College Prep Boarding Schools

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College preparatory schools can be either religious or secular. Admission is sometimes based on specific selection criteria, usually academic, but some therapeutic schools have open enrollment. “Prep schools” are primarily private institutions with very selective admission criteria, catering to students in the 13–18 age range. Prep schools can be day schools, boarding schools, or both, and they are coeducational or single-gender. Independent preparatory schools are not governed by a religious organization, and students may or may not required to receive instruction in one particular religion. While independent prep schools in the United States are not subject to government oversight or regulation, many are accredited educationally by one of the six regional accreditation agencies for educational institutions.

College preparatory indicates that a school prepares students for college. In theory, of course, every high school should prepare students for college, but that’s not always the case — even for schools that adopt the college preparatory label. With a national focus on readying students for college and careers, many schools — even elementary schools — are using the college preparatory title in their names and promotional materials, but what does it actually mean?

What to ask when considering a college preparatory school

If you have decided on a college preparatory school, consider the following questions:

Which colleges and universities do graduates attend? Do most graduates go to community colleges, or can the administration produce a list of four-year colleges its graduates attend? It’s also important to find out how many kids graduate from college, which indicates whether students acquire the skills necessary to obtain a college diploma.

How do students do on the SAT and ACT? These are standardized tests typically taken by high school juniors and seniors to measure a students’ knowledge in math, reading, writing, and the ACT, science. Most colleges require the SAT or the ACT for admission. Students should check in advance with schools on their list to ensure there isn’t a preferred test for admission.

What percentage of students take the SAT or ACT? This number indicates whether every student has been put on a college track. At successful college prep schools, juniors and seniors are given information about the tests and are encouraged to take them. At many college prep schools, reminders are everywhere, and the tests are even worked into the school day.

Does the school offer honors, AP, or IB courses? Many colleges and universities want to know that students have taken challenging courses, so it’s important to find out if they offer honors, Advanced Placement, or International Baccalaureate courses. The quality of these courses can vary greatly.  Some schools put an “H” (for honors) or an “AP” (for Advanced Placement) in front of course names, without providing the advanced coursework these terms imply — and since there is no official body monitoring honors curricula, there is no oversight.

Parents should verify that honors or AP courses are truly challenging students. They should ask how many students enrolled in AP courses actually take the corresponding AP exam and how well they do. Similarly, many universities want a student’s record to include advanced math and science courses, so check the course offerings to see how far your child can go in these subjects.

To get into more competitive schools, students will want to:

Take more academic classes than required. University admissions departments generally recommend an additional year each of a laboratory science, a foreign language, and math — ideally getting to the highest level of math, Calculus.

Take the most challenging classes available. Students should take honors or AP classes when they can. AP classes are considered college-level work, and students who pass an AP exam can receive college credit for the class. Certain college courses available to high school students also can count toward requirements and college credits. Encourage your children to aim high and challenge themselves.