Fenster. We also have students coming out of wilderness program and therapeutic schools. Many of these school are preparing our students, we just pick up where they have left off in helping the student academically.

The campus is very spread out, having a large swimming pool, library and nature surrounding. While the campus was actually developed in the late 1940's, its campus reflect a southwest feel, with many of the buildings in stuccio, or southwest design. The dorms are small but cozy, with most of the rooms, limited accessories and the fluff, which some boarding schools do have. Fenster, probably cuts the cost of attednig a boarding school in half. The current tuition is $28,000 (twenty eight thousand dollars). This is considerably cheaper verus the cost of $48,000 (forty eight thousand dollars, which is average cost at other schools.

Arizona. has only three boarding college prepatory programs in the state, which are accreditd, but few offer help for students with learning differences, similar have a similar support programs for an underachieving student. Fester does have an athletic program, cultural or fine arts activities, as well as international visits, which might not be visiable on a tour initally. The campus has good teachers, and a afforable cost for parents in this economy. Most consultant we have spoken to, have mixed feeling about Fenster, some really like the program, while others have specific concerns related to supervision at the school. While we have addressed this with the marketing director and headmaster, they insist there are support services for families, including a off campus psychlogist for special needs studeents.

Many of the student, however, do go on to attend college. Some of the schools include: The University of Arizona, Arizona State University, among many others. Letty Yates, a cconsultant from San Antonio, Texas. We first spoke about Fester, when I was touring with her in Georgia. We spoke of the program extensively, sharing the pro's and con's of sending a student to the school. Letty has several students at Fenster, and many of her families have been very happy with the placement. Many of her student's are from Mexican families living in various cities in this growing country.

I have visited Mexico, which has many boarding schools, however many parents are interested in a school like Fenster to learn English. Many traditional boarding schools have ESL programs to meet the challenges of international students, often for english proficiency.Typically a family would like to send their child to a school like Fenster for this purpose.

Fenster has the core academics courses which are needed to apply to a college, with the freedom of attending a school, which is private. Many parents sending their children to Fenster have this in mind. and hiring an consultant helps in a school like Fenster. A consultant would keep track of the students academic sucess in the program, providing this help to a student who might be underperforming or having challenges at home. Many students simply lack the discipline or need help in forming study habits. Fenster does help students with ADD Attention Deficit Disorder who often need a different learning path. Teachers at Fenster work with these students to achieve sucesss.

We believe for the right student, Fenster is a good choice. Most consultant would work with parents to help them understand the mission of Fenster related to the students direction in attending college. Would Fenster be a choice in a school for your child? What are some things you have learned about Fenster, which interest you? Is cost a factor in sending you child to a boarding school? Is this price reasonable for your family? Do you have a student who needs a ESL program? Where have you been looking?

Are Chicago Schools Unsafe?

2009-10-07T07:56:00.000-07:00

The Secretary of Education, Arne Ducan, along with Mr. Eric Holder, Attorney General with the Department of Justice, recently visited Chicago to investigate crime in the public schools. After the tragic death of Derrion Albert, a honor student, who attend a public school in Chicago, was beaten to death, by a group of gang members. The question of violence in the schools became a lead story and topic of the media. This topic has also raised many questions by many parents of the safety in public schools. While not all public schools are unsafe, many are in a critical care condition in some neighborhoods, of today's larger cities.

This is not the first incident of violence in Chicago's schools, it's just one of the many death's attributed by gang violence, in these troubled communities. Faced by increased number of teacher lay offs, and reduction in school funding, student drop out rate, outside prevelance of crime, and the desire to take over parts of the community, seem to tbe the chief problem. The Attorney General, says, " this is not a black problem or a white problem". However it is clear, it is a problem of conditions. While these conditions exist in low income communities already plagued by crime, students living in these communities are victims of these crimes.

