Many students who attended a private secondary school had fulfilling experiences, making new friends from all over the world, learning how to debate, picking up a new language, figuring out physics is not really that hard, and trying new sports like cross-country skiing through a snow-capped bird sanctuary. “Preps” had new personal responsibilities and tried their best to avoid the “Holden Caulfield syndrome.” Holden, the protagonist in Catcher in the Rye, was notorious for getting kicked out of Pencey Prep for failing 5 out of 5 classes.
Do not fret parents, having taught that book for many years, I can tell you right now- Holden had to work very hard to accomplish that feat! He might have attended about 3% of his classes and completed about 0% of his homework.
The goal in high school, private or public, is to have one teacher who reminds us of Mr. Keating, Robin Williams’ character in Dead Poet’s Society. His quote, the one etched into the memory of movie goers above the age of 40, will forever be a classic: “No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”
Help your student begin to change the world. Sometimes a change is welcomed. A private secondary school might be that change for your child. If this is the case, the application process must begin now. But does it have to be so daunting and feel like the college application process?
Enter Write Coach. We help students prepare for this secondary school application process by taking the component that seems to derail some families at the outset… the writing piece.
