About.com Private Schools

Private Schools Charted a Conservative Fiscal Course

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:12:50 +0000

Prep Schools Face Cuts in Student Aid confirms what most of us have suspected for some time now. Private school endowments have taken a hit in these tough economic times. The good news is that they have not taken as much of a hit as some major university endowments have. Why is that? I am convinced that it is the result of trustees charting a conservative fiscal course when it comes to their fiscal responsibilities and duties. You won't find any derivatives and other exotic investments in private school endowment portfolios. Their physical plants have been updated to save energy costs and make their programs more sustainable.

Supporting this cautious, conservative financial approach is the high regard and affection their graduates have for their alma maters. (Read the comments Peddie grads have left following a recent profile on this site of their beloved school.) If you are grateful to your school for what it has done for you, you will support it over the years. Perhaps you will even remember it in your will as Elizabeth Beckwith Nilsen did with her amazing gift of $31 million for Chatham Hall School. All these factors combine to make most private schools financially stable and poised to weather the economic storms we will face in the months and years ahead.

If you need financial aid, don't panic. Be proactive. If you are going through the applications process for admissions in fall 2010, don't delay. File the Financial Aid Forms as soon as you can. If you are one of those fortunate families who needs no financial aid, you might want to investigate schools which normally might have been a reach. If you don't need financial aid and everything else is what the school is looking for, you just might - no guarantees - get the acceptance you are looking for. Always hedge your bets when applying to private schools and colleges. Include a safe school or two on your list.

You can follow me on Twitter at PRIVATESCHL.

Private Schools Charted a Conservative Fiscal Course originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 09:12:50.

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Spotlight on Peddie School

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:03:39 +0000

This week's spotlight takes us to Peddie School in southern New Jersey. Perhaps Peddie School doesn't have the name recognition of Exeter or Andover, but it's got all kinds of good things going for it. Its finances are exceptionally strong. The buildings and facilities are state of the art. The academics, sports and extracurricular activities are extensive. The location between Philadelphia and New York in the Princeton area of New Jersey is wonderfully convenient. But there's a catch! Peddie is a selective school. Make sure you have what the school is looking for.

Read Peddie School's profile. If you went to Peddie School, tell us about your experiences and what you thought of the school. Please post your response here.

You can follow me on Twitter at PRIVATESCHL.

Spotlight on Peddie School originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 08:03:39.

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We Can Prevent Teen Suicide

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:00:46 +0000

This is not a blog topic I enjoy writing about. It hits too close to home for me as I have lost several friends over the years to suicide. The horrifying story in the NY Times, Anguish Over California Teen Suicides Spurs Action , reminds me once more that teen suicide can be prevented. The problem is that you have to be attentive to the warning signs and act on them. If your teen is a senior, she is going to feel enormous pressures at this time of year. College applications and financial strains in the family can create a tough scenario for many young people. Spend time with your teenager. Above all, be sure to listen. Listen carefully to everything she says. She has to know that you faced similar pressures. She has to know how you coped with them. Read Depression - A Leading Cause Of Teen Suicide.

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We Can Prevent Teen Suicide originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 02:00:46.

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Remembering Those Who Serve

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:33:53 +0000

Thousands of brave private school graduates have served their country in the armed forces over the years. Many of those young people got their start at one of our private military high schools. These schools instill more that just patriotism and sterling leadership skills. They mold and shape character with solid core values like honor and integrity. 10 Facts About Military Schools offers some reasons why you might want to consider a military school for your child.

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Remembering Those Who Serve originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 10:33:53.

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Open Houses

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:50:30 +0000

An important part of choosing a school is actually visiting the schools on your short list. It also takes a lot of your time. From the school's point of view it can get a bit hectic trying to schedule 50 visits on the same morning or afternoon. That's why many schools will schedule open houses. It is a more efficient way of handling a lot of traffic. What about the interview and testing? The school will explain how all that is handled. Procedures vary from school to school.

Looking for a list of open houses? Your state association of private schools will usually have a list. School websites will also have information about their specific events. Early November is prime time for open houses. Make the most of it.

You can follow me on Twitter at PRIVATESCHL.

Open Houses originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 07:50:30.

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Who Founded These Schools?

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:32:49 +0000

Test your knowledge of private school history with this short quiz.

Match these schools with their founders.

1. Kent School

2. Hotchkiss School

3. Georgetown Preparatory School

4. Phillips Exeter Academy

5. Chatham Hall School

a. John Phillips

b. The Reverend C. Orlando Pruden

c. The Reverend Frederick Herbert Sill

d. Maria Bissell Hotchkiss

e. Father John Carroll

Are you thinking about starting a private school? It's a complicated, lengthy process. Fortunately many folks have done it before you. How to Start a Private School will get you started. Good luck!

Answers to the quiz:

1c;2d;3e;4a;5b

Twitter: privateschl

Who Founded These Schools? originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 10:32:49.

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Have You Registered for the SSAT?

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:12:15 +0000

October 30 is the deadline for late online registration for the November 14 SSAT test date. November 27 is the deadline for the December 12 test date. If you haven't registered, don't delay. Do it this week.

Need some last minute test practice? These widely available test prep books will help.

Have You Registered for the SSAT? originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 15:12:15.

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Theodore R. Sizer (1932-2009)

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:37:59 +0000

Dr. Theodore R. Sizer, a leader in the area of education reform, died on Wednesday, October 21, 2009. His obituary in the New York Times chronicles the life and work of this great person. We extend sympathies to Dr. Sizer's family as well as his extended family at Phillips Academy Andover where he was headmaster from 1972-81.

The progressive movement has lost a strong, articulate champion. If you knew Dr. Sizer, please share your experiences with us.

Theodore R. Sizer (1932-2009) originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 19:37:59.

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Alumna Leaves Chatham Hall $31 Million

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:31:51 +0000

It's a heartwarming story. Elizabeth Beckwith Nilsen '31 left Chatham Hall School, a girls' boarding school in Virginia, a gift of $31 million. Mrs. Nilsen died in 2006 and under the terms of her trust her husband had use of it until his death a few months ago. The trust then passed to the school. Chatham Hall School's endowment now stands at $51 million thanks to the munificence of one of its alumna. As far as can be determined, this is also the largest gift ever given to a girls' school.

According to the headmaster, Dr. Gary Fountain, Mrs. Nilsen thought Chatham Hall was the best thing that ever happened to her. "The School community deeply influenced her and convinced her of the lasting importance of all-girls schools."

If you are an alumnus or alumna of a private school which had a profound effect on you and your life, why not consider remembering your alma mater in your will? Your tax and legal advisers will show you how to implement your wishes. Your gift will be used as you specify to accomplish the aims and purposes which you determine.

Thank you, Mrs. Nilsen, for setting such a wonderful example of generosity.

Alumna Leaves Chatham Hall $31 Million originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at 20:31:51.

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Character Formation

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 07:37:59 +0000

Riverside Day Presbyterian School offers a thoughtful blog on Temptations. We parents and teachers teach our children and students subjects like math and history and so on. But proactively guiding them to make the right choices in their lives is just as important as all the academic guidance we give them.

Why do students cheat? Because they see others cheat and get away with it. We need to show them the consequences of cheating. Children will always test their limits. Our job is to make them understand that the rules and limits are there for all kinds of good reasons as well as their protection.

Character formation is something parents and schools teacher in harmony with each other. Make sure the message you are sending is the same. I can assure you that character formation is at the heart of what your school really teaches. Have you asked how your school teaches character formation?

Comments? Leave them below or tweet them to PRIVATESCHL.

Character Formation originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 07:37:59.

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