Budgets have already caused trouble schools to get worse, despite efforts for school improvement. Crime ridden communities threaten students who " snitch", and reward those who engage in crime. Does sending the Secetary of Education back to his own neighborhood, change what should be done? While the issue has be addressed privately by the Director, among students and parents, the rate of violence is still at 5o percent.

Will parents wait for the verdict or answer on how to improve school safety. This is already an alarming percentage, when you think of the number of student enrolled in public schools to be estimated over 47. 8 million.

What do you think? Is safety an concern in your neighborhood? Are there incidents of gang violence in the community you live in? Why is violence such a problem in today's public schools? Do you know of this type of violence in private schools? Why is there a difference? What do you think our role could play in helping you child?

What Is ADHD?

2009-10-06T20:13:00.000-07:00

Many parents are confused about a true definition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Many have concluded their child has the condition, while other fight aganist this label. Some parents believe this label, is unfounded, unfair, or unwarrented, leading to legal action. The condition may also vary among children, attending school, which can described by educators who has developed an IEP at the parents request. Some students have a 504 plan to address these students who may have a learning differences. Some require additional testing while others are not affected by testing and show high scoring on aptitude and standarized test. Some require accomodation for testing, while others need no accomodations.

Dr. Toni Bowen PhD and Educational Program Specialist for the Divsion of Special Education for the Georgia Deparment of Education, discussed the issue of accomodation with me. Our discussion conclude: accomodations for students with a learing difference varied, that they are "put into place to lessen the effects of the student's disablity". While many students have been identified as cognitively impaired, to learning impaired, these accomodations are federally mandated iun public schools.

While having the correct term in a public school, may be a matter of funding some children remain challenging at best in any setting. Many are sometimes mis-diagnosed, while others are labeled with a learning disablities affecting a lifetime. However, the purpose to to put all students in a equal category for receiving educational services.

In some school settings, the desire for a more inclusive classroon has been promoted, while other students are engaged in "pull out" classes for specfic needs they have. This approach seem to vary from school to school and classroom to classroom leaving parents confused.

While the condition has had much discussion, among parents and teachers to discussion groups, or even bloggers, recent research has contribued the correct information on the condition. Some doctors believe the condition to be related to genetics, while many parent's still believe, it is related to diet, nutrition, and numerous other factors.

The condition is most commonly seen in early childhood. While many parents have speculated on way to treat the condition, many fear of medication being the only option, resist all treatment. A more clear diagnosis should be made by a pedetrican. It is estimated that beween 3 and 5 percent of children have this condition. This means that out of 25 children in a normal classroom setting at least 1 will have the condition.

There might be less students recognized with the condition but in general, base on the research data, the condition might be more. Dr. Heidrich Hoffman first discovered the condition in children, when he could not find suitable reading materal for his son. While he was also a poet, he developed a book of poems, title: Figety Phillips which actually had charcteristics of his own 3 year old child in the book.

Since this time, several thousands of articles and research on the topic have been spread. Having been submitted by leading medical experts on the topic and even some by educators, the entire diagnosis of this condition remains a mystery in the medical community. We do know medication does help the condition. More recently medication which has been prescibed, has been resisted by some parents still having doubts. A range of conditions from Aspergers, which is high functioning autism can be seen in children these days, with increased diagnosis seen in early pre school children.

A consultat might work with a child with ADD or ADHD helping a parent to find the right educational setting. Finding the correct school is critical at best. The placement option for these students can range from individual therapy or smaller class sizes to 1:1 classrooms. Do you have a child with ADD or ADHD, who needs help? What have you done to get this help? Do you know the difference betwen ADD and ADHD? Post your comments? Tell us what you know about the condition? Share with us your experience to identify you child's diagnosis? What places do you think a consultant would work in helping families. Do you know of specfic programs. Did you know there are boarding school which help students? Would you contact a consultant for this type of placement.

Extending the School Year- Will This Help or Hurt Students?

