High School

Spending a summer abroad sounds exotic and expensive. But it doesn't have to be. Why should you consider spending a summer abroad? I can think of three reasons.

1. See how people in other countries live.

   While it's certainly true that our world has shrunk in so many ways and that we have many things in common, you will find Europeans, Asians and even Canadians do things differently. Seeing how people go about their everyday lives is one of the lasting impressions you will receive from your travels outside the U.S.A.

2. Enjoy yourself.

   You have worked hard throughout your high school years. You got accepted by your first-choice college. Spending a month exploring England or Germany or another country will be an exciting break from all that heavy-duty academic work.

3. Reinvent Yourself.

   Being away from home can be a bitter-sweet experience. In this case, spending a summer abroad will be mostly sweet. Thanks to WhatsApp and Viber, you are never out of touch with your family back home. That's reassuring for both you and them. Having time to think about things on your own helps clarify your thinking. That will help you plan the year ahead. That first year in college will offer plenty of new challenges.

Several private schools offer a whole academic year abroad. Still others offer a summer abroad. These are enrichment programs designed to expose students who participate in them to the culture and customs of the host country. Promoting global understanding is an underlying aim of all these 'abroad'

Choosing the right private school can feel overwhelming, especially as educational expectations continue to evolve. For decades, families have turned to trusted educators, often affectionately referred to as “Mr. Chips,” for thoughtful, experience-based guidance on school selection, student development, and long-term success.

While the core principles of good schooling remain consistent, recent shifts in technology, admissions practices, and student well-being have reshaped what parents should prioritize. This updated guide brings those timeless insights into a modern 2026 context.

Who Is “Mr. Chips” and Why His Advice Still Matters

The term “Mr. Chips” originates from the classic portrayal of a dedicated, wise teacher who understands both academics and student development. In today’s context, it represents seasoned educators, advisors, and administrators who bring years of classroom and leadership experience.

Their advice remains valuable because it focuses on fundamentals that continue to define strong schools:

• Meaningful teacher-student relationships
• Intellectual curiosity and engagement
• Character development and accountability
• A balanced approach to academics and extracurricular life

These qualities are still central to evaluating private schools, even as new trends emerge.

What Has Changed Since the Original Advice

While traditional guidance still applies, several important developments have reshaped private education in the past few years:

Greater Emphasis on Student Well-Being

Post-2023 education trends have placed mental health and emotional support at the forefront. Schools are investing more in counseling services and social-emotional learning programs.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, student support services have expanded significantly across private and public institutions alike.

Integration

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Your child has worked very hard at private school. She has covered herself in academic glory, won many honors in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities and is ready for the next step: college. Graduation is always a warm, happy occasion as family gathers to bathe in all that reflected glory. Mark this important milestone with a memorable gift. Here are some suggestions with every budget in mind.

A Biking Trip

He'll be back at school studying hard soon enough. So why not treat him (or her) to a biking trip? There are several companies which organize these action-packed trips. Check out Teen Treks and Overland , for example.

A Scooter

A scooter is sustainable transportation especially if she will be going to college in an urban area without much public transportation. The Honda Metropolitan , for example, reminds me of the classic Vespa (only less expensive). It's easy to operate and light on the pocketbook.

A Watch

There are hundreds of makers and thousands of models of watches to choose from as you well know. In every price range too. From Michele to Casio .

A Pen

The bespoke shops call them writing instruments. Whatever you call them, a fine pen is a gift to be cherished. Mont Blanc and Cross have a variety of models from which to choose.

Make your gift memorable or a keepsake or both. Best wishes to you

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

More and more private schools are adopting dress codes as opposed to uniforms. You will still find uniforms in religious, parochial, and military schools. Perhaps the most famous school uniform is the one worn by boys at Eton College. While it is still worn every day, the uniforms worn in American schools are a lot less formal if, indeed, a uniform is worn at all.

One of the reasons a dress code is more popular is that it gives some modicum of self-expression while at the same time maintaining a standard of dress. Oversized clothing, all-black outfits, extreme hairstyles, and other symbols of gangs and fringe activities are simply not allowed.

Private school dress requirements continue to vary widely in 2026. Some schools prescribe specific uniform pieces, while others establish general standards for clothing and appearance. Families comparing schools should review the current student handbook before purchasing clothing because individual requirements can change from year to year. Private School Review's Private School Dress Codes: 2026 Guide for Families provides additional information about current approaches to uniforms, standardized dress, and dress codes.

Typical Dress Code Example

This dress code from Foxcroft School is typical of the sort of dress code you can expect at a girls' school.

For the 2026-27 school year, new Foxcroft students are required to have a white polo with the school crest and either a

Many students find that a PG or Post Graduate year is a beautiful solution to several situations. Perhaps they feel that they are too young to go to college. As Kim Chorosiewski points out, a PG year offers time to grow and develop without taking a year off. Maybe they want to perfect a sport or artistic activity. A PG year offers a well-focussed period in which to accomplish that perfecting. A PG year also allows you to remediate small gaps in your high school transcript. Or maybe you want a year before you head off for five years of pre-med or bio-kinetic science. The PG year can suit a variety of purposes.

The PG Year

The PG Year is sometimes called a Gap Year or a year off. From my point of view, either description implicitly implies that a PG Year is a structured program of study, not simply a year off where you sit around and do absolutely nothing. Over one hundred private day and boarding schools offer PG Years. It will be worthwhile to explore a couple of programs to see if they fit your requirements.

There is a big push in high school to complete your academic studies with the best results possible to get into the college you want to attend after high school. A gap year gives you an extra year to develop a skill for which you didn't have much time while studying for SATs or doing your IB