The prestigious Darlington School in Georgia.

By Neil Murray

Since the founding of the first American co-ed college-preparatory school, West Nottingham Academy in 1744, this unique educational concept has developed and spread throughout the North American continent from New York to California.

It has incorporated many facets of college and university life - from the boarding element to the curriculum

These unique schools have held true to their original mission of serving as feeder schools to the top institutions of higher learning around the United States.

For the fourth year running, representatives from over 20 top college preparatory boarding schools in the United States will be visiting Grand Cayman on Monday, November 23 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Family Life Centre adjacent to the Church of God on Walkers Road, as part of the 2009 Caribbean School Fair.

The brainchild of Educational Consultant Michael “Bedi” Walker, a former Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Cheshire Academy and Holderness School, the Caribbean School Fair gives local parents and students alike the opportunity to learn first-hand the advantages of attending these prestigious educational institutions.

This year’s Caribbean School Fair will include representatives from Cheshire Academy, Marvelwood, The Hotchkiss School, Kent School, Westminster School and Indian Mountain School from Connecticut; Darlington School and Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School from Georgia; Emma Willard School for Girls and Masters School from New York; Middlesex School, The Williston Northampton School, St. Mark’s School, Northfield Mount Hermon and Miss Hall’s School for Girls from Massachusetts, Blair School and Purnell School for Girls from New Jersey; McCallie School for Boys from Tennessee; St. Andrew’s School from Florida; Mercersburg Academy and Perkiomen School from Pennsylvania; Camden Military Academy from South Carolina; and Christchurch School and Woodberry Forest School for Boys from Virginia.

Why boarding school you may ask?

Well, you will likely hear that “boarding school is an education in and of itself.” Living in a boarding school community leads to learning that is just as or more valuable than the education offered strictly in a classroom.

Education takes on a broad meaning at boarding schools. Boarding schools recognise this - they often have an explicit mission to not only educate students in the classroom, but to also help them become better-rounded individuals. So while boarding schools often do very well at educating students academically in ways that may be better than local schooling options, their less directly measurable benefits, such as great teachers, small classes, top-notch facilities, sporting programmes and extra-curricular activities, should be considered as well.

Parents of students and students from the Island’s middle and high schools are encouraged to attend this very important forum to learn about opportunities available for those who wish to study in the United States. School representatives will be available and willing to answer questions and provide information on their facilities, curriculum, academic and sporting programmes, requirements for enrollment, the application process and opportunities for financial aid.

Over the past 10 years, there have been several local success stories emanating from this unique relationship between Michael Wallker, the Caribbean School Fair and the Academy Sports Club. Because of their academic aspirations and athletic abilities, specifically football, a number of youngsters with the Academy Sports Club have been given the opportunity to study overseas at such prestigious schools as Cheshire Academy, the Hotchkiss School and Darlington School. In some instances, where these students have excelled academically, they have been fortunate to go on to university and attain degrees.

Most recently, Darlington School in Georgia accepted 16-year old Logan Seymour and 15-year old Brandyn Murray from Academy Sports Club into their programme. The experience has already positively affected the two young men academically, personally, socially and athletically.

Apart from the obvious excellent academic programmes, the visiting college-preparatory schools offer an array of top athletic programmes geared to female and male athletes in the Caribbean such as track and field, sailing, squash, tennis, swimming, baseball, softball, field hockey (female), basketball and golf.

The college preparatory boarding school system is quickly becoming a popular alternative throughout the northern Caribbean, primarily due to the schools’ aggressive recruiting activities and events such as the Caribbean School Fair. Granted, this educational alternative may not be for everyone, but parents and students are encouraged to attend this very important forum and discover the opportunities available.

Interested parents and students can visit www.boardingschoolreview.com and do some preliminary research on the visiting schools. For further information on the Caribbean School Fair and the college-preparatory school system, please contact Coach Winston Chung at 327-8515 or Marvette
Darien at 546-0277.