2009-10-03T05:11:00.000-07:00

The recent controversy by President Obama concerning increasing the school year by extending the year for students has raised both critcism and comment by parents. Reducing summer vacation for millions of students in public schools may force having limited options for their child. While many consultant are aware of this trend, it has now become a discussion among both educators and parents.

Mr. Obama says" we need a longer school year to improve the aacademic sucess of our children" -the 21st Century". While much of the discussion is about improving our schools. The other issue is funding for schools, which appears to be at an all time low. Many parent's are now raising the question: whether they can afford to pay for school, or whether there are any options avaiable to famlies who come from low to middle income parents.

The president's intent, although well meaning, seems to have turned a deaf ear to the real change needed, is finding jobs for teachers, and secondly having teachers who will work in a year around program. Budget cuts continue to loom the education industry, with lay offs being more common, than full time positions. Many public school teachers are leaving the field, and more often private schools are doing quite well.

Many parents feel that summer is already too short, while other feel there are not enough school days to educate our children. Some parents say " it will eliminate the core family values, of spending time together in the summer with their children". School administrators, seem more concern about the cost of funding this project, rather than the need to improve performance in underachieving students in public schools. Mr. Obama, says " this is likely not to make parents or student happy, however it is needed to have our kids compete in the 21st Century".

Many parents are afraid, this change, will increased cost for schools and the cost will be passed on to parents, causing greater hardship on families, who are already unemployed. Many students fear this change will further decrease motivation of underachieving students, despite school days. Some students understand the need for having an extended school year, while others are opposed".

Would the decision by the President, also affect summer boarding schools, which already see an increase in cost ? Since the extended school year would not be affected by private school, would summer boarding school programs be appealing? Would attending summer boarding school be forcing parents to enroll their child in a already voluntary program. Would summer and work schedules be changed in a summer boarding school due to this mandate?

Many public school students are already scoring lower on standardized test, despite having been prepared during the regular school year. Many educators, believe increasing the school year will increase test scores, also improving students academic performance. while providing a safe enviroment for students on the weekends.

While many summer boarding student do not attend public schools will this have any affect summer boarding school programs. Summer boarding schools, already have a higher education expectation or curriculum. Many summer boarding schools like Wolfboro Summer Boarding School, in New Hampshire, have a strong programs, which are designed to prepare students for college, are at full capacity.

This past summer, we spoke to Dr. Joyce Ferris, Academic Dean, at Wolfboro Summer Boarding School, about the trend in summer boarding schools. Dr. Ferris is very knowledgable of the trends in the summer boarding school community. She has worked for many years helping families. She states: "While the cost of summer boarding school continues to go up, "-"Parents are still looking for a summer boarding school program, to help their child, entering or preparing for college".

"Schools like Wolfboro, provide thr preparation students need for college, which many parents are keenly aware are not available in public schools. While many parents may question the value of sending their son or daughter to a summer boarding school, most will say the experience has been invaluable for their children". Many more affluent familes continue to send their children to high end boarding schools or summer enrichment programs, simply because they realize college is an essential to future.

As a consultant, we help these parents understand the importance of private education, helping parents sort out, the various programs. and those focused in regular public summer school or community colleges. We help parents examine, by there needs to be an extending school year and what effects it will have on the future of their children.

We help underperforming students achieve sucess and gifted student achieve even greater sucess. Will helping parents understand the importance of test scores improve performance of students? What do you think? Is attending a summer boarding school an option you would choose for your child? What would happen if we did not extend the school year to public schools? How would we prepare students for the 21st Century, not extending the school year? Would summer boarding school continue to show sucess?

Chicago considering boarding school for homeless

2009-06-12T19:15:00.000-07:00

Many public school students with similarly chaotic personal lives could soon see an approach that's more often reserved for the well-to-do: boarding school. Chicago school officials are asking for proposals to run such schools. The idea poses big challenges, not the least of which is the high cost and opposition from some homeless advocates.

