American private high schools generally prepare their graduates for college level academic studies. Because they are private or independent, as opposed to state schools, they can set their own curricula and the qualifications of their faculty. Consequently you will find a wide range of standards and achievement within the private school community. Fortunately for parents and other interested parties, most schools are very proud of where their graduates have been accepted. If a list is not available in the school's catalog or on its Web site, ask the admissions staff for a list of universities and colleges where their last class was accepted.
Accreditation
Find out if a school has been accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting body. This is usually a solid indication that a school meets certain minimum standards as the accreditation process is rigorous and covers all aspects of the school’s operations, not just academics. Accreditation must be renewed, typically every five years.
The five accrediting organizations are:
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- Southern Association of Schools and Colleges
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Advanced Placement Courses and the International Baccalaureate
Schools which are serious about preparing their students for college level work will offer AP or Advanced Placement courses or participate in the IB or International Baccalaureate program. Schools which offer either of these programs must have highly qualified, well-trained and experienced faculty to achieve good results. When you evaluate a school review the number of faculty who hold advanced degrees in their subject. Don’t be fooled by advanced degrees. If the degree is for something other than the subject being taught, it is not relevant. For example, a French teacher with a masters in instructional technology does not have as impressive credentials as a French teacher with a masters in French language and literature from Harvard.
Schools which offer AP and IB coursework have invested heavily in their physical plant. Classrooms are generally well-equipped with state of the art educational technology including high speed Internet access. Science laboratories, arts facilities and libraries often rival those found at many colleges and universities. Because parents have made such a serious financial commitment in choosing a private school education for their children, they demand and expect only the best. Generally they get it in the American private school market.
AP courses are offered in most American prep schools. Coursework begins in the Junior year or Grade 11. The standard of work is the equivalent of first year college. AP exams are administered by an independent examining body completely unrelated to the school which does the teaching. In that sense AP exams are somewhat similar to the British GCSE examinations. Normally seniors take their AP exams in May. Most will have already been accepted by a college. A score of 4 or 5 on the 5 point AP grade scale generally gains sophomore standing for that course at university. In other words most universities will recognize a high score on an AP exam as the equivalent of first year or freshman level course work in that subject area. AP coursework is offered in twenty-two subject areas.
The IB program comes in three levels: primary, middle and Diploma. The IB Diploma is recognized worldwide by universities as proof of readiness for college work. Unlike the AP program which has no set number of courses which must be taken, the IB program requires study in six subject areas. Proponents of the IB cite its comprehensive approach to curriculum and its pronounced internationalism as exemplary features. The IB is beginning to catch on in America. In 2007 there were about 30 private schools, mainly international schools, offering the program.
Prep School Courses
The course offerings in prep schools vary. For example, Phillips Exeter "offers more than 450 courses across 19 subject areas." That's one of the reasons Exeter is so difficult to get into. Parents and students alike want to be part of such a first class academic community. But another point to consider as far as Exeter is concerned is that it is a large high school with about 1,000 students. That size alone allows the school to offer a depth and breadth of courses which is one of the best in the business. Combine that with enormous financial strength and visionary leadership and you will understand why Exeter is one of the top boarding schools in America.
Having established a benchmark for you to ponder, we now have to examine the most important question of all when it comes to what is being taught. "Will what is being taught and how it is being taught accomplish your objectives?" Think seriously about what your child needs, then act accordingly.
Conclusion
If you have read this far, you probably get the point: prep schools are all about stretching your child's mind and abilities. Reading four Shakespeare plays in a year rather than the one play she might might read in a public school definitely expands your child's critical thinking as well as her capacity to do some serious studying. Low student to teacher ratios mean that she is not just a number either. She will be quite unable to hide in any of her classes at prep school. In short, prep schools are all about academic excellence. That's a good thing!
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