Cheshire Academy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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