"The idea of having a stable home situation is ideal. If that's not the case, that shouldn't preclude you from being able to focus in school," said Josh Edelman, head of the office of new schools in the nation's third-largest school system.

Residential public schools are usually academies that specialize in math and science, although there are several that aim to help children from low-income neighborhoods succeed.
'Potential to drive a wedge'Chicago serves about 10,000 homeless students a year. Nationwide, more than 907,000 students were homeless in 2005-06, according to government statistics believed elevated during that period by young victims of hurricanes Rita and Katrina.

The cost of housing students deterred a similar effort in Chicago in the 1990s and remains a problem this time around as well. The school system spends about $7,350 per student each year on pupils in grades 6 through 12; residential schools can cost between $30,000 and $50,000 per pupil, according to school officials.

What's more, homeless advocates say they fear students would be stigmatized or isolated, and worry about separating children from their families. "Kids are deeply connected to their families, and while there is bad in some situations, there's also a lot of connectedness and good," said Rene Heybach, director of the Law Project of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. "You have to be really cautious when you begin these public enterprises that have the potential to drive a wedge."

Heybach also questioned spending upward of $30,000 per pupil to house a small number of students instead of, for example, using the money for transportation that could help many more homeless children.

Part of a bigger plan, she echoed a concern she said she's heard from others: "The Chicago Public Schools has a lot of trouble just operating quality schools. Now they're launching into housing?"
Edelman said participation would be voluntary. The idea, he said, is part of a broader plan to improve schools and offer options in neighborhoods across the city through charter, contract and performance schools that are free from many district controls.
Officials said the soonest a boarding school could open would be 2010, but a residential program tied to an existing school could be operating next year.

A charter school called North Lawndale College Prep is considering partnering with a nonprofit group called Teen Living, which has worked with homeless youth for about 25 years.
North Lawndale, in a neighborhood where the unemployment rate is almost triple the city average, would focus on academics and Teen Living would provide shelter and support services.
While the shelter would likely only have about 20 beds, some students might only stay a few days or weeks, so many students could benefit in a school year, said John Horan, the school's director of expansion. The school estimates 5 percent to 8 percent of its 525 students are homeless at any one time during the school year.

Former student supports this idea. One former North Lawndale student who would have taken advantage of a boarding option is Tinesheia Howard. Now a 19-year-old college student, she spent 18 months in a homeless shelter during high school, and Horan often gave her rides to school.

Howard remembers how she couldn't start her homework until the clamor of the shelter died down with the "lights out" call at 9 p.m. She washed her clothes in a sink and failed an algebra class because she was so tired she would fall asleep at her desk.
"I think it's a great idea," Howard said of the boarding school idea. "You could be in a positive atmosphere. I was in a negative atmosphere — there was so much arguing. I just couldn't deal with it."

Cottwoood De Tuscon

2009-06-03T20:45:00.000-07:00

Cottowood is a intensive treatment program focusing on drug and substance abuse, while young adults and adolescents, are the primary clients, they offer wonderful services for both groups. The program is a comprehensive program designed to help with chemical or substance addiction along with other addictions. Located in Tuscon, Arizona, this program has a extremly well put together health care model. While it is widely recognized program throughout the country, it is also recognized in England. The expense for the program is $1000 per day for a 30 or longer boarding program it is well worth the expense to families.

The program alsop covers nutrition, fitness, to spiritual needs, medical and even has a well supervised detox program. Included in the program are Recreational Therapy, which is my background. focused on rock climbing, and helping clients understand, risk taking as it applies to a healthy life-style, as it applies to the recovery process. Using both a 12 step model toward recovery, it explores different types of support needed, including family therapy and intervention for pa rents.

The sucess rate of the program is much higher than most traditional programs, simply beccause it is longer, it has a well developed educational component, supervised by a clinically trained medical staff and physican, which consistently evaluatest the patient's progress. This includes: other therapy services: art therapy, equiine therapy, among many other services to help adolescents, and young adults prevent relapse.

Having had privellege of meeting two other conultants who were equally impressed by the program flying from Pennsylvania and Chicago to see the program was equally very helpful in speaking with them. Clearly it was worth the trip. The staff is extremely friendly offering help and advise for consultants. It is nestled in Tuscon and is a well kept secret. Many parents who have children with long term substance abuse could benefit from the program, certainly can benefit from this program. However, it is not cheap!

The cost is well worth the treatment and the services. There are a large number of girls on the campus, when I visited but the program is offered for boys, with restriction to interacting on campus. The program also has a hoticulture program which is very nuturing for the students in this Senora desert enviroments. Would you hire an educational consultant to work with your family, or adolescent, having a substance abuse problem? What things do you like about Cottwoood de Tuscon after reading our blog?

Boulder Creek Academy

2009-06-03T11:57:00.000-07:00

Boulder Creek Academy is just one of the programs, which I have toured over the past few years. I recently spent a wonderful day with Shawnle Wilson marketing Director for Boulder Creek Academy to address placement options for families. My visit to the program, while a time, ago is very clear in my mind about the type of student best suited for the school.

A recent famly camp program has been added to the program and according to the Director of Admisssions, families now share a great experience in family camp. We believe, "if you really want to see the family dynamics" they are certainly clear at family camp.

This approach to working with famiilies makes Boulder Creek a very good choice. Mrs. Wilson who also screens admissions to Boulder Creek, is a person who can multi-task with the best, working on the marketing and admission
of the school, is a good resource for consultants, and while managing her own family, and the students at Boulder Creek, we also know Ms. Wilson has excellent help for our families.

When asked her to describe the experience at Boulder Creek, she says "We have kids who simply lack social skills", who are in the range of sepctrum of Autism Spectrum Disorder, to more higher level of autism like Aspergers. "Most of our students are referrals come from consultants, and 98% of our families are private pay". While we are stuggling to keep up with the economy we are doing quite well actually".

"We feel confident that your services to our families would be a valuable option". Boulder Creek in located in northern Idaho at the base of the mountains. The climate is very mild in summer and filled with snow in the winter. The school as several dorms and a large area for classes and a petting farm, maintained by the students. The clinical staff is strong and the screeing process is very detailed. Boulder Creek is now accepting international student and and was issued its SEVIS. which generates the I-20 application for a visa for international students. The school is located 8 miles from downtown Bonners Ferry.

I spent the night in Bonner Ferry at my tour, and had a wonderful time speaking to the staff. There has been some changes since my visit, with some of the staffing. The curriculum is college prepatory and it offers much direction for students in this area. Students most sucessful at Boulder Creek are those students who have high functioning autism. The schools does acccept those kids who might be boarderline in functioning, but they must be able to function independently.

Do you have a student with high functioning Autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Would you think about sending you child to a program at Boulder Creek?

Are Boarding Schools Outpricing Parents

2009-06-01T01:52:00.000-07:00

Parents sending their children to boarding schools are now faced with annual increases in enrollement fees and tuition as the cost continues to go up. Despite these very challenging economic times, many boarding schools are either faced with parents who can pay or reporting challenges in finding affordable prices for families.

With the increase tuition growing each year, families having less income or year parents savings for private schools are simply getting lower. Many familes in traditional boarding schools are faced with the cost of schools, while schoool adminstrators and heads of schools, are trying to replace crumbling buildings, or paying faculty, to finding more competitive facilities, to compete itthis changing 21st Century.

A change in funding by public schools, with even less money for school improvement, and even lesser money to pay teachers are suffering tremdously from budget cuts. The funding availability is also decreasing in public schools but private schools seem to doing fine.

This has made parents look at private schools as being a more attractive option. Many parents are not sure if all their question can be asked by simply visiting a web site and making a decision. This allows parents to ask a a consultant needing more advise before making any key decisions. This includes advising them on the expenses and prices for sending their children to a private school additional fees and cost not mentioned on a web site.

While some parents are simply " left out of the loop" most will find schools are between $48,00 to $52,000.00 per year or more" in the case of therapeutic bording schools or wildereness programs that top out at $495,00 four hundred ninety five dollars per day. This cost might be afforable or too expensive for some parents. Some states offer tax incentives for private schools depending on the requirment of the state and the funding sources.

One parent lamintes that " we just cannot afford to send our son to a private school", How do these parent's do it?" -in this economy, its impossible" for the average family to afford this cost. While most consultants are now advising parents on the finacial piece, we believe dicussing with all parents, is essential before "quoting the price tag".

Most parents will find private schools, simply do not know what is out there" for families, and with funding decreasing hiring an educational consultant to do the homework may be more cost effective. Despite the price tag, at private schools, many parents are not going to consultants for information. This growing trend not only among affluent families is being recommended by middle and lower income families.

We know private schools are still outranking public school in overall college acceptance. Most parents unaware of this simply may decide they cannot afford a private school, which has a 95-100% acceptance rate at colleges and universities, compared to public schools which have about 52% percent acceptance rate in any college.

Schools like Harvard, Yale and Princeton, listed as the tops colleges and universities still have more endowment funds, and scholarship availablity for families. Most boarding schools or day schools similarly have higher acceptance with a large endowment funding available to families in traditional boarding schools. While these elite schools offer more acceptance in colleges, still find selectiveness in the admission process and funding through scholarships and other trust funds.

While the cost may seem high for parents, students who are accepted, at a prestigiious college or univeristy or boarding school will often find more financial aid available than attending a state or public school. The question many parents have is generally, the overall cost for atttending a private school and the cost after leaving a private school.

We have studied this for several years, and found many private schools are still facing the challenges of public schools, but they simply have more private donors. This is what make the big difference in a child attending a private school along with their selectiveness in a school. Many elite boarding schools for girls like Miss Porter, Miss Halls amongother smaller boarding schools have a strong alumni and their support is invaluable to the student's who graduate from these schools. Equally boys schools like Trinity Pawling have larger endowment for students.

It seems the larger the private schools the less their might be available depending on the endowment and trust fund. Most parents come to consultants looking for a school not the cost. We have found many parents already know the cost and are prepared to pay this cost. Middle income families wanting to attend a private day or boarding school might have to sacrifice more to get their child through a school. Some familes have asked us for admission in the 9th grade or even lower grades to reduce expenses.

Do you want a student to attend throughout graduation and not enter in the last two years. What do you think? Are private schools outrpricing parents? What role would an hiring an consultant contribute to searching independently? What information to parents look for? Do parents understand the cost for tuition versus other expenses. Is doing the homework yourself a good way to find out information?

Parent Guide for Hiring An Educational Consulant

2009-05-28T23:14:00.000-07:00

Educatonal Planning and Counseling Services, is currently working on a release date for its first book. The title of the book is: "A Parent Guide for Hiring An Educational Consultant:Helping Parent's Rebuild Their Childrens Lives".

The book covers a variety of topics which parents address in hiring an Educational Consultant. Many of the topics are current in addressing the issues faced by parent in hiring a consultant. Many parents hire an a consultant, when they cannot get answers to their questions, while other hire a consultant for direction in the future of their children. Most consultants have a speciality area, which is described in the book, including a extensive glossary of terms used in the industry.

The book explores the programs and the types of students who work with consultants, including some comments directly from families. While a consultant can be most the most helpful to families, it also addresses some of the cost, fees, and information vital to hiring a consultant.

The book available on Amazon Books and Good Reads, and other book resources for publishers. It is being sold through Author House, which is our direct printer of the book. It has taken several months to proof read its content and it overall usefulness to parents. Parents can order the book on line. and final printing will be very soon. Have you ordered our book? Would you like for us to contact you for more information? Drop us a line or send us an email about the book.